Molly

What reading do you recommend before going to Ireland? I've dusted off my tattered college copies of Yeats & J. Joyce - have ordered Somerville's Irish RM as rec'd by several guidebooks. Anything else I should have on my nightstand before I go? (June - everywhere except N. Ireland)

xxx

We've just done this:



Favorite Travel Books on Ireland?

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Author: Meg ([email protected])
Date: 11/28/2000, 12:52 pm ET

Hello,

I'm traveling to Ireland in the spring with my extended family. I'd like to buy a few different travel books to give as christmas gifts in preparation of our trip. Anyone have any favorites?




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Author: carol ([email protected])
Date: 11/28/2000, 07:34 pm ET

I really liked the Lonely Planet guide to Ireland. It was very helpful. I've heard that Rick Steve's is also very good.



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Author: Judy ([email protected])
Date: 11/28/2000, 07:38 pm ET

Hello Meg, I have "Karen Browns Ireland-Inns and Itineraries",(I ordered her book on line from her site) and "Eyewitness guides: Ireland". Both are very good, and the illustrations in the Eyewitness guides are superb.



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Author: Meg ([email protected])
Date: 11/29/2000, 10:51 am ET

Thanks! Anyone else have any suggestions. We are renting a house in Glengarrif, co. Cork so we'll be more focused on the south, but plan to take a few extra days for driving around at the end of our week.



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Author: Annie ([email protected])
Date: 11/29/2000, 11:10 am ET

Hi Meg:
These are not travel books per se but they were given to me before I went on my first trip to Ireland.
Nora Roberts:
Born in Fire
Born in Ice
Born in Shame
Three sisters lives in Galway and Dublin
Jewels of the Sun
Tears of the Moon
Heart of the Sea
Three stories of the same family in Ardemore County Waterford
Nora Roberts bring Ireland to life in her stories. After I read them I felyt like I had been there and could hear the ocean and smell the peat fires!
If anyone on your list likes Romance novels, I highly recommend these!!



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Author: Debbie ([email protected])
Date: 11/29/2000, 12:02 pm ET

Hi Meg -
I just got back from Ireland, just before turkey day.

I used the following 2 books, both were extremely helpful ( and small enough to take along)
Frommers - Irelands best loved driving tours (25 different tours with maps and really good directions)
Eyewitness - IRELAND - great pictures and details.

I have a post further down that I will bring to the top for you - all my notes on my trip .

have fun
Debbie



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Author: debbie ([email protected])
Date: 11/29/2000, 12:52 pm ET

Meg -
one more thing - for more ideas - check out WWW.IRELANDEXPERT.COM - Pat has a great forum for individual Q&A where I got a lot of the info I used for my trip.

Debbie



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Author: Shannon ([email protected])
Date: 12/09/2000, 03:01 am ET

Meg, I highly recommend the book Best Little Guide to Ireland. I took it to Ireland in August and couldn't have done without it. It was great for planning, was filled with lovely B&Bs, delicious restauranst, fun pubs and lots of sightseeing. I got it online at: http://www.irelandyes.com . Good info on that site too. Do yourself a favor and get that book!!! Shannon



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Author: Ruth ([email protected])
Date: 12/23/2000, 07:34 pm ET

Shannon, thanks for your information>i received my copy of the Best Little Guide and have devoured it several times already>can't believe all the info packed into it & cant wait till my trip>will be taking full advantage of the travel forum after xmas too>I really, really do appreciate this>check it out everyone> http://www.irelandyes.com > you wont be sory>Ruth



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Author: Lisa ([email protected])
Date: 12/24/2000, 07:36 am ET

Meg and Ruth and Shannon,

Do remember that the irelandyes site expert seems to have worked on the goireland site and that goireland has a bad reptution on this board with many complaints.

There are several good posts on this board if you want to do a search,

Lisa

I found the bets site for correct information was the Irish Tourist Board site. I cann't remember the exact url but I think it was ireland.travel.com perhaps,



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Author: Meme ([email protected])
Date: 01/01/2001, 02:59 am ET

Hey Lisa, You seem to really be putting down Michelle at the irelandyes.com site on many different travel forums. Is this just because you don't like GoIreland? Did you have any direct dealings with Michelle and did she dissapoint you in any way? I emailed Michelle recently about your postings and she said that she never "worked" for Go Ireland...was just a volunteer on their BB and answered thousands of questions for free. Said that GoIreland never compensated her in any way & never so much as bought her a cup of tea! She always gave me great advise on cuplafocal.com and since quitting GoIreland, is still giving it on her own forum and at allexperts. I suggest that people make up their own minds. Look at http://www.allexperts.com, go to the ireland section and look at Michelle's ratings. Then look at her forum to see what kind of info shes giving out http://www.irelandyes.com/forum . If you've got an axe to grind at least tell the details instead of just dissing everyone from the cleaning lady to the computer repair guy at goIreland.

I also asked Michelle if she takes money to reccomend hotels and B&Bs and she said not because she wants to remain objective. Get a grip Lisa!



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Author: Shannon ([email protected])
Date: 01/01/2001, 06:25 pm ET

Lisa James,

You should be ashamed of yourself for condeming someone that has given freely of herself and time to help so many people plan their trips to Ireland. You are passing on incorrect information and I think that everyone should email you at [email protected] to voice their personal opinions to you. My personal opinion is that you don't know what you're talking about. Or you have a screw loose.

An informed poster, Shannon

ps. Meme, You go girl!



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Author: Meme ([email protected])
Date: 01/01/2001, 08:29 pm ET

Shannon, I'm keeping going! I think you might have hit on Lisa's problem...bats in the belfry. she probably hates Suzanne Barett at Ireland for visitors too since she is placed prominently on GoIrelands home page http://goireland.about.com/travel/goireland/ Lisa hates everyone except the Irish Tourism Board. Bad cess to her!!! (learned that one on my last trip to Ireland) What an obnoxious person...I wouldn't trust her opinion of ANYTHING!!

TO LISA: Careful Lisa...as the saying goes "what goes around comes around"...it could just boomerang and hit you in your (batty) head. Meme



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Author: George ([email protected])
Date: 01/06/2001, 01:25 am ET

Lighten up ladies!! The truth always comes out in the end. You are ganging up on poor little Lisa. I don't happen to agree with poor little Lisa at all but no need to gang up even if she is telling a few fibs. Whats the fun of being on the web if you can't get in a some tall tales? guess I should be calling her naughty little Lisa and send her for a time out!! Anyway I had a great, wonderful, fabulous, fantastic trip to Ireland and can't wait to get back there. My best book...guess what...I have to agree with Meme & Ruth & Shannon. Michelle's book gets a thumbs up from me...way, way up!! Too much typing...must find myself a Guiness. Cheers, ladies!!



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Author: Webbie ([email protected])
Date: 01/12/2001, 06:25 pm ET

WOW! Interesting thing going on.



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Author: Gina ([email protected])
Date: 01/12/2001, 07:03 pm ET

Zoinks! Enough of this. Meg, for an absolutely wonderful read about life in Ireland's west country (County Clare, mostly), I'd recommend a series of books by Christine Breen and Niall Williams. The first is O Come Ye Back to Ireland; there's also When Summer's in the Meadow and a couple of others I'm blanking on. Anyway, Breen and Williams are two former NY media professionals who chucked it all to move to a farm near the village of Kiltumper, in Clare, which Christine inherited. The story of their lives there really gives you a sense of how people live in that part of Ireland today, both the beautiful and the difficult.



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Author: Patti Suttle ([email protected])
Date: 01/13/2001, 01:24 am ET

Gina-the next book by Niall Williams and Christine Breen is "The Pipes are Calling" and then "The Luck of the Irish-Our Life in County Clare". I have read all 4 books and they are wonderful.
Patti



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Author: Meme ([email protected])
Date: 01/13/2001, 02:31 am ET

Patti, I agree about the books you mentioned. Excellent reads. They are recommended at Michelle Erdvigs site--thats where I first found them http://www.irelandyes.com/shopping.html I enjoyed the illustrations and the commentary and the difficulty of moving back to Ireland. They are heartwarming books.



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Author: Meg ([email protected])
Date: 02/20/2001, 07:43 pm ET

Gina, Patti & Meme, thanks for your help! Are these a series or can you read them out of order? Gina, I think you siad "O Come Ye Back to Ireland..." is the first book. Is that right? I did also find them on Amazon.



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Author: Patti Suttle ([email protected])
Date: 02/21/2001, 02:41 am ET

Meg; yes, they are a series. I would recommend reading them in order. The first is "O Come ye back" then "When Summer's in the Meadow" then "The pipes are calling" then "When Summer's in the Meadow". I wonder if they have written any more? I'd love to hear how they are doing and what is new with them. Loved those books! I leave in 4 months for Ireland!! Yeah.
Patti



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Author: Diane ([email protected])
Date: 03/01/2001, 06:50 pm ET

Hi Y'all! I agree with all the others about Michele's site (www.irelandyes.com). I've been getting FABULOUS information on her forum and her book is a godsend. if anyone is planning a "do it yourself trip" (like me) then be sure and get "Best Little Guide to Ireland". It will save you time, money and your sanity. that's my 2 cents worth...for what it's worth! Diane



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Author: Ger ([email protected])
Date: 03/01/2001, 07:21 pm ET

I would recommend "Bridgestone Guides" for restaurants - we have never had a bad recommendation.



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Author: Gingersnap ([email protected])
Date: 03/04/2001, 02:28 am ET

Bridgestone is good but Michele's book is better. It has great MODERATELY PRICED



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Author: Gingersnap ([email protected])
Date: 03/04/2001, 02:33 am ET

Woops only part of that message got posted! Heres the rest...Bridgestone is good but Michele's book is better. It has great MODERATELY PRICED restaurants plus B&Bs, guest houses, pubs, sightseeing, itineraries...just everything...even how to rent a car and drive on the wrong side of the road. thumbs up from me!



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Author: Annette ([email protected])
Date: 03/04/2001, 02:43 am ET

Hi, Meg. One recommendation I have is Round Ireland in Low Gear by Eric Newby. He is an English travel writer and a very good one. He has several other travel books worth checking out, too. It is a fun read - he is very observant and funny.



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Author: ger ([email protected])
Date: 03/04/2001, 09:42 am ET

Two more:

Frommer's Best-loved driving tours and Round Ireland with a Refrigerator (written by an English commedy writer and mentioned in the NYT this morning.



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Author: topper ([email protected])
Date: 03/04/2001, 06:29 pm ET

to the top!



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Author: could someone ex ([email protected])
Date: 03/04/2001, 09:47 pm ET

What does it mean when someone does the "to the top" thing?



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Author: xzx ([email protected])
Date: 03/04/2001, 09:51 pm ET

Rick Steves, Fodors, Frommers, Insight guides, discovery channel guides, or lonely planet



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Author: SharonM ([email protected])
Date: 03/04/2001, 11:54 pm ET

Well,
Right now, I like "Round Ireland with a Fridge"...

Of course, there are many more...



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Author: SharonM ([email protected])
Date: 03/04/2001, 11:59 pm ET

Gosh.

I really should read the above posts before posting, huh!

I thought I had a new thought there for awhile. Oh well...



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Author: Ger ([email protected])
Date: 03/05/2001, 12:04 am ET

Sharon M:

Have you read it? The New York Times recommends it, but I would love your input. (Could not find it in my local bookstore today but am under orders to get a copy before our holidays in Sept.)

Regards



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Author: SharonM ([email protected])
Date: 03/05/2001, 11:42 am ET

yes, Ger.
I read it last month. Ordered it from Amazon.com... Really enjoyed it! The whole premise is so silly and fun. I love all the characters and situations Tony Hawks runs into on his journey.



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Author: Lisa ([email protected])
Date: 03/05/2001, 12:41 pm ET

Try "The Van" by Roddy Doyle. Definitely his funniest book, and a much more realistic picture of Ireland than some of the books mentioned above that contribute to the leprachaunisation of Ireland (with the notable exception of Round Ireland with a Fridge, of course!).

Also, try Finbar's Hotel and Ladies Night at Finbar's Hotel (each chapter is written by different Irish authors).



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Author: Erin ([email protected])
Date: 03/06/2001, 02:50 am ET

Hi everyone--this is my first time here and these forums are wonderful. I just read everyone's messages and got some great book ideas to read for my trip to Ireland (I just posted a message of my own if you have any other advice). I am now reading what I think is the most recent of Christeen Breen and Niall William's series called "Luck O' the Irish" and it's wonderful.



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Author: George ([email protected])
Date: 03/07/2001, 02:56 am ET

When someone says "to the top" they are sending the message back up to the top of the list (on the left). What I like to say is fill my pint glass to the top with Guiness! Cheers, George



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Author: Lisa ([email protected])
Date: 03/07/2001, 03:31 pm ET

Wow - heated exchanges here about Michele Erdvig - probably because so many of us have been helped tremendously by her wonderful advice. I too absolutely would not have had half as great a trip if it were not for Michele and her book. Every single thing in her very detailed book was true, right down to her descriptions of the color coordinating shams and bedspreads in the B&B's she recommends - we stayed at 7 of the B&B's she recommended and loved every one of them - it could have been hit or miss with another book, but Michele checks out all her recommendations and goes back for follow-ups, she takes no money. B&B owners want to continue to keep their establishment up to her standards because they want to have the honor of being in her book to get business, it's as simple as that. When we called the B&B owners to make reservations and told them we had Michele's book, we got an extra ounce of kindness and service (and folks in Ireland are already kind and friendly!). I feel lucky to have stumbled upon her website and the message boards at goireland.com (which were taken down, but are now back up and re-vamped, although with limited postings since they started over). If you want a good travel book, buy her book - you will not regret it and it's modestly priced and packed w/tips. By the way, my understanding (from talking to B&B owners about her) is that Michele's husband works for the airlines and so she gets to have the wonderful privilege of traveling to Ireland often, and her knowledge shines through.




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Author: George ([email protected])
Date: 03/11/2001, 12:51 am ET

Amen Lisa! Agree completely with your wise assessment. I too found her book invaluable. Did you know that Michele now has her own q&a forum where she answers questions? Good info there www.irelandyes.com/forum Gotta go it's Guinness time! George



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Author: TRex ([email protected])
Date: 04/01/2001, 01:04 am ET

All the books mentioned here sound great! To bad I'm on a budget. Guess I'll head to the library on Monday.



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Marsha

One of my favorite memoir-type books is "Woodbrook" by David Thompson (1914-88), about time he spent in Ireland when he was 18. The book also includes a lot of historical information. Look for it in Ireland if you can't find it in the USA. I also enjoyed the books by Niall Williams & Christine Breen. Alice Taylor's books are wonderful.

James

If you have any Irish heritage at all, read "Trinity". I consider it historical fiction but it certainly gives you a very good idea what the English did to the Irish and why they hate them so much. This isn't Leprachan (sp?) stuff.

Ruth

Try "The Third Policeman" by Flann O'Brien. Not a travel book in any sense but a surreal and very funny take on the country.

Kiera

I second the recommendation to read "Trinity." Everyone who goes to Ireland should read it. It gives perspective to the political situation and thus a greater appreciation for the culture.

Molly

Thanks, everyone! not looking for more travel books, I hadn't looked at the original thread. Thanks for reminding me of Trinity, and amazon.com thanks you for the Williams/Breen, R. Doyle, & T. Hawks recommendations - I ordered all of 'em. My group is just the type to try to go 'round Ireland w/ a fridge, just loved the concept.

gwen

If you're not up to the heavy-duty stuff and want to try to absorb history gently by osmosis, try 'Scarlett' by A.Ripley, 'Cashelmara' by S. Howatch, and all of the Maeve Binchys. However, there's no substitute for the Yeats when you're sitting beneath Ben Bulben on a soft day, or overlooking the Atlantic from the Galway coast.

banker2

What? No Shaw?! You must read George Bernard Shaw, and Wilde, and Swift. They not only defined Irish lit, they defined English lit. If you have only one book on the plane and you're going to Dublin, make it Joyce's 'Dubliners' and take the pub crawl. Pick up a used copy of Yeats at the Trinity College bookstore and memorize one poem while in the West.

david

My wife and I have been traveling to Ireland for the past eight years, and we've used a wide range of travel books. For my money, the best overall book is the England-based Rough Guide. It's particularly strong in the areas of history and as a critical, no-nonsense guide to Ireland. The most recent edition of this guide is 2000. Other recommended guides include Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay in Ireland, and Bridgestone's wonderfully reliable guides to the best lodging and food in Ireland (forget the stereotype about Irish food; there is a plethora of top quality dining to be had in Ireland). Another noteworthy guide to consider is the recently-introduced Footprint Guide to Ireland (I believe it's published in Ireland). In closing, stay clear of the non-critical Frommer's and the overrated Eyewitness guides. (Eyewitness is visually striking, but quite shallow). Also, mixed reviews go out to Fodor's. Their guides present a solid overview of Ireland, but there's not too much detail, and worse, I've noticed the information isn't updated as often as it needs to be (For example, the 2001 edition may have info on a B & B that was reviewed several years ago.) I trust this info. will be helpful. Ireland is a fascinating country, and with the right guidebook(s), your trip can be all the more memorable. Good luck.

Joyce

I agree 100% with the previous poster about Fodors Guide. I've been travelling to Ireland for 25 years...going back next month. I always drive myself and explore every nook and cranny along the way. I recently ordered Michele Erdvig's book because of the raves on this site. What a let down. Instead of the Best Little Book it should be titled "Ireland for Dummies." She probably has some good advice for first-timers, but it's so simplistic and not at all comprehensive enough to do Ireland justice. Don't consider Michele's book the end-all, be-all. I was particularly stunned by her listing of ONE pub in Dingle. What about Dick Mac's? I guess I'm a little leary of anyone who touts themselves as an "expert." But, it sure seems like she's got a fan club. Maybe I should write a guidebook to Ireland? My best advice is to read Trinity by Leon Uris, Irish Journal by Heinrich Boll, any or all Maeve Binchy books and see if you can find a copy of Ireland, A Terrible Beauty (a pictorial essay)...it's out of print, but a real masterpiece. The photos were taken by Jill Uris and the text is by Leon. It captures the soul of Ireland before the Celtic Tiger was born.

George

Joyce, Great idea! I think that you should write a guide book about Ireland and call it "Joyce's End All and Be All Book About Ireland"! I'm sure it would cover every aspect of Ireland inside and out and you should target it at an intellectual audience of people who have been to Ireland at least 25 times or more. It should be around 5,000 pages, weigh 30 pounds, and be more comprehnsive than an encyclopedia about Ireland. (What a big seller that would be!!) Know what? Most people are first-timers (or in my case second timers) to Ireland. We need a simple and user friendly book to cut through the crap (pardon my French) in a lot of the other books. Bet ya one thing...you haven't used Michele's book yet. Her recomendations for B&Bs and restaurants were great. Sure beats ringing doorbells at B&Bs up and down the street to find a good one (my wife is fussy). I do know one thing...Best Little Guide to Ireland can't be called Ireland for Dummies because that is a trademarked name and there is already a guide book called that...saw it at the bookstore the other day. Why don't you send the book back to Michele and tell her you hate it and want a refund? I'll bet she gives you a refund!! Try and get that after you've read a book from Waldenbooks. My conclusion is Michele has a devoted fan club of simple minded idiots like me that have been helped tremendously by her advise. This is her email address [email protected] for your refund!!! GEORGE P.S. Buy a pub book if you want a comprehensive list of pubs in Dingle!! Boy, do I need a Guinness now that my Irish is up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

meme

George, Joyce will never write a book about Ireland because people who "talk" about writing a book rarely have the time or stick-to-it-tive-ness to do so. If that were the case every literate person in the world would have written at least one book. Personally, I think that Joyce should be a travel book critic. But she needs to keep in mind that there are many, many books out there about Ireland and no one book will be good for every person. Isn't there an old saying "You can't please all of the people all of the time"?

Joyce, please share with us weak-minded individuals what your favorite travel book is about Ireland. I'm sure that each one has its flaws. One might have too many pubs, another might have too much history, another might not have enough sightseeing for children, another might not mention where you can stay with a pet in your room. George is right...you can't cover it all. Let us beginners to Ireland enjoy our Ireland for Idiots books and our "Ireland experts" like Michele Erdvig and Patricia Tunnison Preston. They at least are willing to share their time, tips and opinions with us "Dummies". And even if they have been asked the same questions over and over again for years they reply with kindness and understanding and answer what an intellectual like you might consider silly first-timer's questions on their forums.

Bless you "Ireland experts" you have devoted fans out here in cyberspace!

Meme (please call me "Dummy")

Josie

Joyce sounds like a supercilious curmudgeon! Did I spell it right? Well if not you get the picture.

Kevin

If you are interested in history (and why go to Ireland if you aren't), try Thomas Flanagan's The Year of the French. This is the first of a trilogy of historical novels and deals with the rebellion of 1798. A French army lands in County Mayo and joins an uprising against the French. The beautiful little town of Killala is the setting for the beginning of this wonderful book. Highly recommended.

mbyrne2002

I have heard the lonely planet guide to ireland to quite good. And dont rememeber when you get to Ireland the locals will be only too happy to direct you to all the good spots and recommend first hand hotels and B&Bs in whatever area you visit.

bozo

Okay mbyrne, I won't remember! And why dont you pass on your own recommndations, not just heresay?

Leslie

I bit lighter than Joyce, Yeats, etc. would be one of my favorite books..."Circle of Friends" by Maeve Binchy.

cindy

Morgan Llewelyn has written a series of very interesting historical novels about Ireland...I recommend them.

Edmond O`Flaherty

Ireland of the Welcomes is a magazine published every 2 months by the Irish Tourist Board.I understand that almost 100,000 Americans subscribe to it.Have a look at its new website at www.irelandofthewelcomes.com.It has a useful search facility and some interesting articles available free online.