Important words of Irish you should learn before traveling

Recognized as the national and first language of the Republic of Ireland, Irish is a lively language but only spoken as a first language by a small minority of the Irish population, and as a second language by a larger minority.

While traveling in Ireland with your car hire Ireland, you'll see Irish words almost everywhere, indicating the language's underlying influence. You'll see Irish written on road signs, which might be the most notable place. But you'll also see an Irish word here and there, in pubs, shop names, B&B names, and indeed the original version of place names.

Here are some Irish words/expression which might be useful:
Sláinte (sloynta) – Cheers
Fir - Not a tree but the Irish for "men" - you may find this as an identifier on toilet doors.
Mná - Not a misspelling of "man" but the Irish for "women".
An Lár - Literally "the middle" or "the center" and used on bus signs to denote the town center as destination.
Fáilte - The word (pronounced "fall-sha") means "welcome" and is used as a greeting or to denote tourism activities - the Irish tourism industry uses the moniker "Fáilte Ireland". The very popular phrase céad mile fáilte ("kad meel-a fall-sha") translates as "a hundred thousand welcomes".
Cad is ainm duit? – pronounced “coad iss annim dwit”, it means “What is your name?”
Conas ata tu? – pronounced “cunn-us ah-taw two”, it means “How are you?”
An mor ata air? – pronounced “on moor ah-taw err”, it means “How much is it?”
Tapadh leat – pronounced “tapah lat”, it means “Thank you”
Gabh mo leithscaal – pronounced “govh muh leh-skayle”, it means “Excuse me”

Visit the Irish pubs, an unforgettable experience

When you think about Ireland you think about the pubs and the Guinness. Their reputation as beer drinker is known all round the world. With a consummation of 138.3 Liter of beer every year, Ireland arrives second after Germany in the top beer drinking countries. Not surprising when you see a pub at every corner in every city.

When traveling with your car rental Ireland , you’ll enjoy the experience of sitting in a pub after a long day driving around. Each pub is unique. The decoration, the music and even the customers are different depend of the city and the location. If you go to Temple bar in Dublin you’ll meet mostly tourists but if you want to meet local you better go a bit out of the city center. My most interesting experience was in a small village in the north of Mayo. We stopped for a night away from the tourist path and decided to go for a Guinness. The pub was full of locals surprised to see us here but eager to invite us for drinks. What a great night!

The famous Irish beer is the Guinness made in Dublin. It is very dark beer and has a "toast" or coffee-like taste. Other Irish beers are Smithwick, an Irish red ale style beer from Kilkenny and Beamish stout, Dense, malty, dark and chocolaty, between others.

Some pubs not to miss in Dublin:
• The Brazen Head (http://www.brazenhead.com/) : Dublin's oldest pub have started pouring the good stuff in 1198. Located at 20 Bridge Street (Lower) it is opposite the Four Courts and a good walk (or short bus ride) away from the city center. Recommended for nostalgic decor and a good pint. Bold Robert Emmet had lodgings here and is said to still visit occasionally ... despite being executed in 1803.
• The Auld Dubliner: Situated in the middle of the busy Temple Bar District this pub is known for its bright mural (including a Jack Russell Terrier relieving himself), folk music and crowds. You will never get bored here, but you'll not hear the music at peak times.
• The Hole in the Wall: Right next to the Phoenix Park in Blackhorse Avenue (Dublin 7), this is Ireland's longest pub, created by combining several old houses. Usually full with a local crowd and people "in the know" travelling some distance to enjoy around 100 yards of bar.

Summer Music Festivals in Dublin

Summer is always a busy time to visit Dublin but a good time to catch one of the outdoor art or music festivals/concerts.

• Oxegen Festival: Ireland's Oxegen Festival is always one of the can't-be-beat best concerts in Northern Europe and sizzle Dublin with over 100 acts and 80,000 rockers at this sells-out-fast event featuring confirmed concerts from Jay Z, Muse, Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Kasabian, Florence and the Machine, Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini and Faithless.  It’s every year at the beginning of July (July 9-11 in 2010). Ticket price hasn't changed since 2008 and is €224.50 total for three days of music and overnight camping. More info here

• Dublin Writers Festival:  International writers Antony Beevor, Hanif Kurieshi, Yann Martel and multi-award winning Ian McEwan will join Irish writers Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O’Connor and Tom Murphy and dozens more at this year’s Dublin Writers Festival. The 6-day literary Festival features over 40 writers and takes place the first week of June.  More info on the website. 

• Dun Laoghaire World Culture Festival: Immersed in folk, traditional, eclectic, tribal, digital and the experimental, the Festival of World Cultures presents a kaleidoscopic program of concerts & club nights, fairs & markets, performances, street events, workshops and so much more. Ireland’s first Global Carnival!! The Festival is committed to presenting a series of world music concerts that can be experienced by all in a unique and intimate local setting while also offering a ‘passport to the world’ program of events, many of which are free to all. It takes place during 3 days at the end of July (2010: 23rd, 24th, 25th July). More info on the town website.

• Electronic Picnic: Electric Picnic has established itself as a truly unique Irish festival, set amid the rolling lawns of Stradbally Hall, Co Laois, a beautiful 600 acre estate just 50 minutes from Dublin. Fine music, art, theatre, comedy, pantomime, holistic health….plus a lot more. It is held in September (2010: 3rd, 4th & 5th Sept). More info here.

While in Dublin, you should visit the surrounding by car. Dublin car rental is easy and cheap, especially if you’re travelling with friends or family.

Londonderry or the Maiden City

Everyone who has read about the years of violence during the Troubles in Northern Ireland has heard about Bloody Sunday in Londonderry.  It’s when twenty-seven civil rights protesters were shot by the British Army Parachute Regiment during a Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march on the 30th of January 1972.

But Londonderry is an interesting city to visit not only for that. The 16th Century walls which surround the city are among the oldest and the best preserved citadel walls in Europe. They were built during the period 1613-1618 by "the honorable Irish Society" and form a walkway around the inner city. They provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town with its Renaissance style. Historic buildings within the walls include the 1633 Gothic cathedral of St Columbus, the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall and the courthouse. It is one of the few cities in Europe that never saw its fortifications breached, including during several sieges like one in 1689 which lasted 105 days, hence the city's nickname, The Maiden City.

Take a walk around the "Free Derry" corner between the Bogside and the western side of the old city walls. Stop and look at the political murals made by local artists during the 90's, depicting the key events in the harsh conflict haunting Northern Ireland. In the same area, the Free Derry monument, Free Derry Museum, and Bloody Sunday memorial are also located.

To get there, car hire Ireland is the best option. From Belfast, take the M2 or the main road (A6) to Derry (signposted as Londonderry) via Dungiven or the scenic drive along the Antrim Coast, passing the Giant's Causeway.

Giants Causeway, a spectacular rock formation in Northern Ireland

Giant's Causeway is a spectacular rock formation on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. The site consists of some 40,000 basalt columns rising out of the sea. The Giant's Causeway is Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Popular mythology attributes the creation of the Causeway to an Irish giant named Fionn mac Cumhaill. To prove his superior strength and status, Fionn decided to fight against a rival Scottish giant named Benandonner. As there was no boat large enough to carry huge Finn across the sea to confront Bennandonner, he built his own pathway of stepping stones from Ireland to Scotland. He then was able to walk across the sea without getting his feet wet. When he crossed the sea, however, he saw just how large Benandonner was. He ran back to Ireland before Bennandonner saw him, but the causeway was built and Bennandonner came to fight. Fionn crawled into a crib and when Bennandonner came to the door to fight him, his wife told him not to wake the baby. Seeing just how large Fionn's "baby" was, Bennandonner grew afraid and ran back to Scotland, tearing up the causeway as he went to prevent Fionn following him.

There are many walks to do around the Causeway. There are two ways to approach the Giants Causeway. It can be reached directly by road, either on foot or using the seasonal Ulsterbus service (buses accessible for people with disabilities.) 0.8km, 0.5 mile to Giants Causeway. A longer circular walk follows the cliff path to the Shepherd's Steps and back via the Giants Causeway. 3km, almost 2 miles.

To get there, the best is to rent a car; we saw in earliest posts the car hire Ireland system. From Belfast, follow the signs for the "Giant's Causeway Coastal Route" for a beautiful scenic route to the Causeway. It takes a longer (around 2 hours depending on traffic) but it is worth it for the views.
There is also the more direct route along the A26 from Belfast or the A2/A37 from Derry/ Londonderry if time is a factor.

Belfast, full of history

Belfast, in Nothern Ireland is well known for all the troubles (1967-1997) due to the frequency of gun and bomb attacks in the city. But now it’s safe to travel around and there is so much to see. Dublin Airport car hire is the easiest and then take the M1 to Belfast

Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, most of the politically-motivated violence has evaporated. Belfast was recently awarded the accolade of being the safest city in the UK, based on a comparison of nation-wide crime figures, and, as part of its commitment to maintain peace, now seeks tourism from all around the world, especially from countries other than the Irish Republic and the rest of the UK.

Some places not to miss are :
The City Hall : Opened in 1906, this is a fine example of turn of the century architecture from the heart of the British Empire's drafting office. The City Hall houses Belfast's Council chambers and administrative offices. Excellently presented free guided tours are available every day. Alse there is a memorial to victims of the Titanic and a statue of Queen Victoria.

Donegall Place : This diminutive shop space was recently taken over by the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) as a small gallery space to promote the built environment in Northern Ireland. Regular exhibitions and workshops are held here.

Saint Anne's Cathedral : The stunning cathedral building is situated at the opposite end of Royal Avenue, the main shopping street, from the City Hall. It is a fascinating building, and is at the centre of the "Cathedral Quarter", which is reluctantly being redesigned and cleaned up by various investment agencies to become Belfast's 'cultural' district. Thankfully, a lot of work remains to be done, and the area contains many fine cafés, bars and interesting buildings that recall the city's commercial and industrial heritage.

Belfast Exposed : Belfast Exposed is Northern Ireland's only dedicated photography gallery, and as well as operating a fine exhibition space in a refurbished warehouse building, also provides local photographers with dark room and processing facilities and a well maintained library. Exhibitions are usually free and always worth seeing.

Titanic Boat Tour : Belfast takes a bizarre pride in that the ill-fated Titanic was built here and you can now take a boat tour around the area that the ship was built. The former boat yards of Belfast are being ambitiously redeveloped into a residential and commercial neighbourhood that will be called the Titanic Quarter. Tours cost £5.

Queen's University : At the southernmost end of the Golden Mile, the university is a fine Victorian building with extensive grounds. It contains a visitors' centre in the main central building.

Botanical Gardens : Accessed from University Rd beside the university and at the southern end of Botanic Ave, it’s very popular with locals and visitors alike. The Palm House contains local and interesting plants, such as carnivorous plants. Beside it is the Tropical Ravine, unique to the British Isles, where visitors walk around a raised balcony observing tropical flora and fauna. With large lawns and well maintained planting, the park is a popular destination in the summer.

Ulster Museum : Close to the Botanic Gardens, this excellent museum has much to see, including a large section on the history of Irish conflict, Northern Ireland's marine life and a significant collection of art. While many locals dislike the 1970s extension, it is one of the finest examples of a Brutalist modern extension being added and successfully integrated to an older classically designed museum. Free.

Belfast Castle (Antrim Rd) :Open  daily 9AM-6PM, admission is free.The castle was built in 1870 and was restored in 1988. It is situated on Cave Hill and has good views of the city and the coast.

Political Murals :  Visit the world renowned murals in the nationalist Falls and unionist Shankill portions of West Belfast. The main murals are situated on gable walls of buildings on both the Falls and Shankill roads, but others are located in the lower Shankill estate (off the lower Shankill Rd onto North Boundary St) and Bombay St (off the Falls Rd onto Clonard Gardens).

Milltown Cemetery, 546 Falls Rd : Milltown is dripping with history, being the final resting place for many Republican paramilitary members (mostly buried at the Republican plot, beneath the tricolour flag). There is also a memorial garden for IRA members killed during the Troubles, including those who took part in the 1981 Hunger Strike. Milltown cemetery is also the site of the notorious killings in 1988 of three mourners at an IRA funeral by Loyalist paramilitary Michael Stone. The attack took place near the Republican plot.

 

Galway and the Connemara

The first ime I heard about the Connemara was in the French song « Les lacs du Connemara » from Michel Sardou.  I went there the first time with my parents in 1997, and just loved it ! Who would not…  Dublin car rental is easy, or you can rent a car in Galway.

1. Galway
Galway is a lovely small city, easy to visit by foot and very busy during the summer with a great night life. Some famous buildings are the Spanish Arch, St Nicola’s church, Lynch’s castle, and Galway Cathedral.

2.  Aran Islands
The Aran Islands are located about 48km from the mouth of Galway Bay. The islands are famous for their prehistoric and Christian monuments including the spectacular Dún Aengus fort that is one of best examples of this type of fort in all of Europe. Enjoy the cliff-top walks and spectacular coastal scenery. To get there, go to Ros a' Mhíl where is the ferry terminal. No car is allowed on the islands so the best is to rent a bike to travel around the island.

3. The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most visited tourist attractions. Situated between the villages of Liscannor and Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most spectacular natural wonders. Over 214 meters tall at their highest point, the shale and sandstone cliffs drop almost vertically to the Atlantic ocean far below. From the top there are views, on a clear day, to the Aran Islands and Galway Bay, the Maum Turk and Twelve Bens mountains in Connemara to the north and Loop Head in Co Clare to the south.Try to get there in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the crowd, especially during the summer.

 4.The Connemara
Located in the north west corner of County Galway, Connemara's breathtaking landscape is a mixture of unspoilt rivers, lakes, woodlands, rich meadowlands, rugged hills, dramatic mountains and stunning coastline of sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. Connemara is a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) area, rich in Irish culture, heritage and traditions. The main town in the Connemara region is Clifden but there are many others very interesting attractions like Kylemore Abbey, Connemara History & Heritage Centre in Clifden, Glengowla Mines in Oughterard and  Connemara National Park. Connemara is the ideal place to go hiking and camping, but be ready for the rain !

Mayo and Donegal, my favorite places in Ireland

To discover Donegal, the best is to rent a car in Dublin and drive 4 hours across the country. To know all about the system of Dublin car rental, check my previous posts. I discovered Donegal in July 2004 during a 4 day trip with my friend Elizabeth from Canada and I just loved it ! Less touristy and wilder than the rest of the country, it became by favorite destination. Some places not to miss :

1. Archill Island
The largest island in Ireland, Archill Island has beautiful sandy beaches and sea cliffs. You should take the Atlantic drive, a 19 km coastal road with breathtaking scenery. The road is passing through small villages as the villages of Shraheens, Derreens and Cloughmore. Take a break at one of the five Blue Flag beaches, like Silver Strand near the village of Dugort. Don’t forget to go to take to steep road to Minaun Heights. The road ends at a hill-top viewing point, giving a breathtaking view of Achill Island. On a clear day, you can see the entire area and also Blacksod Bay and the Belmullet Peninsula.

2. Saint John’s point and Bunglass cliffs
A small road in the middle of Donegal Bay will lead you to St John's Point from where you will be able to admire the whole bay with a panorama of 360 degrees, if the weather is clear.
Close to Carrick, are the Bunglass/Slieve League sea cliffs which  are the highest cliffs in Europe, a three hundred metre drop straight down into the wild Atlantic waves below. This creates a breathtaking but extremely scary view. If you like hiking, there is an incredibly beautiful walk from Bunglass to Malinbeg near Glencolmcille.

3.  Malinbeg
At the far west of Donegal is the The Silver Strand, considered to be one of the finest beaches in Ireland. It is reached by hundreds of stone steps descending from the village of Malinbeg, lying to the south of Glencolmcille, and facing directly into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a beautiful place to stay for the night at the local hostel.

4. Horn head

This is probably the most dramatic of the beautiful Donegal peninsulas. Nature has painted the landscape with broad, bold strokes and the sculptured rocks and cliff faces are awesome in their majesty. You get a real sense of the power of the sea and the resilience of the land on this wild peninsula. There are two splendid viewpoints, one on the north side where the cliffs dominate the scenery, and the other on the south side overlooking Dunfanaghy with the backdrop of Muckish and the Derryveagh mountains.

Beautiful County Kerry

County Kerry is Ireland's most popular tourist destination. With the main tourist attractions of the Lakes of Killarney, Dingle peninsula and the Ring of Kerry all within an hour drive.  Renting a car is the best way to discover. We have seen before the system of car hire Ireland.

1. Killarney

A small town, Killarney is a good starting point and base to discover the region. Don’t forget to visit the Killarney National Park with the Muckross House, a 17 century mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens, and the Ross Castle built during the 14th century. If you have time, there are some nice hikes to do.

2. Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is a mystical Celtic tourist trail through some of the best scenery in Ireland. It starts and ends in Killarney, and covers over 170km of stunning scenery around the Iveragh Peninsula. It is possible to complete this trail in one day. Some places not to miss are Staigue Fort, north of the Sneem-Parknasilla road, one of the largest and finest ring forts you are likely to see in Ireland.  The Skelligs with Valencia Island, joined by the mainland by a bridge, which is an interesting island, displaying many moods and outstanding natural beauty. Stop at Knightstown which is the main centre of population on the island, named after the Knights of Kerry, an hereditary Anglo-Irish knighthood.  Just before arriving at Killarney, the Gap of Dunloe is  a breathtaking gap between the Purple Mountains and Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. A river runs through the gap, with grassy banks for sitting, and picturesque bridges to cross. The road passes near five small lakes.

 

3. Dingle Peninsula

North of Killarney, the Dingle Peninsula has a lot of beautiful beaches. You should pass through the Connor Pass which is linking Dingle Town on the south to Kilcummin on the north coast at Brandon Bay and is considered a "must-do" experience. Leaving town from Spa Road , the paved way becomes increasingly narrow an thrilling until it crests at 400 meters above sea level. If you like fort, stop at the Dunbeg Fort in the village of Fahan.

 

 

Visit County Cork

As we saw in the earliest posts, you can do a car rental in Dublin but if you have already seen Dublin and fly directly to Cork, car hire Cork Airport is another option.  One of the most traditional counties in Ireland, County Cork has a lot to offer. Here are some places not to miss :

1. Rock of Cashel

On the road between Dublin and Cork stands the Rock of Cashel, known as St Patrick’s rock. It is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century AD. The complex has a character of its own, unique and native, and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe.

2. Cork

The second largest city in the Republic of Ireland, Cork is a nice city to visit. With its seaport and small street, you can spend a day visiting the city

3. Drombeg Stone Circle

On the south coast, close to the village of Skibbereen, you will find the Stone circle of Dromberg , known as the Druid’s altar. The circle consists of seventeen pillar stones that are graded from the two large portal stones, each 2 meters high, at the north-east towards the recumbent stone.

4. Mizen Head

Ireland's most southerly point, the real magic of Mizen Head is the breathtaking scenery of the landscape itself and of course the knowledge that you are at the very southern tip of Ireland, with the vast swell of the Atlantic sprawled out before you.

 

Day trips around Dublin

We have seen the system of car hire Dublin Airport and you have decided which car to rent. You have decided to stay a few days in Dublin and discover the surroundings. Below are some ideas of destination for amazing day trips.

1. Newgrange and Kell

One hour North of Dublin, Newgrange has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has an impressive Megalithic Passage Tomb richly decorated which was built about 3200 BC. The 19 meters long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. Nearby is the village of Kells which has a large collection of Celtic Crosses and other remnants from the monastic age in Ireland. The book of Kells has been discovered there and is now displayed at Trinity College in Dublin.

 

 

 

2. The Wicklows
The Wicklows are mountains South of Dublin. A great place to go hiking! Don’t miss the Powerscourt House and gardens, one of the world’s greatest gardens, and Glendalough, an ancient monastery in the heart of the Wicklows Mountains National Park. Don’t forget to stop at Johnnie Fox’s pub in Glencullen for a pint, one of Ireland's oldest and most famous traditional Irish pubs  and also the highest pub in the country.

3. Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a medieval city at 1h30 South of Dublin. The main attraction is the castle built in the 13th century.  Walk in the city to discover the galleries and old buildings.

 

 

Most places are accessible by public transport or with organizing tours from Dublin. But I always prefered to rent a car to have more flexibility and stop anyway on the road.

The experience of driving in Ireland

During the three years I lived in Dublin, I rented a car every time I could get out of the city to explore the country. Hiring a car in Ireland in the best way to discover the beautiful landscapes.  Dublin car rental system is very good and professional. Booking the car at Dublin Airport is the easiest way as you can get it as soon as you’re arriving and the office is open every day from early morning to late evening.  Booking in advance is recommended especially during the summer holidays and to have the best deals.

The first time I drove on the left, it was scary. It’s like learning again to drive! Especially on their narrow winding roads. Not to mention, the rain, mist and fog, the sheep and cows in the middle of the roads as if they owned it.  But if you drive carefully, you should be fine. Finding your way around in the country can be sometimes quite challenging! Many country roads are not well marked and sometimes the road signs are broken or hidden by the vegetation. So be ready to do some extra kilometers and don’t hesitate to stop and ask local people the right way. Irish people are very friendly and love chatting! You will discover some unspoiled spots usually not marked on the map that will make your trip unforgettable. So what are you waiting for?