Fodor's Upclose Ireland

by Howard, Anto

• ISBN13: 9780679033967
• ISBN10: 0679033963
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-01-01
• Publisher: Fodors Travel Pubns

Summary

Fodor's newest travel series is designed for travelers who want to travel well and spend less. With candid reviews and a fresh outlook, Fodor's upCLOSE points the way to authentic experiences that will take travelers away from the crowds and close to the culture -- without having to spend a fortune. Fodor's upCLOSE Irelandis smart, fun, and informative. It gives you quirky, never-obvious facts about major sights, as well as the lowdown on the minor ones. It's in-the-know about what's going on. It reveals the essence of the Emerald Isle and helps you get the most Ireland for your travel dollar. In short, it's the best of all possible travel companions. All the places to go, from Doolin to Donegal Castles and gardens, crumbling abbeys, and prehistoric ruins What to do on Bloomsday, Glendalough, by moonlight Mountain walks and lough-side biking Where Yeats roamed and roistered Shopping for crystal, lace, sweaters, and funky fashion Tell-all reviews of small hotels and cozy B&Bs Where to stay that's charming (and doesn't cost an arm and a leg) Fluffy-quilted hostels with sea views and snug kitchens Lace-curtain guest houses and Georgian town-house B&Bs (and which ones serve the tastiest bacon and brown bread in the AM) The buzz on restaurants, pubs, and music Perfect pints and brainy chitchat: the best pubs in every town Where to find jazz and jukeboxes, hip-hop and traditional music Tea shops and cybercafes, best bets for sandwiches and pizza, fish-and-chippers and beyond Practical info, great maps Airfare deals and how to get around Tips on traveling smart and losing the crowds Clear, easy-to-read maps

Table of Contents

Traveling up

Close Our Gang

Send-Off

Introduction

Map of Ireland

Basics Air Travel, Bicycling

Bus Travel, Business

Hours, Car Rental, Consumer

Protection, Customs & Duties, Dining, Disabilities & Accessibility, Discounts & Deals, Driving, Electricity, Embassies & Emergencies, Ferry Travel, Gay & Lesbian Travel, Holidays, Insurance, Lodging, Mail, Money, Packing for Ireland, Passports & Visas, Safety, Students, Telephones, Tour

Operators, Train Travel, Transportation, Travel Agencies, U.S. Government, Visitor Information, When to Go

Dublin Map of Dublin Basics Coming and Going Getting Around

Where to Sleep Food Worth Seeing Shopping After Dark Near Dublin

The Lakelands

Map of the Lakelands North Tipperary and the West Lakelands

The Northern Lakelands

The Eastern Lakelands

The Southeast Kilkenny Map of the Southeast Roslare Harbour Waterford Cashel

The Southwest Baltimore, Cape Clear, and Sherkin Island

Map of the Southwest

Mizen Head Peninsula

Beara Peninsula Killarney

Ring of Kerry Dingle Peninsula Cork City

Map of Cork City Basics Coming and Going

Where to Sleep Food Worth Seeing Shopping After Dark Near Cork City

The West Map of the West

The Burren Galway City

Map of Galway Near Galway Aran Islands Connemara

The Northwest Map of Around Donegal Bay Sligo Donegal

Town Near Donegal

Town Letterkenny

Map of the Northern Peninsulas Near Letterkenny Northern Ireland

Map of Northern Ireland Belfast

Map of Belfast

The Causeway Coast Derry Tyrone and Fermanagh Portraits of Ireland

Ireland at a Glance

A Chronology, "It's All in the Name," by Fionn Davenport, Genealogical

Map of Irish Names, Books and Videos

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Go to a festival. Commune with nature. Memorize the symphony of the streets. And if you want to experience the heart and soul of Ireland, whatever you do, don't spend too much money.



The deep and rich experience of Ireland that every true traveler yearns for is one of the things in life that money can't buy. In fact, if you have it, don't use it. Traveling lavishly is the surest way to turn yourself into a sideline traveler. Restaurants with white-glove service are great -- sometimes -- but they're usually not the best place to find the perfect beef and barley stew. Doormen at plush hotels have their place, but not when your look-alike room could be anywhere from Düsseldorf to Detroit. Better to stay in a more intimate place that truly gives you the atmosphere you traveled so far to experience. Don't just stand and watch -- jump into the spirit of what's around you.



If you want to see Ireland up close and savor the essence of the country and its people in all their charming glory, this book is for you. We'll show you the local culture, the offbeat sights, the bars and cafés where tourists rarely tread, and the B&Bs and other hostelries where you'll meet fellow travelers -- places where the locals would send their friends. And because you'll probably want to see the famous places if you haven't already been there, we give you tips on losing the crowds, plus the quirky and obscure facts you want as well as the basics everyone needs.



Our Gang

Who's are we? We're artists and poets, slackers and straight arrows, and travel writers and journalists, who in our less hedonistic moments report on local news and spin out an occasional opinion piece. What we share is a certain footloose spirit and a passion for the land of saints and scholars that we celebrate in this guidebook. Shamelessly, we've revealed all of our favorite places and our deepest, darkest travel secrets, all so that you can learn from our past mistakes and experience the best part of Ireland to the fullest. If you can't take your best friend on the road or if your best friend is hopeless with directions, stick with us.

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Excerpted from Ireland by Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. Staff
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.