Itching to hit the Dublin nightlife, but intimidated to wander pub to pub on your own? Makes some new drinking buddies and learn a bit at the same time on this two-and-a-half hour tour that highlights works of Joyce, Beckett, Yeats, Wilde and others. Professional actors conduct the tours while explaining the important ties of pub culture to the nation's literary history, quoting pieces along the way. Each tour covers four different pubs. While each 20-minute stop gives you plenty of time for your favorite pint, food orders take a bit too long. The Sunday Times ranked this tour fourth on their list of the world's 50 best walks, and the Boston Globe claimed, "It has all the air of a walkabout seminar with diverting doses of drink, docents and no grades."
Dublin Literary Pub Crawl
Suffolk Chambers
Suffolk Street, Dublin 2
011-353-1-6705602
dublinpubcrawl.com
Since 1978, the Galway Arts Festival has drawn international crowds each July to experience Ireland's contribution to the arts. BBC TV cited the festival as "one of Europe's most important cultural events," and the News of the World said, "Visitors will be dazzled by the stunning theatre performances, exhibitions, music concerts and street parades." Each year, the festival brings a combination of visual and performing arts. Performances, lectures and casual gatherings offer visitors variety and flexibility during their visit. The Big Top anchors the festival in Fisheries Field by the River Corrib, but local galleries, bars and theaters host events as well. The festival hosts a mixture of free and tickets offerings.
Galway Arts Festival Administration Office
Black Box Theatre
Dyke Road
Galway
011-353-91-509700
galwayartsfestival.com
If you've tired of traveling alone, head to Lisdoonvarna in the Burren regions of the County Clare. For more than 150 years, Lisdoonvarna considered matchmaking serious business. Each September into early October, people travel to take part in Europe's largest single's festival. Dances begin at noon and continue until 2 a.m. Local Willie Daly, a third-generation matchmaker, holds court at the Matchmaker Bar scanning his notes for possible love connections. The festival draws an international crowd. Relax in the Spa Wells Health Centre, home to Ireland's only active spa, after a few nights of dancing. Willie Daly credits a local liquid for the area's amorous success: "Guinness -- it's been involved in many unions over the years!"
The Hydro Hotel
Lisdoonvarna
Co. Clare
011-353-65-7074005
matchmaerireland.com
