Ireland trip- hiking/cycling around Connemara

[rlk]

My son and some of his friends are planning a trip to Ireland. They're flying into Dublin and then taking a bus or train to Galway. From there they plan on spending several nights in Connemara, where they will hike/cycle. Is anyone familiar with this area? They are looking for suggestions on places to eat, what to see, etc.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

My son and some of his friends are planning a trip to Ireland. They're flying into Dublin and then taking a bus or train to Galway. From there they plan on spending several nights in Connemara, where they will hike/cycle. Is anyone familiar with this area? They are looking for suggestions on places to eat, what to see, etc.

What they are planning is a very generic, very stereotypical tourist thing and the Connemara area is a highly promoted area by Irish Tourism, they have even created a huge pr campaign and called it The Wild Atlantic Way. Im sure if you Google there will be so much information for American tourists.

 

[rlk]

What they are planning is a very generic, very stereotypical tourist thing and the Connemara area is a highly promoted area by Irish Tourism, they have even created a huge pr campaign and called it The Wild Atlantic Way. Im sure if you Google there will be so much information for American tourists.

I'm curious, what would you suggest a group of five 22/23-year-olds choose as an itinerary? They are open to adventurous experiences and they are all pretty well-traveled.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I'm curious, what would you suggest a group of five 22/23-year-olds choose as an itinerary? They are open to adventurous experiences and they are all pretty well-traveled.

What are their interests? Ireland is both a modern country and a living museum. We have historical sites 5000 years old, cities founded by The Vikings and a legacy of British occupation and a Famine.

What would they be interested in doing if they had a simialr timeframe in the city or state where they live? What things would they do , what places would they see? You say they are well travelled, well have have they done in other countries?

There is also things like weather and transport to consider, as well as local holidays and the holiday patterns of local Irish which will all impact where they want to go and things to see and do.

 

[Shellsbutt]

My son and some of his friends are planning a trip to Ireland. They're flying into Dublin and then taking a bus or train to Galway. From there they plan on spending several nights in Connemara, where they will hike/cycle. Is anyone familiar with this area? They are looking for suggestions on places to eat, what to see, etc.

Your son should check out the reddit Irish tourism sub, lots of info on there. I also used theirishroadtrip.com. My husband and I went to Ireland last June for two weeks, it was a beautiful country and we had a great time.

 

[cabanafrau]

What they are planning is a very generic, very stereotypical tourist thing and the Connemara area is a highly promoted area by Irish Tourism, they have even created a huge pr campaign and called it The Wild Atlantic Way. Im sure if you Google there will be so much information for American tourists.

By any chance are you on the welcoming committee?

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

By any chance are you on the welcoming committee?

Im sure if you go to YouTube or Instagram you will find plenty of influencers drinking the Irish Tourist Board cool aid and pandering to American tourists.

 

[rlk]

Im sure if you go to YouTube or Instagram you will find plenty of influencers drinking the Irish Tourist Board cool aid and pandering to American tourists.

I am choosing to believe that most people in Ireland would welcome well-meaning, eager tourists who are excited to visit your country.

 

[easyas123]

Yikes, I'm in the midst of booking our trip to Scotland this fall. Hope we are welcomed...

OP - For the first time in my life I joined Facebook in order to access some of the travel groups as I wanted to be informed and get some real-time information from others and it's been helpful. Perhaps your son could try that avenue? We also bought a good old fashioned map, and found that to be helpful in our planning. I know kids aren't into maps, but laying it out on the table and cross referencing it to the information we gathered, our tour & history books and my notes was helpful to us in making decisions.