h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello there,

I noticed
The global fascination with everything Irish touched me in a way, too. There is a special something in the country and its people. Sometimes it seems as the one of the last sanctuareis of easy socialising, friendliness, fun and, as MacCarthy put it, careless imperfection in western Europe. Plus it has been my irrational love since childhood when I for an unknown reason decided it would be the place I liked, accompanied by New Guinea. it tuned out we often find similarities between Slovenia, where I am from and Ireland, probably mostly because of our mutual love for beer and problems with big bossy neighbours.

There is nothing Irish in me, but I did have a very nice time during my short stay there and am planning another one soon. So I would like fun to hang around.

Slainte!
mojci

Welcome Honorary Irishperson Mojci!

I think Irishness is more a state of mind, rather than a nationality. and although I have never been to Slovenia, I can imagine that there are indeed some very big similarities between the two countries (except perhaps that your weather might be a bit nicer!) How long ago were you in Ireland, and where did you go?

Woodpigeon

Woody what is wrong with persistant Rain, Mist and high winds. It kept the Romans Away and it may well save of from madman Hussein as well.

Woodpigeon got one thing right, compared to Ireland Slovenia does hve what most would call nicer weather. This year we have a true winter firytale with plenty of snow and sunshine.

My first visit to Ireland was really brief. After saying hello to Dublin I took advice of an Irish friend and went west to county Clare. Cliffs of Moher in a winter storm were almost a spiritual experience and strolling around some less famous countryside was almost as good.

This time, in May, I am going to Ireland by car with a few friends. No shortage of fun or stout I suspect. We do not have an itinerary yet and every advice on what we should not miss would be more than wellcome.

mojca

Too true DD - what still amazes me about this place is, despite our "slightly moist" climate, we *never* get used to it! You don't see the Inuit going "Oh god, not more bloody snow today", or the people of North Africa going "Darn, is it ever going to cool down here", but yet, despite generations upon generations of the same old wet stuff coming in from the Atlantic, we still moan about it! Even worse, we don't even wear the proper gear. I heard that in some parts of this country, if you go out in a rainy day wearing an umbrella or a hood, you will get jeered for being a sissy! If we were a more enterprising culture, wellies would have become fashion accessories long ago. It's pure madness!

Good choice Mojca on county Clare. The Aran islands are also worth going to, as is Connemara in Galway. I'm very partial to the peninsulas of West Cork and Kerry, and no, that's not just because I live near there. The Wicklow mountains are nice, and the Nore and Barrow valleys of the Southeast are very pretty. Newgrange and Tara are also worth a visit.

I'm from Clare and it's fabulous. I can completely understand the Cliffs of Moher experience. I visit them almost every time I go home. Also, Loop Head in the far west of Clare is very pretty. And Ennis is a nice little town.

And Woodpigeon is right, the peninsulas of Cork and Kerry are very special. As of course is Donegal - Inis Owen is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I've never done it all in one go, but I imagine that driving the entire west coast from Cork to Donegal would be a spectacular trip - especially if you didn't get too much rain. After the West coast, my next recommendation would be the North coast.

Leinster:

Dublin A545168

Glendalough in County Wicklow is special. This is the remains of an Early Christian site, with ruins of churches, a round tower and Celtic crosses set between two lakes in a beautiful valley.

County Meath - there are lots of ancient monuments such as Newgrange A647912

Boating on the River Shannon is great, but would take more time than a casual visitor from Slovenia could afford to spend.

Munster:

West Cork, Kerry, The Lakes of Killarney, The Dingle Peninsula, Clare, The Burren.

Connacht:

Connemara, Clew Bay and Leenane.

Ulster: Donegal, The Giant's Causway and Causeway coast.

What's this Gnomon starting to plug our own entries are we.

If so this could mean war you know.

Dunluce Castle on the Causeway Coast A526682

Aw!!! There are other's of course don't forget I'm in the middle of a whole series on Northern Ireland.

Bord Failte and the NITB would be proud of you though.

Billy Connolly had a bit about Irish weather in his Dublin show on TV recently, where he explained that there's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.

Thank you guys! Great, 2 days with the h2g2 and it works!
All your suggestions heloed to turn my mind off the studying... Whether going to Ireland will be in celebration of my biggest exam or part of the mourning process... I cannot wait.

mojca

It's good give ut a few more months and we hope to learn all about Slovenia.

Donegal's well worth a visit if you can; especially if you like your hills grand, your coastlines rocky and wild, and your people friendly, witty, independant-minded and tolerant.

Some people, even from elsewhere in the republic, perceive Donegal as somehow dangerous, because it's near the border; but it's quite the reverse. The occasional arms cache found near the border is as bad as it ever got. People come here from the 'North' in droves, at holiday time, to get away from the bigotry, and the locals respect each other's choice of faith, or lack of it.

I'm a Londoner who moved here 10 years ago. I often miss London, but would like to live in both places!

Thank you for the tip, and especially the commentary. Donegal lies neatly on the way from the west coast up north... Can you reccommend any special places in Donegal?