I love going on Rick Steves tours myself, but this time I'm taking my husband, who has arthritis and can't do a lot of stairs or walk all day. He doesn't like fancy palaces or gardens. But he would love pubs, Irish music, seeing how they make Guinness....and he loves fishing (and history if it's not the history of the genteel classes) Dublin for sure, but where else do people recommend?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
You won't get to see how they make Guinness. The Guinness tour in Dublin shows you nothing of the brewing process. It's mostly one long commercial, some "history of Guinness" information, and lots of buying opportunities for Guinness souvenirs.
You should check out the hop-on, hop-off bus in Dublin. The route is about an hour and a half (take the one with the live guide, not the taped commentary). Take it all the way around once, then go around again, getting off at whatever looks interesting. Stay as long as you want, then get back on the bus. For most of the main sights of Dublin it's good transportation. The ticket is good for 24 hours.
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ, USA
1035 posts
Grace in AJ, based upon what you describe he will enjoy most of Ireland sans Dublin. Get a car and explore south or west (or both).
Dub will not be his cup of tay.
Posted by
OP
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
138 posts
Thanks for the advice! What a shame about the Guinness factory!
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2426 posts
Agree with Nancy, do not do Guinness, not worth time or money, it is in my mind a tourist trap. We loved the west of Ireland, especially Dingle and Doolin. In Dublin, try to see Book of Kells, the GPO and especially Kilmainhaim Gaol (sp?). I think you can get to all these by bus. I digress but in the West we liked Dingle better than Ring of Kerry. For your piece of mind, most B&B we stayed in had very little amount of stairs, a lot of them on one floor. you might have to skip Blarney due to the amount of narrow climbing stairs. Whatever, enjoy your trip.