First
part
Dublin
The Ha' Penny Bridge that lead to Temple Barr
Dublin
A front door in Georgian style
Glencree
Tombs at the German cemetery
Cashel
The splendid Rock with its circular tower
Kilkenny
The St. Canice Cathedral in a rain day
Kilkenny
Coloured houses in a road of the centre
Jerpoint Abbey
The splendid Cistercian Abbey in the outskirts of Kilkenny
Jerpoint Abbey
The splendid colonnade of the abbey
Cork
The English Market
DUBLIN
(Baile Átha Cliath)
If you get to Dublin by flight there are two types of buses that brings you to the city centre from the
airport: the first is the direct one that goes to the Bus Station and costs 2.50 IRP, while the other is the regular bus that does a lot of stops and costs half the price. Dublin is sufficiently a small city to wonder around on foot with a good map. Attention: names of the roads are not very well marked.
I've been in three different Hostels, everyone acceptable: The Dublin International YH in Mountjoy St. is situated in an old restored building of Dublin North and is a beautiful place if you don't sleep in the basement; the breakfast is served in an unhallowed church (telephones are in the confessional!). The
Kinlay House is rather centre located and quite comfortable but I have met not very recommendable people. The
Isaac Hostel, gained from a wine warehouse of XVIII sec. is perhaps the best one even if you must adapt yourself to the traffic of the DART (open-air underground). It's behind the Bus Station, in a very centred location.
The more interesting things that I have seen in Dublin are: Trinity College (University) with the Book of Kells (miniated manuscript of 800 b.c.) and its beautiful
garden; it's quite interesting to be guided through the University by one of the many students you can find at the entrance; Temple Bar (the lifeful pub area) especially from 7pm; Dublin Castle (beautiful visit to the basements), Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral; the two national museums (Nat. Museum and Nat. gallery) they are free and enough interesting; the shops area of
Grafton St.
is very lifeful during the day and full of many elegant shops; you can't miss a visit to St. Stephen's Green and the Georgian buildings all round (wonderful and colorful
front
doors !); very beautiful are also those in Merrion Square; bizarre the Whitefriars Carmelite church with relics of Saint Valentine and St. Michan's church with the very well "preserved" mummies; for U2 fans, close to Windmill Wools there are the old studios of the band (beautiful murals); beautiful are the surrounding area of O'Connel St. and
GPO
(Main Post Office - general Quarter of the rioters during the Easter Uprising of 1916); interesting the Dublin Writers' Museum; if you have the chance, go to the fruit market in Moore Street; Guinness Brewery (even if too much touristy - it's not possible to visit the inside of the factory but you will have a free pint included in the entry price); beautiful walks towards Phoenix Park (one of the largest city parks of the world) to Kilmainham Jail (you can't miss it - here there were imprisoned and executed some of the chiefs of the revolt during the Uprising of 1916); unusual the Marino Casino (is a house, not a casinò). In beautiful days you can take a walk along the
Liffey
river and admire buildings like Custom House
that reflects on the water. There are organized tours that follow some passages of
Joyce's Ulysses.
There are tons of pubs and the most beautiful and picturesque are all around Temple Bar, but there are also some in less centred areas. You just have to choose the one you prefer. Between the most historic take a glance to
Brazen Head and McDaid's. Great live music at O'Donoghue's.
GLENDALOUGH
Like real strong men we have decided to make a beautiful walk from Enniskerry to Glendalough dividing it in two stages (approximately 40Km). Fortunately (we were 3 with very huge backpacks) we had the chance to take some lifts that have save us from doing this exhausting walk. Going to Glencree (Quite nice the Hostel, but just crazy people like us should decide to stop here, and the German cemetery nearby very suggestive), and then through the Military Road you will pass the Wicklow way getting over the Sally Gap (splendid desolated landscapes) and will arrive to destination. The Hostel, the
An Óige YH close to the lake, is pleasant even if not so cleane.
Deadly beautiful is the monastic site (X-XII cent.) with the famous round tower
and walks along Lower
and Upper Lake. If you stop for the night, think about a short tour of the outskirts (Bring a torch !!). Look for the Deer Stone and tell a girl to wash her face: she will always be beautiful.
KILKENNY
(Cill Chainnigh)
Hostels: An Óige Hostel is situated in a beautifulst Norman
Castle of XVI century, at 13 km from Kilkenny. By bike is an acceptable distance. It's wonderful to climb up and down a steep and narrow winding stair when you have to go to the bathroom. The
Kilkenny Tourist Hostel, 35 Parliament St. is centre located and cleaned; there is also a turf fireplace for the coldest days.
Kilkenny is the most lovely among Irish cities of medium dimensions. Beautiful the
Castle
(guided tour) and its park, especially if the weather is good; St. Canice' s Cathedral (with its tower) and the Black Abbey; interesting the
Smithwick
Brewery (now property of Guinness). There are many colourful roads in the city centre and small alleys in the outskirts (the Butterslip, where butter vendors were used to assemble). Outside Kilkenny is worth to make a visit to
Jerpoint
Abbey (Cistercians Abbey) with ruins of the church
and the beautifulst cloister
(XIV-XV sec.) with carved figures on the small columns, and to the picturesque small village of Inistioge.
For Pubs, take a look to Caisleán uí Cúain where there is good music and to Peig's Bar both in High Street, or to John Cheere in Parliament Street where you should have the chance to assist to a theatre performance.
CASHEL
(Caiseal)
One of the most spectacular archaeological sites of Ireland. Very touristy but much spectacular the
Rock of Cashel
is religious structure of XII century, situated on an enormous limestone block that dominates the outskirts; see the many buildings (splendid the nave of the
church) and the
cemetery. Leaving from the base of the Rock you can do a beautiful walk along green grasses to go to visit the Hore Abbey, thirteen-century abbey with interesting ruins, from which you'll have a wonderful view on the Rock. Cashel is a small city with coloured houses. If you want to eat something after the visit try at
O'Sullivan where you can find huge pub courses.
CORK
(Corcaigh)
Hostel: Isaac's, 48 Mac Curtain St. Very nice and close to the Bus station; perhaps a little too much noisy.
To see: St. Finbarr's
Cathedral and St. Ann's Church with its beautiful tower, University (in order to understand where our "Irish colleagues" study) and the Cork City Gaol, prison of XIX sec. with furnished cells. Beautiful (good food) the English market. In a beautiful day the river Lee is really picturesque.
Cork is rather animated with several pubs; asks the hosteller if he has any suggestion. In the outskirts of Cork there is the much touristy Blarney Castle where you should follow the rite of Kiss to the Blarney Stone in order to receive the gift of gab. Interesting also a tour to the ancient port of Cork, Cobh, colourful village from which ships full of emigrants where used to depart to America. The infamous boat Titanic did in Cobh his last call before doing its last
crossing.
 BACK
TO IRELAND PAGE |