Ireland 2012 Guidebook
Best ways to improve this book:
So far so good for this traveller!
Erica Hansen in Alamo, CA USA 12/05/2011
Gilbert's Restaurant and Townhouse in Cobh was great! Loved the owner, Ann.
Also, Lemon Leaf Cafe in Kinsale should not be missed if you are in the vicinity.
Elaine Roppo in Livermore, CA 94551-2956, CA USA 11/20/2011
add to your packing list, small umbrella and headlamp both proved invaluable. Add info on Clifden a great stop. Ardmore B and B and Kinstown House excellent. Also we take Rick's advice and make lunches but we bring plastic containers and sporks and try to stop at a thrift show to get wine glasses.We have been using his guideboks for 20+ years and are never disappointed
martha Aguiar in CAMPTON, NH USA 10/03/2011
Great book just bought one for our trip to Spain.
Jill Sletten in Saint Paul, MN USA 09/27/2011
Add specific directions for reaching the parking lot closest to the Rock of Cashel. We drove to Cashel from the West and had a difficult time finding the parking lot, even with the aid of a GPS unit. The map in the RS book doesn't contain enough detail and we found the directional signs in Cashel confusing. We accidentally parked in the wrong lot, which lengthened our walk by about 15 minutes. (It was still well worth the walk though!)
Marie in Pasadena, CA USA 09/25/2011
One of our most memorable experiences was a walk in the Burren National park guided by Tony Kirby (Heart of Burren Walks). He leaves from the Burren Center in Kilfenora. I would absolutely add him to your guidebook. Without him we probably wouldn't have entered the park (there are no tourist services and we wouldn't have known where to go), and it would have been a shame--it is spectacular. Tony is passionate about this special place and very informative. The fact that he also knows his Irish poets was a definite plus for me! Be advised that he will gear his walk to whoever shows up. We had an elderly man with a cane in our group, so we didn't cover many kilometers, but we did cover a wealth of information. He was generous with his time and generous in answering individual questions. For those who want a harder hike, stay after, or set up a custom hike with Tony, or buy his book and set out on your own. I'll go back to the Burren specifically to try some of his walks.
Kelli Nichols in Seattle, WA USA 08/24/2011
We took a tour of the Burren with Tony Kirby which was one of the highlights of our trip. He was fun, informative and even quoted poetry as we stood in the midst of this natural wonder. A great way to experience the beauty of Ireland in a non-commercial way!
Diane Maltese in New Haven, CT USA 08/18/2011
Please include Tony's guide of the Burren! Everyone in our group loved Tony!
Mary Kyle in San Rafael, CA USA 08/14/2011
Add information about the Irish School of Falconry at Ashford Castle. Also, it could be more clear in the book that Ireland still has pays phones in almost every town and village. We didn't have a cell phone, and didn't end up buying a cheap one, and we were just fine.
Eilis O'Neal in Tulsa, OK USA 08/05/2011
The book is invaluable, especially for American users, but I feel another guide book from this planet provides more detail. Also, I feel County Wicklow gets shortchanged.
Gregory in Las Vegas, NV USA 07/30/2011
better coverage of the Connacht and Sligo areas.
David Chaika in Chapel Hill, NC USA 07/07/2011
To the Rick Steves Staff: Take a tour with Tony Kirby and see for yourselves what a learning experience it can be, and add it to your next edition of Ireland.
Dennis Manniion in Cheshire, CT USA 07/01/2011
Include more information on parking availability and fees as well as the best and worst days to stay in certain towns.
Lisa Moyer in Pine Grove, PA USA 06/30/2011
Be consistent with road distances - all need to be in kilometers in Ireland. I noticed a few times that it would switch - go 1.1 kilometers and turn left and go 1/2 mile up the hill. I have no idea how far 1/2 mile is in kilometers - the only odometer setting available in Irish rental cars.
Sean in Hillsborough, NC USA 06/17/2011
p. 222: Dingle, Hike and Bike to Eask Tower: The book sounds like you must bike and hike to the tower, but it's an easy car drive to the entrance, saving a lot of time for those not wishing to bike. The sights of the harbor are indeed fantastic. We felt this hike among the sheep was one of the best things we did in all of Ireland, and we did most of the typical sights. Hype it a bit more!
p. 222 - Short Harbor Walk from Dingle. Glad this was in the book, but again, this little walk was among the best things we did in all of Ireland.
These two walking excursions, combined with a stay at the Cill Bhreac House, shopping in Dingle Town, dinner at The Old Smokehouse, a folk concert in the evening at St. James' Church, followed by pub music at Murphy's was the single best day of our 10-day trip - by far. With so much driving, it's great to find reasonable, but spectacular walks like these to put us in touch with the countryside and people.
Your omission of Cork City is a HUGE downside to your book. You force us to buy and use a competitor's guidebook to plan and explore this great city.
Paul Porwoll in Johns Island, SC USA 05/26/2011
The book is terrific - thank you so much. We purchased the two sightseeing passes (OPW Heritage card - especially well worth it!) and Heritage Island Touring Guide. Good recommendation. It would improve the book if you could indicate, perhaps by a code, the attractions that accept these passes (I jotted it myself in the guidebook). Also a code for senior discounts? Note, by the way, that the OPW card certainly saved money but did not actually save much time standing in line (there were no lines in May actually), as we were asked to pause and step aside at each place to fill out a log book with our names, which often took a bit of time. We found that coupons or senior discounts were readily available for some sites at the same discount offered in the heritage touring guide book.
Chris in Cedar Point, NC USA 05/17/2011
It is a great book.. please please look at the Royal Marine and see how much one can save if they book say 6 to 9 months ahead..It is the best buy in europe.
Chris Canning in Boca Raton, , FL USA 05/13/2011
Some additional maps would be useful.
Jim Myers in Boston, MA USA 05/08/2011
There needs to be more information regarding the transit system in Dublin. What info was given was very confusing. When we arrived and went to the TI station we got a very informative map of the Dublin transit system. I wish we would have had it during our planning stages.
Karen in Suwanee, GA USA 04/14/2011
photos of Funghi
Rick in Seattle, WA USA 03/23/2011
Restaurants - include Mustard (in Galway) and Dino's (in Kinsale)
Make sure to mention asking about student discounts.
Bring along maybe one other travel book, just to give you confirmation on certain information (travel details, for example), and also to give you other options for restaurants, hostels, etc. I love that Rick gives his opinion (and his opinion is often wonderful), but it can come in handy to have another guide.
JoAnna Frederick in Austin, TX USA 03/14/2011
The book was incredible--the level of detail was just incredible. We used a 2009 Guidebook for 2010 travel and found a few things outdated, so I would recommend using the most up to date book.
Joyce in Toledo, Oh USA 02/27/2011
The book was incredible--the level of detail was just incredible. We used a 2009 Guidebook for 2010 travel and found a few things outdated, so I would recommend using the most up to date book.
Joyce in Toledo, Oh USA 02/27/2011
In the 2010 edition, you indicated when a sight was covered by the Heritage Card. This info is missing in 2011. I think it's a mistake. ( You could use an asterisk or other symbol throughout the book to consistently inform about acceptances of the most common passes if you're trying to ave space.)
Bill in New York, NY USA 12/24/2010
It was invaluable. I've used other guidebooks, but none have been so spot on with the right info presented in the righ way and incredibly helpful tips and suggestions. Thanks!!!
Mary Schroeder in Seattle, WA USA 10/23/2010
1) List more hostels! I know that Rick Steves cater mostly to middle class families with a decent sized budget, but us college student backpackers fanatically use his guidebooks as well, you know! 2) Write the county name next to the town name. 3) I know Rick Steves can't possibly cover every single good site in Ireland, but there were some places we visited that weren't listed in his book that were very lovely, like Drogheda and Cork and Killarney (at least the national park). Anyway, we used his guidebook 99% of the time (pulled out Let's Go Ireland last minute for the Drogheda town map only) and his town maps were very helpful and accurate. This was our first trip to Europe using a Rick Steves guidebook and not on a big bus tour, and it was definitely a VERY GOOD experience! We are looking forward to traveling with Rick Steves (guidebooks) again!
Pearl in Pleasanton, CA USA 09/18/2010
Better directions.
Jo Anne Vaughn in Colorado Springs, CO USA 09/16/2010
larger print......? Only Kidding!
Dan Doll in Lincroft, NJ USA 08/18/2010
None. Keep up the good work. We love your book and will purchase one for each country we travel to.
Miriam Ting in Santa Cruz, Ca USA 08/08/2010
It really is an EXCELLENT book! I read it through before we left on our trip and carried it with us each day. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Karen Labenz in Clive, IA USA 07/18/2010
This book was really great. It was the first time I had used one of Rick Steve's guidebooks, and I definitely will continue to use them in the future.
Also, the driving guide through Dingle Peninsula was awesome.
Peter Henrich in Chicago, IL USA 07/17/2010
More recommendations for B&B's in the middle of Ireland between Dublin and major cities. In Port Laoise we stayed at the Ivyleigh House. Best accomadations, excellent food, would have loved to stay longer, easy drive to many major sites, Highly recommend.
Sandy in Bakersifle, ca USA 06/17/2010
Love the book ! We've used it four times.
Betty Malone in Orlando, Fl USA 06/06/2010
Expand outside of Dingle. Cork is an amazing county with an incredible food culture. The amount of people who are growing their own food and making their own cheese, etc is flourishing in Cork. It's an ideal place for a food lover.
Holly in Pasadena, CA USA 04/12/2010
Include more information about County Donegal and County Wicklow.
Penelope Rittgers in DeSoto, IA USA 03/24/2010
Please add "The Lantern Townhouse" in Dingle. Right on Main Street with a very friendly proprietor (www.dinglebedandbreakfast.com). Great rates, nice rooms, and man what a power shower!
A Outlaw in Charleston, SC USA 03/20/2010
List the county each town is located in at the stqrt of the chapter for example
Kilkenney - County Kilkenney Cork - County Cork
This is most helpful when using a GPS.
Michael Brock in Spokane Valley, WA USA 03/09/2010
nothing...excellent!
Pamela King in Vacaville, CA USA 03/06/2010
Why no info on Cork (city)? Am using your book to plan my Ireland trip and was disappointed no info on Cork city itself. {We took your book to Spain and even jokingly referred to a box we lugged around (a purchase in Morocco) as "Steve"}. Also, i have found it is a bear of a trek to get to Rock of Cashel from Kilkenny, but the book makes it seems like Cashel is just right next door... i have found its not really "easy" to do a day trip to Cashel from Kilkenny, so i decided to hit Cashel after i leave Kilkenny, on my way to Cork (which includes leaving Kilkenny at 7am so i dont kill a whole day in travel!) Other than that, i appreciate the honest opinions and extra "tips" like the "how to get there"'s and listing the site hours.
LAO in Chas, SC USA 02/26/2010
A better map. It was not detailed enough and a lot of the B&B's are off the map in Dublin.
Sarah White in Liberty , TX USA 02/16/2010
No. It was great. Credit card and driving tips were expecially useful. Thank you. We had a great trip:)
Madeleine Schamehorn in Redlands, CA USA 02/06/2010
The trip was absolutely amazing! The book was such a help, and provided excellent background information. Thank you for such a fabulous resource!
Merilee Refvem in Centennial, CO USA 01/31/2010
Keep up the good work! This was our 4th trip to Europe using your guidebooks and you never let us down. Thanks!
Nancy Grosshans in Spring, TX USA 01/28/2010
Several years ago while backpacking through Europe, I bemoaned the fact that I couldn't carry Rick Steves' guidebooks on my laptop instead of heavy books. With e-books, now you can. So why not make the guidebooks available for download from the Rick Steves' web site rather than giving money to the "other guys"??
John Cranston in Canmore, Al Canada 01/28/2010
My wife and I recently purchased your Ireland 2010 guidebook. We only have a few days to spend in Ireland and so far with the help of your guidebook, we are planning to maximize our time as much as possible. We have decided to spend our time visiting southern Ireland with a short stay in Dublin on our way back home. We have intentions of flying into Cork and starting our travels from Cork Airport. To our surprise, your guidebook has no information about the city of Cork whatsoever. Cork Airport is made mention to in your information about Cobh and Kinsale, but Cork does not have one heading in the book. Can you explain whether this is deliberate, or if information about Cork was omitted by accident. Thanks.
Peter in South San Francisco, CA USA 01/17/2010
The exchange rate is so volatile, instead of quoting the rate at publication time, put in a short table of equivalents at various rates of exchange, for those who want to know but don't like doing mental math.
Denise Plouviez in Columbia City, IN USA 01/10/2010
Shirley, I am a rural person too, but I did READ Rick's book before I went to Ireland. I was not surprised to find cars parked on both sides of the street, nor was I surprised at the speed with which the locals navigate the the roads. Guidebooks are written with a purpose. Use them to your advantage. Sincerely, Jake
Jake in Nash, AZ USA 11/15/2009
We are rural people and, though we use narrow, curvy roads often, were shocked at the speeds which people drive on narrow, winding roads. Warn readers of this more clearly. Cars parked both directions, sometimes in the drive lane, were difficult for us to get used to. We spent the entire month of Oct, 2009 in Ireland, so we had time to adjust to the driving conditions (at first, terrified; later merely challenged). Getting around requires one good map-reader/sign-reader and one good driver.
Shirley in Pagosa Springs, CO USA 11/08/2009
This most recent trip to Ireland was the 4th time that my husband, Tom Shomaker, and I took "Rick" along with us to Europe. We traveled without Rick three prior times and cannot imagine how we did it. We get so much more out of our trips with Rick. We read and research for months before we leave and then enjoy having Rick's opinions with us at all times! We love Europe and appreciate all the helpful background information and tips. Fall of 2010 we plan to visit the Black Forest and new parts of Germany. Thanks Rick!
Lori Ecklebe in Omaha, NE USA 10/25/2009
Your guidebook was right-on. I really appreciate the honesty.
Gail Moser in Bandon, Or USA 10/12/2009
We found that almost all of the prices had gone up by about 10% from what was quoted in the book. Overall, we love your books and will use again.
Kimberly Lachamn in Libertyville, IL USA 10/11/2009
Update the prices and suggest if people drive invest in a GPS. The streets really do have no names (or 12).
Dale in Libertyville, IL USA 10/11/2009
This was my first trip to Ireland and your book was invaluable. Your driving tips were very useful. I spent an extra 15 Euro a day for a GPS, which I found invaluable. I think getting around, even with the road atlas you recommended, would have been much more difficult without the GPS - I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Eric in Falls Church, VA USA 10/04/2009
A few more listings for higher end hotels in Dublin.
Mary Therese in Tucson, AZ USA 10/02/2009
I love Rick Steves, I watch the show, listen to the radio program and I used the London and Germany guidebooks to plan my vacation last year. Next year we are planning a large family trip to Ireland in the spring and I noticed that some of the Rick Steves books are available for the Amazon Kindle, but the Ireland one is not. Do you have plans to release them all for the Kindle? I am excited to have it on my Kindle because it is a small and handy way to have the information without lugging around the book. Thanks!
[Editor's Note: For now there are no plans to issue a Kindle version of Rick Steves' Ireland. We have ebook editions for some city guides, but because of the length and complexity of our country guides, we have not yet issued any ebook editions.]
Kristina Schneider in Hebron, KY USA 09/21/2009
By all means, keep the updates going! We planned our trip in three weeks (we were enjoying a pint at a local KC Irish bar and made the decision to go that night). Rick Steves' Ireland became our bible. We carried it on our trip and used it regularly. The city maps (all of them) and legends were very helpful.
Pamela in Overland Park, KS USA 09/12/2009
Book could provide more specifics about car rentals (age limitations, additional charges for driving into Northern Ireland, insurance, garages near Dublin to fix flats, replace hubcaps, etc.)
Also LAUDROMATS: locations, hours, cost.
Gallarus Oratory is still free even without a Heritage Card. The guidebook needs to be more specific about finding the back road (It's still there!) because the land owner doesn't offer any suggestions.
Mary Ann in Wilmette, IL USA 09/06/2009
We think all Rick's books are fantastic--we use them as much as possible.
Carol and Bob Hicks in Los Angeles, CA USA 09/04/2009
FYI:There isn't a place for this, so I'm putting it here. There is a wonderful book, Last of the Donkey Pilgrims, by Kevin O'Hara ISBN0-765-30984-x www.kevin-ohara.com, which journals the experiences of Kevin and his donkey Missie's travels with just a donkey cart for eight months along the whole coast of Ireland in 1979. He begins his travels at Rattigan's Pub in Kilroosky (we visited it,a small, plain place where only 1 person remembered Kevin(a disappointment) and travels all the way around the island, meeting common Irish people and experiencing their hospitality and a delightful sense of what it is to be Irish. We followed his (and your) itinerary as much as we could and went to many of the places/pubs you both mention...We did a lot of studyig of Irish history and 4 guidebooks before we went. We rented a car and used the AA Road Atlas. We drove back roads (some only goat paths..but there were no tour busses on them!)when we could and saw amazingly beautiful sites we never would have seen had we gone via the big roads. We liked the Beara Peninsula and the Healy Pass every bit as well as the Ring of Kerry. We followed your book's instructions as to how to avoid tour buses, and it worked like a charm. We were disappointed but chose to see Knowth anyway because the Newgrange tickets were already sold out for the day...to our surprise and delight, it was great!..our guide was fabulous, and it was a highlight...you might want to mention this to people so they don't miss it. We so-o loved Ireland...drove 3500 miles and didn't even make it to Northern Ireland...so we'll have to go back!!! We loved Sligo and seeing the places WB Yeats loved so well. We spent an hour or so at the Yeats Exhibit at the Yeats house (also: Hargodon's Pub on O'Connell Street serves a great lunch (stops servingat 1,though)). The Yeats Exhibit at the National Library in Dublin is better displayed, and you hear Yeats recite Inishfree, but you can really see almost the same things both. All in all, we had a wonderfully enlightening exciting fabulous trip! We're exhausted, but Ireland is truly magical! We're retired, so we can recover at our leisure! Thanks for your very helpful and insightful book! We could never have seen/experienced as much as we did without it!
Susan and Lamar Robinette in Clemson, sc USA 08/23/2009
It was very helpful to us.
Larry in Pearland, TX USA 07/31/2009
Add Molly Gallivans
Don Thurmond in Brighton, Mi USA 07/18/2009
The layout of the book is great and we found your practical tips - such as location and use of ATMs, Tourist Information offices, local customs - most helpful.
Kay Pitchon in Tarpon Springs, FL USA 07/12/2009
I love Rick Steves guidebooks and it was the only book I brought with me this trip. I would have liked at least some information on other areas. We had been to Ireland before and visited many of the places listed in the book (Skellig Michael remains at the top of my list of favorites for any vacation anywhere), and this time we arranged our trip around my husband's golfing near Dublin, Sligo, Donegal Town, Dunfanaghy, and Kells. I used the book extensively in Dublin and the Boyne Valley but it wasn't much help in the northwest.
Shan Hays in Mesa, AZ USA 07/04/2009
An Riasc should be included otherwise this was the best travel book I have ever purchased. Plus we met other travelers with the same book on Ireland.
Steve Ferrin in Naperville, Il USA 06/28/2009
While I had a wonderful time using your guidebook, I was wondering if you could provide some advice on disability services in your front section of the book. My best friend, who accompanied me on the trip, has a disorder where she cannot walk very far, and soem general information on handicap access in Ireland would have been helpful. Otherwise, the advice in this book was splendid. Thank you very much for this book!
Jessica in Brooklyn, NY USA 06/26/2009
Your book is very good. Almost everyone we met in Ireland was carrying it. You have lots about renting a car, but we found out a few things on our own. We were told we couldn't rent a car in Ireland because of our age (over 70) but we could. We were told we needed to get a letter from our doctor saying we were able to drive and also a letter from our insurance company that we had had no accidents in the past 5 years. We got these but were not asked to show them when we arrived at the rental agency. (Budget) We were told we would have to pay an extra 8% because of our age. Maybe it was figured into the cost, but we didn't see it listed on the car rental agreement when we picked up the car. ABout the waiver...I guess we lucked out. We didn't take it and had no problems when we took the car back but it was pretty scary not knowing exactly what we could owe if we had problems. If we went again, we'd try to get the credit card that covers this. We met a couple who had had the Mastercard that covered them. We'd like to know more about how to get this credit card coverage.
Marie & Bob Andel in Kirkwood, MO USA 06/16/2009
No improvements we could think of, just make sure when traveling the updated version is purchased. A few places recommended in the 2008 version are out of business (spring 2009). Thought you should know how much we loved your book Rick!
Sarah Arehart in Minot, ND USA 06/12/2009
I felt that your book moved me to places where I would be less likely to be targeted because I'm American...and less likely to be "nickeled and dimed" by the tourist industry and greedy Irish site operators. I think this needs to be illustrated more, because it's so easy to be targeted if you go to Killarney, Blarney Stone, Cliffs of Moher or other must see American sites. I did these things, but I enjoyed other areas more. I'm also not bringing any green next time. We had a wonderful conversation with a couple in Salthill for the Volvo Race, who told us if they wore green, people might think they are leprechauns. The only people I saw wearing green were tourist operators and Americans. I enjoyed my time more when I blended in.
Gary Zekis in Little Rock, AR USA 06/09/2009
Great book
Gail Buss in Ballwin, MO USA 05/31/2009
I can't imagine. Everything we needed was there and easy to find.
Stephanie Simmons in Lapeer, MI USA 05/29/2009
Your book is OUTSTANDING! This was our first trip overseas on our own (ie, w/out parents or business) and we used your book for almost everything, including all the travel info and tips. I read it cover to cover before we left and then we used it constantly. I can't think of a way to improve it but if I do, I'll let you know!
Laura Gilligan in Chicago, IL USA 05/25/2009
keep doing what you and your associates do best. Guide books like these are so needed for people like me who don't always know where the best values are and you have done your homework very well. Thank you so much for making my trip an unforgetable experience. Even my 10 yr old grandson will never forget some of the things he got to see and do. But the most fun for him was meeting cousins in Portlaoise! We stayed at the Ivyleigh House B&B and loved the place. It is a very small town, an hour train ride from Dublin, and most tourists probably don't want to go there, we were meeting family members for the first time and were received like "Royalty from America". Everywhere, really, we were always treated kindly and the Irish people were very helpful. We did not get lost once. We took the bus (#748) from the Airport and got off at Aston Quay and with our 3 day Rambler pass enjoyed transportation to and from Heuston Station and to the Airport on our last day and were very impressed with your guide book. I will start working on my next trip which will probably be to France in 2011 with my grand-daughter (she'll be 10 yrs old then) and like her brother this year, should be able to learn about the places we'll visit beforehand and learn from seeing them. Until then, Thank you for your guide books. I totally enjoyed this trip because of you & your associates.
Vickie Bell in Bremerton, WA USA 05/20/2009
Some B&Bs I loved, that you may want to consider: Castle Lodge, Kilkenny; Cloisters, Kinsale; Seamount Farmhouse, Bantry (worth visiting Bantry for!!); Driftwood, Kenmare; Conneely's B&B, Kinvara; Tara House, Galway; Lough View, Ramelton; Cullentra House, Cushendall.
Janet in Battle Creek, MI USA 05/17/2009
add note that Sinn Fein offers 1916 Tours, that pubs are all closed on Good Friday, more resteraunt listings.
KevinMcKenna in Rancho Cordova, ca USA 04/24/2009
Just continue to travel and write for us weary travellers. Rick Steves' book is a complete travellers bible.
Kathleen H. Douglas in Yuma, AZ USA 03/16/2009
This was the best travel book I have ever encountered. It was right on with most things. The only improvement I would suggest is adding more addresses to the hotels and sights you recommend because it is hard to find them/program them into the GPS with exact street names and numbers.
Vivian Arestia in Philadelphia, PA USA 03/15/2009
About the Aran Islands in the off season. There is only one place past 5 or 6pm to eat and that is at Joe Watty's Pub. The Spar closes at 6pm. The locals at Joe Mac's Pub are welcoming and friendly if you are. There is a new pier being built, so there are alot of mainlanders here working (and drinking). There are definitely more than 100 cars on this island. The book says only 100 are allowed. As I sit here writing this, I can count at least 50 just in the pier area. When I mentioned that I had read that only 100 cars are allowed to a local, he just rolled his eyes and laughed. Right now, about 1000 people live here. It is very sleepy in the off season, but really enjoyable. When you get off the ferry, be ready for the shuttle drivers to accost you about getting in their shuttle. If you are staying the night, go ahead and get in one of the shuttles and put your bag in the back. The shuttles disappear as soon as everyone is off to Dun Angus. The bike hire people are at the end of the pier to meet you as well. Bike hire costs 10 euro. Shuttle buses cost 10 euro. A pint of cider pulled is 4.40 euro. A can of cider is a bit less.
Lisa in Madison, WI USA 02/24/2009