It kind of depends what you want to do. I lived in Dublin last summer, it's a fun city but it's pretty expensive, there's an insane amount of tourists, and the water is repulsive looking. Galway's a bit smaller, but lots of fun and you're right there if you want to go to the Aran Islands. If you stay in the southwest in somewhere like Killarney you can check out the ring of Kerry - it's supposed to be one of the most scenic areas in Ireland (when we went through we couldn't see two feet from the windows it was so foggy) and there's lots of hiking and trails to go on. I'd really recommend Ballintoy up on the Northern coast. It's a little village where Protestants and Catholics have always gotten along - and you're right next to the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge and the Bushmills whiskey distellery. The people were so, so nice, and there aren't too many tourists there (at least when I was there). Hope that helps a little, I think you'll have a great time!

Last I hear, my cousin Marsha had married an Irish guy and was running some sort of pub/hotel outside of Kanturk - I'll see if I can get more details.

You sound like an adventurous guy. Try Belfast.

Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI

Belfast is actually very pretty and the murals are fascinating. However, I would recommend you go to the West Coast of Ireland. Its very pretty and not that dear. Dublin on the other hand is over-rated and not all that pretty.

Dean,
I visited Ireland in May of 2002 and found the south and southwestern corners to be of interest. Waterford (the Waterford crystal factory tour is interesting), Kinsale, Midleton (the home of Jameson Irish Whiskey), the Beara Penninsula (wonderful scenery), Bantry (nice town w/nice people), and Mizen Head (Marconi experimented with transatlantic radio signals there, and the view is excellent on a sunny day).
I only had one day in Dublin, but the air pollution was nasty and except for Trinity College and Dublin Castle I was unimpressed. Perhaps if the air hadn't been so bad... .
In May at least, B&Bs are not hard to find and fairly reasonable in price. I highly recommend renting a car for the most flexibility.

Hey Dean.

Which coast are you referring to?

I immediately assumed you meant the west coast of Ireland. i love the west coast of Ireland. It's where my family is from.

Dublin is awesome, and fun ... but the west coast is where you see the green, the stony fields, the sheep, the grey Atlantic, and meet people with brogues so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Galway's a wacky fun town, with a great night-life, and you could set up shop there, and then travel around the wilds of the west coast.

Make sure you go see the Cliffs of Moher.

Other must-sees:

Clonmacnoise - a monastery. (in the middle of Ireland ... kind of ...) Legend has it that the monks were praying there (in the 1300s or whatever), and looked up and saw a ship floating by in the sky. If you visit Clonmacnoise, where the river reflects the sky, you will understand completely why they all had the same vision. It's a magic place. The sky reflecting the water reflecting the sky. If you drive from Galway to Dublin, you go right by it.

Glendolough: my favorite place on the planet earth. It's in the Wicklow mountains, south of Dublin. It's a monastery, created by a wacko monk named Kevin who so feared women that legend has it that one amorous woman tried to follow him to Glendolough, where he was sleeping in a cave, and he tossed her over the cliff. It is one of the most beautiful spots I have ever been. I've traveled to Ireland many times, and each time I make sure to visit Glendolough.

Also: if you stay in Galway, take a ferry ride out to the Aran Islands. They are bleak, they are spectacular ... you will never forget it.

My mom went to Ireland last year, and her favorite place was Glenstal Abbey, a working monastary, farm, and boy's school in an ancient Norman castle on the southwest coast of Ireland in County Limerick.

It also has beautiful gardens, and a guest house. Visitors are welcome to stay, though I'm not sure of the process or compensation (my mom stayed a few days with her father). There is a link above that provides some info on guest services and other interesting information.

Thought it might appeal to someone looking to travel off the beaten path.