As other have mentioned it is a beautiful GREEN country. Lots to see driving around.
But its essence really is the warmth of the people.

They do love their horse racing, that could be a good afternoon.
The pub experience is not to be missed.
If you can find a country car show that too is a fun chance for interaction, they do it differently there. Bring a picnic lunch.

Have a great trip, standing by for pics and stories

Popping into a thrift shop can turn up genuine momentos.

Cheers Richard

Angela's Ashes would be a good read. on the plane.
a book of Irish poetry would be nice to take along, as well.

Thanks, everyone, for the excellent suggestions. I will incorporate most of them into my plans. Truly appreciated! In Dublin now and ready to hit the streets. Its much more touristy than I would have guessed!

I plan on doing most of my eating in pubs.... should be interesting :)

It would be pretty strange to be on the Isle and not see crazy racers zipping by. I'll save that trip for the future.

I'm not much of a foodie. Perfectly happy with a baguette, olive oil and balsamic, and some fromage. I do keep an eye out for Michelin starred restaurants and have eaten at some, but frankly, they tend to be too pricey for me to enjoy. Usually. We had an $8 bowl of ramen at a starred restaurant in Tokyo recently which was fantastic!

This exact scenario has been on my list! I'll be scoping out AT's on this trip.

You should visit St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College while in Dublin



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1472057217.jpg

And Blarney Castle has beautiful grounds


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1472057366.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1472057398.jpg

Going on a drive through the Connemara is really fantastic.

If you are near Shannon, Bunratty castle holds a medieval feast and has a walk through old Irish village, and if you don't want to do the feast you can always eat at a 400 year old pub called Durty Nelly's. We were chasing O'Bryan history, so we found some of the smaller places on our journey

My wife and I talked about your trip and came up with a few things. Most of these are just "stop and go" places where you will only spend a few minutes up to maybe an hour or so at most. (other than the pub, where you need to stay for several pints)


If you're traveling up the A25 from Dublin to Belfast in the afternoon/evening hours, stop into the Thierafurth Inn and have a few pints. It'll be good craic.
Thierafurth Inn

Close by, on Moneyscalp road, is the Drumena cashel. Not a big attraction, but quite old. Built prior to 325ad, approximately.
Drumena Cashel, Down

Just a few miles past there is the town of Castlewellan. Stop in to see the 19th century castle and the forest park.
Castlewellan Castle
Castlewellan Forest Park & Peace Maze

Not far away is Dundrum Castle. 13th century. Mostly ruins now.

Spent 10 days in Ireland with the family last summer and loved it we stayed at an Airbnb cottage for 6 days outside of the town of Roscrea in rural Ireland that was my favorite part getting away from the real touristy areas and meeting the locals....wonderful people.
Cliffs of Moher are cool but very busy with tourists, if you can drive the Ring of Kerry do it its a long day but worth it, +1 on Galway and Dingle is a *****in little town too. We did the Waterford Crystal tour and worth your time for sure...the chinese restaurant across from the Waterford factory pours the best pint I had the whole time in Ireland.
In Dublin do the Literary Pup Crawl...I'm serious do it it's well worth the $50.00 and a blast, the Guinness Tour is cool but don't need to do it again.We were able to find good food it wasn't all fish and chips at all. Driving can be an adventure..it's fun but stressful at times the road are really narrow at times.
Best advice....stop in the small towns go into the pubs and talk with the people.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1472065790.jpg
Irish cottage
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1472065824.jpg
Rural Ireland...Tipperary
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1472065855.jpg
Kids in Galway
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1472065888.jpg
My driving mishap
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1472065914.jpg

Since you're still in Dublin, check out the Wicklow Mountains just south of the city. It's a fabulous area. Glendalough is really pretty.

Concerning all the suggestions above, you can't really go wrong anywhere on the Island.

If you're into an organized tour, C.I.E. Tours is really good.

Have fun.

Your cottage photo reminded me of the cottages my family stayed at when they went to Ireland for our wedding. "Millers Close"
Millers Close Holiday Cottages

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1472072420.jpg

A couple more pubs in Castlewellen....

The Old Tom
On the square, in town.
Kind of an "old man" pub, but enjoyable people and conversations.
http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/...0_4d192a2c.jpg

The Fountain
Just as you're coming into town.
Nice, historic building.
http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/...0_175538fc.jpg

Maginns
On the lower end of town
Maginns Bar Castlewellan
http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/...2_4685b6dc.jpg

A good one in Newcastle is Quinn's - and they have good food, too.
Quinns Website
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...quinns-bar.jpg

Down in Newry, the Quayside Inn had good food.
http://static.ukbeaches.guide/photo/...47/1564765.jpg


(These are all places that I have been to, but it was about 13 years ago)

ooh, I love those pics of the Irish countryside. Just fantastic! And the castle - I would not want to leave.

If you are pub-hopping, might as well throw in a stop at the Brazen Head (Ireland's oldest).

Of course, I am a bit biased... :cool:

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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1472076905.jpg

When you're done in Belfast, head over to Derry.
It was a significant border area during the troubles.
It also has the only completely remaining walled city in Ireland

http://www.neptuneholidays.in/upload...Flickr-450.jpg

My wife said ti give you a couple more ideas.

In Dublin, you can stay in Clontarf Castle - a 19th century castle which has been renovated into a nice hotel.
Interwebz says it is very expensive, so maybe you just drive by and take photos. lol
http://www.clontarfcastle.ie/
http://frankcourtney.com/frankcphoto...Wedding-04.jpg
(not us)

Also in Dublin, you can visit the Kilmainham Jail - a museum on the history of Irish nationalism which offers guided tours of the building. This was also the filming location of the prison scenes in the movie, "In the Name of the Father".

http://www.dochara.com/site/wp-conte...am-691x411.jpg

Johnnie Foxes, on the edge of the Wicklow Mountains, is one of my favourites:

https://www.jfp.ie/

But they're all good.