Ocnmeg

Sorry for all the typos above - hit post, not preview

ncgrrl

Good trip report. Boy, do I understand that bus confusion.

Ocnmeg

The flight from Dublin to LHR was uneventful (BMI). Small cramped plane, feels like it hasn't been cleaned thoroughly in about 10 yrs. Land in Heathrow and the fun begins. Lug/schlepp/trek through the endless halls following the "Connections" signs. It's like being in a casino - no clocks and no sense of time. We kept walking and even though I allowed 2 hrs for connection we made it to the gate with 10 minutes to spare. And thus began the best flight I have ever had.The FA's who worked the back of the plane (we were in row 41) were the ultimate in professional. On this flight there were a few whiners - you know the kind - "I need to stretch out in 3 seats even though I only paid for one." "The guy behind me put his bag in MY overhead compartment." "My light isn't bright enough." "When are you serving dinner" - this was as they had JUST brought out the drink cart. Adding to their stress was the fact that about 6 or 8 of the TV's weren't working. Now, they came to the affected passengers, explained it to them and said that once the plane was at cruising altitude they would change their seats so they would have TV's (there were a few empty seats). You would have thought that they just told pre-schoolers there was no more juice boxes. What brats! But the FA's were awesome - not condescending in that fake "buh-bye" way. A few hours into the flight, when I was waiting by the galley for the restroom to open up, I commented to the 2FA's back there that they were doing a great job. In think my exact words were "I would have thrown a few of these people off by now!" I've been in retail for 15 yrs and recognize good service when I see it, and also know that no one ever compliments, only complains. Well, they were so grateful for the compliment that when I came out of the restroom, one of them gave me back the $5 for the wine I bought earlier saying I was "too sweet" for them to take my money and insisted on giving me a bottle gratis.They waited on my son hand and foot the whole time- even giving him an extra snack box, and took our picture at the end of the flight when I commented that we didn't have a picture of us together on this trip. We landed, cleared customs (40 minutes), met my dad and went home!
So in summary:
1 - On paper this seemed like a good idea - a few days in Dublin. In reality, although there are lots of historical sites and things to do, it is impractical to expect to do more than 3 things per day. This is due to the bus system (erratic) and the unbelievable traffic congestion.
2 - ALL of Dublin is under construction! We were told that the official bird of Dublin is the "crane" - construction, not feathered haha.
3 - It is filthy - garbage in gutters, the buildings look like they haven't been cleaned - ever. Powerwashing anyone?
4 - Nearly everyone smokes.
5 - Couples have no problem showing affection wherever - in the park, on the bus, waiting for the bus, the guy who literally put his hand down his girlfriends jeans on the escalator 2 ft in front of us.
6 - In a bit of humor, the day we finally got around to mailing our postcards was the night that the postal workers went on strike.
7 - I think the "Celtic Tiger" of a few yrs ago (when the world's best and brightest were flocking to Dublin) was overstated. I was reminded of pictures of the Industrial Revolution, when people from the country moved to the city for jobs, leading to overcrowding, unemployment and a host of other problems.
8 - It is a very young town. You rarely saw anyone over 30 after 6 pm.
9 - Guinness, Guinness, Guinness
10 - On a personal note, between the walking and the blech food, I lost 4.5 lbs!

So there you have it, my very first trip report. I'm sure it won't be my last Thanks for all the help and I look forward to taking many virtual (or vicarious) trips on Fodors!

Billygoat

If you are Irish, how on earth can a visit to Ireland be your first trip overseas?

pastyp

I think the comments made in your post indicate that there is good reason why you haven't travelled over seas before and an equally good reason why you shouldn't again.

To make such sweeping statements about a city being filthy after, what was it 3 days, is absolutely outrageous.

Ocnmeg

This is an opinion board, and what I clearly stated were my opinions. If you look at other posts about Dublin, most people recommend skipping it altogther, for reasons that I stated. Your comment about my lack of international travel is as ignorant as you obviously think I am.

oldie

As my old mum used to say if a faddy child refused some nice item of food, "All the more for the rest of us".

Please Ocnmeg and others like her, please give Dublin a miss. I'd miss out the rest of Ireland too.
London is pretty dirty , so miss that one out too ;-)

Kate

Now now people, thse were ocnmeg's honest opinions and recollections of her visit. Why they are any less valid than the normal 'this place was heaven on earth' style reports is beyond me.

Thank you oncmeg, I really enjoyed your report and sincerely hope this isn't your last trip overseas.

JFlorides

Thanks Ocnmeg. As a Dubliner it's always interesting to read how visitors perceive Dublin and I found your report enjoyable and interesting. Whenever I travel to a new part of Ireland and (invariably) get lost along the way I wonder how tourists cope with the poor signage.

One comment that surprised me was that you thought a lot of people smoke? I wonder if perhaps it appears as if more people smoke than is actually the case since the smoking ban was introduced. Because people now have to stand outside pubs and restaurants if they want to have a cigarette the smoking is more concentrated outside in the street and maybe more noticeable because of that?

pastyp

I'm sorry but it is the SWEEPING generalisation of the comments, based on a very short stay that have really touch a nerve with me. This is travel board where people give there opinions, true, but it is also a board where people seek out valid, informative opinions that will largely influence their travel decisions. With this in mind, opinions should be posted with some degree of care and responsibility.

Ocnmeg says - "It is filthy - garbage in gutters, the buildings look like they haven't been cleaned - ever. Powerwashing anyone?"

So all of Dublin is filthy?? The entire city! You saw the entire city??? Every building needs cleaning??

5 - Couples have no problem showing affection wherever - in the park, on the bus, waiting for the bus, the guy who literally put his hand down his girlfriends jeans on the escalator 2 ft in front of us.

Do you have a problem with people being affectionate?? As for the guy putting his hands down his girlfriends jeans - of course you're correct that this only happens in Dublin. Must be an Irish thing, this public fondling!!!

I do apologise to all other fodorites. I hate other posters that pick fights just for the sake of picking fights. I haven't posted this for that reason, just my favourite city being described as a filthy, depraved place, some where akin, and I quote "I was reminded of pictures of the Industrial Revolution" is wrong, wrong, wrong!!

MissPrism

In England, those poor souls are known as "Snoutcasts"

chatham

Well said, Pastyp.

waffle18

Ocnmeg,

Thanks so much for posting your trip report. I really enjoyed reading it and hearing your opinions about Dublin and the things you were able to see and do. I do hope that you and your son will be able to make another trip (maybe one a bit longer next time, eh?) and visit the countryside of Ireland. You will be surprised at the difference between it and Dublin. A statement I'm sure no one on this thread can disagree with! ;-)

When we go to Ireland (about once every other year) we *always* visit Dublin. It just wouldn't be a complete trip without it!

Thanks again,

Wendy

SiobhanP

Just a few comments from someone who lives here in Dublin.

1. Traffic is awful during rush hours but I am surprised you had so much trouble with the bus routes. They are pretty reliable and usually have a few different routes going to Drumcondra and down the Quays. I take them every day home

2. Yes the whole city seems to be under a crane but we need the new buildings for accommodation and business and they are regenerating the docklands and its coming along nicely.

3. Dirty coty - yes I agree there is a litter problem and its terrible for a capital city. It reminds me at times of NYC many years ago and they are trying to deal with this in the city centre...dirty building now I have to laugjh. College Green and the front of trinity were cleaned about 11 years ago but they are getting sooty again because of a. Pollutiona and B. the stone I think attracts it more and c. the sooty old buildings are probably 5 times older the the united states! Trinity was founded in 1592 and many of the older buildings are darker from pollution and more likely age as well.
My favourite building was cleanerd a few years back (the soap building) it has the history of soap making in painted stone around it. Lovely building!

4. Not everyone smokes but they do smoke outiside which is why you saw so many people.

5. I have to say I rarely see too much PDA from couples but if it wwas in St Stephen's green shopping cenbtre its full of teens and they are a bit over eager. This is not a common occurrence.

7.The Celtic tiger I personally feel was not overstated as I was here before during and now the present economy. i was working for a dynamic company as many others who were recruited from abroad and many companied still set up here for various tax incentives. There is low unemployment and the building works you see are expanding the city to fit the growing economy and make sure it moves forward efficiently. Its not perfect here but no way near as grim as you state.

8. It's a very young crowd in Temple bar but you will see us 30+ people out in pubs and restaurants off grafton street, Millenium quay and in our local areas in the city.

Sounds like you had a busy trip and I hope you still enjoyed Dublin. What was the B&B like afterall??

opaldog

It's funny how everyone's experience in travel can be different. It doesn't make it wrong, of course. I really liked Dublin when we went there. I also liked the surrounding countryside. I found the people in Dublin to be friendly and helpful. I also have to say that I enjoy visiting cities. On another trip we went to the west of Ireland and did all the country touring and although very scenic, we were underwhelmed and thought that people were not friendly at all, especially in Galway. I hesitated to ever post that opinion on this site as so many fodorites absolutely love the countryside of Ireland, passionately, I might add. So I think it is just one's own personal experience.

Itallian_Chauffer

I think the general impression taken from this trip report is that Ocnmeg enjoyed her trip OVERALL but had some issues / problems with Dublin. That being said, I commend her for her adventurousness and her sense of humor. Ireland isn't for everyone and neither is Dublin.
Personally, I can only take ANY city in small doses and only go to Dublin every couple of years for that reason.
Then again, a really bad day in Dublin is STILL more enjoyable for me than any number of good days at work.
Bob

amyb

I enjoyed the trip report for the most part, so thank you for posting it. I have a fondness for Dublin, since it was the first country I visited in Europe and after over a dozen visits there I have many friends there still.

However based on your nutshell summary at the end, I might warn you that if you thought Dublin was dirty and her buildings grimy, you might not want to go any place else in Europe! Rome, Paris, Brussels...any place that's older than our cities in the US are bound to have buildings that have accumulated their age on their facades. In fact, Paris cleaned Notre Dame recently, and it looked almost too snow white for me compared to when I saw it "dirty"!

Re the garbage, stay away from any other city in Europe, where "everyone smokes." It's just a way of life. Also in some major cities, there is dog poop everywhere (search on this board for where if you're curious!) so you might want to just avoid that as well.

It's also ironic that you say that the Celtic Tiger is overrated, yet the development was visible everywhere. That's proof positive that the boom continues, in addition to everyone wanting to move there for work. I can point you to dozens of people I know personally who were either unemployed or working in pubs for cash under the table when I first went there in 1993 who will be able to take you to their jobs at Intel, Motorola or Allied Irish Bank now, all courtesy of the Tiger.

Perhaps I'm just too close to this and am not tolerating the sweeping generalizations after only a 3 day visit. Hope you return to take a closer look!

Ocnmeg

To everyone who gave me constructive tips on my next Ireland vacation - thank you. To those of you who chose name calling (faddy child and snoutcast come to mind) and urged me "and others like her" to stay home I wonder what your point was. Unfortunately your negativity might discourage others from the free excahnge of ideas and opinions. There is more to life than how many stamps you have in your passport.I stand by my opinions, the impressions of a city on a first time visitor. I live in a popular tourist area and realize that it is not eveyone's cup of tea, but wouldn't resort to name-calling if someone decided the Jersey Shore isn't for them.
Bob and SeaUrchin, I have enjoyed your posts and your insights (not just here but on other topics). Thank you.

RufusTFirefly

Ocnmeg--thank you for your honest report on what you saw and experienced. Anyone with half a brain will realize that you reported on what you saw in the few days that you were there, and take it for that.

Anytime someone says something negative about almost any place, they will be the subject of personal attacks and name-calling. If you want to avoid that, just say every place you visit is perfect in every way.

RufusTFirefly

Oh, but you'd better not say bad things about Venice or I'll get really bitchy about it.