I've added a page covering our short stay in the west of Ireland to my RTW blog/journal at http://home.comcast.net/~gardyloo2

Bottom line, the "w" in Smithwick's is silent. Not widely known in Denmark.

Gardyloo, I enjoyed reading and looking at your pictures of Ireland. Thank you. I noticed you said you were going home to Seattle. My daughter and her family are relocating to Seattle. I will move also. My house is on the market and I have packing boxes in my dining room. It is going to be a hugh change as I live in southeast Ga. on an island. I have a realtor looking on Bainbridge Island for me. I have hundreds of questions to ask about the northwest and Seattle, I'll not high-jack this thread anymore. I will post on the USA site later. Again thanks for the blog. Joan

Oh dear -- what a depressing commentary re Ireland portion of your trip. So sorry! We spent 3 weeks traveling about Ireland in October '04, staying 3 nights in most towns, and did not have any of your experiences, thank goodness!

Instead, we found our visit to be magical -- few crowds, delightful and warm people, fun pubs with good craic and music, and the beautiful, beautiful scenery. We had a marvelous time -- and it was everything we could have wished for.

I'm sorry if you found my narrative depressing, suelh; I certainly didn't mean for it to have that effect, and maybe I'll go do some editing.

We see places through two pair of eyes - the old eyes - attached to the old brain that recalls things from the past, and new eyes that see things through whatever current filter one's using. In my case I kept remembering a West of Ireland that was depressed, running dangerously low on hope, and trapped in its own past (although trying to get a handle on how to modernize before the lights went out.) Its poverty may have been picturesque, but not to the locals. Now it's the opposite - the prosperity is so evident that it's hard to imagine it was so recently a region of depopulating villages and chronic unemployment, poor social services, and other afflictions.

Economic development is usually something of a Faustian bargain - you give up unemployment but get Wal-Mart in return. But I'm sure the residents of the region, and their government, would prefer the current situation over the depression of those days. My old eyes and brain connections were having a tough time buying into the changes, but my mind tells me things are better for them, and good on 'em. But boy was that band lousy. Grumble.

Gardyloo, what a reasonable response and so erudite! You know, I think that at a different time in your travels you might find the country as special as we found it.

I can well understand the "old eyes" vs. economic development and changes, as I suspect that my husband and I are about the same age as you. Nevertheless, we still found so much of "old Ireland" on our trip, to our way of thinking, especially when one got off the beaten track. And again, I can't say enough about how gracious and open the Irish were and so kind to a couple of "Yanks."

Take care, and cheers -- slainte!

Sue

Thank goodness Ireland has changed from the way you used to see it!

Ireland is a vibrant country and I think tourists get disappointed when they realise we dont run around bare foot and wearing shawls, only last week in dublin city centre, an American tourist asked me where he could view the leprechauns!!! I thought he was joking, but realised quickly he was disappointed when I answered him!!

Gardyloo-I know exactly what you are saying.....I made my first trip to Ireland in 1970 (age 16) with my dad....he had not been back to Ireland in 17 years at that time....
We rented a car and did a few tourist things (Blarney Castle, etc.) but not much. We mostly spent time with his brother in Co. Roscommon in a very small village. I went to a few dances in the town and we went visiting some of his friends (remember these were mainly older people to me). We went to a horse race, visited a few local pubs-no problem for kids in those days.

It was different in lots of ways and I loved it....but, I love it now too. I am glad I got to experience that though...I can see how the Irish people are thankful for the changes...we all want conveniences and prosperity.

But, again, I know what you mean.

My mom is 82 now and lives in Co. Roscommon now...next month, I make my 9th trip and will spend some time in Dublin then head up to see her. Ireland is in my blood and I will always go there and find it magical.

We can always just cherish our memories of the past and look forward to more in the future...

Shadow