Heading to ireland next month

Hi everyone, Im heading to ireland next month and to bring the SWMBO to meet that half of my family and was wondering what to do beer related, besides the typical guinness related stuff. I havent visited since i started homebrewing so im wondering if there are any good brew pups and the such? We are staying for a couple weeks mostly in northern Ireland but also are planning to head to dublin for st. paddys day and the few days after.

Im just trying to get in as much beer related things as i can fit into the trip (there will be plenty of beer drinkin at least since i havent seen my uncles or cousins in a couple years) Im pretty excited since this will be the first time my girlfriend will be going!!!
Thanks in advance!!

St. Paddy's day in Dublin is bad. Catch the parade, its very old school pagany. Otherwise you're just chillin with a bunch of americans.

In Dublin, there are lots of pubs but unfortunately not much choice in what beer to drink.

There are a couple of exceptions: 1) The Bull and Castle pub in Christchurch is the pick of the bunch, has good food, and a good selection of Irish craft beer on draft and in bottle. They always have an Irish craft beer on cask, usually O'Hara's stout (much better than Guinness) or Goodstore IPA.

2) The Porterhouse in Temple Bar has several of their own beers on draft, live music in the evenings and generally has a good atmosphere. http://www.porterhousebrewco.com/bars.html

The above two pubs will probably be more enjoyable and less crazy if you don't visit them on Paddy's day.

I don't know much about beer related stuff in Belfast although I think the Hilden brewery is worth visiting. http://www.hildenbrewery.co.uk/

The Irish Craft Brewer website has a listing of pubs serving craft beer here: http://www.irishcraftbrewer.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=69

The site also has a forum where people will be happy to point you in the right direction for beer related activities.

Watch three sheets Ireland.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/12777/three-sheets-ireland

+1 to Bull and Castle and Porterhouse. The Porterhouse's Oyster Stout is interesting. Not my thing but interesting anyway. It was really cool to be walking down the street in Dublin and get a whiff of wort from Guinness. I tried to visit Hilden's brewery but it was pouring down rain that day and they were having an outdoor festival. Hate I missed it but when you take a red eye from Atl to Dub then drive in traffic to Belfast I was beat for a couple days.

EDIT: Oh and for Bull and Castle go upstairs to the biergarden. You can actually buy decent beer there and take it back to your hotel.

Pics from my trip if you're interested. http://picasaweb.google.com/tylerdurden26/Ireland200902#

Don't know if you will have time or if its even on your mind but if you can make it to Cork there are a bunch of good pubs. My favorite is "The Oven" on Oliver Plunkett Street. Great pub and great bartenders. Another is the "Homer" on Shandonn Street. If you do make it to Cork you have to have a pint of Beamish! Its better than Guinness and is cheaper! I was only in Dublin a dozen or so times and it all depends on what crowds you feel like drinking with. The pubs in the temple bar area are very touristy(?) and have a younger crowd. Most dont have Beamish as its a southern irish beer, but a few places might carry it now.