QuickTips Index
Christmas in Ireland is About ... Panto!
Christmas is About ... Panto! The best Irish pantos to catch in 2009 (and 2010 too) - here’s the rundown of this year’s cream of the pantos in Ireland ...[/p]
Malahide Castle
Malahide Castle is one of Dublin's several castles, about six miles north from the city center and reachable by regular bus, tour bus or train.
Leinster House
Leinster House can be found between Kildare Street and Merrion Street – the former Dublin home of the Earls of Leinster is now the Irish parliament, both the Dail Eireann and the Seanad Eireann are based here.
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)Royal Hospital Kilmainham – Dublin
The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) has been opened in 1991 and is dedicated to modern Irish and international art from the 20th century onwards.
Fry Model Railway – Malahide Castle, Dublin
The Fry Model Railway in Malahide Castle, just north of Dublin, is a place of pilgrimage for all those interested in trains or models – a gigantic railway system in miniature.
Four Courts
The Four Courts of Dublin, also occasionally known as „The Four Goldmines“, are these days a complex dedicated to more than the historic four courts.
Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay – Dublin
The Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay is found around 200 yards downstream from the Custom House, with emaciated figures in rags heading for Dublin Harbour.
Custom House
Custom House, on the northern bank of the River Liffey near the city center, is one of Dublin's finest buildings and certainly one of Dublin's signature buildings.
Bank of Ireland
The Bank of Ireland in College Green, opposite the main entrance to Trinity College, used to be the original Irish Parliament Building.
Yeats Trail
The Yeats Trail through Counties Sligo and Galway has been created for lovers of great houses, unspoilt scenery, Irish culture and one of the great poets - William Butler Yeats.
Caving in Belcoo
Caving in Belcoo is the more adventurous counterpart to simply visiting the nearby Marble Arch Caves ... you actually go spelunking on foot, hands, knees and occasionally your belly.
Climbing with High Ropes in Ireland
Climbing with high ropes will be the easiest (and safest) way to attempt mountain climbing in Ireland – by cutting out the mountain and presenting the climber with artificial challenges.
Coasteering Around Ireland
Coasteering around Ireland sounds like fun ... after all Ireland is an Island and you can complete the loop. But many people may well ask what “coasteering” is. Well, “mountaineering” is exploring the mountains off the trodden path and with some physical skills. Substitute “mountain” with “coast” and there you go.
Mountain Boarding Down the Mourne Mountains
Mountain Boarding down the Mourne Mountains is, essentially, snowboarding without snow. Or skateboarding with concrete. Or something altogether different – but you will roll down a green mountainside on four tiny wheels, standing on a board.
Whalewatching in Ireland
Whalewatching in Ireland is a comparatively new industry ... so new that the Irish tourism authorities used footage from foreign lands to promote it and ended up with egg on the collective face. It is also an activity for those who can wait.
Riverwalking in Ireland
Riverwalking in Ireland is an unusual way to spent quality time outdoors – but it is an excellent way to test your agility. Also known as “canyoning” or “gorge walking”, it follows the course of a river on foot.
Seakayaking in West Cork
Seakayaking in West Cork is a treat – there is maybe no better area in Ireland for taking your kayak out into the Atlantic. There certainly are many worse places to try.
Blokarting at Nutts Corner
Blokarting at Nutts Corner says it all to me ... you sit in a cart that gets blown along and you’ll have to be nuts to attempt tight corners. Then again it is not far from karting at all, considered a “mainline” sport and not particularly dangerous.
Kitesurfing on Bull Island
Kitesurfing on Bull Island is still a bit of a novelty – people are more used to boy racers practising “donuts” on the beach or cars getting reclaimed by the incoming tide.
Canoeing on Barrow and Nore
Canoeing on Barrow and Nore, rivers meandering from the midlands to the south coast, is one of the more tranquil outdoor experiences you may have in Ireland.
Wakeboarding in Summerhill
Wakeboarding in Summerhill is an outdoor activity for those who are agile and not afraid to get wet ... very wet.
Skiing and Snowboarding in Kilternan
Skiing and snowboarding are not the sports most people would associate with Ireland, and Kilternan in County Dublin is an unlikely alpine resort.
Paragliding in Wicklow and Wexford
Paragliding in Wicklow and Wexford may be the most eco-friendly way of seeing Ireland from above.
Rock Climbing in Dalkey Quarry
Rock climbing in Dalkey Quarry is great – if you have a head for heights and are moderately fit. Otherwise no preconditions are to be met, as you can even take beginner’s courses there.
How To Choose Your Airline For Flying to Ireland
While flying to Ireland has never been cheaper, price differences are still enormous. And they do not always reflect the level of service you get. Indeed some flights advertised as "budget" with a no-frills airline will leave you more out of pocket than a regular economy flight.