All very exciting, very important, very touristy places to visit in Ireland - and touristy for a reason! They are traditional stops on any Irish tour. What I implore you not to forget is the West Coast of Ireland - Connemara. The last wild pieces of the old Ireland with mountains, peninsula and the sea. When the British came, Irish moved west, because the British wouldn't follow them to Connemara. And while you're there, the best way to ensure some adventure is at the Killary Adventure Co. Located in Leenane, Co. Galway, and named for the Killary Fjords around it, Killary Adventure is situated in one of the most beautiful places in Connemara. Check out the top picture to the right, on the about me; that is Killary Fjord. The nine mile long inlets provide not only beautiful photos, but an ideal place for kayaking, swimming and -yes!- cliff jumping! In addition, Killary offers zip lines, rock climbing walls, cycling and has the venues for multiple laser wars. Here is my group in full army laser regalia:
You can stay for a weekend at the actual program site, which is dormitory style with bunk beds, hot showers, and good food. Or you can make it a day trip out of nearby Galway City - a bus goes back and forth from the Leenane Sleepzone Hostel and the Galway Sleepzone once a day, making it an easy trip. This is definitely a great side trip for the exuberant, and a great way to give your liver a rest for a day after your guaranteed Guinness consumption (although if you can't handle the distance for one day..there are pubs in Leenane you can hitch a ride too).
This is pretty cool! My last name is Killary. I live in the US but hope to make it out to Ireland someday and visit this place!
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