Ireland/Éire

[Dejeyo]

Last week I visited Ireland, so I decided to make travel log. I'll update this post with pictures from each day over time as I don't have much time currently. My English is far from perfect, so please excuse me on this matter.

I must say that I am not fond of lying on the beach for a week or two. I prefer travelling because you can always see and learn something new. So I went to Ireland for a week with my parents. We travelled in a group so I met some new people and the guide was great.

Now I'm back home and I already miss Ireland. Great country with nice people.

The First Day

On Sunday morning we went with the bus to the Venice airport and boarded the plane to Paris. From Paris we flew across the Channel, Britain and Irish Sea to Dublin. We landed in the afternoon and the weather was amazing. Back home it was devilishly hot while in Dublin it was very refreshing. We set of to Phoenix Park to see the famous cross from 1979 (I think) and presidential palace. I really enjoyed watching deers in the park and I was surprized how green Dublin was. The cross Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Phoenix Park (Taken from the platform on which cross is standing) Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Áras an Uachtaráin (Presidential palace) Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Afterwards we went to the centre of Dublin to O'Donnell Street where Easter Rising took place. We also managed to see Trinity College and Slovene embassy (That's where I'm from) before driving in a nice bus to Belfast. In the evening we went to a pub to taste some local beer. Nice day. O'Donnell statue Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  General Post Office (GPO), the 1916 Uprising's HQ Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Trinity College Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  More will follow soon...

The Second Day

After we got up, we went to see the peace lines between Catholic and Protestant neighbourhoods. The walls vary from place to place but they usually include many murals made by artists from both sides and graffiti from people who came here before me and wished to express desire for peace. Various murals and graffiti: Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Note the height of this wall Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Then we went in the centre of Belfast to see the town hall and the memorial to those who died aboard Titanic. Now, according to the guide, there were four Slovenes onboard. Two of those died, so we tried to search their names. There were many Croatian names, especially from Dalmatia and some names which could be either Slovene or Croatian (Zagorje region). Nevertheless we managed to find one genuine Slovene name: Janko Vovk. Rest in peace. Town hall Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Titanic memorial Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Afterwards we went to see the clock tower (like small Big Ben), the (supposedly) oldest pub in Belfast and then towards the docks where Titanic was made. The museum was a bit disappointing as it could have more objects and it could be more interactive (after seeing so many museums, I'm quite demanding about this). The dry dock is large but also lacks vivid presentation. The Clock Tower Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  McHughs Pub Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The Museum in the docks Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Dry dock where Titanic was built Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  We left Belfast before noon and set of to Bushmills and Giant's Causeway. Bushmills Distillery is interesting to see and guides in there are nice and informative too. And you get free glass in the end! Bushmills Distillery Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  By the time we got out the sun shined, so the Giant's Causeway revealed it's beauty. Columns created by giant Finn MacCool (some say they were created by volcano eruption but that can't be true), who wanted to fight with the Scottish giant Benandonner, are really astonishing. Because it was nice day there were many tourist who climbed over each other. No wonder they built new visitors' centre. Loads of tourists Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Sky without clouds Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The Giant's Boot Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  After that, we went to Derry/Londonderry (I don't want to offend anyone) where we were staying for the night. But first we went to the Free Derry Corner to see the murals and Bloody Sunday memorial. All of us could feel the tension in the air, so none of us went to the pub that night. Castle ruins on the way to Derry/Londonderry Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Beautiful coast Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Civil rights mural in Derry/Londonderry Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Bloody Sunday memorial Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Free Derry Corner inscription Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Che Guevara (Lynch) mural - sorry for low quality of this one Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The Third Day

Next morning we left Northern Ireland. We were driving through magnificent landscape, when we suddenly saw Ben Bulben, which features prominentely in the poetry of W.B.Yeats. He liked this mountain so much that he is buried in the nearby village of Drumcliff. I was positively surprised by the fact that his grave is so simple. No flags, huge mausoleums or similar stuff. Just simple grave with strange verse inscribed on it. There's also one of the oldest celtic crosses in the graveyard, which is ''guarded'' by old tower. The beautiful landscape Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Ben Bulben mountain Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Somekind of sculpture in front of the graveyard Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  I absolutely LOVE graveyards Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The grave of W.B.Yeats Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The celtic cross Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Watchtower Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The churc of Saint...Uhm sorry I forgot Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Afterwards we headed towards Carrowmore, a megalithic tombs site. The central tomb was reconstructed a while ago but other, smaller tombs were left as they were. It was quite windy (and a bit rainy) so we didn't stay there long. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Main tomb from outside Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Main tomb from inside Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Our next stop was Croagh Patrick. On the way there we passed Sligo, where I managed to get a photo of Sligo Rovers stadium (yes, I am one of those football fans who are interested in every single european football league) and we also went through Westport (which won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition in 2001, 2006 and 2008). We wnt to the memorial of those who died aboard the ships which carried them to the New World as the result of the Great Famine. We also went to the statue of St. Patrick which marks the beginning of the pilgrim path to the top of the mountain. Sligo! Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Sligo Rovers stadium - Showgrounds Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  A street in Sligo Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  St. Patrick's statue Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The memorial to those who died aboard ships Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Detail from the memorial (it's not against the ToS, is it?) Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  After lunch we went through the beautiful Connemara National Park to the Kylemore Abbey. The castle was built by Mitchell Henry and his wife Margaret for their family. Unfortunately she died in Egypt as the result of fever, so he completed the castle and built a small gothic style church with the mausoleum. Today, the whole estate is owned by Belgian nuns who fled the Ypres during World War I. Connemara National Park Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Kylemore Abbey Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Nearby lake Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Gothic church Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The mausoleum Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  That night we slept in a large manor-house-turned-hotel-full-of-uncontrolable-children which had it's own pub. That was good because the manor was not so nearby Castlebar and it would take us quite a while to get there. Day three was quite rainy and windy but fantastic nonetheless.

The Fourth Day

This update is dedicated to those who died a week ago in a balooning accident near our capital, Ljubljana. Rest in peace. The fourth day was reserved for the Aran Islands. Although we only went to the Inishmore, we got up early. We drove through the countryside for an hour or so before we reached the port and boarded the ferry. The ride towards Inishmoor was quite interesting as the ferry had to overcome large waves. When I wanted to go to the toilet I was frequently thrown off balance and I almost fell every two seconds. I needed two minutes to reach the toilet. Which was 15 meters away. In the morning weather was not very nice... Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The port on the mainland Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  When we landed, the weather was not nice, so our plans to hire bikes and cycle around the island failed. We hired vans instead but that wasn't a bad choice either as the driver was quite funny and he had a great sense of humour. The port of Kilronan on Inishmore Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Celtic cross Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Traditional house outside of Kilronan Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  We first visited Teampall Mhic Dhuach. It is basically an old church with the graveyard around it. Four Romans are buried here as although Roman empire never reached Ireland, Roman scholars have nevertheless traveled here to learn about the celtic culture. The church Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Roman gravestones Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Soon the sun shined again but the wind was still strong so I wasn't sad about the bikes. Then we went to the cliffs and the Dun Aengus fort. The site isn't fenced so one may fall down. Seven years ago one German tourist did fall down as he was walking around with camera and he didn't see where he is going. Landscape on the way to the cliffs (20min on foot) Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The cliffs... Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The mighty Atlantic ocean Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Dun Aengus Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Dun Aengus from the sky (this is not my photo, I posted it so that people can see it from another POV) Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Some random pictures from Inishmore: Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  After tasting the Guinness cake (there seems to be million things related to Guinness here!) we boarded the ferry (it was already afternoon) and went back to the mainland. We then headed to Galway, where we spent great evening (with excellent fish and chips!). Another fantastic day. Galway Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Busy street in Galway Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The Fifth Day

We started the sightseeing with a visit to a salmon processing house, where they have shown us how they prepare and smoke the salmon and then send the packages all around the world. The Salmon House Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Then we went to the Cliffs of Moher, the most famous attraction in Ireland. Of course there were many tourists despite the windy and rainy weather. There is a small tower at the cliffs, where the view is even better. I think that admission is 2-3€. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The tower Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The view from the tower - 1 Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The view from the tower - 2 Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The samaritan help sign Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The tower from the other side Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Aran Islands in the distance (sorry for bad picture) Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The cliffs are around 200m high but there are even higher cliffs on the north of Ireland which are 500m high and quite isolated. Cliffs of Moher are very accessible so there are always tourists swarming around. After the lunch (I don't know about Irish lunch customs but for us, Slovenes, the lunch is the most important meal of the day) we went to the Bunraty castle. This is actually a theme park with traditional (recreated) villages, shops and so on. The main attraction is of course the castle itself. There was a huge line of German tourists so we wandered around the park, went to a pub... We noticed a small house, where one could check his family name and they tell you the history of it. They have around half a million surnames in the base. But they couldn't find mine or my mother's maiden surname. Bummer. We passed an old historic town on the way to Bunraty - Why do all Irish rivers look like Guinness? Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Bunraty theme park Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The castle Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  In the afternoon we went towards Killarney but we stopped on the way in a town called Adare for an Irish Coffee. Adare's traditional houses Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The church Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  The pub Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It was raining when we arrived in Killarney so we stayed at a hotel (which had it's own pub anyway). Unfortunately it was again one of those hotels, full of uncontrollable children. I know I sound like an old grumpy man but it's annoying! Next day: Ring of Kerry!

[StealthFox]

Very nice! I look forward to seeing more.

[Aru]

I plan on going to Dublin in October, so any info is welcome.

[Andy Mc]

Did you see the bullet holes in the front of the GPO?
Or our most useless monument the Spire?

[Dejeyo]

I updated the OP with the second day. Hope you like it.

I plan on going to Dublin in October, so any info is welcome.

I didn't spend much time in Dublin so I can't tell you much.

Prices of food and drink are higher (you are from Slavonia, right?). I'd say two times higher.
In supermarkets
- a bottle of water (1.5) - ~1.50€
- domestic (Irish) beer (0.5) - ~2.60€

In restaurants/pubs
- a bottle of water (0.33) - ~1.50€
- domestic (Irish) beer (0.5) - ~4.70€

These prices are not necessarily true. Cost may vary.

Try to get to a Gaelic Football game. Very dynamic game. There was a game that last evening and the place was full of Dublin supporters so the atmosphere in the city was nice.

That's about it. We were in Dublin (last evening) but we went to watch something (I'll tell when I'll come to the seventh day) so I didn't really see much except those must see points.

Did you see the bullet holes in the front of the GPO?
Or our most useless monument the Spire?

The place for the spire is wrong IMHO. And it's useless alright.

[Aru]

I expected prices to be at least double, I don't really plan on spending much anyway. Mainly on fast food (I'll have breakfast and dinner with my hosts), beer and museum tickets and such.

Anyhow, I have some more specific questions:

1. I never flew internationally, do you know if I can bring a litre or two of rakija for my hosts?

2. I reckon Ireland uses different electric plugs and converters can be bought in the airport?

I'll be there for three weeks, I'll certainly want to see some local sport events, and I won't mind traveling for sightseeing. Well, not too far, within day trip distance by public transport from Dublin.

[Dejeyo]

1. I never flew internationally, do you know if I can bring a litre or two of rakija for my hosts?

You can, but you must put the bottle in your suitcase (put the bottles in a plastic bag, close the bag tightly so it won't leak if the bottle breaks and put the bag in the middle of the suitcase between your clothes) which go to a baggage compartment. The problem is that you can't take more than 100ml of any liquid in the passanger cabin and the people who work on the airports with luggage, are not really gentle with it. You have two options:

1. Store it as I mentioned above and remember that the bottles can still break.
2. You can decant the rakija into plastic bottles and put them in suitcase. Safe solution but it isn't the same if you present your hosts with a rakija in some plastic bottles than in genuine labeled bottle.

2. I reckon Ireland uses different electric plugs and converters can be bought in the airport?

I don't know for sure, but they must have converters for sale at the airport or in specific shops. Ask at the info office at the airport where you can buy these things.

[Aru]

Yes, it's common sense. Thanks.

[Andy Mc]

@Aru The electric plug in Ireland is a 3 prong like they use in the Uk if im not mistaken

Heres a pic

Try to get to a Gaelic Football game. Very dynamic game. There was a game that last evening and the place was full of Dublin supporters so the atmosphere in the city was nice.

Was it is Croagh Park?

And how was Belfast? Did you prefer the Unionist or Republican side of the wall?

[Cúchulainn]

I plan on going to Dublin in October, so any info is welcome.

Well if you plan to see a GAA match in October you'll be out of luck.

The Championship ends in mid (Hurling) and late (Football) September.

Museums are free in Dublin and open pretty much every day.

If your in Dublin long I can give you some places to go.

[Dejeyo]

Was it is Croagh Park?

Yes it was. I didn't attend the match but I managed to capture last few minutes on TV in the pub. And there were many people dressed in sky blue colour on the streets and in pubs, so the atmosphere in the city was really great. I hope one day I'll see something like that before and after my favourite football club match. Almost all the people here support famous Europe teams and they don't care about our league.

And how was Belfast? Did you prefer the Unionist or Republican side of the wall?

Belfast is another world for me. I haven't seen something like that before.
The second question is a bit sadistic, isn't it? But somehow I prefer Republican side. Really nice murals there. Otherwise I am completely neutral.

[Andy Mc]

Yes it was. I didn't attend the match but I managed to capture last few minutes on TV in the pub. And there were many people dressed in sky blue colour on the streets and in pubs, so the atmosphere in the city was really great. I hope one day I'll see something like that before and after my favourite football club match. Almost all the people here support famous Europe teams and they don't care about our league.

Belfast is another world for me. I haven't seen something like that before.
The second question is a bit sadistic, isn't it? But somehow I prefer Republican side. Really nice murals there. Otherwise I am completely neutral.

Them dubs do love their team. You should see a rugby match. Nothing but green.

And as for the Belfast question I was only messin with ya.

Have you been asked Hows the craic by anyone yet

[Aru]

@Aru The electric plug in Ireland is a 3 prong like they use in the Uk if im not mistaken

I know, all my stuff has continental plugs (also used in Germany, Russia, Spain, Central Europe, Scandinavia...) so I need a converter thingy for laptop and mobile phone.

Well if you plan to see a GAA match in October you'll be out of luck.

The Championship ends in mid (Hurling) and late (Football) September.

Museums are free in Dublin and open pretty much every day.

If your in Dublin long I can give you some places to go.

That's too bad, I'll probably be bored, I want to see new things.

Tell me then, is there a dedicated rock/metal type bar/pub in Dublin? Not too fancy or touristy, something for the local metalheads. That's a place I'd enjoy.

I'll be there for three weeks, but I am yet to be chosen for the trip, it's EU mobility program. I think I have pretty good chances, I'm probably the best at English language among the candidates.

[Copperknickers II]

Belfast is another world for me. I haven't seen something like that before.

Really? In what way lol. I've never been there but it's hardly the warzone it used to be. It's just like any other British city these days afaik, the Sectarianism is no different to that of Glasgow, or the racial tensions in Bradford and London.

[irelandeb]

I know, all my stuff has continental plugs (also used in Germany, Russia, Spain, Central Europe, Scandinavia...) so I need a converter thingy for laptop and mobile phone.

I don't think you will. The two prongs fit into the bottom two holes of our plug fine. My mother uses an electric carving knife with a European plug. The top third hole (the earth) is just a safety precaution we have here and isn't necessary for electricity to come through.

That's too bad, I'll probably be bored, I want to see new things.

Tell me then, is there a dedicated rock/metal type bar/pub in Dublin? Not too fancy or touristy, something for the local metalheads. That's a place I'd enjoy.

The temple bar area probably has a few places like that. It's an area with pedestrianized cobbled streets and a lot of bars. I don't live in Dublin but I have been to bars there. I haven't been to a bar with that kind of music in Dublin but I'm sure a few exist (I have been to one in Galway though). Also if you drink, alcohol is VERY expensive. A pint of lager, beer or cider (570 ml) costs €3-5.

I'll be there for three weeks, but I am yet to be chosen for the trip, it's EU mobility program. I think I have pretty good chances, I'm probably the best at English language among the candidates.

Could you tell me more about the program?

[Father Jack]

Really? In what way lol. I've never been there but it's hardly the warzone it used to be. It's just like any other British city these days afaik, the Sectarianism is no different to that of Glasgow, or the racial tensions in Bradford and London.

There aren't really many cities in the UK or Europe where there are militaristic/political murals painted on walls and 20m high fences splitting up neighbourhoods on sectarian lines. And it is still fairly surprising to realise that a part of the UK was embroiled in a sectarian civil war until 1997 (excluding the many bombs and shootings which have taken place since the Good Friday Agreement).

[Andy Mc]

As irelandeb has pointed out one of our big secrets and now single handedly crashed the plug converter market yes you could just stick a screwdriver in the earth and plug it in.

This is Ireland.We have a pub for everything.

Also on the 6th of October Irelands two biggest and almost best rugby teams and two of the biggest teams in Europe are playing.
Munster (lost to my beloved Ulster) and Leinster (No.1 team in Europe) in a rugby game in the Aviva Stadium.
If you can get tickets beforehand I suggest going. I know I would. It will most certainly not be boring.

[Aru]

Could you tell me more about the program?

Similar to Erasmus
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelo...mme/ldv_en.htm
This seems to be Irish site of it http://www.leargas.ie/programme_main.php?prog_code=7027

In any case, you can disregard my questions, I got the letter today that I'm on the reserve list, I'm going only if someone drops out which is unlikely. I should have pulled connections obviously.

[Andy Mc]

Sorry to hear that man
Maybe one of the people will develope a fear of Ireland

[Aru]

More likely they will get a phone call about administrative cock up and how they didn't actually make it to the primary list, since I intend to fight for it, pull all the connections I have, complain, pull "the son of war invalid" card etc. That's how we do it here.