Eating while traveling in Ireland

kaburnyc

Hello, I am new here! After looking at previous posted topics here, I can't find the info that I need. Next week, I will be traveling in Ireland for 2 1/2 weeks, mostly by "hiring" a car. As my daily intake limit is 1,200 calories per day, I would appreciate any suggestions or tips on which are good and sensible to eat while traveling, such as Irish breakfasts, popular dishes and drinks that are usually included in B&B, Hostels, pubs, etc.

Thank you in advance for your help! ;-)

dls06

I have no Idea but maybe you could go online and look up some restaurants in the area you will be visiting. I am sure you should be able to find something. Have a wonderful time I heard it is beautiful.

kaburnyc

I have looked online and what I noticed lately was Irish breakfast fare of scone, fried sunny-side eggs, sausages and the like. I will research a bit more. Thanks anyhow! ;-)

epj78

I actually LOST weight on my 2 1/2 week vacation in Ireland! You won't be able to look up any nutritional info ahead of time - almost every you go (if you do Ireland right) will be an independent place.

Here is what I did - it may or may not work for you. Walk ---- A LOT!!! We drove ourselves all about Ireland, but stopped a lot just to look at things and once we were parked in a city or village we were parked - it was all on foot after that. I also found it to be a great running/walking for purposeful exercise country - got up every morning and did an hour. It was the best part of the day - just enjoying the countryside without anyone else around.

Second, I ate the big Irish Breakfast each morning. I tried to be sensible about it - but if the B&B offered traditional, I ate it. If I did that though, I didn't eat lunch or had a light salad. That being said, we did tea each day with a nice dessert. And for dinner, I tried to eat locally fresh food. Frankly, I didn't count calories while I was there. I would think of your calories more at maintenance while you are away so you enjoy your vacation without 1,200 calorie stress. Even if you just upped it to 1,500 --- That's 500 calories a meal!!! You'll be so busy, you won't even think about snacks.

Have fun!!! It is a beautiful country. Do you know what areas you are visiting? I might be able to give suggestions.

crkennedy1

I lived in Scotland for a couple of years (very similar to Ireland). They tend to eat a lot of starches and deep fried food, not good for your diet. But you should be able to eat things like oats (really good for you), barley and various local vegies - hope you like turnips, cabbage & brussel sprouts (sounds a bit gassy to me!... lol). I'd stick to their brothy soups BROILED fish and consider going on a two week fast...

epj78

Here is what you could find if you are looking for "traditional fare":

Breakfast are big - eggs, sausage, toast, jam, the works. But you can also get just plain old cereal and milk. I always went for the big breakfasts because I wanted the energy to tour all day seeing everything I wanted to see.

Lunches: Stews are traditional. But you'll find everything from carving meats and potatoes to hamburgers and fries (well worth the calories if it is local beef and homemade).

Dinner: Salmon and veggies; beef, etc

Frankly, it isn't all that different than here. I suggest you go out on a limb and try some new things, but really, you can't go wrong with any of the local selections.

Oh - it is INCREDIBLY calorie ridden - but you HAVE to try Banoffi Pie (it's a desert)

epj78

I lived in Scotland for a couple of years (very similar to Ireland). They tend to eat a lot of starches and deep fried food, not good for your diet. But you should be able to eat things like oats (really good for you), barley and various local vegies - hope you like turnips, cabbage & brussel sprouts (sounds a bit gassy to me!... lol). I'd stick to their brothy soups BROILED fish and consider going on a two week fast...

I don't think I did one fried thing beyond french fries the whole time I was in Ireland -- I missed out!! Now, I did do a ton of potatoes and meat.

teresamellor

y name is terry im so jealouse of your trip to ireland its so beautiful and the people are so warm and friendly.im sure if you ask in the hotels and restaurants you visit they will help you. hope you have a great time.im soso jealouse

Delicate

Its like other places, you get local and non local produce

You know you can get a 'fry' that isnt fried, its simply grilled, but its still the same name

Not alot of things are deepfried unless you go to a chippie (although some places will deep fry a marsbar)

However meat and potatoes are pretty much a staple.

The only thing similar with scotland and ireland, is the accent, thats about it.

Get Colcannon, champ, stew.

You're in a different country you may aswell try local, you can always reduce your portions if you are worried about the calories.

And a pint of guinness.

Grumpelina

Ireland is a first-world country. Don't worry. You can eat crap or you can eat healthily there, just as you can at home - they even speak English ;-) !

Just make good choices and enjoy your holiday.

* edited to add: be sure to enjoy a few guinesses. It's like alcoholic soup!

Grumpelina

Delicate: would you say that American and British English, or American and Australian accents are similar? Scottish and Irish accents are about as similar as that...

I would say that Ireland and Scotland are similar in many ways more than their accents - which aren't that similar.

kaburnyc

I actually LOST weight on my 2 1/2 week vacation in Ireland! You won't be able to look up any nutritional info ahead of time - almost every you go (if you do Ireland right) will be an independent place.

Here is what I did - it may or may not work for you. Walk ---- A LOT!!! We drove ourselves all about Ireland, but stopped a lot just to look at things and once we were parked in a city or village we were parked - it was all on foot after that. I also found it to be a great running/walking for purposeful exercise country - got up every morning and did an hour. It was the best part of the day - just enjoying the countryside without anyone else around.

Second, I ate the big Irish Breakfast each morning. I tried to be sensible about it - but if the B&B offered traditional, I ate it. If I did that though, I didn't eat lunch or had a light salad. That being said, we did tea each day with a nice dessert. And for dinner, I tried to eat locally fresh food. Frankly, I didn't count calories while I was there. I would think of your calories more at maintenance while you are away so you enjoy your vacation without 1,200 calorie stress. Even if you just upped it to 1,500 --- That's 500 calories a meal!!! You'll be so busy, you won't even think about snacks.

Have fun!!! It is a beautiful country. Do you know what areas you are visiting? I might be able to give suggestions.

kaburnyc

Thanks, E, for sharing your experience of vacationing in Ireland! I will most definitely burn my intakes with miles of walking, for I love to explore and take photos, etc.

I will take up your suggestion of having a hearty Irish breakfast to start the day. I love eating fresh local food, including seafood and beef stew, so that would work well for me.

E, I will drive up to North Ireland, UK and stay there for five days (staying in Larne, Londonderry and Enniskillen), then drive back to drop off the car. I will hang around in Dublin for the next five days, then pick up the car andy drive south and east of the Emerald Isle for the next several days (staying in Wicklow, Cashel, Cork, Dingle, Ennis, Galway and Boyle). Any suggestions are most welcome!

kaburnyc

I lived in Scotland for a couple of years (very similar to Ireland). They tend to eat a lot of starches and deep fried food, not good for your diet. But you should be able to eat things like oats (really good for you), barley and various local vegies - hope you like turnips, cabbage & brussel sprouts (sounds a bit gassy to me!... lol). I'd stick to their brothy soups BROILED fish and consider going on a two week fast...

Thanks, C, for the invaluable tips, as I love having whole grains and local vegetables. I will make sure to pack a jar of Beano, wink!

kaburnyc

Its like other places, you get local and non local produce
You know you can get a 'fry' that isnt fried, its simply grilled, but its still the same name
Not alot of things are deepfried unless you go to a chippie (although some places will deep fry a marsbar)
However meat and potatoes are pretty much a staple.
The only thing similar with scotland and ireland, is the accent, thats about it.
Get Colcannon, champ, stew.
You're in a different country you may aswell try local, you can always reduce your portions if you are worried about the calories.
And a pint of guinness.

D, your point is well taken: I have enjoyed eating Greece's traditional dishes, as long as I can understand what I read in the menus! "Fry" is grilled in Ireland! No "Chippie" for me! Will try out "Colcannon" and "champ"! Whew! ;-)

kaburnyc

Ireland is a first-world country. Don't worry. You can eat crap or you can eat healthily there, just as you can at home - they even speak English ;-) !

Just make good choices and enjoy your holiday.

* edited to add: be sure to enjoy a few guinesses. It's like alcoholic soup!

G, I heard Irish coffee with whiskey is the best there! Wondering how many calories in there... And the Guinesses broth? ;-)

Dee2862

I'm from Dublin. You should go to Howth in Nth Dublin for some great seafood restaurants (it's beautiful and you can get there on the DART) and the famous tourist spot the Abbey Tavern where you will get traditional Irish dancing, music and food, Malahide is also in Nth Dublin and has a great village with good pubs and also features Malahide Castle. Glendalough in Wicklow has some great hiking Trails (I'm going tomorrow) and Avoca, also in Wicklow, is really nice.

If you need any more recommendations or have any questions that might only be answered by someone who lives here let me know.

epj78

I have relatives in Enniskillen! Although most like in County Cavan in the the Republic. If you drive around the lake to the north - there is both some ancient "ruins" really statues that are neat to go see out in the middle of a pasture and a castle in the middle of the woods (I believe it might be a national park if I remember right) that is really neat to see. I can't remember exactly where they are - but the guide book should have it in it. If I get up to my parents' where my map is that has the course we took - I'll let you know!

We used Rick Steves' Ireland book and it never steered us wrong. I'd highly suggest it! Don't listen to the "do not trespass signs" on falling down castles, etc. We have more pictures of us going under fences to get to them than I can count. You spot on, go see it! Climb inside, just be careful - they are ruins for a reason.

Dublin is huge and walkable. If you like walking, I suggest just taking off on foot. Although the bus system is easy to figure out - our B&B was back in a residential neighborhood so we did catch a bus to the city center.

We didn't do Dingle - did the Ring of Kerry - including the Ballinskelligs instead. Beautiful!!! And my guess is Dingle is the same. Make sure to spend time in the small villages where they speak Gaelic still. We attended mass in Ballinskillig and it was all in Gaelic.

Of course, the Cliffs are a must. If you are driving on your own, be cautious of corkscrew hill - it gets it's name for a reason and i had to drive it in a pouring rain!!

Galway was one of our favorite spots. Completely different feel than the rest of Ireland - young and vibrant and well, just different, you'll see! My mom and I each got our Cladaugh rings here at the original maker of the ring. Don't miss the lake and walking around it. You'll be there about the same time we were - we were there on the Summer Solstice - very happening place. Crowds to the point it was hard to move in almost daylight sun at 11:00 pm! We drove the country side to the north of Galway - beautiful.

We definitely spent much more time in small towns and talking to B&B owners on what to do than we did in the normal tourist areas. I wouldn't change a thing!!! Talk to the locals and you won't be steered wrong. And like other's said, don't let your calories stop you from partaking in a Guinness - make sure to take the tour in Dublin and get one at the top of the brewery!! We found Smithwick's was better for everyday drinking though and learned about Bulmer's which is an apple cider brew - that my cousin loved (too sweet for me). For eating in Dublin - definitely pop into any pub and get the daily special.

I got daily china at Belleek and my crystal at Waterford - I have NEVER regretted either purchase. I use each too - they don't sit and just look pretty. I figure the purpose is use so I'll use. If they break, they break at least I got to enjoy them. I took over 900 photos and don't regret that either

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask. Most of time was spent a day here and a day there and we were always on the move so I won't have too much indepth knowledge - but I'm sure specifics will trigger memories I am ALWAYS happy to relive.

I want to go back now. Sigh. I have family still living in Ireland so I have an excuse to go Maybe next year.

TourThePast

Ireland is a first-world country. Don't worry. You can eat crap or you can eat healthily there, just as you can at home - they even speak English ;-)

I agree, if you're in a town or city there will be plenty of opportunities for eating healthily. However if you're in smaller villages with only one pub / restaurant in the area, healthy eating may not be a feature of their menu.

Fortunately, if you're in rural Ireland, you can tap into the potential for burning huge amounts of calories in the form of long hikes.

Delicate

I am well aware MY accent is the same as the Dumfries accent, cause guess where i am from? (it isnt Dumfries)

Calvin Harris is my future to be husband, cause he is famous and will understand me, as he is from Dumfries It also differentiates between place.

Guiness is a dessert in a glass.

Menus are by and large in english.

You should check out Newgrange, I keep going there every few years, its only a drive away.

Enjoy your time there, if you do gain, dont worry about it, you can get back on the wagan after your holiday.

kaburnyc

I'm from Dublin. You should go to Howth in Nth Dublin for some great seafood restaurants (it's beautiful and you can get there on the DART) and the famous tourist spot the Abbey Tavern where you will get traditional Irish dancing, music and food, Malahide is also in Nth Dublin and has a great village with good pubs and also features Malahide Castle. Glendalough in Wicklow has some great hiking Trails (I'm going tomorrow) and Avoca, also in Wicklow, is really nice.

If you need any more recommendations or have any questions that might only be answered by someone who lives here let me know.

Thanks, Dee (and thanks the rest of you, too) for the great places to eat! Someone suggested that I try a popular pub's lunch order of salmon chowder and brown bread.