Skibbereen has a very interesting famine history and is a lovely town with places such as Lissard house and Gardens which are well worth a visit! I don’t know who said it’s not worth bothering with, but I don’t agree! I spent all my childhood summers in Skibbereen. Skibbereen is also close to Baltimore, which is your gateway to Sherkin Island and Cape Clear Island.

Schull is lovely but can be dead during the winter. (Like anywhere in West Cork). It’s also at its best when viewed from a yacht on a trip around Long Island.

Glandore is a lovely place too stop for an hour or two.
Hayes’ Pub up the village has great views.

The Beara Penninsula is well worth a drive, it is unspoilt and less busy than the Dingle Penninsula or the Ring of Kerry.

If you are going to Kerry, then places such as Valentia Island are lovely and Knightstown.

If you find yourself in Dingle, try the ice-cream at Murphy’s. icecreamireland.com

In Cork city itself, the English market is not to be missed and the Farm Gate Cafe upstairs in the English Market.

In Dublin, have afternoon tea in the Merrion Hotel, opposite Leinster House (which houses Dáil Eireann, the Irish Parliament). The newly renovated Shelbourne is worth visiting for a drink or afternoon tea also. But the Merrion has a better contemporary Irish art collection to look at.

For Art Galleries try the Peppercannister near Pepper Cannister Church, Solomon Gallery (Powerscourt Town House).

For fresh sea air in Dublin, take the Dart to Dun Laoghaire and walk on one of the pier walls. If you walk the east pier, you can wander down into Glasthule afterwards and sample Caviston’s fine fair.

If you are on the West Pier (dart stop seapoint and monkstown) then the Purty Kitchen is the nearest eatery.

Continuing onwards from Glasthule is the village of Dalkey, with many nice places to eat and some nice boutiques and art galleries. A walk up Vico Road is well worth the effort for the views down towards Bray and the Sugarloaf.

Avoca Cafe on Suffolk street is great for lovely food. Top floor cafe, basement take away salad counter with some counter space for quick bites.

The National Gallery on Nassau Street is also worth a stop as in Kilmainham Gaol and Collins Barracks.

For shopping in Dublin, venture off Grafton Street towards Powerscourt Townhouse and the streets west of that. Grafton Street is terribly boring and just like an English high-street.

For food after shopping in the nearest suburbs to the city centre, take the Luas from St. Stephen’s Green to Ranelagh and try Diep Noodle or Mint (michelin star just awarded).

Other good restaurants include L’Ecrivain, Bang Cafe, Ely Wine Bar.

Place to avoid like the plague in Dublin – Temple Bar at night time. Especially towards the weekend.

For lovely accomodation and restaurants try the blue book website.
http://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/

For good food recommendations:
http://www.slowfoodireland.com

Also, John and Sally McKenna’s Bridgestone Guides.

Enjoy your trip.