wojazz3

I don't understand why it is, some strange metaphysical attraction, but for whatever reason, it seems common that people relate to countries where they have some sort of ancestral bond, no matter how distant. We've heard it here from a few people on both sides of the fence. There are other reasons of course, but ancestry seems to play a big part in what brings people back to a certain country or area.

I am very much like Mary here when planning a trip. It's hard not to pull out the Ireland map. There are other places that I want to see, and I've seen a few, but I always want to go back to Ireland. Where as some want to dig in to Italy, or France or India, Ireland is my choice. To me it takes so much more than two weeks, but that's me.

I don't have anything against people that don't want to go back to Ireland. The place already has enough visitors. I was frankly happy to here some negative comments about it. When I was in SW England and Wales a couple of weeks ago, we saw almost no visitors from the States. Outside of London, we saw three couples and a family, thre of couples, we talked to for a bit. One of them had just come over from Ireland and had the same observation as to the lack of US tourists in the UK, but the overwhelming number in Ireland. The other two couples were over, in part, to visit relatives.

I hope to see much of the world by the time I depart this place, but I will continue to haunt Ireland in whatever form, for many years to come.

Bill

JetLag

Hi edhodge,

I'm one who has spent time in Ireland and DON"T particularly crave a return. My husband and I differ in this - he'd keep going back. It's not that we didn't have a good time - we had a lot of fun, met some great people, created memories to last a lifetime, and some of my family heritage originates in County Antrim - but there are other places I'd rather see before spending the time to go back to Ireland. Big planet, short life.

On the other hand, I do return to France...

3gigs

"Big planet, short life" - a great line. As for Ireland - my wife and I have travelled extensively, and have been fortunate to see most of the nations of western Europe. It seems that all of our friends and numerous acquaintances had been to Ireland and everyone loved it, but it's one place we just hadn't yet been to. So in 2002 we planned a trip to Scotland and Ireland. Let me say that Ireland was everything we expected (having seen many picture albums, done our research, read extensively, listened to music, watched movies, etc.). We had a truly wonderful time in Dublin, Kilkenny, the Connemarta region, Donegal, Londonderry adn the Antrim Coast. But SCOTLAND - Scotland was much more than we ever expected, and if there is a country for which we have a craving to return it's Scotland. We're already planning a 2005 return. Better scenery - more majestic mountains - and better yet, not yet tainted by the Celtic Tiger, which has turned parts of Ireland into an American landscape (a KFC in northern Ireland, suburban strip malls outside of Galway, etc.). Truly Old Europe, and friendlier people you will never meet. Spent time in Edinburgh, the Border country, the Highlands and Isle of Skye. As we boarded the ferry for Ireland, the sign at the landing said "Haste Ye Back." So it's Scotland we're being called back to, and we're determined to heed the call.

lizard

I spent a good many years in uncle sam's navy and have been to the north/south poles and around the world more than once.

I don't mean to be hokey but when I go to Ireland I feel my roots, a peace and contentment I feel nowhereelse in the world.

wojazz3

I certainly appreciate 3gigs preference for Scotland, but the availablity of American fast foods and shopping centers is as obvious in Scotland as it is in Ireland. Although Ireland is certainly picking up on the famous American Brands, I don't think that Scotland is any "better off" in that regard. In Edinbourgh, there are three McDonalds within less than a mile. There is also a KFC in Sterling. McDonalds is all over the UK and has somehow found a way to plant their restaurants right at many major roundabouts. McDonalds has a huge presence in the UK as does Burger King and KFC. US brand name hotels are all over the place.

It's a free market and if they weren't doing well, they wouldn't be there so I have no right to complain. Still, I agree that it would be nice not to see them. They are everywhere, even Scotland.

Bill

Itallian_Chauffer

The Dublin City Bus Hop On - Hop Off "narrator" was shocked when I told him that this most recent trip was #6, in 5 years. He said:
"Come to Ireland once, and you will certainly want to return. Come to Ireland twice, and you will definitely return for a third. But if you come four times, you will never want to go home again."

Ain't it the truth!