Advantages: Magnificent Links Golf Courses
Disadvantages: Bring your waterproofs

...-wide appeal fund was launched, resulting in thousands of pounds being raised. Sea ‘gabion’ wire baskets were laid, layered with stones, to defuse the in-rushing Atlantic breakers. However, the problem is not solved. It is still on going. Ballybunion is rated at number nine in the list of the worlds’ best courses. ROYAL PORTRUSH GOLF CLUB The Royal Portrush Golf Club was the first true links course in Ireland, opening for play in 1888. It is situated no more than a drive and a pitch from the town on the north County Antrim coastline, alongside the famous ‘Giant’s Causeway’. Similar in design and layout to the Old Course at Saint Andrews, Scotland, it boasts large, undulating putting greens, and fairways carved from the natural humps and hollows of the ever-present sand dunes. Precise accuracy is at a premium... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful Scenery, full of information, stacks of history
Disadvantages: capital too crowded

...I am writing this review on my latest and greatest holiday, I say abroad which is kind of true but actually I am going to the republic of Ireland, as I am writing this review I'm on holiday and writing it on my pocket PC. This is not such a 'review' it is more about what I did, a diary. I am going to Ireland with all my family except my dad because he couldn't get the time off work but we went with my Nan as part of a birthday present. -*-*- Setting off -*-*- We had to set off really early on the Friday morning about 6am but we had to get to the boat for am (in case you hadn't gathered we are sailing to Dublin) we got to the boat at about half 7 which gave us time to sit in the passenger lounge which was not too bad as it had toys for the children to play with, a TV, a few chairs and a coffee machine. We waited in there for about... Read review

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Advantages: Leprechauns, guinness, arse, feck, drink, girls
Disadvantages: Crime, violence, poverty, racism, sectarianism

...Top of the morning to ya! As an Irishman I know all that's worth knowing about the emerald isle and all the shenanigans that goes on there. I know there have been plenty of reviews by foreigners about my good country, but they can only give you a tourists view. The real Ireland lies beneath the shiny gloss and corporate lies. I'm here to unravel it for you. *What follows is called satire. If you have no sense of humour or just want real information on Ireland you shouldn't bother to read this. This disclaimer is a pre-emptitive strike against people who read the whole thing before commenting "I was expecting a nice review on Dublin."* 1. Myths and legends According to the Irish Tourist Board and Hollywood, Ireland is full of happy-go-lucky-leprechauns (see Darby O'Gill And The Little People). The idea of a mythological Ireland... Read review

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Advantages: Stunning scenery, good craic, not touristy
Disadvantages: Slightly inaccessible

...When you think of holidays in Ireland, what do you think of? The beautiful green farmlands of Tipperary, the dramatic peaks and lake-pools of the Ring of Kerry, angling in the River Shannon, or enjoying the craic in the vibrant capital city Dublin? All of these are undoubtedly staples of an Irish holiday, but if you’re looking for something a bit more different … why not try County Donegal? In my opinion, County Donegal has the most spectacular scenery in the whole of Ireland: hundreds of miles of coastline with the highest sea-cliffs in Europe, beautiful beaches, and inland there are rivers, glens and bogland hills, not to mention the more barren ‘moonlike’ stretches of Connemara. The Rough Guide to Ireland raves about the country’s second largest county saying: “the demonically daunting peninsulas of the northern reaches... Read review

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Advantages: Awe-inspiring monuments from the Neolithic Era
Disadvantages: Guided tours are too structured and too limiting

...~~~~~~~~~~~ Background ~~~~~~~~~~~ Among the host of images suggested by the mere mention of Ireland is that of ancient peoples worshiping amid megalithic stones. Few places are more evocative in this regard than the Brú na Bóinne, roughly translated from the Gaelic as the "Palace of the Boyne." Now, imagine yourself and your psyche transplanted in time to the Ireland of 4000 years ago. You are poling a small boat up the Boyne River, and high on a hill in the near distance you see the sunlight dancing off the white quartz and granite façade of what is already an ancient and mysterious monument--the huge passage tomb of Newgrange. One could not approach this holy site without being moved by the power and discipline its creation required. The sight of it, gleaming from its high place above the river, must have struck awe... Read review

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Advantages: Got a choice, made the right choice
Disadvantages: will probably have no impact

...all national governments and once again increase the power of the EU parliament. I am personally very happy that Ireland voted against the Lisbon treaty, from what I can understand the treaty was unnecessary and would just boost the power of the European big wigs and take it away from all the national governments (Westminster). There is no doubt that Ireland has gained a lot from being part of the European Union. It has gained especially from trade, as EU members now have to pay no tariffs. Free trade is the main positive of being one of the EU members and it is very important in the current economic climate. Ireland did have the right to decide whether they wanted to be part of the Lisbon treaty or not. They did make their decision and it probably was the correct one. There is no doubt that some of the other 26 member states... Read review

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Advantages: Nice people, NIce Country
Disadvantages: None

...I've just come back from Southern Ireland, in particular Co.Tipperary and its not that long a way. About and hour and a halfs drive from shannon airport I stayed in a little village called Bansha, about 5 miles from Tipperary Town ( tipp town), First things first it rained once in two weeks which is even better than England. The people are lovely and the scenary is spectacular. We arrived at about Mid-day at our friends house who lived in the village and had to go for a Guiness the real cold Irish Coffee. About mid-afternoon, we unpacked our stuff and had a sleep for what was going to be one of the best and beutiful holidays I had ever been on. It involved a very laid back society who dont really have a care in the world just to enjoy themselves. I think alot of people are put off ouf going... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful historic old city. Generally good weather
Disadvantages: Not a lot.

...Introduction ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Waterford, a small city with a present day population of around 50,000, is one of the principal cities and seaports of the south east of Ireland. This area is Ireland’s very own “Costa Del Sol” region, so nick-named because it invariably gets more sunshine (that is not of the “liquid” variety) than anywhere else in the Republic. History ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ It is a historic city, with a colourful history stretching back over a thousand years. It is believed the city originated around the middle of the 9th century, when either the Norse or the Danes established a settlement here known as “Vadrefjord”. There was much trouble and fighting between this settlement and the indigenous Irish over the next three centuries, until the town was eventually captured... Read review

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Advantages: Extra Features are brill!!
Disadvantages: Should have used his full band for this event.

...Bryan Adams has been a very popular draw in Ireland for years and it was no surprise to me when it was announced he would play Slane Castle,in Co.Meath,Ireland.Slane is the biggest outdoor event in Ireland,a natural amphitheatre set on a beautiful estate with Slane Castle to one side. This was the Irish leg of Adams world tour,and in true Irish style,the thousands of fans were once again in form for a great nights entertainment by one of the worlds best rock vocalists. The camera work was superb,capturing the atmosphere which had reached fever pitch by the time the band took to the stage. Guitarist Keith Scott,Drummer Mickey Carey and the man himself arrived onstage complete with life size balloons that they kicked into the crowd and then the opening riff to "Back To You" began.The crowds immediately... Read review

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Advantages: Friendly staff
Disadvantages: Long Cues

...Bank of Ireland I have been a customer of bank of Ireland for some time now, and I have to admit I have never had any problems with the service. I have a basic saving account and a credit card with this bank - and I have been a loyal customer every since. I opened an account when I was 17, and they were very helpful as I had no ID, so they worked hard with me to get a way of opening an account for me, which I appreciated very much. This account is not a card account, just a savings account - meaning I had to physically go into a bank branch to withdraw or deposit money. I didn't mind as they had 3 branches in my area, which is very handy. I then became a student and was offered a student credit card with all these brilliant deals, so in fell into the trap unfortunately, and now I owe them 800 quid . That's one thing... Read review

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