Hi, I am a college student spending the semester in Germany. I wanted to go to Ireland for a few nights for St. Patricks day. Ideally, we do not want to go to Dublin because it is so touristy. We were looking for something more traditionally "Irish"- like a small, quaint town with a few bars (or one local one). Any suggestions? Thanks!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33165 posts
Sarah ... be advised that St Patricks Day is seen differently in Ireland and the UK than in the US. It is the national Saints day for Northern Ireland and Ireland but it is not the excuse for green beer and binging that it is across the Atlantic. St Patricks Day is more "traditionally "American"". fwiw
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ, USA
1035 posts
Nigel, I think that was true up until the last few years, at least in Dublin. St. Patricks day in Dublin, while no green beer, has become quite a mess and spectacle (sadly).
Posted by
OP
Los Alots, CA, USA
4 posts
So, regardless of it being St. Patrick's Day, and advise on a good place to visit in Ireland, not in city like Dublin?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
Avoca, south of Dublin, might meet your needs. It is very picturesque, and is home of Ireland's oldest woollen mill, Avoca Handweavers. You can even go right into the workspace to watch the weavers at work. They don't even mind you taking pictures. Not far from Avoca is the Meeting of the Waters, where the Avonbeg and Avonmore rivers meet to become the Avoca River.