Ireland In August

We are flying out of Dublin. As this is my mother's 50th wedding anniversary trip I feel that we should cater to her needs/wants, which are few. Most important to her is seeing the parish where her grandmother is from and we will do that in Waterford first. Unfortunately other than that she really does not care, as I have never been to Ireland I cannot suggest much.

We will be using the train and public transport. Personally I would like to spend a day or 2 in Dublin but have heard VERY mixed reviews about that. Sirry to be so vague.

Mom ain't going to enjoy hoofing it around Dublin. Other than that, I'm not sure what the 'mix' on the reviews would be -- some people like it, some don't -- just like everywhere else. There's nothing wrong with it.

Can you give us at least a little information about your interests and what you hope to see? It's hard to make good suggestions with nothing to go on. Are you renting a car or using public transport? Are you flying out of Dublin or Shannon?

I enjoyed Dublin.

Since you will be using public transportation that will limit where you can go. Maybe you should look at where the trains and buses go, and choose what looks good to you.

I also enjoyed Galway, which should be easily accessible by public transportation. Dingle was my favorite place, but would be tough to get to without a car.

Sure, the most scenic/pretty parts of Ireland are out in the countryside, but Dublin is a fine city and if none of you have ever been to Ireland, it certainly deserves 1-2 days.

Given that you are relying on public transportation and trains to get around with your mother, I'd recommend you base yourself out of Dublin, spend 2 days visiting the city sights (use either the hop-on/hop-off sightseeing bus or take a taxi)and then take day trips outside of the city for the remainder of your time.

Plenty of options to choose from - coach bus tours, or hire a private driver/guide for the 3 of you. Most of what you will want to see in Dublin is concentrated in the city center (exceptions being Guiness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol) and Dublin is fairly compact, so taxi rides between sights won't be too expensive if Mom just not up to walking.

Basing in Dublin also gives you more options for dining and nightly entertainment that will be easier for you to get Mom to (taxis aren't exactly plentiful in rural Ireland). Check out the scenic countryside on your day trips, but base yourself in the city at night.

Meg,

If your family is high on dramatic scenery and traditional Irish culture, there's none better than in the West. Counties Cork, Kerry, Galway - and further afield, Donegal - have, in my experience, the best: Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) pockets, rocky coastlines, oodles of coves & inlets, lots of small towns & villages, mountain scenery and B&Bs galore. The Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry, plus Connemara, the Aran Islands and Galway Town in Co. Galway would top my list for those attractions. Renting a car is always an option, and you can get just about anywhere - except to Co. Donegal - on the train.

You don't say how long your trip is, or what day you arrive. It would help to know that so that we can give you a better idea of a good itinerary.