|
1. What are your top 5 cheap eats in Dublin?
[It's impossible to find truly cheap meals here apart from fast food, but these are the best values I could find in my travels!]
Cornucopia (Wicklow St.): a heaping plate of delicious vegetarian grub for under €9.
Govinda's (Aungier St.): same deal here, only the grub is meat-free Indian.
Ciao Bella Roma, Parliament St.: the lunch and early-bird dinner special gets you a bowl of minestrone, a margarita pizza, and a glass of house red for €9.
Blazing Salads (Drury St.): another veggie place, lunches under €5, but takeaway only (act like a local and take it to St. Stephen's Green).
Simon's Place (South Great Georges St.): a laid-back spot for a sandwich (€5 or so) and a cup of Fair Trade brew, right beside the fun-'n funky Market Arcade.
2. Where would you take a week-long road trip?
County Donegal—though one week isn't nearly enough time to do it justice! Donegal is a good choice for a road trip because public transportation is limited, and many of its loveliest regions, like the Inishowen and Glen Head peninsulas, are best experienced by car and on foot ( i.e., you'll need your own wheels to get to many of the hiking trails). Plus there's lots of good shopping to be had—the craft village just outside Donegal Town, John Molloy's, the handweavers' and artisans' studios all over the county—and you'll need a car trunk to store all your spoils!
3. What is your favorite weekend getaway spot?
Leenane and Letterfrack in northern Connemara are both terrific choices for a weekend out of Galway, especially for outdoorsy pursuits: Letterfrack is right next door to the Connemara National Park, and Leenane on Killary Harbour has an excellent adventure center. Both villages offer top-notch hostels along with a choice of B&Bs.
4. Top spots to grab a pint?
The Long Hall in Dublin is on a main drag (South Great Georges Street), yet it's one of the most laid-back, untouristy pubs in the city. Great place for a quiet pint.
Paddy Coyne's in Tullycross, County Galway: a cozy and unself-consciously atmospheric little pub in northern Connemara.
Neachtain's in Galway City: perennial favorite of locals and tourists alike.
Matt Molloy's in Westport, County Mayo: great place for a quiet pint by day, or for live music at night (and as quiet as it is in the afternoon, it's packed to the rafters every evening).
Morrissey's in Abbeyleix, County Laois: a dim and delightfully spooky pub that once doubled as the town's grocery—and undertaker's.
Tig Bhric outside Ballyferriter on the Dingle Peninsula: a perfect combination of traditional and bohemian décor, slouchy sofas, open fires and Irish-speaking locals make this one of the best watering-holes on the peninsula.
5. Best venue to see live music?
The best-known musical pubs—O'Connor's in Doolin (County Clare), Matt Molloy's in Westport (County Mayo)—can draw huge crowds, but the tunes are well worth the occasional elbow in the ribs. Another great spot for live music (and melancholy ballads in particular) is Maggie's in Kilkenny City. Dingle Town also has loads of pubs with traditional music—try John Benny's, O'Flaherty's, or An Droichead Beag (the Small Bridge).
6. Favorite castle?
There are plenty of Irish castles with intriguing histories, cool architecture, and excellent guided tours, but Dunluce Castle (on the Causeway Coast in County Antrim) is by far the most dramatically situated. The castle is perched on a cliff that is very slowly crumbling into the sea—and the sight is breathtaking at any time of the day or year.
7. 5 best places to stay on a budget?
(I had to pick seven!)
Malin Head Hostel, Malin Head, County Donegal
Derrylahan Hostel, Kilcar, County Donegal
Downhill Hostel, Downhill, County Derry
Kilcommon Lodge, Pollatomish, County Mayo
The Old Monastery Hostel, Letterfrack, County Galway
The Rainbow and Aille River Hostels in Doolin, County Clare
8. Favorite seaside hike/walk?
This is a tough one! My personal favorite is the five-kilometer cliffside walk at Ardmore in County Waterford, which takes you past St. Declan's monastery and holy well. The sea and pastoral views are incomparably lovely, the ruins are stunning, and you'll find mostly locals walking it. It's a very easy hike, too—suitable for any fitness level.
back to top
|
