View Full Version : So I'm Off to Dublin, Ireland!
Mel Cooley XU'81
02-01-2013, 01:17 PM
Arrive Friday, 3/1 (9AM), leave Monday, 3/4 (9AM).
Three days with an all-male travelling party of 10. Birthday celebration for a friend.
Staying at Best Western Academy Plaza Hotel which checks out nicely on Trip Advisor.
Steeplechase Races on Sunday.
That's all I know.
What would YOU do?
Cheers!
danaandvictory
02-01-2013, 01:21 PM
"Mel" -- I know that you are a student of history and thus would recommend you carve out some time to take the tour of Trinity College and go to Kilmainham Gaol (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heritageireland.ie%2Fen%2Fdub lin%2Fkilmainhamgaol%2F&ei=YhUMUaDQNoy10AG-8IG4Dg&usg=AFQjCNFNOoNqUB97dyxWr4Hsd4O6ebDOQg).
As far as drinking, I'm sure you'll figure that out.
GoMuskies
02-01-2013, 01:26 PM
Golf and drink.
MD Muskie
02-01-2013, 01:27 PM
I went to Ireland for a trip after high school (yea for international drinking age of 18) and we spent a day in Dublin. Spent most of it on the west coast though.
As danaandvictory points out, Trinity College is a great place to take a tour, as well as the Castle of Dublin. Very cool items of history there.
And it should go without saying that you should go to the Guinness Brewery.
DC Muskie
02-01-2013, 01:55 PM
Safe travels!
Me? I got out of Dublin and headed west. Dublin is like every other major city anywhere. Sure parts of it are cool, but for the most part, it's just a city.
Get out into the country and see what Ireland is really like.
Have fun!
Muskie
02-01-2013, 01:59 PM
Arrive Friday, 3/1 (9AM), leave Monday, 3/4 (9AM).
Three days with an all-male travelling party of 10. Birthday celebration for a friend.
Staying at Best Western Academy Plaza Hotel which checks out nicely on Trip Advisor.
Steeplechase Races on Sunday.
That's all I know.
What would YOU do?
Cheers!
Kiss the Blarney Stone. Experience I will never forget (even if they've taken most of the danger out of it in this litigious world).
bobbiemcgee
02-01-2013, 02:12 PM
You could go see the Cliffs of MOR.......or just stand next to him when he's taking a piss.
coasterville95
02-01-2013, 02:14 PM
I LOVED my trip to Ireland.
I think we did everything BUT Dublin. Seriously, we did all the west coast based stuff: Galway, Cliffs of Mohrr, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara Marble works, and a scenic ride towards but not into Nortern Ireland. Also did Bunratty, which I hear is their big tourist trap, located near the Shannon airport. Ring of Kerry tour, Dingle Peninsula (Gaelic speaking area), Blarney Castle (and by making it safer, they mean added a few safety bars so you don't go plunging to an untimely death. actually I think now you might even lay down on hat ammouts to a furniture dolley and they push you out over the castle edge, but you are, in fact, fully supported on the dolley the whole time. Safety bars or not, the look down, while in that particular position is a mind-screw. We also did the tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory and Avoca Weavers. I can't recall the name of it off hand but we toured the cathedral ruins just outside Dublin, one of their big historical sites.
I went on a Catholic pilgrimage (thanks Catholic Telegraph) so we also stopped by several holy sites, both large and very small.
Can't really help you in Dublin, because our tour didn't include it, but our tour leader took it upon himself to at least give us a two hour driving tour of the city instead of just dumping us off at the hotel. I do hear Trinity College/Book of Kells comes highly recommended. Try some Guiness (it's better over there for some reason), and an Irish Coffee made with Jameson.
As far as the hotel goes - we stayed at a Best Western in Kilkenny, Ireland, and it was, without a doubt, the best Best Western I have ever seen. Marble bathroom, room overlooking the wild open with floor to ceiling windows. Just a really nice place. Room furnishings were a bit strange, it had a queen bed and a twin, so I guess the room was intended to sleep three. Large room, which is rare in Europe, as rooms in Europe tend to be minimlaist and small in tourist class hotels.
Most important, ENJOY!
Dublin is cool, but if you get the chance, get out and see some other parts of Ireland. I liked Kilkenny, Galway, and some of the other little counties more than Dublin. It's a beautiful country where you can drink heavily and fit right in. Enjoy.
MD Muskie
02-01-2013, 02:29 PM
Golf and drink.
Ireland was the first place i ever played golf. Talk about being thrown into a fire, none of their courses were easy. And I firmly believe my game hasn't changed one bit since that fateful day.
bobbiemcgee
02-01-2013, 02:30 PM
I stayed here for 10 days the first week it opened. Developed a friendship with the owner when he was stateside and got a ridiculously cheap price as a "see what you think" trip. Visited Waterford, Dingel, Cork, Limeriick and Dublin. Dublin's ok but I agree with others to get out of town. The book of kells is a "can't miss." We sang our asses off in the pubs. Picture postcard towns everywhere.
http://www.lisheencastle.com/
MD Muskie
02-01-2013, 02:40 PM
Best part of my trip was coming back with something like 8 free pint glasses from the bars we went to. The bartenders would always give them to us for free when we asked how much. And as an 18 yr old at the time, getting pint glasses from Ireland like that would be like finding gold.
Masterofreality
02-01-2013, 03:40 PM
You have to take the tour of the Guinness Brewery and sample some free suds in the lounge on the top floor.
You get a great view of the city from up there.
Fam93
02-01-2013, 04:19 PM
I was there with the wifes family who lives over there. Guinness brewery is must. Also Jameson has a distillery tour in town. I would skip the Blarney stone. The irish cousins say the joke if for the locals to relieve thmeselves on it then laugh at the tourists who kiss it. Have fun.
danaandvictory
02-01-2013, 04:38 PM
You have to take the tour of the Guinness Brewery and sample some free suds in the lounge on the top floor.
You get a great view of the city from up there.
If you do the jail tour at Kilmainham, as I recall the brewery is on the bus route back into the city center. I did both on the same day.
Masterofreality
02-01-2013, 05:40 PM
If you do the jail tour at Kilmainham, as I recall the brewery is on the bus route back into the city center. I did both on the same day.
We actually went to mass at St. James next door to the brewery then went to Guinness.
Wine to Beer. Perfect.
Mel Cooley XU'81
02-01-2013, 07:22 PM
My early research points to St Francis Xavier's Church as nearest my hotel.
Excellent.
Bring the recos and stories!
Thanks!
coasterville95
02-01-2013, 07:55 PM
Our guide told us the same urban legend about Blarney Stone. But I think it's one of those things if you don't you'll have to explain why not to hundreds of people back home.
vee4xu
02-01-2013, 07:58 PM
Hey Mel. I live in Dublin. Unfortunately, Ohio and not Ireland. So, unfortunately, no advice on the Emerald City across the pond. However, when you get back, come to Dublin, OH. It really is a great place. Have fun dude. Sounds like a great trip!
chico
02-01-2013, 08:02 PM
Golf and drink.
I'd do this. Plus golf. And drink.
XUglow
02-02-2013, 08:15 AM
Golf and drink.
This. They have some really beautiful courses. I still prefer Scotland for the history, but golf in Ireland is really nice, and I really like Irish whiskey.
Mel Cooley XU'81
02-15-2013, 11:40 AM
Anyone been to Leopardstown Race Course.
I see it on my itinerary.
Steeplechase, I understand.
Excellent!
Fam93
02-15-2013, 12:23 PM
I went to Fairleigh House Racecourse for the Irish Grand National. They run it the Monday after Easter and truly one of the coolest experiences ever as a horse racing fan. They mix in a few flat races among the steeplechase card and the bookies who take bets along the rail are the best. It was only about 30 min outside of Dublin if I recall.
powerofX
02-15-2013, 01:04 PM
No ideas for Mel...but if he is bragging about his trip, I'll brag about mine. 15 days in Europe in August. The cities I'm visiting are as follows...what I do in each will be defined when I get there and explore!
Rome
Prague
Vilnius, Lithuania
Amsterdam
Rota, Spain
Dublin
Epic!
Mel Cooley XU'81
02-23-2013, 10:50 PM
More details!
Golf at Portmarnock Golf Club.
Will tour south of Dublin Wicklow Hills area and Arklow.
Excitement building for Thursday evening departure!
PM Thor
02-24-2013, 10:21 AM
No ideas for Mel...but if he is bragging about his trip, I'll brag about mine. 15 days in Europe in August. The cities I'm visiting are as follows...what I do in each will be defined when I get there and explore!
Rome
Prague
Vilnius, Lithuania
Amsterdam
Rota, Spain
Dublin
Epic!
I'm going to brag then too. In 6-7 weeks we will be most likely travelling to Moscow, Poland, and Tel Aviv, still up in the air though. Wife has to work on the trip but I do not. (couldn't pull off her current trip to Sydney, Malaysia and Hong Kong dangit) Hit up Paris, London and Geneva last November and will "probably" be visiting Johannesburg and Shanghai, along with Brazil at the end of 2013. Think I'll pass on the Guanzhou China trip. Thus the Blob pics from all over the place.
I HATE dayton.
94GRAD
02-24-2013, 10:40 AM
More details!
Golf at Portmarnock Golf Club.
Will tour south of Dublin Wicklow Hills area and Arklow.
Excitement building for Thursday evening departure!
That place is easiest the stuffiest Club I've EVER played. They made us buy new socks because they were too short. Make sure your socks are above your ankle.
paulxu
02-24-2013, 11:01 AM
Mel's foursome at Portmarnock.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaoGUnkSoSE/TbiLrUzIxwI/AAAAAAAAABc/GhWQnGW7qLU/s1600/golf+knickers.jpg
coasterville95
02-24-2013, 11:24 AM
I wouldn't call it bragging, I'd consider it boasting about the affordances in life our Xavier education has given us.
I'm working on my fourth Europe trip plans as I speak.
Mel Cooley XU'81
02-24-2013, 02:07 PM
Mel's foursome at Portmarnock.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaoGUnkSoSE/TbiLrUzIxwI/AAAAAAAAABc/GhWQnGW7qLU/s1600/golf+knickers.jpg
That's me, passed out in the bushes!
Public reps, Paulie!
UCGRAD4X
02-24-2013, 02:19 PM
That's me, passed out in the bushes!
Public reps, Paulie!
Got tired of looking for your ball....again?
Kahns Krazy
02-25-2013, 09:50 AM
My advice is stay longer. That sounds like a lot of travel for 72 hours in Ireland.
XUglow
02-25-2013, 10:11 AM
That sounds like a lot of travel for 72 hours in Ireland.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCLCh6AiYloKBzt4kB-dW6EvsQNe6ViCxsW07aEPNKf_QDnchC
Sorry, wrong Ireland.
Kahns Krazy
02-27-2013, 09:20 PM
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCLCh6AiYloKBzt4kB-dW6EvsQNe6ViCxsW07aEPNKf_QDnchC
Sorry, wrong Ireland.
Hooo boy. I would ride a looooooooooong time to spend 72 hours in that Ireland. Probably my all time favorite SI girl, though Paulina, Elle and Christie are hard to beat. Mmmmmm. #80'sSIgirls.
PM Thor
02-28-2013, 01:36 AM
It's crazy, 2:34 AM here, wife is flying from Sydney to some random place in Malaysia at 6:34 PM tomorrow. Talked to her, it was just weird trying to say what I did today when she already did what happened today. What?
I HATE dayton.
some late suggestions........ relatively short walking tour of pubs with Trad music, pretty lighthearted fun way to see some nice pubs, starts at Oliver St. John Gogarty pub in the Temple Bar district (lots of other tourists and young folk from the country on a weekend binge, but very friendly and safe)http://www.discoverdublin.ie/ need to book in advance, hotel can take care of it.
If you are going out to the Guinness brewery, in the same area is Kilmainham Goal (thats "jail" in Gaelspeak) where the Irish partisan revolutionaries were housed and hanged http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/dublin/kilmainhamgaol/. Spooky but architecturally interesting.
Slainte!
nuts4xu
02-28-2013, 10:50 AM
Golf and drink.
....and then FIGHT!! We Irish like all 3 very much.....
We'll drink, and drink, and golf, and drink, and drink, and drink and fight! Hey!
I was reading an article this morning about a play coming to Cincinnati next year called The Irish Curse. It is a play about a support group for Irish guys with small penises.
PM Thor
03-03-2013, 10:32 PM
So it's a short story? Like a Bose!
I HATE dayton.
I was reading an article this morning about a play coming to Cincinnati next year called The Irish Curse. It is a play about a support group for Irish guys with small penises.
The Irish Curse played last year in Cbus. It's hilarious.
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