Ireland, my wife says NO! Can u help?
 

My wife & I are avid Fodorites. We have been to Europe many times. Italy, England, France, Prague. We loved them all. I am thinking our next trip would be visitng Ireland. My wife is thinking why? Besides some castles and pubs what else? help me convince her with you expertise why we shold not miss out on a great holiday.
thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike!

My boyfriend and I went too Ireland two summers ago and had a great time. Ireland is a different kind of trip than the other places you mentioned for sure, but well worth it Besides for castles and pubs, you will certainly beautiful scenery. Rent a car, stop at little bed and breakfasts and enjoy the view as you go! The best parts of our trip were times we stopped to admire the ocean, the rolling fields, or took a turn off the main road to drive into the middle of farmland to find a bed and breakfast I had read about. We spent a week driving around and went from Dublin to Galaway to Kerry.

Outside of the beautiful scenery, the people are wonderful! If you enjoy history there is a museum on the Titanic that we found fascinating in Cobbe that was worth the stop. Dublin has a lot of interesting sites. There is an old prison with fascinating history. I also love the literary pub tour. It is kitchy, but a whole lot of fun. We're not big drinkers so it was a fun way for us to check out the pubs and learn some history.

Hi Mike. I know I can give you a good argument for going to Ireland, but what would help make it better would be if I knew what are the things your wife enjoys about travelling. What does she love to do, what does she hate. What makes her smile, what gets her excited, what happens during a day that at the end of it she really feels like she's learned/seen/experienced something worthwhile. That will help make my argument even more compelling. And get you to Ireland!!

I suggest going without her.
If the country and all of its scenery does not appeal to her, then she will not enjoy it and neither will you. There is a downside to any visit, and there are some to Ireland. The food is not very good; we ate more pizza than we should!
But it is the land of our ancestors and say what you will, blood is thicker than water.
My wife in particular seemed like she belonged there, which in reality she does. We never had a problem getting a conversation started, that is for sure.

The Irish are great practitioners of the art of speaking, and it was fun to listen and learn how else to express ourselves. Most of our guides around various sights often quoted poetry, particularly around Sligo.

Tell her that the people of Ireland are some of the kindest souls you will ever meet. It isn't called the "Emerald Isle" for nothing, lots of lush and beautiful scenery. The celtic culture. The youth do not vandalize ancient and historic spots that are hundreds of years old. Good cheese. Like you, we have been to Italy, England, and France and this was our 2nd favorite country. Am waiting to go back a 3th time to see Belfast and more:)

The people are one good reason. So hospitable. Brookwood - I gotta take issue about the food. Ireland has best poached salmon I've had anywhere in the world - and it wasn't just at one place that I tried it (although the most memorable was in Dingle, along with potato and salad to die for).

Besides the scenery and friendliness? Guinness of course! Need I say more?

I agree with everyone here, the scenery, the people, the thinsg to do and see historically or otherwise! The food isn't bad at all, just take away all your junk food and live on the edge! Eat traditional dishes if only to try them, you may be surprised. I the USA there are PLENTY crappy places to eat and plenty good ones too, recommendations always help it the way of the world all over. ;)

As someone who has been to Ireland 6 times and who is going in April again-I think I can speak for the food in Ireland in deference to someone above's post against it. The food is wonderful!

Yet, the food years ago was very not the best for sure. And, yes, even now you can find uneventful food. However, if you look you can find wonderful, fresh and yes, inventive food!!

If you are looking for great food SOME of the towns to visit are: Kinsale, Galway, Westport, Dublin and Cashel. Again, that is just a few.

I never get tired of going to Ireland!!
Shadow

Hi,my husband has just returned from a months travelling in Korea, France, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England, and he tells me that the Irish folk whether from the South or the North are the kindest people he met on all his travels. So kind that it was embarrassing.
We are Kiwis, and our daughter is living in Belfast, this is the 2nd time around for her, as she lived there 2 years ago,for 12 mths, and came home to NZ for 18mths, but was drawn back to the warmth of the people. (Not the weather) My husband went to see what, the attraction was, and he came home with no doubts at all. Please take the chance and go to the Emerald Isle, you won't regret the experience.
It is winter there at present, but he has managed to bring home, some wonderful digital photos, of the Giants Causeway in Coleraine, The Mountains of Morne, near Belfast, the Seaside Resort of Port Rush, Original Whiskey Distilleries, plus many more. They all sound wonderful, and we intend going back next year, and seeing some of the South, and West as well.
My daughters main complaint is the narrow one lane country roads, they sound like a nightmare, but not to be missed. IM

Perhaps you'd like to tell us why YOU think it would be so great and yet you have never been there either? If you can convince us then your wife should be easy.

I have two suggestions. First, have her look at some photos of Ireland. Go to Barnes and Noble or some other bookstore where you can comfortably spend a few hours and go through some of the many books filled with photos of Ireland. There are also many excellent websites. Looking at pictures always helps me to decide if I want to go someplace or not. She might get psyched. If not, maybe she really wouldn't enjoy it.

Second, if your next trip will be at least two weeks long, then combine Ireland with someplace else. Do six or seven days on the WEST coast, which is enough for a decent taste of Ireland, then fly to somewhere else for the rest of the time. That way she'll be sure to get her fix of Europe, in case Ireland doesn't do it for her.

Even though I did really enjoy my trip to Ireland (we did 9 days, but could easily have skipped Dublin and some of the interior/south coast - and combined it with a week in England) I have to say it didn't give me the same feeling, the "thrill" I get from Italy, England, France and Prague (to name the ones you did). After all Ireland was a ppor colonly for most of it's history and thus doesn't have a lot of the things that make travel to Europe so intersting. It does have some very cool castles, and the scenery of the west coast is fantastic, but most people I know who really get excited about Ireland seem to have Irish roots and enjoy going there for that reason, even if they have no living relatives still there.

www.earthtrek.com, www.exploitz.com, www.worldisround.com, www.planetware.com, www.danheller.com, www.galenfrysinger.com
my own photos of Ireland are at www.pbase.com/annforcier/ireland&page=all

Shadow, you mentioned Cashel as a good spot for restaurants. Which ones did you like there?
Thanks!

brookwood writes: "I suggest going without her."

I did that about two times a year for 5-years. Genealogy research was my main motivation: 2003 I met a 106 year old first cousin to my mother, 'one age with' my mother in their childhood village in County Mayo. There, I am accepted as an IorrisMan (i.e., from the Barony of Erris).

Ive had similarly fruitful experience finding kin in west Limerick, where my father was born.

"... There is a downside to any visit ... to Ireland. The food is not very good; we ate more pizza than we should!"

The only problem I had with the food in Ireland was with the quantity and variety of ways they served potatoes. They would often act as if they were different vegetables: Creamed Potatoes, Chips, and the centerpeice: a boiled potato.

I usually eat my main meal around 3:00 PM and enjoy a Beef or Pork carvery lunch. They excel in preparation of that meal; but I also enjoy Salmon or Hake or other kinds of fish (mussels included), and the seafood Chowder at Garvey's in Galway. I'm not a big fan of evening meals in elegant restaurants

"The Irish are great practitioners of the art of speaking, and it was fun to listen and learn how else to express ourselves. "

That's a gift we Irish have!

Well, in late February, 2004 I finally got my wife to accompany me for a week end in Ireland. We based ourselves in Ennis, County Clare and Saturday took a daytrip (BusEireann) to Galway. Sunday after 11:00 Mass we made our way slowly to the Queen's Hotel for the Carvery Luncheon; then we went next door to Cruise's Restaurant & Pub where a 'pick up' Traditional Irish Music session was just starting. We stayed there for about 2-hours. Monday we daytripped to Lahinch (on the Coast) and the Cliffs of Moher. It was 'off season' and the Irish Tourist Board shop in Lahinch had 30% off, across the board. So we did a lot of our shopping there. The store Manager filled out our VAT rebate forms for us.

Now, my Spain-born wife tells all her friends how wonderful Ireland is and what a great time we had there!

Ireland is a great place! I've been all over Europe and have visited Ireland twice! You'll love the people and the beauty. My advice is get out of Dublin and go exploring the country! Galway is a great, fun city!

You have received some WONDERFUL replies, and I ditto all of them. We lived overseas for 5 years, travel a lot and have been to most countries in Europe. WE VERY MUCH Enjoy them ALL......however we kept avoiding Ireland for some reason. Finally made a beautiful trip there 4 years ago and it was stunning, and one of the best trips we've ever had...........THE PEOPLE of Ireland are the nicest on earth, we feel,..the countryside is so green and gorgeous, the towns lovely, food is fine, accommodations wonderful,and on and on.
We went in April, drove around for 9 days, mostly in the West, and had not one drop of rain! Flew into Shannon, then to Galway, back down to Dingle, Kenmare, Kinsale, and worked our way over to Dublin (where it rained),...Lot of beauty in IRELAND.
Saw some castles but they weren't the main focus, and ate in some pubs (where the food is often very good, and ordered water with a meal!)...but there is SO MUCH to IRELAND.

If you are of Irish ancestry the historical story of Ireland should be appealing. In Dublin you can take a Walking Tour of the 1916 Rebellion--see Tourist Bureau. A visit to Kilmainham Jail would give you an impression of what the British did to the Irish for centuries. The reason there are so few painters and sculptors of note in Ireland can be attributed to this 300 years of suppression.

The theater is lively. Some of the best bookstores in the world are in Dublin. There is ballet, classical music, etc.

I second the glowing reports of the scenery in Ireland--Dingle, Galway, and, yes, the Irish people are civil,courteous and very friendly.

You,of course, do not have to be Irish I just point out some things of particular interest.

Good luck.

Anthony

I have to disagree with everyone above:
There's nothing to see in Ireland so I really think you guys should not bother on going. Nope, there's nothing there. Nada. Zip. Zilch! A couple of moldy old castles and maybe a pub or two but you can see that all over... :^o whoops!

OK, if you click on my moniker you'll see I mostly (only?) post here about Ireland. But I'm also honest enough to say that I haven't really been anywhere else so I have no place in saying that Ireland is or is not better than anywhere else. It is a place I thoroughly enjoy revisiting over and over, castles and pubs, nonwithstanding.

Safe travels,

Wendy ((a))

Ireland is my favorite place on earth (of course I havn't been everywhere).

My husband and I went on our honeymoon to Ireland this past End of May -June-We were blessed with wonderful weather-that always makes traveling nice. But Ireland is a Magical land there is just something so enchanting about it-sometimes words cannot describe. We enjoyed the south and southwest/Connemare regions the most. Its a wonderful country to explore and the people are the nicest i've ever come across.

Ireland is worth visiting, and I am going to be totally candid here with my views of what you'll find there and what you won't.

Having been there many times, I agree with the posters way above who said you can't go to Ireland seeking the things you will find in some other European countries. Also, Ireland seems to be a pilgrimage of sorts for Irish-Americans, which for me it's a kind of turn-off, as I tend to travel to transcend nationalism rather than to reinforce it. Unfortunately, Ireland was so poor for so long that it does not have the wealth of architecture you will find in Italy, France or England. It is not a tropical or beach destination, although the views of the water are lovely. And although with its recent wealth, which is considerable, it now has an active cultural life, Dublin is not London or NYC.

So...why go? Well, staying in or dining in a castle really is an incredible experience. Excellent restaurants are everywhere. Golfing is wonderful; keep in mind that the Irish are much more into sports than into the everyday gourmet/artistic way of life you find, say, in France and Italy. If you are not golfers you can play pitch-and-putt. The scenery is lovely in the Ring of Kerry and Connemara (stay in Cashel House, where DeGaulle stayed, a gorgeous inn) and elsewhere in the West. And the handicrafts -- lovely woolens and such -- are stunningly beautiful.

I don't get my "Europe fix" in Ireland, but I do think it is worth seeing, and I agree with Isabel that combining it with a quick hop across to the UK or France may well be the way to go. This is cheap and easy to do.

bucky-the wonderful restaurant that I have been to (twice) in Cashel is called
Legends (townhouse and Restaurant). It is a B&B as well as a gourmet (french trained) restaurant. Wonderful!! And, its at the foot of The Rock of Cashel (in my opinion, of the the "must sees" of Ireland). And, I've stayed in the B&B as well-wonderful!

I have heard that there is another wonderful restaurant in Cashel called (I believe) Chez Hans.

Pat Preston's Ireland Expert Web site is a must for anyone traveling to Ireland....www.irelandexpert.com
Check it out!!

Shadow

Yes, we too combined our Ireland trip.(above). After the 9 days in Ireland we flew from Dublin to Manchester (or Birmingham) and drove around the beautfiul Cotswolds.....ALWAYS fun! Or I'm sure you can fly from Dublin to another country for a few days...and fly home from that destination. That might be more "tempting" to your wife!
IF you go, I'd choose the beautiful Dingle/Slea Head drive over the Ring of Kerry drive. LEss traffic I understand. The Ring of Kerry has load of busses, which you might be stuck behind most of the way.

Last week's TIME magazine had a cover story on "Happiness." The Irish were listed at the top, among the happiest people in the world. (Also high on happiness were the Dutch, the Danes and Americans. Among the least happy were the Russians and Lithuanians).

Anyway, why shouldn't they be happy? Ireland, as everyone on this thread has poitned out, is just a wonderful place in so many ways. I have been to both the Republic and Northern Ireland and loved them both.

And I LOVED the food! Great fish, veggies and desserts. The beer isn't bad either!

mike of b12 did not come back to read your messages.

He should know what his wife likes and if she is a pain in the a.s then he knows this already.

Poor mike.

You really have to think hard about whether your wife might be right.

Ireland really isn't for many people. The scenery's nice (though not really that unique: most of the Celtic lands are pretty much like that), many people are gregarious and speak English (but aren't your friends at home?), and IMHO it's the second best country in the world to live in: as in most other things my ancestors, who all opted to leave Ireland for England, probably got it right, but I'm still hankering after retiring there.

All of which said, it isn't Italy or France (another good reason for living in Ireland), and will bore many visitors rigid. A classic example these days of a place that can be idyllic to live in, but possibly underwhelming to visit. It's downright absurd to say "you'll love it": many people don't, and if your wife starts off in that camp, there's a very high chance she'll stay in it.

I'd strongly concur with Isabel's second suggestion. Ireland now has phenomenal (and unbelievably cheap) air links to the rest of Europe, with probably more international airports per head of the population than any country in the world. Fly to Shannon, take a couple of days in Kerry, Connemara or West Cork, then pick up an onward flight from Cork (not Shannon, which is poorly served for flights to the rest of Europe)to somewhere your wife can live with.

If she's taken by the Irish experience, she'll need no persuading to have a longer trip there next time. If she's not, you won't have to put up with wall to wall "I told you so".

Thank you flanneruk. You don't usually get such reasonable opinions about things in this board. Everyone is usually gushing on about the bug in my soup was SO GREAT and the cab driver who ripped me off WAS JUST MARVELLOUS. If a Martian came down to read this board, you'd think that no one ever had a boring trip or a bad time.

Thanks again. Especially since your comments have talked me out of a trip to Ireland. It really sounds boring.

Thank you everyone for your responces.
They are quite varied. I guess it depends on like everything else individual taste.
Mike

I've only seen a tincy bit of Ireland so I may have a different view...

Spent 5 days in Dublin last year - found it to be a wonderful, world class city, not as quaint as we expected. Try starting there, you'll get your fix, you're wife won't be pushed in too far, and then you can decide if you want to explore further.

We were only able to fit in a quick daytrip from Dublin, so again, didn't see the 'Ireland' people talk usually talk about. But found Dublin a city with interesting museums/attractions, shopping, and FOOD!

Best of luck deciding...

(ps, look for our Dublin trip report under the SN KAMG)

My husband and I sepnt our honeymoon in Ireland in August 2004. It was the best week of my life Ireland is just a wonderful place to go. The people are so nice and the villages totally picturesque. We stayed in Athlone at the Hodson Bay Hotel beautiful Hotel with its own Marina, The Midleton Hotel at Midleton near Cork and The Campden Court in Dublin (which I wsany too fussed on).

I would thoroughly recommend Cork which is a gorgeous city but I have to admit that I preferred going to all the lovely little villages Kinsale, Cobh, Adare, Avoca etc.

I am a towny at heart but found Dublin rather disappointing but to each their own obviously a lot of people love going there.

Blarney castle is a must and after climbing to the top to look at the amazing views you get to kiss the Blarney stone which is a feat in itself

You should definitely try to persuade your wife to go if not why not have a boys only holiday!!!!

I love Ireland, but I can see where someone might not be that interested. There are places that other people rave about, and I still don't have that much interest in. Buy or borrow something like an Eyewitness guide and see what there is there that she might like. Honestly, if the thing she likes most about France and Italy is sitting on piazzas sipping wine, or wandering vast museums looking at the Masters, then it's realistic to say that Ireland won't offer those things in the same measure. If she's outdoorsy though or into scenery and/or great beer, for instance, there's a fair chance she'll like Ireland just fine.

The main thought I had though, when reading your post was - "well, because her husband would like to see Ireland as she wanted to see France". That seems like a pretty good reason to start with. But it won't mean she'll be excited about it.

Such fantastic ideas. If we do the trip we did plan on visitig a couple other countries as some of u have suggested.
mike

The first time we went to Ireland it was just an "add on" from England to try something different. Little did we know what a magical place it would be. Once you go you will understand the inspiration for leprechuans. I think your wife will be pleasantly surprised. A little bit of my ((l)) now belongs to Ireland. I don't see how anyone cannot love it there. Might I suggest watching "Waking Ned Devine" if you didn't already see it. The scenery is so beautiful, describes the people, but nothing is like being there in person.

mike, I have not been to Ireland (although I would love to) but here is what I have had friends say.

Several friends over the years have been to London, Paris, Rome, Venice, Madrid etc. And they never had any desire to go to Ireland.

But little by little several did.

And ever friend came back raving about Ireland. They were truly surprised how much the country, the people, the food and the beautiful scenic beauty.

Maybe your wife just doesn't have any interest in Ireland because she has no knowledge about it. Would a good guide book or even a coffeetable type book with scenic photo get her a bit excited?

And like others have stated, don't hold back on going. If you do I imagine you will always feel resentful. I too went to places my husband wanted to visit. I was always so glad we did. I think that spouses have to comprise, we do not always immediately desire the same idea. I would imagine if you two do go you will have a wonderful trip

I have been to a number of European countries and loved them all. Ireland was the only country where I cried when I had to leave. We took a hiking tour and saw the most beautiful mountains and seashore that one can imagine. The ruins of castles and churches were not only historically informative but there was an enchanted palpable spiritual feeling to the land. You could feel the sorrow and grief from the spirits whose churches had been destroyed by Cromwell. One of the nights we stayed at an inn near Letterfrack I swear I heard banshees howling. I don't know for sure if there are banshees in that area, perhaps it was the wind...
What an incredible country! It far exceeded my expectations.

"I'd strongly concur with Isabel's second suggestion. Ireland now has phenomenal (and unbelievably cheap) air links to the rest of Europe, with probably more international airports per head of the population than any country in the world. Fly to Shannon, take a couple of days in Kerry, Connemara or West Cork, then pick up an onward flight from Cork (not Shannon, which is poorly served for flights to the rest of Europe)to somewhere your wife can live with."

You are completely wrong here. I checked. Virtually all flights go to the UK and Shannon has far more. Unless you are willing to transfer in the UK, the only real option is Ryan Air out of Shannon. They fly nonstop from Shannon to most countries in Europe, althouth they often land at very inconvenient airports.

Anyone's who eaten pizza in Ireland doesn't deserve good food.

I've flown direct to Rome from Dublin, and direct to Paris from Belfast. There are plenty of direct links from Ireland to the continent.

I love Ireland (I live here), but wouldn't suggest forcing anyone to come here that doesn't want to. If she doesn't want to be here, she'll just find fault with everything. Like certain posters on this thread.

Ireland is for people who like to relax and enjoy themselves without rushing all over the place. The hiking is superb, as is the golf. As for the food, you have to know what to eat here. Definitely have seafood--I can't eat salmon in the US any more because it just pales in comparison. Chicken and lamb are also great here. Beef is average at best. Pork is hit or miss. Duck is good. Avoid pasta and Mexican and Chinese food. Sometimes they get it right, but more often it's a mess. Consume large quantities of potatoes, bread and cheese. Avoid the desserts in pubs and restaurants, ESPECIALLY the so-called cheesecake. Most places have stopped boiling vegetables to death. Do not eat in any place that bills itself as a cafe. These are usually nasty, horrible places with disgusting food.

Ann, I have to agree with you on the fish! In October I had some of the best meals ever in Ireland. I had sole twice (in pubs) and it was just phenomenal. The salmon in Foley's in Kenmare was excellent, and I think I had it in Kinsale as well. Usually the "joint of the day" is good, especially if it's lamb. (We tend to shy away from any beef there because it tastes peculiar to us.) If you are near the coast, fresh mussels are just wonderful. I'm a pretty big fan of carvery lunches, but we did have some overcooked veggies.

Just a quick note to point out that while I second Travelinwifey's opinion of Ireland, part of her post is incorrect.

The movie "Waking Ned Devine" was actually filmed on the Isle of Man and not in Ireland. I remember stting in the theatre until they rolled all the credits so I could find out where in Ireland the movie was filmed. I was gobsmacked when I read "Filmed on location on the Isle of Man" so I remember it clearly.

If you want to see images of Ireland there are no shortage of other movies filmed there (some about Ireland and some not) so here's a quick list.

The Quiet Man - older but shows Connemara which is still very similar.

The Matchmanker - shows Connemara and lots of the Aran Islands and is much more recent.

Braveheart - if you can stomach the battle scenes you will see a lot of Co. Kildare as well as some castles in Ireland (Trim and Cahir are two that come to mind.)

King Arthur (2004) - lots of Co Wicklow in this movie, really the best thing about this movie! (YMMV)

You can do a search on this forum and come up with a good long list of other movies that have been filmed in Ireland, too. You'll be surprised...

Cheers,

Wendy

Wow, I did a quick internet search and found the same info Wendy! I could have sworn that was the Cliffs of Mohr at the end....Now I need to go to the Isle of Man! For those that didn't know the exact location (like me) it is in the British Isles.

Did see the Matchmaker while in Ireland, I would have been amazed if filming was not in that country:)

travelinwifey, if you DO want to see the Cliffs of Moher in a film, check out The Princess Bride and look for the long shots of the "Cliffs of Insanity"