Rough Guides - The Mini Rough Guide to Ireland (Travel Guide eBook)

How To Use This E-Book

Getting Around the e-Book

This Rough Guide Mini e-book is designed to inspire you and help you plan for your visit to Ireland, and is also the perfect on-the-ground companion for your trip.The guide begins with our selection of Highlights, plus a Perfect Itinerary feature to help you plan an unforgettable trip. The Introduction and History and Culture chapters give the lowdown on Ireland, past and present, while the Out and About chapter is a comprehensive guide to all the best sights. You will find ideas for getting active in Things to Do, while the Food and Drink chapter introduces you to the local cuisine and gives listings of our favourite restaurants by area. Travel Essentials offers just that; practical information to help you plan your trip. Finally, Where to Stay provides a special selection of hotels for every budget.In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

Maps

All key attractions and sights in Ireland are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map], tap once to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

Images

Youll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of Ireland. Simply double-tap an image to see it in full-screen.

About Rough Guides

Published in 1982, the first Rough Guide to Greece was created by Mark Ellingham and a small group of friends who couldnt find a guidebook to meet their needs. Combining a contemporary, journalistic style with a thoroughly practical approach to travellers needs, the immediate success of the book spawned a series that rapidly covered dozens of destinations. These days, Rough Guides include recommendations from budget to luxury and cover more than 120 destinations worldwide, all regularly updated by our team of ever curious, roaming writers. These Rough Guide Minis may be small, but they are packed with information and inspiration and offer amazing value for money.

2022 Apa Digital AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

Table of Contents

10 THINGS NOT TO MISS

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1. GALWAY

Great for its traditional pubs, seafood and salty air. For more information, .

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2. DINGLE PENINSULA

This idyllic area lives up to visitors romantic notions of Ireland. For more information, .

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3. GLENDALOUGH

An ancient monastery in a spectacular setting. For more information, .

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4. BOOK OF KELLS

Trinity College, Dublin, houses this wonderful product of Irelands heritage. For more information, .

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5. NEWGRANGE

These burial chambers represent a major feat of prehistoric engineering. For more information, .

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6. CORK CITY

The Republics second city has an oldfashioned charm. For more information, .

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7. CROWN LIQUOR SALOON

Great tiles and cosy snugs in Belfasts foremost pub. For more information, .

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8. DONEGAL

The countryside and coastline here have a wild beauty. For more information, .

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9. GRAFTON STREET

Dublins main shopping street bustles with life. For more information, .

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10. TEMPLE BAR

The buzzing heart of Dublins nightlife. For more information, .

A Perfect Tour OF IRELAND

Day 1

Dublin. Walk the streets of Georgian Dublin, from Trinity Colleges cobbled quadrangle to the wide expanse of Merrion Square, then enjoy a light lunch at the National Gallery. Cross the Hapenny Bridge and follow OConnell Street to Parnell Square and the Dublin Writers Museum.

Day 2

Kilkenny and Tipperary. Leave Dublin by car for Kilkenny founded by St Canice in the sixth century and Kilkenny Castle, a magnificent edifice in rich parkland beside the River Nore. Have lunch at the Kilkenny Design Centre, an emporium of Irish crafts. Drive on to Tipperary and climb the Rock of Cashel, to savour its magnificent ruins.

Day 3

Cork City. Explore Corks city centre on foot, lunching in the vast covered food market. Then take a twenty-minute train ride to the port of Cobh, the last sight of home for generations of emigrants, whose tale is told at The Queenstown Story in Cobh Heritage Centre.

Day 4

Coast path to Killarney. The west Cork coastal road (N71) meanders through tiny villages, where the pubs showcase local artisan foods, to the treasure-packed Bantry House, and sub-tropical Glengarriff. Drive through Kenmare to Molls Gap for a jaw-dropping scenic approach to Killarney.

Day 5 & 6

Kerry. Explore the lakes and heather-clad mountains of Killarney. The Gap of Dunloe excursion includes a lake cruise, join it at Ross Castle.

Day 7

Cliffs of Moher. At Lahinch, you can surf the same Atlantic breakers that pound the nearby Cliffs of Moher. Warm up with Irish stew in Doolin while foot-tapping to live Irish music, and consider a day trip to the Aran Islands, or a visit to the Burrens numerous megalithic remains.

Day 8

The wild west. Drive west from Galway to Connemara, a sparsely populated wilderness of bog, scattered blue lakes, and distant purple mountains. Enjoy the seafood in Clifden, then head for Connemara National Park. Hike up Diamond Hill for a panoramic view.