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Ireland -- the magical land of leprechauns and pub sings. An
island with more than its fair share of literary creativity, its
recent storm of popularity is no quirk. The place IS truly magical,
and will capture your heart, whether you lay claim to Irish blood
or not.
Ireland has much to offer the intrepid traveler, including incredibly
friendly folk, stunning vistas of emerald green, activities such
as horse-back riding and surfing, and, of course, drinking!!!
Here are links to the trips I've taken that
involve Ireland:
AUGUST 1996
- IRELAND AND ENGLAND (Dublin, London, and Somerset)
APRIL 2002
- IRELAND (Kilkenny, Kerry, Dublin)
JUNE 2006 -
IRELAND (Clare, Kerry, Kilkenny and Dublin)
And for some general advice on traveling in Ireland, keep these
items in mind:
DRESS
* For your comfort, please note that some of the streets in Ireland
are very old with cobblestones. You will also be doing much more
walking than you are used to. Do not wear dainty shoes or shoes
with high heels. Best to wear shoes with soles that grip the surface,
are comfortable, and can stand up to heavy wear, especially out
in the south west, which is the more rural area.
* They say that you get all four seasons in a day of Irish weather,
so the name of the game is layers. Wear something that you can
change as you go! Light sweaters and overshirts work well.
* Light sweaters, capris, light pants and skirts work for both
daytime travel and nights out, as this is a casual country (its
not Paris!). Consider leaving very valuable jewelry at home. Jeans
are fine, but very bulky and heavy.
CITIES
* Ireland isn't New York City. There are very few tall buildings
even in Dublin, it's largest city. Skyscrapers haven't yet attacked
the skyline, and as a result, the city is very homey and cozy
in comparison. Ancient architecture abuts to modern buildings
in a strange synthesis of time.
* Driving in Dublin is no feat for the meek. If you can, use
public transport while in the city. If you must drive, remember
that personal space is something Americans made up. Narrow European
streets don't allow for much of it -- side view mirrors are frequent
casualties.
* For those used to 24 hour eating options, good luck! There
are no Denny's in Dublin. In fact, dining after 9pm might be difficult,
more so on Sunday. Out in the country it's even more unlikely.
* Drive through? What's that? Not in the city! No space for it!
And parking lots? There are centralized parking garages (look
for a blue sign with a P on it) that are rather expensive, but
a better option than trying to find parking elsewhere.
COUNTRY
* There are 3 main types of roads, N (National), R (Regional)
and L (Local). They range from 3 lane highways to sheep paths.
Really! Many of the roads are very narrow, and only have room
for one vehicle at a time. Occasionally you will see little 'lay-bys'
that you can pull off into, allowing someone to pass you. Often
hedgerows and stone walls are right up to the road, giving no
margin for error. You must also watch out for wandering sheep!
* Irish tend to drive fast and you, as a tourist, should just
let them pass. If they come up behind you, ease a little off to
the left (the shoulder) and they will go around quickly. They
know the roads well, you don't -- don't try to keep up with them!
* Dining options have limited hours, especially in the off-season,
so be prepared with back-up options if you arrive late in the
evening. I remember one night going from pub to pub looking for
one that still served food after 8pm, and finally finding one
two towns down.
* Folk are incredibly friendly, and will go out of their way
to help you. However, directions may be of the 'turn left where
the old church used to be' type, so take care! A good Michelin
map or Ordnance map will be a much more reliable guide, unless
you're out for a real adventure!
For travel information and advice, please choose
from the following:
ACCOMODATION
DINING
DRIVING
FINANCE
HISTORY
GEOGRAPHY
LANGUAGE
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
PEOPLE
PHOTO GALLERY
PUBS/DRINKING
TRIVIA
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