Do you really need to know anything about me? It's not as if we'll ever meet. It's pretty obvious ...
Do you really need to know anything about me? It's not as if we'll ever meet. It's pretty obvious what I like if you read my reviews, so what's the pint in me telling you here?
Member since:13.12.2000
Reviews:124
Members who trust:71
When the troubles every July spark up in the North, the pictures are beamed around the world because they can be quite spectacular. When all is quiet and prosperous and everyone just gets on with their life the TVcameras have all gone. Therefore the picture the world receives of Ireland is not quite what it is. Likewise in the movies we get the quaint Ireland of the 'Quiet Man', of 'Waking Ned' or 'Dancing At Lughnasa'. In fact it is often very hard to distinguish Irish period drama with drama set in contemporary Ireland. And so Hollywood distorts Ireland. But what is the real Ireland like? Is it backwards in the South and a war zone in the North? Hardly!
It is true to say that their are many areas of outstanding
natural beauty in Ireland, too many for a tourist to see in a couple of weeks. From the beautiful fishing villages of the South West, the bustling cities of Kilkenny and Limerick, to the quiet of Malin rural solitude of Malin Head in the North West, their is far too much to see in between. Their are the places you have to see. Galway was an extremely deprived city in the 1960s, but now boasts culture aplenty within its regenerated heart. Connemara contains some wonderful scenery and mountain roads looking down on the Atlantic ocean as it crashes against the jagged rocks. Connemara is an area blessed with wonderful natural beauty, unspoilt by urban sprawl. A must-see town in this area is Clifton.
Ireland is now much more diverse than it used to be and in the capital city Dublin it can boast a genuinely cosmopolitan feel. The economic boom has led to an influx of ethnic groups from Eastern Europe and while the more right-wing elements in the city may regail against this, in time they will see the benefit of a multicultural country. Dublin bustles with excitement every day. It has theatres, bars, restaurants to rival any European capital, some say it is the new Paris. In Dublin, no trip is complete without a trip to St. James's Gate for a pint of Guinness and if you arrive during the football season, there is nothing quite like the passion and the pride of a football or hurling match at the spectacuar arena of Croke Park.
Outside of Dublin their is much to see, especially in the beauty of the Wicklow countryside and the seaside resort of Bray. the Wicklow mountains provide a great place for a picnic. Moving North their are the Mourne mountains too and to the West Lough Erne has now become a magnet for water sports enthusiasts. Further North their is the second capital Belfast, so often stigmatised but worth a visit. In the North East lies the Antrim Coast with the famous Giants causeway and the Dunluce Castle. If you need more alcohol, their is the finest Whiskey distillery in the world at Bushmills.
In the North West, my birthplace of Derry is an old city with its old walls. It may too be tinged with the violence of 30 years, but I shall stay clear of that potential land-mine. Derry is a beautiful city with good shopping centres and a superb exhibition charting its colourful past. Derry City Football Club provide sporting entertainment at the Branywell.
Donegal is a county so often ignored by tourists who don't bother to venture that far up, but it is their loss. As the home of my family for generations I may be a little biased, but it is the most underrated county in Ireland. My mother loves it more than anywhere else in the world. In Florence she said "It's not as nice as Malin town". And it is true that this tiny village (twice winner of the All Ireland Tidy Town competition) is one of the most beautiful in Ireland. The Inishowen 100 scenic drive is spectacular for its sea views, taking in places like Culdaff, but don't ignore the county's capital Donegal Town, it too is very beautiful. Try www.donegal.com and just see what you're missing.
Too much has been misconstrued and interpreted about Ireland. The people welcome tourists (especially for their money!) without the prejudice we sometimes show to each other. Ireland is a complex country and society, not the simple one depicted by Hollywood. Come and see it for yourself. You'll love it.
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Geez Kevin I've just written an op on Ireland and am about to post it but when I see the reads this excellent op got I'm not so sure but what the hell I'll go and do it now.
Cheers, ....Peter
boydgray 25.12.2000 20:16
My wife will give me no tae if I don't mention the delights of Lifford. I suppose you're too young to remember that "den of iniquity", the Inter County Hotel - that's where we met and it was her mother who called it that. Another excellent review. In fact I think I'll just give up right now!
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Advantages: Beautiful Scenery, Quality Accommodation, Cheap Flights if you're quick, The Ulster Fry. Disadvantages: The weather, Difficult to obtain accommodation during the week in City Centre locations, Ulster Fry will put pounds on you.
Dec 13th, 2000
(Feb 7th, 2001)
very helpful by (100%):
