How I did it: Mainly, I got to Dublin after reading a bit in Let's Go Ireland and Rick Steve's Ireland, and then followed the wind.  It was wonderful to not plan too far ahead, but to go where things led, which helped us to get a more intimate view of many things along with a local that me met up with who drove us around 1/2 the island, and then took us home for a couple of days.  Hostels all the way.

Dublin - 2 days - great
Doolin - 2 days - great
Limavady - 2 days - great
Derry - 1 day - very informative
Dublin - 1 night - more great music
3-day Paddywagon tour - CRAP company with awful hostels, but the Dingle Peninsula was lovely
Dublin - 1 night - more great music
Galway - 2 nights - overly touristy
Dublin - 2 nights - a great way to end

I also did a whirlwind tour to pick up dialect recordings, spending time in:  Sligo, Killarney, Cork, Dingle, and Limerick in addition to the ones listed above.

Lessons & tips: GREAT hostels:
Globetrotters in Dublin (right by the bus station! SUPER friendly & helpful)
Aille River Hostel in Doolin (beautiful!)

Pick your hostels carefully, but they're still the best way to go to meet people.

The bus is cheaper and faster than rail.  (Galway to Limerick:  Train 20 Euro & 2hrs, Bus 15 Euro & 1.5 hours)

It's safe to go to the north, and you should go - it's very informative.  Feel free to go alone to a pub to meet people - overall everyone is very open.  You don't have to pay to hear traditional music - it's free almost every night in many pubs.

Resources: Let's Go Ireland
Rick Steve's Ireland
Amazing people in the various Tourist Bureaus
The open, friendly Irish people

---

Aug 14, 2010, 10:14AM PDT | 0 comments | 5 cheers