Insider advice sought - September trip

Try http://www.airbnb.com for accom. Don't hire a car for the days when you're in Dublin, you don't need it. Consider throwing in the rock of Cashel into the mix if you like your castles and Mitzin point if you fancy dramatic seascapes.

There won't be lines of tourists around at the end of September.
Trim Castle is worth a visit. Blarney is a tourist trap. What exactly do you expect in a castle? The original Norman Keeps that are open to visitors all have had restoration work done on them. Malahide Castle is more a stately(ish)home than my idea of a castle.
Stay around Dublin and go hiking in the Wicklow mountains Glendalough or further south on part of the Wicklow way.

Thanks - Yeah i was pretty sue that blarney is a tourist trap and yet i still must visit. I should clarify as far as castles we do not expect only ruins, and restoration is great, what we would like to avoid if those that have been converted to 4 and five star hotels, not really our crowd. I had not heard of Malahide Castle so thanks much for that. Also we do not only want to hike and to see as much of the countryside as possible in the days we have. Thanks again.

For your first couple of days you should base your visit around Dublin. Lots of castles and historic places to visit and see. I agree with the earlier poster, there is no need for a car in Dublin as you can use public transport to visit most things of interest. If you do hire a car there's a beautiful drive out of Dublin through Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey and Killiney and out into Wicklow and Roundwood, Avoca, Glendalough the Wicklow Hills and back via the coast and the beautiful beaches at Brittas Bay. West Cork and Kerry are worth spending time in and if you are in Kerry you should stay in Dingle. Then head north via the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren and into Galway. Connemara is worth visiting for it's unique landscape. Some of the castles can be tourist traps and you are right in thinking that a lot of the restored one are now 5 star hotels. Newgrange is not far from Dublin and is well worth visiting. The site pre dates Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. In terms of nightlife Dublin is great fun with a thriving social scene. Temple Bar is very toutisty but probably worth a visit. The bars and clubs around Grafton Street are also full of life. If you need any more information just let me know.

Hi there,

If you are interested in history there are good walking tours. Also Howth is beautiful on a sunny day. Bars, restuarants, sea, cliff walks etc etc

Stiofan111 - thanks a bunch. We were not planning to get our car until we leave Dublin on Sunday, but maybe the drive is worth getting it early to make the drive? would it be better to hire a driver and car for that part, although I assume that might be a bit of a high expense? Still, would be nice to have someone who knows which beaches to hit and where the best photos can be taken. Maybe you can just ride along with us and be our tour guide? JK of course; unless you are interested in which case let's talk.

I cannot believe I had never even heard of Newgrange, what a treasure. We have added that as a must visit sight after looking it up on the Internet.

Bahoo - Thank as well, the walking tours sound fun although i tend to keep a bit different pace than the tours since i temd to take a whole bunch of pictures and have been known to stop for a bit of refreshment , so I might have to find out the best spots and make my own tour. Probably better to go along and hear all the history of the guide though huh? Same as i said in the last post, would be cool to have a person a guide to the city along.

Well I know a bit about The 1916 Rising, studied it a bit and I don't think that part of history has changed since I studied :) . So if I bump into you on the street, i'll tell you all about it over a pint! Don't laugh, Dublin is that small it could well happen! LOL