Mini Travel Guides

Here are our tips for things to do in County Waterford. Located on the south-east coast of Ireland, the county is named after the city of Waterford, said to have been founded around 900 AD by Vikings. Wateford is one of the oldest cities in Ireland and the area has plenty to offer visitors.

Wateford Crystal Factory by Irish Fireside. More pictures by Irishfireside here.

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Explore Waterford City

If you’re looking for history, Waterford city is a great place to start. The early founding of the city has left remains ranging from the Viking Age to the 18^th and 19^th centuries, including Christ Church Cathedral and the city wall.  Along with the historical walking tours, the city also is home to several museums.  Check out the newly restored Bishop’s Palace, scheduled to open June 23^rd, 2011 or the Viking exhibition at Reginald’s Tower.

Picture courtesy of Hotelsireland. More pictures by Hotelsireland here.

Take a Glimpse Back to Pre-Historic Times

Like much of Ireland, the pre-historic remnants of the Irish people are preserved today in Co. Waterford.  Click in on Co. Waterford’s website to see a list of the numerous megalithic tombs, ogham stones, even promontory forts to choose from.  The Gaulstown portal tomb, as well as the Harrison megalithic tomb, are both well-known.

Buy Some Waterford Crystal

No trip to Co. Waterford is complete without a trip to the House of Waterford Crystal. A factory tour will allow you to see the entire process from the moulding to the blowing to the final production. It’s an impressive experience and one that will allow you to appreciate the craftsmanship of the world renowned crystal. Plus, you can get a little shopping done.

Picture courtesy of IrishFireside. More pictures by Irishfireside here.

Attend the Spraoi Festival

The Spraoi Festival taking place every late July/early August during the bank holiday (this year from July 29th to 31^st) is an international street fair held in the city of Waterford.  Art, music, food, and a large parade dominate the weekend.  If you’ve got children, this is a great way to spend the long weekend.

Check Out the Copper Coast

This beautiful, but rugged, coastline was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark and is the only Global Geopark in Ireland.  The Copper Coast blends the natural science with a sense of tourism, offering up the beautiful landscape as a tourist destination.  There are several villages along the coast to visit including Annestown and Boatstrand.

Picture courtesy of IrishFireside. More pictures by Irishfireside here.

Hike at Kilmacthomas

If you’re looking for a little exercise while outdoors, head over to the hike near the village of Kilmacthomas.  There are plenty of hiking opportunities throughout the mountain range, and the effects of the Ice Age have left an impressive glacial fingerprint.  The highest peak reaches nearly 800 meters.

Picture courtesy of SeanJohnSean. More pictures by SeanJohnSean here.

Take a Scenic Drive

If you’ve decided to rent a car and brave the Irish roads (and for some of us that means driving on the opposite side of the road) there are several scenic routes to take.  The Copper Coast and Comeragh Mountains above are wonderful options, as well as the Gaeltacht & Galltacht Drive offering a look at the Irish speaking areas of Co. Waterford.

Picture courtesy of Athena’s Pix. More pictures by Athena’s Pix here

Trace Your Roots at Waterford Heritage Genealogical Centre

No travel tip guide to any county in Ireland is complete without mentioning the genealogical opportunities.  Co. Waterford is no different.  If you have been lucky enough to trace your ancestors this far, head over to the Genealogical Centre at Waterford Heritage Genealogical Centre.  The center offers genealogical services, lectures, and even walking tours.

Delight Your Tastebuds at the Waterford Festival of Food

If you’re hoping to experience the culinary heritage of Ireland, be sure to attend the Waterford Festival of Food in Dungarvan.  The festival offers a variety of events, some free, some requiring tickets.  There are several tasting, educational, and musical options to choose from including what the festival has dubbed “fringe events.” Fringe events are all those activities being hosted by local restaurants and businesses in and around Dungarvan.

Picture courtesy of Athena’s Pix. More pictures by Athena’s Pix here

Find Great Deals on Hotels in Waterford

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Your Tips for Things to do in Waterford

Enjoy your trip to this beautiful part of Ireland and be sure to let us know if you have any travel tips for the area.

Nine Things to Do in County Waterford, Ireland

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There are plenty of great things to do in Dublin, and they don’t all involve drinking Guinness! Like many Australians, I’ve got a decent chunk of Irish blood in me (my grandmother was a Murphy) and I’m sure that’s why places like Dublin are so attractive to me. I’ve compiled some of the best tips we’ve had on Europe a la Carte to help you plan your trip to Dublin.

Dublin Post Office and Spire

Podcast on Things to Do in Dublin

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Famous Dublin Sights

Dublinia houses an interactive history of Dublin during the age of the Vikings and Medieval times. Marcus visited and suggested it would be an especially good outing for families with children.

Next to Dublinia is the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral. It’s the oldest building in Dublin (dating back to the 11th century) and you can get a combined ticket with Dublinia if you want to save some money.

Christ Church Cathedral by Marcus Cederstrom

I’m always a fan of libraries and was pleased to hear that Karen particularly liked the Chester Beatty Library on her trip to Dublin. It is situated inside the gardens of Dublin Castle (another great place to visit!) and it’s one of Dublin’s free attractions.

Chester Beatty Library

Karen’s favourite Dublin sculpture was Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy Fame.

Phill Lynott sculpture in Dublin

My personal tip for something to do in Dublin is to head to the Dublin Writers Museum – obviously Ireland is home to many famous authors and this museum showcases the lives and literature of writers such as George Bernard Shaw and W. B. Yeats.

Tours in Dublin

For many travellers, visiting Dublin is synonymous with drinking Guinness, and Marcus decided to tour the home of Guinness in Dublin. The tour goes through the Guinness Storehouse and basically covers the history of Guinness (but unfortunately doesn’t show the brewing in progress) – but the highlight comes at the end when all tour participants receive a freshly brewed pint of Guinness.

St James Gate Brewery by Marcus Cederstrom

There are numerous different walking tours to take around Dublin. Marcus took a free walking tour (tips appreciated of course) with a New Europe Tour guide and was impressed that they really ran the tours no matter what the weather, and he considered it a good basic introduction to the city’s sights if you hadn’t been to Dublin before.

Trinity College Dublin

Karen went on the “Original Tour” with a Historic Walking Tours of Dublin guide which cost 12 Euros at the time, but seemed to be well worth it. It takes in sightseeing spots like Old Parliament House, Trinity College, Temple Bar, City Hall and so on and lasts about two hours.

Dublin Ghost Bus Tour by Lindsay Sydenham

For a tour of a rather different kind, you might try the Dublin Ghost Bus Tour. Lindsay took the tour and found it a little more on the silly side than the scary side, but said it was actually a fun way to learn about some of Dublin’s history in a completely different way.

Shopping and Eating in Dublin

Karen has some excellent tips on where to shop in Dublin in her unique shopping venues in Dublin post from her last trip there. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre sounds lovely, as does the Powerscourt Centre, built around an 18th century mansion.

Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre

If you’re looking for a good meal, Karen also wrote up reviews of a couple of good restaurants, including Bewley’s Cafe and Restaurant in Grafton Street and the Church Cafe and Bar near the Jervis Shopping Centre. This photo of the Church’s Irish stew is making me hungry!

Irish stew and soda bread

Find the Best Deals on Hotels in Dublin

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On her last trip to Dublin, Karen stayed at the Arlington Hotel near O’Connell Bridge, which has a very central location and friendly staff.

Arlington Hotel entrance

Your Dublin Tips

Before Karen went to Dublin back in 2009 she received a bunch of fantastic Dublin tips from Europe a la Carte readers and Twitter followers, including visiting St Michan’s Church, the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Kilmainham Gaol, the Chester Beatty Library, and trips to Newgrange, Knowth and Howth.

If you’ve got any more tips for things to do in Dublin, we’d love to hear them so please leave us a message in the comments below.

Best of Dublin Tips

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Here are our tips for things to do in County Donegal, the northernmost county in Ireland.  Which might not sound all that interesting until you realize that parts of Co. Donegal are actually north of Northern Ireland. Aside from just a small strip of border touching Co. Leitrim, you’ll technically have to go through the United Kingdom to get there.

Donegal Coast by mjmkeating

Podcast on things to do in Donegal

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Trace your roots at the Glencolmcille Folk Village Museum

Because of the many eras of emigration from Ireland, many people return to explore their Irish roots. The Glencolmcille Folk Village Museum is a great place to get a window into the world that so many left behind while also exploring the world that has shaped current day Ireland.

Picture courtesy of sludgegulper

Travel back to the Iron Age at Griana an Aileach

Stay at the town of Burt and visit the nearby Iron Age ring fort, Grianan an Aileach. Sitting atop a hill, the fort looks out over Co. Donegal and offers views that are hard to beat. The area was most likely once a seat of power and culture in ancient Ireland. Today, it is one of those ancient ruins that just shouldn’t be missed.

Grianan an Aileach by Steve Cadham

Visit Donegal Castle

Take a guided tour at the 15^th century Donegal Castle in Donegal Town. There is a small fee to visit the castle, but the castle has been nearly completely restored and is well worth the entrance fee.

Picture courtesy of Marcus Murphy.  More pictures by Marcus Murphy here.

Learn to speak Irish

Learn Irish at the Oideas Gael Language camp. For over 25 years, the camp has been offering education in both the Irish language as well as Irish culture for adults. While the course does not necessarily come cheap, it offers a unique opportunity to learn the Irish language in one of Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes.

Spectate at the Donegal Car Rally

Enjoy (from a safe distance) the Donegal International Car Rally.  On the third weekend of June, the three day event brings rally fans from around the world to the competition. The course winds through breathtaking scenery and offers world class racing.

Picture courtesy of leppre

Explore the region on foot or bike

People from around Ireland and Europe flock to Co. Donegal for the nature. With good reason. So go for a walk or go cycling. Anywhere. The countryside is beautiful so get out there and explore.  You can head off on your own, either having rented a bike or by foot, but be sure to head out there.

Picture courtesy of Jule_Berlin. More pictures by Jule_Berlin here.

Go swimming or surfing

Boasting some of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland, Co. Donegal has plenty of white sandy beaches to choose from. Bundoran is a great place to enjoy the sea as well as get a little surfing in.

Picture courtesy of dusi_bbg. More pictures by dusi_bbg here.

Go Diving

Not only can you go swimming, but you can even go diving.  Mevagh Diving Center offers dives for all experience levels as well as dives to various wrecks and plenty of scenic dives. They are a PADI 5 Star certified dive center and the only dive center in Co. Donegal.  They’ll even take you diving every single day of the year.  Although, unless you’re braver than me, diving in December, that far north is better left to others.

Explore Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park offers guided walks with park rangers throughout the year, although booking is essential. The lakes, forests, and mountainous areas offers a beautiful countryside and the park prides itself on its ongoing efforts to reintroduce the Golden Eagle which was classified as extinct in the area in 1912.

Picture courtesy of rejflinger. More pictures by rejflinger here.

Admire the views from Slieve League

And finally, go to the Slieve League. The sea cliffs are actually much higher than the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare and due to the lack of notoriety you’ll find fewer people swarming the cliffs.  As always though, be safe!

Picture courtesy of Dr.epsylon. More pictures by Dr.epsylon here.

Find the best deals on hotels in Donegal

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Your tips for things to do in Donegal

Let us know what you think about Co. Donegal and your own tips for enjoying Ireland’s northernmost county.

Ten Tips for Things to Do in County Donegal, Ireland

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New Year’s Eve is coming up and there are plenty of exciting things to explore in Europe.  I love watching the fireworks throughout the city of Stockholm for example.  But it’s also the middle of winter, and sometimes it is nice to remember that beyond the dark and the cold, summer is out there.  Somewhere.

That’s why it’s time to take a trip to the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland.  Ireland isn’t always known for its sunny disposition, but I got lucky.  And when looking back at pictures, that shining sun sure makes the memories a little bit sweeter.

We took a beautiful ferry ride out to Inishmore, one of the three Aran Islands (no cars are allowed to make the trip).  The islands rely heavily on tourism now, and upon arrival we were overwhelmed by choices in transportation. There were horse drawn buggies, bicycles, even vans, all offering to take us around the island.  With my grandfather’s bad hip, we opted for a van and a leisurely tour of the island.  It was well worth it.  The little titbits from our tour guide (like the town gossip about who was recently pulled over by the police and the newcomer from Boston) and the love and respect for the island made for an unforgettable trip.

Not only that, but along the way we were able to tour Teampull Bheanáin, a Celtic church from the 11^th century so small that my wingspan was large enough to touch both walls.  The highlight though may have been Dún Aonghasa, an Iron Age ring fort that sits high atop a hill on Inishmore and looks out over the water.  It is an impressive display of power and history.

The Aran Islands are known in knitting circles for the Aran Island sweater, their walls, and the fact that Irish is still the main language used.  In fact, many people head to the islands to learn Irish.  But it was not these that attracted me, it was the history and the ruins that still stand today.  With winter creeping by, it’s time to start planning for those European destinations.  Make sure the Aran Islands make your list.

The Aran Islands of Ireland

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Dublin is a Viking town.  Or was a Viking town at least.  It’s an impressive history that dates back over a thousand years and involves Viking settlers (or marauders depending on whom you ask) and Irish heroes (or villains, depending on whom you ask).

Dublinia

Dublinia, the Viking and Medieval museum in Dublin explains this very history.  Despite my love of nearly all things Scandinavian, I did not set out to visit Dublinia.  In fact, I set out to visit Christ Church Cathedral and a mummified cat and rat.  Lucky for me, the two are connected by a foot bridge and a combined ticket price.  Just 11 EUR for adults and 8.50 EUR for students.

I’m a sucker for Vikings and thought it just as well to check out both.  And I did.  And quickly realized that, while an impressive museum in its own right, much of the museum was geared towards a younger audience.  And I’m getting old.  Had I been about 12 or a little younger, this would have been right up my alley.

The museum has quite a few different exhibitions focusing on everything from the history of the Viking Age to the archeology of it.  There are even a few people wandering around in period clothing.  And, to top it all off, there is a medieval game room.  I’ll be honest; this was the part that, despite my earlier complaint about getting old, kept my attention the longest.

Mummified cat & rat at Christ Church Cathedral

As I mentioned, it sometimes seems like it is catering to children rather than adults, but all in all, Dublinia offers a really good overview of the history of the Vikings in Dublin.  If you have kids and are planning a trip to the Irish capital, Dublinia would be a great thing to do in Dublin.  You can admire the architecture of Christ Church Cathedral as the kids marvel at the mummified cat and rat, then head over to Dublinia and enjoy the medieval game room and the Viking past of Ireland.

Catching up with the Vikings in Dublin

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Europe has some fantastic scenery, without a doubt.  The beautiful blue Mediterranean, the incredible architecture of Prague, the snow peaks of Switzerland.  Ireland is a green (and wet) paradise in itself, but today I’ve got a great hiking suggestion but only for those with good fitness and good boots: The Cliffs of Croaghaun.  So if you’re planning a road trip through Ireland and enjoy hiking, put the Cliffs on your itinerary.

Croaghaun is the third highest sea cliff in Europe, though it’s sloped so I’m not sure you’d want to jump.  It’s the second highest mountain in Ireland, and many say this is the most untouched piece of land in Western Europe.

To hike the mountain – which isn’t a terrible hike, at least relative to mountains elsewhere in the world of similar height – isn’t like you can rock up to the car park and stroll up to the top.  Nor can you even see the cliffs without hiking to them, unless you get a  boat to take you there.  The nearest access point is Keem Beach, pictured above.

County Mayo, where you’ll find this gorgeous beach, also has a lot of other fun sightseeing.  Megalithic tombs, abbeys showing off Irish gothic architecture, and wildlife watching.  The biggest town is Ballina, which holds a popular street festival in July which makes a great time to come for a visit. You can find the best deals at hotels in Ballina using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Mountainviews has some great tips for how to get to the top of the Cliffs of Croaghaun – and how to get back, more importantly – all in one piece. Don’t forget to bring lunch!

Big Cliffs in Croaghaun, County Mayo Ireland

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Ireland is known to be a destination for genealogical research.  Especially for Americans.  It makes sense considering the millions of Irish who made the move to the US during the 19^th century.

Until recently, I had never considered any sort of Irish heritage to be mine.  I stuck to the Swedish side. It was easier that way.  But on my recent trip to Ireland, I found myself sitting in the home of a small parish pastor looking at church records from the 1850s in an attempt to trace my ancestors in Ireland.

An incredible experience.  Even if it was all for naught.  My grandfather, my mother, and I based our search on a copy of an old marriage record.  It was an old copy. A difficult-to-read copy. So we attempted to decipher the 150 year old handwriting and made our best bet.

Off we went to a small Presbyterian church.  We though we struck gold when we found a gravestone with my grandfather’s last name. Clearly, we were in the right place.  But the dates didn’t really match up.  The first names of the deceased didn’t really match up.  And so we kept searching.

Which is how we ended up in the home of that small parish pastor in Tullyallen, Northern Ireland.  It is also how we ended up leafing through several books of church records finding nothing at all.  We walked away empty handed.  Kind of.

We learned quite a bit about the genealogical process.  We learned about the different types of churches.  We even learned what tully meant (which was helpful considering the number of place names using tully).  We learned that it never hurts to ask, because suddenly you might have a meeting with the parish pastor.  Most of all, we learned just how hospitable, just how helpful, just how friendly, people could be when out searching for family.

You can’t plan for hospitality when traveling in Europe. When picking those European destinations, nothing is guaranteed.  But if you do find yourself visiting Europe in search of old family history, enjoy the whole process.  Even if you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for.  You might still end up with a memory that becomes a part of your own family history.

If you are looking for family in Northern Ireland, start here: The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.

Genealogical Research in Ireland

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While you’re off exploring the wilds of rural Ireland, if you find yourself in the northwest of the country, don’t miss Bunbeg (A Bun Beag) a popular County Donegal attraction and  Europe’s smallest harbour.  It’s a charming little place, as you would no doubt expect for this wonderful part of the world:

Unsurprisingly, the harbour was once a popular military port and thus hiking around the area you’ll find lots of military relics around here – old barracks, lookout towers, etc.  The area sits in the shadow of Mount Errigal, one of the tallest mountains in County Donegal and part of the chain of Seven Sisters.

The shipwreck in the harbour (particular wonderful at low tide) is Cara Na Mara (Friend of the Sea), a shipwreck from the 70s.

If you’re there, my Europe travel tip is that you catch one of the tours that departs from the habour (yes – it’s not just an inlet faking it as a harbour).  Donegal Coastal Cruises has a tour that goes to Tory Island, nine miles off the coast.  Brits can laugh at the name, but you won’t be laughing when you see the stunning cliffs.  There are also boat tours to Gola Island, a place so quiet you’ll definitely find some inner peace.

As with most of rural Ireland, it’s best to get around either with a tour guide/operator or hire a car.  Many of the old railway stations are long closed and bus service is infrequent at best.  Also I should mention just north of Bunbeg is Derrybeg, where you can find the Bloody Foreland, known for one of the most incredible sunset spots in all of the British Isles.

Photo by Jed Baxter

In the beginning of June I drove 2700 kilometers over the course of nine days in Ireland.  Actually 2690.  My mother drove 10 kilometers one evening after I had decided it might be nice to have a Guinness with dinner.  I quickly realized that, although I enjoy a good Guinness, the stress of having my mother drive on, what to an American is the wrong side of the road, far outweighed the deliciousness of the Guinness.

Driving 2700 kilometers in nine days was a bit of a change for me.  Usually, when I travel, I walk.  Everywhere.  I spot church spires on the horizon and walk until I find them.  I walk to tourist sights.  To hostels.  To restaurants.  And I love it.

But this trip was different.  My grandfather met my mother and me in Ireland.  He is 80 years old and has a bit of a bad hip.  Despite still thinking it a good idea to carry refrigerators up from the basement on his own.  But that bad hip made this a different kind of trip.  Suddenly, I was road tripping through all of Ireland instead of hitting one or two cities.

It was an amazing experience.  We saw more in those nine days than I could have even dreamed of seeing normally.  We stopped on mountain passes and took in the view.  We saw signs written in English.  In English and Irish.  And just in Irish.  We drove from Dublin to Dingle to Derry.  We watched tour buses take up an entire country road.  We scraped rear view mirrors with cars passing by.  We saw the country from the highway.

Honestly, I was sceptical.  And honestly, I still prefer walking.  But it was an unforgettable experience and one of the best ways to see an incredible amount of country in just a short amount of time.  I saw things I never would have experienced if not in a car (like being charged by a wayward sheep).  So if you’re thinking of an Irish destination when Europe travel planning, give it a shot.  It’s not so bad driving on the left-hand side of the road.

I tend to follow the rules.  I’ve always been that way.  I see street signs and I do what they say.  I see warning signs and I take heed.  It’s gotten me through 26 years without any sort of major injury, albeit at times, it might be considered boring. I like practical instead though. It sounds better.

With this in mind, I crossed over a barrier at the Cliffs of Moher that stated that crossing that barrier was probably not a good idea.  Mostly because you could die.

I did it anyway.  And even dragged my poor mother along with me.  We were not alone, in fact, if we had been alone, chances are I wouldn’t have done it.  Instead I acted the lemming, minus the actual jumping off the cliff part, and followed along.

There were a few questionable moments; luckily none of them involved my mother.  Or me for that matter.  The woman in front of us though was hiking around in high heeled shoes.  Which were clearly new judging by the price tag that could still be seen on the bottom of her shoes.  After several stumbles she finally took them off. Or the girl with the fancy camera that wanted to get just a little bit closer for her picture and scooted out on her butt, only to slip, sending my heart into my throat.  She caught herself and scrambled away from the edge.

Would I suggest doing what I did, probably not, but I’m a rules follower. And you’re not supposed to break that rule.  And seeing the close calls of people making not so smart decisions made it abundantly clear as to why that sign is there.

The views from the areas of the Cliffs of Moher which are not blocked off are amazing.  There are sheer drops in churning water.  There are birds nesting in the rock face directly below you.  There is a color to the water that can’t be described.  And you don’t need to cross any fences to see that.  So if you’re doing your European travel planning for Ireland sightseeing, head to the west coast of Ireland to see the Cliffs of Moher.  You don’t even need to break any rules to get a great picture.

You can read more of my adventures in Ireland in “Sheep herding on the Dingle Peninsula“.