A 'norm' trip to Ireland, help!

[Techniquest]

Hi all,

Not 100% sure whether this is the best place to put this, but the thread does contain international rail related topics as well. Move it to a more relevant area if needs be, and to be honest I should have posted this weeks ago. In all fairness though, it was only 100% confirmed by the boss after a farce at work that it can all go ahead. Anyway, let's crack on with the topic at hand...

In just short of 2 weeks time I'm off to Ireland again. Only this time I'm not going on my own, I'm taking my best friend with me and they've never been to Ireland before, that being the main reason for going. I had originally specified a need to do the 0710 from Waterford to do one bit of required track, but that's had to fall by the wayside. However, sadly this is not going to be a spotting/bashing focused trip, which is going to be mighty odd. There will still be a little bit of trains travelled on, but nothing to the extent I enjoy. Anyway, here come the questions:

We're in Cork from Wednesday 29th May afternoon til Saturday 1st June lunchtime-ish, what could we find to do for 3 days? I'm thinking at least of popping down to Cobh as I'm of the belief there's a decent beach there, but is this correct or am I getting confused?

Whilst on Cork, we're both refusing to pay £9-odd each day for breakfast (on which note, even B+Bs wanted extra payment for breakfast!), no matter how good it may be. So we're going to need to find somewhere to eat, any recommendations that aren't outrageously priced?

Same applies to Dublin actually, we're up there on Monday 27th May in the evening and the day after, as well as for some of Saturday 1st June. Burger King and Pizza Hut usually suits me, but I'd like to hear of some suggestions, sensibly priced of course.

I'm also considering popping up to Howth for the beach, assuming it's a nice day, which also gives me the advantage of getting a DART bash in. Already got my Leap card, but still means I have to pay (for argument sake €3) each way, with no day return option? Bray also be an option, any thoughts gang?

Obviously the Guiness brewery tour is high on the agenda, as despite having done it before it was a little over 10 years ago since I did it. Need to research how much that costs too, we're both on a fairly tight budget. Same with the Dublin/Cork city tours actually, not done the Dublin one for over 10 years and never done the Cork one.

Any other recommendations would be welcome, although we can't really afford to stray from the cities we're going to. Cheap/free recommendations definitely welcome! Thanks in advance all

 

[PFX]

Can't help with cheap food in Cork but you may want to try Supermacs instead of MacDonalds or Burglar King. Ireland's version of same but better or as better as that type of thing can be. If you take a drink but you should get some Beamish down ye (far better than Guinness in my humble opinion). There are loads of great boozers in Cork, An Bróg on Oliver Plunkett Street is a bit quirky with good sounds on.

You won't have a problem getting something cheap to eat in Dublin. Again, Supermacs and perhaps Eddie Rockets if that's your thing. Steer clear of Temple Bar is always my advice. I'll cause some controversy here and say the best pint of Guinness in town can be had at Mulligan's Bar on Poolbeg Street (close to Tara Street station). You don't stay where you're staying but Ciao Bella Roma on Parliament Street does a fantastic pizza http://www.ciaobellaroma.ie/italian_dining.html.

Sure somebody will come up with better suggestions for you though.

 

[desmo]

Kilmainham Jail is worth a visit for a bit of background into how it all kicked off over there. The day we went last Nov it was free entry. Guinness Brewery is now a typical tourist trap. You get a pint and a half free only (and you can get to pour your own). The view from the top level bar on a good day is good tho.
Temple Bar is more expensive, but at night some of the musicians in the bars make it worthwhile paying the extra. Never had a bad pub meal over there if you stick to the "local" food such as stews and meat/veg dishes.

 

[dk1]

Howth is really nice for a couple of hours but steer clear of some of the seafood restaurants unless you want a second mortgage.

Cork was full of places but we took the train to Mallow where there was a lovely place just outside the station (do not cross the bridge) had breakfast then we got the next Dublin service. Cobh line seemed to be quite for sea but dont recall looking at the beach.

As for Dublin, fill your boots!!! Was The Gravity bar open when you last did the Guiness Brewery? If you like a drop of whiskey dont forget Jameson's across the Liffey. I love the Arlington Hotel Bar for the Irish dancing & that pub the other side of O'Connel bridge where you go underground to the bar (might be Bewley's hotel above).

 

[citybus]

Cobh offers great sea views, with it's gigantic natural harbour and glimpses of the impressive georgian barracks across the water. I would definitely recommend the walking tour of the town by this guy:
http://www.titanic.ie/
He talks a bit about the Titanic & the Lusitania, and when I did it your ticket got you a free (or cut price) pint in one of the local bars, so you can tick 'must have a pint of Beamish or Murphys' off the list.

As for Cork itself, one of the more off-beat things to do is to climb to the top of the church up the hill and try to play a tune by ringing the bells yourself (small admission charge). http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attrac...t_Anne_s_Shandon_Church-Cork_County_Cork.html

If you're going on one of the bus tours I would recommend getting the 'city' one rather than the city and suburbs one ran by the same company. Obviously a train basher such as yourself would like to get a good feel for the whole city but trust me- too much of the route mileage is on dual carriageways offering captivating views of out of town retail parks.

Dublin- If you're a CAMRA bitter type then you should go to Kates Cottage, which is besides Connolly station & Busaras- they have at least a dozen on tap- they must make up a good 90% of ales sold in Guinness & Harp obsessed Ireland. The stew is good and if I remember rightly the food is not at tourist trap prices, despite the convenient location.

 

[Eire Sprinter]

Firstly I hope you both will have a great trip and that the weather will be reasonable!

Cóbh:
Have been to Cóbh several times and am not aware of any beach. There is a heritage centre in the railway station.

St. Colman's Cathedral which towers above the town is a worth a visit.

It may be worth checking if there's a liner scheduled to be in port and visiting on that day.

Cork:
Am surprised at the accommodation charging for breakfast separately, normally the B&Bs charge on an "all-in" basis. I hope the breakfast separate charge is not going to become widespread.

Bus Éireann have a number of unlimited travel tickets available for travel in and around Cork city. One is a Daysaver allowing unlimited travel on city buses. Another allows unlimited travel on city buses AND either Cóbh suburban rail or Midleton suburban rail. I will post further details on these within the next week or so as my leaflet about them is from last year. The city bus & rail ticket is around ten euro.

Bray:
What about the cliff walk to Greystones - or part of it. Great coastal views and views of the railway and Bray Head tunnels.

Allow about 45 minutes to walk at a reasonably brisk pace from Bray Station to the vantage point above Tunnel 2 that gives a great view of the track below, tunnel no. 1 and the abandoned tunnel of Brunel fame.

Dublin:
A City Centre fare of 55c adult single LEAPcard or 65c cash is available. If paying in cash and one doesn't have the right amount insert extra and the driver will (is obliged to) issue a receipt for the overpayment - even if it's only 5c of an overpayment. This can be claimed back at the Dublin Bus public office at 59 Upper O'Connell Street (no time limit apparently).

Guinness Brewery used to do 10% discount for tickets booked online. It may be worth checking their site in case this or a similar discount currently applies.

Cafe Carlo at Lynams Hotel (a few doors down Upper O'Connell Street from the Dublin Bus public office) is a spot I find reasonable and away from the crowds when in the city. I've not had a meal there but soup/sandwiches/tea etc there and it's very reasonably priced.

The café upstairs in Suffolk Street tourist office (the tourist office is in a splendid former church) is a nice spot for a hot drink though it can be quite busy at times.

As a trip a Dublin Bay cruise from Howth to Dun Laoghaire and vice versa was recently introduced and discounted DART tickets are available in conjunction with it.

It may be worth signing up to Dealrush as it often has various discounts. For example it has/had one for the Dublin Bay cruise.

Howth:
Howth is a pleasant spot. It's worth the short bus trip from the DART station up to Howth Summit. From there one walks uphill along the road near the pub to the car park/clifftop. Spectacular views of the entire bay, city and mountains beyond.

 

[Techniquest]

Fantastic, many thanks for all the helpful information everyone. Hopefully it is a good trip, we're both dead excited!

Didn't know of the 55c city centre fare, will have to research what constitutes the city centre zone but it'll be dead useful.

Will make notes on all this extremely helpful gen, what we'll end up doing I've no idea but we're both after a relaxing holiday, away from the stress and strains from work and home life

 

[Eire Sprinter]

Pleasantly warm and sunny over here today, high teens Celsius.

Regarding the Daysaver bus ticket in Cork - can be bought on any city bus for €4.80.

The Cóbh suburban rail and Cork city buses ticket is about €11 (unlimited travel all day). Buy at rail station.

The Midleton suburban rail and Cork city buses ticket is about €11.

Dublin: city centre fare zone stops are marked - white writing on pink.
More info here:http://dublinbus.ie/en/Fares--Tickets/City-Centre/

Have a great trip.

 

[Techniquest]

Thanks for the help,and indeed it's a lovely day today

Been good so far,now en-route to Cork with 217 and enjoying the chance for some tunes and mileage
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Well since my last post on this, we ended up going back to Dublin with Bus Eireann, long story. Spent the rest of the trip in Dublin, and we were both bored by Friday night. Granted the Guinness Storehouse was good, but by Sunday morning we were both fed up of each other and only too happy to part at Ledbury.

Still, thanks all for the advice even if we didn't fully take advantage of it all!