Itallian_Chauffer

Sounds like a very reasonable compromise. I tend to fall into the sme category as your husband, at least when it comes to Ireland.
I think the 'no tourist' thing is legit. Most of those bombs were targeted at specific groups, either Orange OR Green, set in areas where they worked and lived, NOT '9-11' style acts of random violence.
Also, bear in mind that British tourists make up the single largest group, percentage-wise, of all foreign tourists in Ireland. Who'd a thunk! I guess it's because Ireland is so conveniently close, familiar-yet-different and relatively cheap, as a destination.
Bob

SiobhanP

Melissa..you need to stop obsessing about everything or it will ruin your plans. You will probably not be near the streets or villages umless you put yourself there and they have no interest in hurting tourists they are too busy verbally abusing eachother. I consider it between themselves and not for me to interfere as this has been going on for years. As for noise no normal person owning a B&B would rent a room out in Marching season when they know people will be marching their street. You are not on their radar as they will know you are tourists. Go and enjoy

P.S. The Orangemen are planning on Marching in Dublin in March...freedom of speech what can you do but make sure nothing happens and stay away from giving them publicity. Both sides do very wrong things So I stay out of it.

Melissa5

SiobhanP, you give good advice. We will both stay out of it. O O I agree that bad deeds all over the world get far too much publicity. That's why I don't read the daily papers any more. All they do is sensationalize the bad deeds. I know when something important is going on because everybody is talking about it. Then I look at the news. The TV repeats the same bad news over and over all day if you watch it. Why can't we have all our good deeds on the news?

Sorry to hear you will have to put up with free speech in Dublin now. Totally kidding! I'm American, we believe in free speech. Anyway I hope all is well in Dublin.

Sorry can't stop obsessing, that is the nature of obsession, it's a compulsion, but don't worry, I will have a great trip. I always have a great trip, even after obsession about malaria, disease, mosquitoes (that was Costa Rica) or pick-pockets (that was Italy)...I just re-direct my obsessions into more harmless pursuits. Watch out, budman taught me how to use emoticons.

SiobhanP

I am all for Free Speech and they have a right to March it just will give others an excuse to cause problems in a highly populated shopping area and I worry that some of the locals in the area could be hurt but the stupidity of those against the March. I myself walk this area daily and its a heavily populated urban area. The city is the playground for many kids living in the flats nearby and they would often be in these areas on the weekends and I hate to think of them getting hurt. I won't go any more into it as its an impossible situation even for me to understand unless you grew up in the north and I hope we have moved on from both sides intimidating eachother. Avoid the busies towns that will have Marches as they tend to be traditional routes in smaller towns. Belfast will be fine.

cambe

Hi Melissa,

I have answered you fears on your other thread.

Glad to here that you are going to the Ulster Folk & transport museum as I think you will like it. Do be careful though, many of the houses are staffed by unpaid volunteers in period costume. They are passionate about their subject and can talk too much (particularly if it is a cold day and all the turf fires in the houses are lit). This will eat into you time. Do forgive me if I am wrong but I think Melissa you like to talk and when some of them start telling you the history and the myths it is difficult to get away!!

Helen

Melissa5

Helen, you are funny, yes I like to talk, but my worst problem is I am a great listener, and I can easily imagine myself getting "caught" listening to one of those volunteers going on and on! But since I have a high interest in learning more about how folks lived long ago in Ulster, it is more likely I will be having a fascinating conversation with the volunteer next to the peat fire \/ and my family will grow weary of the conversation and run off and leave me ! In fact, that is how I will get away, I will tell my hubby in advance to leave me, and then I will say to the volunteer, "Oh my, have to go and catch up with hubby!"

Helen, since they are volunteers, are we supposed to tip them? It is confusing in a new country to figure out the tipping customs. Here in the USA I know the customs. If you come here you will find almost anybody who sells food or drinks has a tip jar on the counter. However in spite of this fact, it is perfectly acceptable not to tip for fast-food counters or buying coffee, and to tip only for good service at a sit-down restauraunt.

So I gather I will be in the folk portion of the museum for about 8 hours, while my hubby moves on to the transport museum, and goes back to the hotel for a nap?!

SiobhanP, I hope your Dublin will stay lively and be safe, and especially hope the innocents will keep well away from any possible trouble if they can. I will pray for Dublin, and I hope Dublin prays for us too, because we need it. (All that praying keeps me out of trouble!)

hester

Melissa5, It's been awhile since I have posted. My sister and I will be in Ireland around the same time as you. We are starting out in Dublin and staying at the Fitzwilliam. It came highly recommended by a consultant at Rick Steves. So I will check it out so you will know for your second trip. I am still working on two of my Great Grandfathers Irish birthplaces. I know it was in County Cork just not sure where. I have got until July to find out. I am like you I love the planning. You should see my notebook!

Melissa5

hester, our trip will be for 2 weeks in the middle of July. When is yours?

I have been fascinated with all I've learned about Dublin and will look forward to reading your trip report on it. Definitely plan to see Dublin on my second trip to Ireland, when I want to spend 3 nights in Dublin near city centre.

If you love the trip planning then you probably feel as I do, the more great travel talk sites you find, the better. My 2 favorites for Ireland are fodors.com and www.IrelandYes.com . They are different and equally great. Well okay there's a third one www.tripadvisor.com travel forums but the only problem with that one is there are so many posts that there are pages of new posts just for today, and yesterday, so past posts from a week ago or more fall way down very fast! So you either get answered right away or you sink forever... IrelandYes.com is Michelle Erdvig's site.

Saw a gorgeous photo of the Book of Kells today in greendragon's trip report. What are you planning to see in Dublin?

flanneruk

Under absolutely NO circumstances should you ever tip a volunteer. It's extraordinarily ill-mannered even to hint at it, since you're putting them in a position they didn't ask to be put into.

If you feel exceptionaly pleased with something a volunteer guide has done, there will almost always be a contributions box for the general purposes of the organisation concerned.

In the very unusual event of there not being such a box, the poor box at the local church of your choice is, in Ireland, an acceptable alternative.

hester

Melissa5, We are flying out of Seattle on July 10 into London then to Dublin, 11,12 Dublin, 13 Cashel or Kilkenny, 14,15, Kinsale, 16, Kenmare, 17,18, Dingle, 19,20, Doolin, 21,22, Dublin, 23,London. 24 to Seattle, then on to home about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Seattle to eastern Washington. My sister goes home the other way to the Vancouver/Portland area.

We are spending a lot of time in Dublin. My sister really wants to see Dublin and everything in the surrounding area. Which is ok with me. We travel together really well, because we both do what is important to each other. I have put together in my notebook each town and places to eat, sights to see along the way and sights in the towns. Also all the great fodors ideas.

I also like the travel websites, I didn't know about Irelandyes.com but you can bet I will sure look into it asap. I also like travel books. I think I have bought and my kids gave me for Christmas every travel book on Ireland there is. They know how excited I am about going. I love my genealogy and we are especially proud of our Irish Coughlin/McCormick/Coulahan heritage.

That's wonderful you are going as a family. My husband is not big on traveling out of the country. He will, but he knows I have a good time with my sister. My daughter (15) usually goes but we didn't invite her this time. Just a sister thing. My daughter and I go to New York every August to go school clothes shopping and to shows so I don't feel to bad for her!

I have been really busy the last few months but I have enjoyed catching up reading all your posts and the replies, everyone here has such good information. It is really appreciated!

Melissa5

hester, I think it's great you and your sister can travel together. Enjoy Dublin and surroundings. Looks like our paths don't cross on any days, we will always be in different places in Ireland.

I like travel books too and have also started a collection of those big picture books, coffee table size, which I usually find onsale. I have some for Ireland, and also one on castles of the world, plus hubby just gave me a beautiful book on palaces of the world. Also have one for Scotland, one of my future trips I hope.

Hubby is going to help me shop for a nice antique bookcase since I'm running out of space. We decided the price of new furniture is so high, and the quality not so great, we would rather have an antique with some character. (Plus I said someday we'll have grandchildren and an antique is already broken in!)

Itallian_Chauffer

I added a post to your Westport thread that you might want to look at, or just use the link below. You will have to drive right by the place mentioned enroute from Dingle to the Shannon Ferry at Tarbert. Might be worth a stop.

www.kerrywritersmuseum.com


Bob

Melissa5

Bob, you are great, thanks for all the gems. Driving right by the Kerry writer's museum without stopping in would be like driving by a rare plant and not letting hubby stop. I will remind him of this!

Melissa5

Topping this for a traveller currently debating whether to see Dublin or not. Good luck with your decision!

Itallian_Chauffer

Brining this back up to the top for all the NEW questions about Dublin.

Bob

Melissa5

Itallian_Chauffeur: Here I am, 4 years later...planning my second trip to Ireland! And I'm delighted to have your advice about Dublin! Yes I think you are right...fate has chosen to have me include a Dublin visit for the first time in our September 2011 trip to Ireland!

This old post might confuse people. I will definitely post a new question. But I can't sit in my chair too long as I have to go ice my bursitis of the hip. Three cheers for Dublin!

Sandylan

There is plenty to do in Dublin and in the towns and countryside nearby. Probably the best source of information is on the official tourist board site at www.visitdublin.com