Ireland of the Welcomes? Have you been to Ireland?

Question

I was in the ER with my hubby this week and oddly enough the only magazine in our room was Ireland of the Welcomes. I've a hefty amount of Irish blood within me and have always been fascinated with the place. June 2007 edition of the mag contained a feature on Cork and Kerry counties--just gorgeous. I also have a book on Ireland that is just full of fabulous photos and I wanted to ask anyone who's been there: Is Ireland as wondrous and beautiful as it seems in movies and pictures? Is it more so? And is Ireland of the Welcomes a fair representation of the Irish way of life?

Ok so more than one question...thanks much to all who answer! :)

Answer 1

Ireland is now one of the richest countries in the world per head of population, and the downside is that there has been a lot of bad development by people with new money and no taste. Fortunately the Green Party is now part of government so that may stem the tide a bit. Ireland is extremely expensive to live in or visit and the weather is mixed at best. However there is a great atmosphere and culture. Most of the art galleries, museums etc. are free. Anywhere around the coast or the Shannon region is worth visiting, also the town of Kilkenny which is inland. Don't forget Northern Ireland--the North Antrim coast is awesome and not so much visited as the rest of the coastal area of Ireland. Enjoy!

Answer 2

Unfortunately, I've found "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine to be geared more toward the wealthy tourist, with posh restaurants, spas, and accommodation often featured. It does have some beautiful photography as well as some good articles, and a few sometimes highlight things not so touristy, but I don't think I'll be subscribing to it again.

NOW FOR THE POSITIVE STUFF !!!!

I myself drool over my Ireland books, calenders, posters, etc. HOWEVER..... nothing prepared me for the real deal. If you're into beauty, then you will LOVE Ireland!!! Don't miss Northern Ireland and Donegal either... GORGEOUS!! Take a train, take a bus, or rent a car. If you're thinking of going there, I wholeheartedly recommend it!!

(As you can probably tell by now!)  

P.S.... I've a wee bit of Irish in me maself!  =^D

Answer 3

"Cead Mile' Failte" A Hundred Thousand Welcomes. Hope you vist my place. http://www.carlingford.ie/

Answer 4

Ireland is a beautiful country. If you visit there, I would suggest you hire a car and tour all around the coast. The country has been described as 'a plain picture in a beautiful frame'.

As for the people and the conflict (mentioned in the previous answer), well, that happened in Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland has been at peace for generations. The Irish passport is one of the best passports that you can hold as Ireland, like Switzerland, maintain a neutral status in conflict situations. The people are welcoming, just as your magazine title suggests, and although I am unfamiliar with that particular publication, I can assure you that the beauty in both landscape and people portrayed generally is all true.

I hope you do visit and take your time to explore all that our country has to offer.

Answer 5

My mum is Irish and from a town called Araglen in Co. Cork.  I've been there three times, and would go again in a heartbeat.  As a six foot, red-headed, green-eyed Irish beauty (and modest, too...), I would also tell you it's one of the few countries in the world where I feel safe hitchhiking.  When I first went, in 1983, we chose accommodation through Rent-an-Irish Cottage, Ltd.  It was one of the best possible decisions we could have made.  We stayed in a cottage for 8 ppl. in Killfinnan, I think it was...it could have been Kilmallock.  It was in the southwest of Ireland not at all far from Limerick.  We flew into Shannon, and rented a van, which for a family of 7 was probably pretty much the ONLY choice.  I absolutely recommend visiting Donegal, Limerick, Lismore, Kenmare (especially on market day!), The Rock of Cashel, The Cliffs of Moher, Kilarney, Cork City and Dublin, any pottery or museum you come across without exception, and Yes!  Ireland of the Welcomes is ABSOLUTELY a fair representation of the best Ireland has to offer.  It truly is the Emerald Isle and has more shades of green than anywhere else I've ever been.  I think it was 83 or 87 at last count...It is quite simply one of the most beautiful places in the world!  (But I'm not biased...)  It is possible to get wonderful food in Ireland, but you have to either have great luck, or know where to go and when.  You can almost never make a mistake w/ fish and seafood.  It's uniformly excellent.  I do also recommend trying a bed and breakfast for a taste of the local hospitality, which I feel is unmatched in all the world.  Black currant jam, scones, great large cups of tea w/ full cream milk, strawberry tarts...Irish dairy is amongst the best in the world and its meats do not contain the hormones and antibiotics that American meat does.  The produce is gorgeous, too, (but perhaps not so physically beautiful as it is tasty...)especially the apples and salad greens.  Plants are happy in Ireland.  I bought a bottle of organic cider made from Irish apples and decanted as if it were wine.  Omigod!!!!!!!!  You just have not tasted good cider until you've been to Ireland!  I could go on and on about Ireland.  Just go there yourself.  You'll soon see what I mean.  And take a group of friends with you!  That's what I plan to do for my fiftieth birthday!

Answer 6

I've travelled the world and the one place I would RE-visit is Ireland. People are friendly for the most part, scenery is awesome, the Republic is cheaper than Northern Ireland or England (where they use Pounds instead of Euros) and it is a trip that will live with me forever. Transportation is not exactly the same as USA but that's part of the beauty. It is very wet at times but it is also VERY green. I'm from Southern California and it is almost the exact opposite of us. There is too much to see and do during one trip. My advice - GO NOW and go back often! Have a great trip!

Answer 7

Ireland is a beautiful country with fantastic scenery around the coastlines of Cork and Kerry, Donegal and also Counties Antrim and Down in the north. But never forget that these people have just got over knocking h***s bells out of each other in a nasty little 'conflict' that claimed nearly 4,000 lives. So the country is fantastic but the people are seriously flawed.

Answer 8

You should definitely visit Ireland some time!  You would probably love it, especially since you're Irish...

I actually lived there for a year while studying abroad.  I lived in Cork (& made my way through most of the country), & it really is as beautiful as the pictures & movies make it seem.  The grass is lush & green, & the country-side is beautiful.  The cities are also great - the buildings are really close together & are often painted all kinds of cool colors (unlike in the States!).

As for the "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine, I've never heard of it.  However, I can tell you that Ireland is a lot like the U.S. in many ways.  People shop like crazy & work like crazy, but they also take time out of their busy days for a pint of beer in the afternoon - which I liked.  Also, Ireland isn't filled with people who've never heard of "Grey's Anatomy" & don't know what a laptop computer is : )  (Not that you implied that at all, but I know that when I went there, lots of my friends thought I was going back into the middle-ages or something!)

Overall, it's a beautiful country.  There are interesting museums, great natural sites (like the Cliffs of Moher), awesome breweries/distilleries that you can tour (Guinness/Jameson), & tons of places to shop.  I wasn't too fond of the food choices (I'm vegetarian, so it was kinda tough), but the markets & grocery stores are great.

FYI: Your best deal (financially) is probably to fly into Dublin (because it's the biggest travel hub in Ireland) & then take a train to Cork (if that's where you want to go) or rent a car & drive all over the country.  Buses & trains are pretty reliable as well, although they don't always run on time...

Enjoy!