Pub is still the first stop on Irish tourist trail

WE MAY pride ourselves on our writers, poets and culture, but for tourists the pub is still our No 1 experience, according to a guide from Lonely Planettravel writers.

The Discover Ireland list of the top 25 experiences tourists should try places the pub at No 1, followed by Dublin city and traditional music. Our literary heritage doesn’t even feature on the list, which is dominated by scenic attractions.

The Discover Ireland guidebook, published today, is part of a new series of guides from Lonely Planetwhich focus on the highlights of a country and provide suggested itineraries.

It says virtually every Irish person has a local “because the pub is where the country’s social heart beats, and where you’ll find out what makes this country tick”.

Dublin, in second place, has blossomed into “a proper metropolis with all of the distractions and dressings of a major international capital, but in doing so has managed that rare skill of retaining the friendliness intimacy and feel of a provincial town”.

The list will give a boost to several attractions off the tourist path such as as the sea cliffs at Slieve League in Donegal, the Waterford village of Ardmore and the Clare coast.

The monastic ruins of Glendalough and the “magnificent” ruins of Clonmacnoise also make the list of 25 top experiences.

Brú na Bóinne is “as magnificent an example of prehistoric genius as you’ll find anywhere in the world” and a visit here is a “must”.

Connemara is described as “one of the most stunning corners of Europe . . . a kaleidoscope of rusty bogs, lonely valleys and enticing seaside hamlets”.

The guide praises our golfing attractions, particularly the “truly exceptional links” in Sligo and Donegal. “If Scotland is the home of golf, then Ireland is where golf goes on holiday,” it says.

Traditional attractions such as the Rock of Cashel, Dingle and the Ring of Kerry also feature.

The latter is “always choked with bus traffic, especially in summer. But there’s about a thousand reasons why the Ring of Kerry is the tourist charm bracelet it is.”

A proper Irish meal scrapes on to the list in 25th place. The guide says Ireland’s home-grown cuisine “has finally come of age, offering up some outstanding dishes”. Co Cork is “unquestionably” Ireland’s gourmet capital, especially the villages of west Cork.

Discover Ireland includes recommendations from local experts, such as advice from radio presenter and former Kerry footballer Weeshie Fogarty on things to see around Killarney. Micheál Murray, manager of Dublin’s L’Gueuleton restaurant, gives his suggestions on the best places to eat in the capital.

Lonely Planettravel editor Tom Hall said the series " highlights the best that a country has to offer, while still providing some of the unexpected sights and activities which travellers expect from Lonely Planet".

The irish experience the top 25 must-see, must-do attractions according to Lonely Planet:

THE LIST

1The pub

2Dublin

3Traditional music

4Connemara

5Glendalough

6Golf

7Clonmacnoise

8Galway city

9Brú na Bóinne

10Dingle

11Vinegar Hill (Co Wexford)

12Cork

13Rock of Cashel

14Black taxi tour (Belfast)

15Ring of Kerry

16Kilkenny

17Surfing the northwest

18Sea cliffs at Slieve League (Co Donegal)

19Antrim coastal walk

20Castles and stately homes

21Ardmore (Co Waterford)

22Co Clare

23Loughcrew

24Derry

25A proper Irish meal