Hello, we have 10 days in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland this May and everything I read about destinations focuses on areas that are on or near the coastline. We'd love to spend a few days more inland as well in quieter, less touristy locales -- maybe on a farm, maybe a small town. Suggestions? Thanks.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2980 posts
For off the beaten path adventures in Ireland I heartily recommend "Back Roads Ireland" from DK publishing...available from Amazon. We used it extensively last year and enjoyed all of the scenic drives and lesser known attractions highlighted in the book.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
You can get a guide from the Irish Tourism Board of "Farmhouse B&Bs". These are working farms - we stayed at a sheep farm, a cattle farm where they also quarried slate, a farm that grew crops, and a farm where they trained jumping horses.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, Washington, USA
66 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
317 posts
Hi Terri
Consider heading for the Irish midlands!
Ive been guiding for Rick Steves for 15 years and two years ago I was a judge on the 'Best place to holiday in Ireland' competition for the Irish Times, I described travel in Ireland for most visitors as sadly being a bit like a 'doughnut', sweet on the outside and nothing in the middle!
There is loads to do in the middle, stay on or near the river shannon, where our ancestors built some of the best castles and monasteries as that was our ancient highway, the surrounding bogland being impassable.
For a bigger town, try Athlone, full of history. Or maybe Ferbane in Co. Offaly, lovely people and great pubs and only a few miles from the blockbuster monastic site of Clonmacnoise. There are some very cool towns and villages in central Ulster also, up North. Armagh or Cookstown would be pleasant places to stay, you'll not find many tourists overnighting nearby.
Best of luck with your choices.
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide
Posted by
OP
Seattle, Washington, USA
66 posts
Thank you, Stephen - that is just the information I was looking for!
Posted by
8 posts
We stayed at a sheep farm in County West Meath, near Malingar, thru Airbnb in September, 2015. The Butler family hosted and were kind and generous hosts. There are sites nearby with no tourist buses: Loughcrew megalith passage tombs, Fore Abbey, and a wonderful Victorian garden attached to a castle, Tullenaly Gardens. I completely agree with the comment from the Rick Steves guide: lots to see inside the donut.
Will be going back in May 2016 to see what we missed on the 1000 mile trip we just did. Have a great time.