What to do in Ireland for a single traveler?

January 3, 2007 10:47 AM

Lost in Ireland: I'm a thirtysomething single woman who would like to spend some time in Ireland, anywhere from 2 to 5 weeks, probably in March or April. What to do?

I love Ireland and want to go back! When I was 24, I spent a couple months traveling around, everywhere from Cork to Northern Ireland. Did the hostel and pubs thing. So while I would enjoy wandering around on my own a bit again, I guess I'm looking for a few more structured activities to help define my time there. Plus, now I'm 32 and not quite as up for sharing a room with random folks.

So what can a single, 30something woman do with some time in Ireland? Money is a factor but not a huge one. Mainly it is a factor in the sense that I don't particularly enjoy "expensivey" experiences. So not an organized tour or anything.

I know that most of the joy of travel is the unexpected--the people you meet and the places you end up by chance. But at the same time, I don't want something completely unplanned. I'm thinking of a weeklong class, or maybe a program of some kind, or a volunteer opportunity. Something where I might have a purpose, or learn something, but not so intense I don't have time to wander around.

Ideally, my itinerary would sound like this: "I'm going to Ireland for a month. I'll spend a week in Dublin doing X, then wander around for a week or so, then I'll go to X to do X."

I know this is a pretty open-ended question, since I'm not really sure I can articulate what I'm looking for myself. I'm hoping that some mefites who live in or know Ireland can throw out some ideas. Something not overtly tourist-oriented would be a big plus.

Things I am interested in: art of all kinds (both making and looking at), politics, spirituality (in the mythological/intellectual sense, not the organized sense), hiking and other outdoor activities. And probably anything else that might be a new experience.

Also, my dates are flexible.

posted by eileen to travel & transportation (10 comments total)

Can you say Guinness factory!!!!
posted by antisocialiting at 11:05 AM on January 3, 2007

If you have time to ramble, consider creating a personal discovery tour of some of the seemingly dozens standing stones that dot the countryside. I think you can track down exact locations via the web, which in addition to a GPS system, can give you a good start for your hunt.

This has the advantage of combining several of your listed interests (spirituality, hiking, off the beaten path, and even art if you make a point to sketch/be inspired by what you see) plus, due to the proloferation of stones there, would give you lots of time in the Kingdom, which is by far my favorite part of Ireland.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:24 AM on January 3, 2007

What did you see before (so we don't suggest stuff you've already done) and where did you go?

Stay in B&B's, and you'll find them quite affordable. Visit the Isles of Arran, the Giant's Causeway (in Donegal, I think?), New Grange. Do some googling - there are plenty of places that offer structured walking/hiking/biking tours.
posted by canine epigram at 11:35 AM on January 3, 2007

Get a fridge.

Even if you do it sans refrigerator, retracing the route that Tony Hawks took will take you to some interesting places.
posted by veedubya at 11:43 AM on January 3, 2007

Well, this depends on if you want to spend your trip totally relaxing or not, but you mentioned you liked structure. When I was in Ireland I volunteered with a film festival in Cork. Cork vs. Dublin expeirence was quite different because of that lack of structure in Dublin. The film fest was great for me because it kept me busy in a good way and I got to know people. It also didn't hurt that a movie addict like me got to see some films for free.

So maybe check out some lists of festivals, see if there's anything that interest you around your time frame that are looking for volunteers?
posted by kkokkodalk at 11:55 AM on January 3, 2007

Thanks for all of the answers so far! Volunteering at a film festival or something similar is a great idea, and something I never would have thought of... A bike tour is also a great possibility. As far as where I've been already...I really did see a good portion of the major "sights", or could do my own research in a guidebook. So I think I can plan my own wandering/sightseeing; mainly just looking for ideas as to programs/volunteer opportunities/classes or other deeper experience things along those lines that I have not thought of. Keep 'em coming...thanks :)
posted by eileen at 12:15 PM on January 3, 2007

I just did a 7 week wandering holiday in Spring through parts of Europe & the Middle East. Bought a lot of books and had a basic map of my itinerary beforehand. Thing is, as you travel you learn about all sorts of things you didn't know of before so it's good to be flexible and spontaneous. As you travel, both natives and fellow travelers really give you the best insider tips on what you shouldn't miss and what's overrated. I backpacked through County Cork & points beyond in 1996 for 2 weeks on a spur of the moment; it was really amazing. I still get a little misty when I hear certain Irish music because my memories of that holiday are so dear to me.

Have a great time!!! Just remember, "Guinness is good for you"... and be careful if you decide to kiss the Blarney stone, as rumor has it that the locals have peed on it many a time over the years.
posted by miss lynnster at 1:32 PM on January 3, 2007

And I hate to say it because people get so obsessed with him... but if you haven't done it already, you should read this.
posted by miss lynnster at 1:35 PM on January 3, 2007

If you're interested in the literary side of Irish history, there are various James Joyce-related activities and sights.
posted by scody at 4:37 PM on January 3, 2007

The Nora Barnacle (Joyce's wife) House is only open during the summer. Seconding the Sandycove lighthouse.

Go to Tara before they build the highway.

Last September, I took the bus from Dublin to Kildare and then walked to the Irish National Stud (which also has beautiful gardens) stopping at St. Brigid's well on the way--but now there's there's a bus that goes right up to the stud farm. Do NOT go into the drinks only pub in that town by yourself.

Many of the old master paintings that were at Russborough House are now at the National Gallery, so you'll only get a house tour there--which was okay as far as tours went, but the artwork was the main reason I wanted to go.

I loved my time there and want desperately to go back, too.
posted by brujita at 10:20 PM on January 3, 2007