the British (who we would like to picture as peace loving minded people) >>

??? how do you think "we" got the Empire, xyz? only by being bloody and ruthless.

we may look cuddly and speak in a controlled and civilised manner but underneath.....

An endorsement of flanneruk by imhornet is totally worthless.

Any opinion by azzure is totally worthless.

well i'm sure that the OP found those contributions really helpful - not.

looks as if the OP has disappeared, never to return, and I don't blame him/her.

i was thinking the same thing annhig... probably ordered a Rick Steve's book on amazon or something

be disappointed on both counts then because his UK book is jut as bad as His Irish offering. They do burn well on an open fire though ;-)

can you recommend a good guide book for Ireland then, tony?

There are a few about, Fromers is supposed to be good, Michele Erving Ireland Yes, does an unbiased regularly updated hard copy, Sue Byron, Ireland's Hidden Gems does a Kindle book. Then the usual Big Dummies guide, Eye Witness etc. Different guides are of different value depending on personal interests and there are lots of specialist offerings.

But Get one that is about what's on offer not what the Author tells you is worth or not worth doing/seeing. It's your holiday you are planning, they have already been paid for having theirs.

Gordon_R >>My theory is that these are the only places people from the other side of the world have heard of (because they are shown on their maps), so in the absence of doing any research they just reckon these are the places they should visit.<<

An interesting theory. As one from 'the other side of the world', I would like to challenge this. Our maps include lots of towns. Plus, the cost of travel to the UK is a good incentive to research.

We love Dover castle. Have been to Inverness and Fort William, as on the way to other places.