The Official Irish Times Best Places to Holiday in Ireland Thread

[QUOTE=“Kinvara’s Passion, post: 994561, member: 686”]Great road tripping.

I have never seen Kinvara as busy as this year. Buses and buses of tourists day upon day. If you could move the castle into town they’d clean up altogether.

Where did ye dine in Oranmore?[/QUOTE]
Galway had a rare vintage Summer, the place has been absolutely heaving the last couple of months. The whiff of Celtic Tiger vulgarity has thankfully receded and the buzz around has been electrifying, meeting so many salt of the Earth types visiting from all over the country you realize Irish people really are the soundest, kindest and easily the funniest people you’ll ever meet.

I myself will be revisiting my beloved Blackwater again and Enniskillen for the Beckett festival in the coming weeks. Anyone with any kind of a lowdown on Enniskillen of Fermanagh(never been) in general, I’m all ears

[QUOTE=“Lazarus, post: 994896, member: 286”]Galway had a rare vintage Summer, the place has been absolutely heaving the last couple of months. The whiff of Celtic Tiger vulgarity has thankfully receded and the buzz around has been electrifying, meeting so many salt of the Earth types visiting from all over the country you realize Irish people really are the soundest, kindest and easily the funniest people you’ll ever meet.

I myself will be revisiting my beloved Blackwater again and Enniskillen for the Beckett festival in the coming weeks. Anyone with any kind of a lowdown on Enniskillen of Fermanagh(never been) in general, I’m all ears[/QUOTE]

@briantinnion[/USER], please provide [USER=286]@Lazarus with the lowdown on Enniskillen.

[QUOTE=“Lazarus, post: 994896, member: 286”]Galway had a rare vintage Summer, the place has been absolutely heaving the last couple of months. The whiff of Celtic Tiger vulgarity has thankfully receded and the buzz around has been electrifying, meeting so many salt of the Earth types visiting from all over the country you realize Irish people really are the soundest, kindest and easily the funniest people you’ll ever meet.

I myself will be revisiting my beloved Blackwater again and Enniskillen for the Beckett festival in the coming weeks. Anyone with any kind of a lowdown on Enniskillen of Fermanagh(never been) in general, I’m all ears[/QUOTE]

Is “salt of the earth” not a polite term to describe someone who is working class and generally unemployed?

I wouldn’t have thought so myself but maybe you’re right. What I meant was everyday people no matter what their ‘class’. (Everyday people probably has some connotation behind it too now I think about it.) The airs and graces have dispersed and it was an enriching experience engaging with the masses this time around, not a despairing one as has been the case in recent years. I sensed people are over the angry, bitter phase of the economic meltdown and have a new jauntiness in their step, long may it coninue

Will be in Westport and then Galway city for a few days at end of August. Is there a scenic drive I can take in through Connemara? Is Croagh Patrick worth doing on your holidays?

:smiley:

:smiley:

Yes, yes.

The main N59 from Westport to Clifden and then from there to Galway should allow you to see some good conemara landscapes. Or you can take the long way from Clifden via Roundstone then onto Galway.

I enjoyed Croagh Patrick, it’s a reasonably challenging climb.

[QUOTE=“TreatyStones, post: 994913, member: 1786”]Yes, yes.

The main N59 from Westport to Clifden and then from there to Galway should allow you to see some good conemara landscapes. Or you can take the long way from Clifden via Roundstone then onto Galway.

I enjoyed Croagh Patrick, it’s a reasonably challenging climb.[/QUOTE]

very long drive - hour to Clifden and another hour to Galway - a more direct route but still scenic would be to head towards maam cross and then to Galway from Westport

If you are touring from Galway then do drive out to Roundstone and Clifden and perhaps the coast road towards Spiddal

Gurteen Beach and Dogs Bay is on the Clifden Roundstone road about 2 miles from Roundstone

Go via Louisberg and Doo Lough from Westport and then Killary Harbour/Kylemore abbey(she will love it) route to Clifden. There’s 2 pubs adjacent to each other in Clifden called Kings, have a pint in the one without the tourists but be warned you might be waiting a while, the barman spends more time in the bookies next door then he does pouring pints. Then head to Galway via Oughterard(be sure and stop off in Recess for a stroll around). The views will take your breath away. If possible take in Leenane or Roundstone or Ballyconeely though they are off route but well worth the effort if it’s scenic views you’re after.

I love the road from Clifden to Roundstone to Ballinahinch Castle.

:eek:

You sick cunt

You sick cunt[/QUOTE]

some sick fucks on here

I would be a Ti Ruaris man myself.

Let’s not forget that other famous inisheer institution the Fishermans Cottage.

You sick cunt[/QUOTE]
:oops:

Smashing couple of days out west. Arrived in Westport at Thursday lunchtime and then went for a stroll through Westport house grounds and quay and back up through the town. Few porter in Matt Molloys and Morans. Stayed in the Castlecourt which was grand - only €5 supplement on the set menu for the Tbone so that was had.

Did Croagh Patrick the next day. Have to say was fooked for the first hour but grand after that. Some view at the top. Then back in the car after and straight to Galway. Jacuzzi and pool once we arrived to ease out the stiff legs. Fish and chips that evening in McDonaghs and bit of a pub crawl before ending up in An Pucan on Forster St. They have done some job on it compared to tje kip it was a few years ago. Serious tail in it too.

Next day drove out the coast road through Spiddal and Gaeltacht area to Clifden. Some smashing views. Bit of lunch/porter in Kings, few bets in Boyles and cracking game of pitch and putt under blazing sun in Hazelbrook out the Westport road. Back in the jammer then and tea and scones in Ballinahinch Castle en route back to Galway City. Few cocktails in the G, dinner in the Asian Tea House and off to bed. Stopped in Kilbeggan yesterday for bit of the Spurs game and then motored home just back in time for the GAA.

Stayed there last weekend at a wedding. Found it overpriced to be honest and the room horrid pokey.

The gummy gobbler @Fagan O’Dowd :clap:

Is this not the case with every hotel room you stay in unless it’s a suite?

To be honest for 120 for 2 with a very decent dinner, I was happy enough.