Hello all!
My wife and I will be flying into Dublin mid-May and are doing the 8-day/self-drive tour that circles the country, including Cork, Claire, Gallway. I've exhausted Google and all 12-pages of this forum.
We are both captivated by light houses, non-popular tourist areas, and are wondering if there are any visible shipwrecks (no diving) that are still around. Thanks so much
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7026 posts
I took a lighthouse tour of Ireland several years ago so went to lots of coastal areas around Ireland but I don't remember seeing any underwater shipwrecks. The only thing I remember is a wrecked ship that was beached on the Isle of Inisheer (Aran Islands), you can see it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inisheer#/media/File:Inissheer_plessey.JPG
If you like lighthouses there are several very picturesque ones in Ireland. My favorites were: Inisheer Island, Loop Head (County Clare), Hook Head (County Wexford), Old Bailey (Howth, not far from Dublin), and my very favorite Old Head of Kinsale - it's in a beautiful area you have to walk through the golf course to get there and there's an ancient standing stone there also. It's the headland off of which the Lusitania was sunk but nothing to see.
Posted by
Land of La
8658 posts
While not a lighthouse by any means the Wonderful Barn in County Kildare is a quirky off the beaten track site to see. It's about 30 minutes outside of Dublin off the M4. As you are doing a self drive (something I've done twice) have a good map, yes, go old school, and pack a good map. Though I've found signage excellent in Ireland you can still make a wrong turn and if you can't calculate kilometer's to miles you'll loose time.
Also be flexible. It's about the journey in Ireland, not solely focusing on getting from point A to point B.
On my very first solo trek nearly 20 years ago I'd started out from Dublin just before sunrise in route to Glendalough. I'd hoped to get to Cork that day but weather became a factor. Huge rain storm so I changed plans and stopped in Kilkenny for the night. Enjoyed a nice meal and evening at Tynan's Bridgehouse Pub. Remember how much I enjoyed the meal, the people, the atmosphere. Next morning up early and out the door in route to Cork and I came across JerPoint Abbey. http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/south-east/jerpointabbey/. NO one there but the person who I paid the minimal admission price to. If I remember correctly Rick didn't like the place and made mention of that in his guidebook. Can't imagine why. I loved walking around the ruins. Recall having a wonderful feeling about seeing something so old up close and personal without hordes of tourists to contend with and firmly believing this was how I liked to travel. Don't drive past something because your trying to get somewhere. Stop. explore.
Posted by
OP
New England
12 posts
Nancy, thank you so much for the recommendations and for all of the information. I have written down all of your suggestions and will absolutely be adding them to our itinerary. Thanks again!
Claudia, thank you for all of your invaluable advice! The Barn and the Abby are both on our way and we will make them must-see locations. Your words sit perfectly with our mentality and will take it all to heart when we arrive and begin our adventure. Thanks again!