"Sites to see in Ireland?" Topic

Yes, I know Ireland is not the UK, but the UK boards are the closest I could come.

I have a short family vacation coming up in Ireland in July and was looking for recommendations of things to see.

We're going to Dublin, Galway, Cork and Dundalk (small town halfway between Dublin and Belfast).

As it is a family trip, I imagine there will be limited interest in gaming things but general history (e.g., a fort or castle) would probably pass muster.

Also, any thoughts on Reykjavik would also be appreciated (have a one-day stop over).

thanks kindly,

Bob in Edmonton

In Dublin, check out the exhibit in the GPO that details the battle for Dublin in 1916. Kilmainham jail is also worth a visit for those interested in that period of history.
On the way to Dundalk, you will pass Newgrange tomb complex, not wargame related but older than Stonehenge and the pyramids and definitely one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. The Battle of the Boyne site is also close by, although I have never visited this.
On the way to Cork there are easy stop offs for Cahir Castle and the Rock of Cashel, ancient seat of the Kings of Munster and probably the most impressive Medieval site in the country.
In Galway, forget about wargames and history and enjoy the music and the craic ;)

Gaz

Do one of the 1916 walking tours around Dublin, typically 2 to 3 hours. The whole 1916 rising is stuffed with human interest stories that will keep everyone interested. The city, while modernised, as far as buildings go, still has the same foot prints as in 1916 and you will get a great sense of the fighting. Kilmainham Jail is also worth a visit though more Irish history than military history.
Going to Dundalk you will pass over the Boyne battlefield and it is well worth a couple of hours. The museum is good and its a nice walk up the hill.
Going to Galway the motorway passes through the Aughrim battlefield but unless you have an interest in the period it is not a great one to visit. Athlone Castle is worth the visit while breaking the journey to Galway.
In Cork a drive out to Kinsale, itself a pretty town, takes you to Charles Fort. Originally built in the 1600s it was occupied through to the 1920s.

Craggy Island…

wellingtons ancestral home ; link

Thanks--much appreciate these suggestions!

If you are going to Cork you should stop at the Prince August factory. I stopped there 2 years ago when I was traveling around Ireland. They give a nice demo on how to cast and have an area where you can paint figures and such. Of course you can buy molds and see the huge Waterloo diorama made with their molds. My wife even enjoyed the demo. toysoldierfactory.ie

Not exactly wargame related but the tour of the Guinness brewery in Dublin is worth taking – and if you get to Trinity the library there has the Book of Kells, which I thought was very neat

Beware the line to see the Book of Kells is horrible during the summer. Trinity Library is impressive. If ancient books and calligraphy are your thing the Chester Betty Library is an interesting couple of hours.
The military museum in Dublin is in Collins Barracks, a collection called the Irish Fighting Man. It is a large building with a number of other collections about Art Fashion and Folklore

+1 Cerdic

My favorite site was the cliffs of Moher. Google it. Seeing it in person is even better. By far the best thing to do on Ireland.

There is a good war museum near the Boyne battlefield… lots of WW2 kit.

The Curragh in Kildare has a museum in the Defence Forces base but a bit of a chore if you dont have a car, but its an interesting area given it's history and a very cool museum. Tanks too…

For castles, Trim castle is good, though my favourite is Strongbows castle on the Rock of Dunamease on the way to Portlaois from Athy.

The Tara brooch, Ardagh chalice, the cross of Kong, and The reliquary of St Patrick's bell, in the national museum in Dublin are must sees of dark age art at its finest. After seeing those you'll understand Viking desire to sack monasteries.

Great suggestions; much appreciated!

the irish relatives couple of years ago brought us on a boat trip up the river shannon ,not their boat so dont know how that was organised there was a foynes flying boat museum somewhere on that river never got to it ran out of time