I'd like to add my 2P to the Ireland vs Scotland discussion. My husband and I went to both for equal amounts of time on our golfing honeymoon 16 1/2 years ago. On the flight home I asked him which he liked better. He replied after much consideration, "I liked Scotland better (better infrastructure at that time, more manicured), but I LOVED Ireland MORE." <BR> <BR>Scotland IS beautiful, no doubt. Ireland is a powerful emotional experience in addition to the beautiful scenery. <BR> <BR>As a footnote, we've returned to Ireland many times since. We haven't been back to Scotland. Don't really know why. I guess it's just that Ireland calls to us and Scotland doesn't. And my husband is a complete golf addict! You'd think that Scotland would be the place.

I forgot to mention that we also conceived a fantastic child in Scotland on the honeymoon. So you'd think we'd have an emotional connection to the place. Go figure!

So what if your child hadn't turned out so fantastically?

We would have kept her anyway.

Phyllis, <BR>The Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin is very cool and hip. We loved it (even though we aren't cool and hip). Its right on St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street...perfect! What's special about Ireland? <BR>Feeling the magic of its people and history course through your body the second you exit the airport <BR>Tea; Guinness; brown bread; homemade soup in every gift shop, coffee shop etc. <BR>The most beautiful scenery overall I've ever seen (counting Scotland) <BR>The friendly, generous, witty people (another thing it has on Scotland) <BR>Getting lost and coming across some amazing ruin of stone in the middle of nowhere <BR>The smell of peat fires <BR>The wonderful biting wind and misty rain <BR>I could go on forever! Ireland either grabs you or it doesn't I guess. If it does you will never be the same and you will always long for your return! <BR>Angie

Angie, you said the same thing I've said many times. "Ireland reaches out, grabs your heart and you're never the same again." <BR> <BR>There is a lovely song called "My Heart is in Ireland." The chorus goes "My heart is in Ireland. It's there I long to be. Her hills and valleys are calling to me. Although I live in this land, my heart is in Ireland. The land of the old folk is calling to me." <BR> <BR>

Those of you who profess to love Ireland, I'm curious if you really know much about the country. When I first moved to America, I was amazed at how little Americans knew about a country that so many of them claimed a connection to. Here are some of the things I've heard from Americans. <BR> <BR>Is Ireland still part of England? <BR>Ireland and Great Britain are just one island, right? <BR>Is Northern Ireland a separate island? <BR>Who is the Ian Parsely guy, anyway? <BR>Why don't you have red hair? Everyone in Ireland has red hair. Why is yours black? <BR>Why don't you have an Irish name? <BR>You must be pretty excited about St. Patty's (sic) day. <BR>I would never go to Northern Ireland. I'd get shot there, wouldn't I? <BR> <BR>I had never eaten corned beef in my life before coming to America, and certainly not with cabbage. I also have never uttered the words "Erin go bragh" or "Top o' the mornin'". I looked forward to St. Patrick's (or Paddy's) day simply because it meant a day off of work of school. The only people to ever wear bright green do so either on a soccer, football or rugby pitch. <BR> <BR>All I'd like is for those people who talk about how much they love Ireland and are inspired by it to read a book or two, and learn something about the history and the people. It's pretty intereting stuff, and if you did read it, we wouldn't have so much to laugh about behind your backs.

Some of my favorites: <BR> <BR>Thoor Ballylee in Co. Galway, the ancient castle tower that Yeats restored as his home. Quirky, remote, resounding with recordings of his poetry. <BR> <BR>Clonakilty, Co. Cork, the town that felt most like it should be home. Scavenging the surrounding countryside for numerous sites associated with revolutionary Michael Collins -- and particularly spending a long rainy afternoon chatting at the cozy pub "The Four Alls," where he stopped shortly before his assassination. <BR> <BR>The drive around Mizen Head peninsula. <BR> <BR>The restored Blennerville Windmill in Co. Kerry. It really runs -- you can climb all through it and get right up close to the milling machinery, and the assistant miller was very friendly. <BR> <BR>Kilmainham Gaol, both the gaol *and* the attached historical museum. <BR> <BR>The literary pub crawl in Dublin. Not at all cheesy, very enjoyable, and lots of good talk with other people on the crawl. <BR> <BR>Talking with friendly strangers -- locals and tourists -- absolutely everywhere. <BR> <BR>Staying at a fine country home where the guests all eat around a single table & retire together for coffee afterwards. For me -- Delphi Lodge, Co. Mayo, a glorious "Hidden Ireland" fishing lodge (even though I don't fish) in desolately beautiful country. <BR> <BR>Finally discovering what a peat bog looks like. <BR> <BR>Tracking down slightly off the beaten path spots like Minard Castle on the Dingle peninsula -- and being the only person there... <BR> <BR>Going back to the same pub several nights running, so that it became "mine." (Try An Droichead Beag in Dingle town.) <BR> <BR>Overhearing the owner practice the trombone somewhere in Bantry House, Co. Cork.

Lovely "best of the best"! And Happy St. Patrick's day to all those so inclined, from an Irish lass wannabe! <BR>Judy ;-)

Really enjoy reading about everyones experiences and recommendations, they make my day... whether you are Irish or not...HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY !!!! <BR>Phyllis :=)

Forgot in my previous post to mention -- <BR>Hands down the best meal I had in Ireland was in Dingle town at a restaurant called The Mystic Celt. Truly fine dining (sort of Nouvelle Irish), elaborate presentation, comfy atmosphere. The chef stopped by the table (that I was sharing with total strangers who asked me to join them when they saw the restaurant had no space for me), and mentioned that he was talking to PBS in the U.S. about a possible series on Celtic cooking. <BR> <BR>The restaurant has a website: <BR>http://www.themysticcelt.com/index.html

If the previous posters had read the posts a little closer, they would have noted that the comments raving about Scotland did not come from locals, but tourists traveling to both Scotland and Ireland. I've been to both and enjoyed both countries. And to say that the Scottish have a meanness or are rude is to indicate that you haven't met many Scottish people. I found them to be delightful. On three occasions on my recent trip in January, I was escorted to my destination when I asked for directions. I was also invited for tea at a lovely lady's cottage when I met her earlier in the day while touring a church. She made me feel so welcome in her home and shared a number of delightful stories. <BR> <BR>So before you go bashing Scotland, remember that it's a wonderful place to visit as well.

The feeling that I got when I stepped off the plane and was in Ireland for the first time. I felt like I was home even though I had never been there before. My parents are Irish and it was deeply emotional for me to be where they grew up, where all my grandparents lived and died and where my brother now lives. It felt so right - maybe for the first time in my life I really felt like I belonged. But then I got in the car and drove the wrong way, got turned around by a kind policeman and felt like a stranger and a moron again. Oh well - it was nice while it lasted.

Check out the Irish Tourist Board website at http://www.ireland.travel.ie <BR>for a list of approved accommodation and a huge directory of things to do, route planners, personal brochures and useful facts.<BR><BR>This will definitley help plan your trip to Ireland

<BR>upupupupupypypypypyyppyypypyppypypy <BR>for phyllis

Have been to both, but Scotland much more stunning and historical. Glen Coe is amazing and we saw nothing like it in Ireland. I ski regularly in the Alps but Scotland in winter is truly fantastic. mountains, history, snow, great people, no comparison.

unfortunately my best experience of Ireland was leaving it. give me England, Wales Scotland anyday.

Make sure you try a pint of Murphys Stout, Corks' finest. <BR>Try chatting to strangers in pubs as the Irish tell like it is. <BR>Soda Bread <BR>Scotlands no better than Ireland. The only comparisons are a reflection of your own prejudicial ideas. <BR>(except bagpipes)

if saying that i preferred the cultural, historic and landscape variety of the UK to Ireland is prejudical, then get a grip kiwi. if ever prejudice is alive and kicking its in Ireland. no wonder there's so much trouble

Timoleague abbey, Old Head of Kinsale, Cobh, Clonakilty