Lonely Planet Ireland (Travel Guide)

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Dublin isn’t that big, so a straightforward sightseeing tour is only really necessary if you’re looking to cram in the sights or avoid blistered feet. What is worth considering, however, is a specialized guided tour, especially for those with a culinary, historical or literary bent. Pop to The International Bar for very authentic, often local music. One of the city's best comedy venues is also upstairs if you fancy a laugh. Locals' favorite, The Workman's Club, features everything from acoustic warblers to electronic harmonizers. It costs nothing to enjoy the nightly traditional sessions in O’Donoghue’s, where folk and trad legends, The Dubliners, cut their musical teeth in the 1960s. 20. Take a brisk walk at one of the city's beaches Want to know what it’s actually like to hold a hurl and strike a sliotar? At Experience Gaelic Games you’ll get to meet members of a local Gaelic club and try your hand at hurling, as well as football and handball, a traditional Irish game very similar to the handball played in the US and elsewhere.

Planning tip: Grafton Street shopping area and The Little Museum of Dublin are both located right beside the park, so there are plenty of other things to do nearby. 13. Visit the free National Museum of Ireland The most popular attraction in Dublin is the multimedia homage to Guinness, the Guinness Storehouse, one of the world’s most famous beer brands. An old fermentation plant in the St James's Gate Brewery has been converted into the seven-storey Storehouse, devoted to sharing the company’s history and showcasing how the beer is made. If the world knows about Inch Strand, then this huge Blue Flag beach about 13km (8 miles) northwest of Tralee is very much a local favorite. On summer weekends – or anytime it’s not raining – folks from Tralee and around make their way here to walk the full length of its 6km (3.7 miles), making it one of Ireland’s biggest beaches. Thanks to the warming waters of the Gulf Stream, a swim here isn’t the mark of madness, especially in those glorious September days when the sea is softened by a long summer, but even if you don’t fancy getting into the water, there are some stunning views from the 10m-high (33ft) dunes – look southwest and take in the glory of Mt Brandon and the Dingle Hills.With ancient ruins telling history of forgotten times, stunning mountain ranges and alluring small villages, there is something here that will captivate even the most seasoned traveler. Here are the don’t-miss things to do on your next trip to Ireland. 1. Road trip around the Wild Atlantic Way You will be treated to some of the most epic views of Ireland from each of these peaks, but the challenge is definitely not for the faint-hearted. If you decide to do a hike a day, though, then it can be quite pleasant, and you'll get to experience the beautiful Irish countryside while putting your body to the test. Located in a handsome Georgian house, the Little Museum of Dublin is a charming place that tells the story of Dublin over the last century via memorabilia, photographs and artefacts donated by the general public. The impressive collection includes a lectern used by John F Kennedy on his 1963 visit to Ireland, and an original copy of the fateful letter given to the Irish envoys to the treaty negotiations of 1921, whose contradictory instructions were at the heart of the split that resulted in the Civil War. Local tip: Rinroe, a secret cove north of Erris, has caverns that offer a good photo op. 3. Kilkenny Pubs doubling as hardware stores, white sandy beaches and lambs you can hold. What more could you ask for from a 46km road trip?

Temple Bar, one of Dublin's most famous areas, was burdened for years with a reputation for drunken debauchery and not much else. Visit these days and you'll find a fun neighborhood with plenty to occupy your days as well as your nights. Its excellent, quirky boutiques appeal to fashionistas who head to Siopaella and Folkster for some unusual threads.

Planning tip: After you've built up an appetite, make your way to teaShed Café for some tea and tasty homemade treats. 15. Take the ferry to the Aran Islands There isn't a weekend in the month that a major festival doesn't take place, while visitors to Galway will find that the city is in full swing for the entire month. If you have any desire to understand Irish history – especially the long-running resistance to British colonial rule – then a visit to this former prison is an absolute must. Why you should go For many, the best route to take starts and ends at Silverstrand beach. Not only do you get constant coastal views on the trail, but you can also hop straight into the sea to cool down afterwards. 4. Mt Errigal, County Donegal NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' cardwith wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel

Trails can sometimes be hard to follow on the more difficult routes, so do your research before attempting any trail. There are official and detailed regional maps called Ordnance Survey Maps. Leopold Bloom mused in James Joyce's Ulysses that a good puzzle would be to cross Dublin without passing a pub. Even in these times of green juices and heart-monitoring apps, the pub remains the alpha and omega of social interaction in Dublin. The city's relationship with alcohol is complex and conflicted but, at its very best, a night out in the pub is the perfect social lubricant and one of the highlights of a visit to Dublin. Christmas dominates the calendar as the country prepares for the feast with frenzied shopping and after-work drinks with friends and family home from abroad. On Christmas Day nothing is open. Victor’s Way Indian Sculpture Park is an adults-only sculpture garden created by Victor Langheld in 1989, after a trip to India where he set out to gain spiritual enlightenment. This garden spans more than 22 acres and took 25 years to complete. It includes seven major and 37 minor sculptures including a tunnel based on the idea of vagina dentata, dancing figures of Ganesh, Buddha and Eve.With endless gems on this route, it will be hard to narrow down an itinerary. If you want something different, skip crowd favorites like the Cliffs of Moher and instead hit up the Fanad Head in Donegal. Climb up the 76 stairs by Fanad Head Lighthouse to get the most breathtaking view of the wild Atlantic Ocean. 2. Indulge in a seaweed bath Planning tip: Combine a visit here with a trip to the next door Botanic Gardens. 15. Enjoy the small but perfect Little Museum of Dublin