I am a fourth generaton American, of half Irish, half Italian descent.

I have travelled to Ireland in 1989, 2003 and will return to Dublin this May. It is beautiful country. It is scenic, mostly rural. The people are polite, friendly and literate--there are numerous bookstores.

My great grandmother died two months before I was born. She had left Ireland because of the famine of 1845-50- the British "Holocaust". She travelled in a sailing ship for six weeks to get here in one of the vessels aptly called "coffin ships". She had been forced to kneel in the road when a British lord carriaged by. Being of Irish ancestry is of cause one draw for me.

I have travelled throughout the States and western Europe, however, and believe anyone who loves to travel, has an open mind could not go wrong by visiting Ireland.

Failte!

Anthony

Bill, as always, is spot on in his analysis!

As stated above, Bill is right on the mark. He is also a frequent visitor to this area of Fodors, and an incredible resource for planning as your questions arise. Use him (if he's not too tired from typing to repsond).

Hello again Rob...Isn't life strange? The fact that Emir's maiden name is O'Leary..My greatgrandfather, John O'Leary emigrated from County Cork in 1840 , ending up in Minnesota. Have traced him to the area of Inchigeelagh, in middle County Cork, which is the main "home" of the O'Learys. We even have a castle there---be sure to go there if and when you go to Ireland.
What takes us there so often? Mostly, besides the apparent scenery, and my heritage, the megalithic monuments throughout the island. Stone circles, portal dolmens, ring forts, court tombs, monastic settlements--I could go on forever. We have trapsed thru sheep country to see Beltany Stone circle; famine graves (with reverence) in Sligo; castles; holy wells...so many awesome places.
All this with my non-Irish husband, who, at first humored me, but now looks forward to each journey to Eire. Go with Emer, neither of you will be disappointed, I can promise you.
If you do go, and Emer isn't sure where her grandfather comes from==get in touch with Joe Creeden, Creedon's Hotel , Inchigeelegh, County Cork, and tell him Helen Leary Olson gave you his name--he is active in the O'Leary Clan Gathering there, which takes place every September..He has alot of info on the O'Learys. I will be happy to give any more info- [email protected]

Rob -

What?s it all about???

I can tell you that I?m 1/2 Japanese, and 1/2 French I can only tell you that somewhere way back there is an Irish gene in my family. Over Christmas, we went on our 4th family trip to Ireland in 5 years. And I've been over on my own twice this year.

So go and enjoy and see if the bug bites you too.

-eyps!

I'm guessing the thing that folks love most about Ireland is that it one of the few remaining countries where Americans are welcomed with open arms and a friendly smile.