For those of you that got to go to Ireland for Farmageddon, I am curious what your impressions were. I didn't get to but I have been there and my impressions were great natural beauty, wonderfully friendly people, amazing history and architecture, narrow and winding roads, and wonderful beer.
Impressions of Ireland
- Thread starter peatyscotch
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- Mar 27, 2006
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You pretty much nailed it. We still have a few days before we head home, but it's been phenomenal. Extra emphasis on the friendliness of the people. We walked a good mile or so from our hotel in Clontarf to the closest DART station, to catch the train to the game. And in that walk we probably had half a dozen people strike up conversations, ask us about the game, welcome us, and wish us luck. And we're pretty far east. Not like the city center where you can't walk two feet without running into someone supporting one of the two programs. We've ridden in half a dozen cabs or so, and in all except one of them we've had great conversations with the drivers, sharing historical facts about the places we're passing, suggesting activities or places to eat, or commenting on relevant current events in Ireland.
My favorite are the nicknames they've shared for different statues and landmarks around town:
The Spire of Light= The Spire in the Mire, The Stilleto in the Ghetto, The Stiffy by the Liffey
The Molly Malone statue= The Tart with the Cart
The Anna Livia statue (a mermaid in a fountain) = The Floozy in the Jacuzzi
There are a bunch more too. These folks have a real talent.
I’ve still got another five days before I head home. It’s a great country filled with interesting people and historical places. I’ll be back someday.
It was 20 years ago and I only was there 2 nights (1 more in Belfast) but I loved both Ireland and NI. Highlights were giants causeway, the US operated train between Dublin and Belfast, climbing into an occupied bed accidentally, visiting a bar with fantastic live music that was founded over 1000 years ago, eating Guinness stew and riding the Dubline area rapid transport to "dun leary" (not at all spelled like that).
It was absolutely magical
It was absolutely magical
We were there earlier this summer and can’t wait to go back. Everything except the driving was just first-rate, and even that was fine as long as you were on the motorways. Friendly people, tons of history (which hits even more when you’ve got ancestry from there), beautiful countrysides, and something about the whole mixture that causes your stress and anxieties to just kind of melt away. I hope to retire to Dingle someday, or a place just like it. The weather might not be for everyone, but I’d be just fine leaving both the blizzards and the 95 degree summer days behind for year-long jacket weather.
Clark Griswald action, “Is my wife in here? Mind letting my leg go? I’ve got a mild case of herpes.” Type of situation huh.
We didn’t meet anyone who wasn’t extra friendly! Wonderful trip ! (And an outstanding football game!) Would love to return some day!
- Mar 27, 2006
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There's a lot less purple on display around the area today. Such a shame.
- Mar 27, 2006
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We're at the Cliffs of Moher and there's hardly any KSU fans to be seen, save for Avery Johnson's aunt throwing his cousin off of the cliff.
Highly recommend the Jameson factory. I went in 2019 and it was a blast. They will have lots of stuff there you can’t find in the US and they make some insanely good cocktails there that are unique.
I was at the cliffs in the 90's before they added the stone wall to keep you from the edge. Locals would bring picnic lunches to eat while sitting on the hill overlooking the ocean
And the Teeling Distillery was an awesome tour! Wonderful samples at the end!
It was the cheapest hostile room i could find (as a poor college student). Said occupant was female, I quickly apologized and apparently I figured out where my bed was? I have no memory of what happened after, but pretty sure there was no further interesting interactions.
If you are still following this string, and if you haven't been there yet, give serious consideration to visiting Kilkenny Castle. It is amazing - the castle itself, the grounds, everything. This castle was the home to the Bruce's for 600 years!! It's hard to fathom how a family can maintain a lineage of offspring to carry on, generation after generation, for 6 centuries. Just a thought.
