2007 Book Ready

Michele Erdvig · Host

2007 Book Ready

Dude · Guru

Yay!!! I'm going out to stand by the mailbox. It's raining, but so what? Michele's book will be worth it!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

I have this picture of you standing by your mailbox with your umbrella glancing at your watch. Send some rain this way. The pollen count is so high in Atlanta it looks like everything is covered in yellow snow!

Michele

YaYa · Guru

Michele,

I'll order mine today and when it comes, I'll start dreaming.

Kind Regards, Joan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Joan,

Thank you. I hope you enjoy the book!

Michele

Dude · Guru

I didn't need an umbrella; I had my spiffy new hooded windbreaker that I ordered for my trip! Sorry to say the rain didn't last long enough for me to feel comfortable redirecting it to anyone else. We did lose power for nearly two hours and I sure missed my IrelandYes fixes. Just knowing I can't log on is depressing! Almost as bad as logging on and seeing those little suns instead of the New Post icons.

Our oak trees are blooming and the whatever-you-call-ems are drifted up everywhere. I guess they are called oak blooms but they sure don't look like flowers to me. Our trees here lose their leaves in the spring so we are in a real mess with wet dead leaves and oak bloom. But the wildflowers are gorgeous this year, and we have two hummingbirds dive-bombing each other for the feeder.

For that mental picture, my windbreaker is fuchsia, so I'll fit right in in Ireland.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

Good idea to try out the new windbreaker to be sure it's waterproof! We finally got our much needed rain. You will look like a flower in your windbreaker.

Michele

Dude · Guru

YaHoo! The Book arrived today! Now I can come in out of the rain! Thanks, Michele!

I must confess I was tempted to skip Maundy Thursday services at church and delve into the book, but I was taking some of the food so didn't really have a choice. Wouldn't actually skip church, but the book was so darn tempting...

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I put my order in the mail last Monday. Would imagine that you probably only just received it. Looking forward to seeing the new, improved model....

This One KNOWS that One can never have enough books about Ireland. That's why this One has so MANY bookcases ......

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 23:21, 2007-04-05

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

I received your order today and the book will be in Friday's mail. I know what you mean about bookcases. My husband complains about my ever growning collection. I even have the first book I used in 1973 complete with un-used coupons. The TWA Getaway Guide to Ireland.

Dude,

Glad to hear the book arrived. Now you can settle down for the weekned and have a good read.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

My,'I even have' is Frommer's: IRELAND ON $25 A DAY !

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

I just took a nostalgic look at some of the unused coupons. I have one for 10% off the "Shannon Ceili" or Bunratty Traditional Irish Night as it is now called. The price is 4.90 pounds. Also, 10% off the rate of 17.50 pounds (double room) at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.

I think it might be fun to try and use them. It would give everyone a good laugh.

Michele

Laoghaire · Senior Member

Hi Michele,

I have your 2006 book. Is the new one abound with new infomation that I can't do without? My itinerary is all set, so it would the new things I would be interested in.

Helen

Michele Erdvig · Host

Helen,

I think you will be just fine with my 2006 book. There were some B&Bs that sold or retired:

Carbury House: Sligo
Lake Side Country House: Oughterard
Boyne Haven: Drogheda
Craig Park: Bushmills
Glenelg: Adare

Croom Mills is closed.

Otherwise you are good to go. And if you want any recommendations for new places, you have only to let me know.

Michele

Dude · Guru

That makes me wonder if you have considered, besides doing new books for new customers, having updates that people who have an older version could get instead of having to get everything again? The updates could even be sold online as PDFs, I think.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

Thanks for the idea. I haven't really thought of that before. I will have to mull it over and see how much work it would be.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I am pleased to advise that my new copy arrived in today's mid-day mail delivery. Having spent the last hour or so perusing it, I feel it is only appropriate to say,

"WELL DONE!!"

Very nice guidebook. You have obviously spent a LOT of time and effort on the entire package. It is why you do what you do, and we (or at least, I) don't.

Having self-published a few things, I am as impressed with the layout and orginization as I am with the content.

I agree with DUDE on the subject of updates. Particularly since you utilize the spiral binding, it would be very easy to incorporate suplements and updates.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 14:58, 2007-04-09

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

Thanks for letting me know your book arrived and for your kind words. It is more a "labor of love" than a job...if you know what I mean. I hope it gives you a few pointers for your trip. Although, being a veteran traveler to Ireland yourself, you can always give me a few tips whenever you want!

I find that everyone brings their own gifts and viewpoint to any subject.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

If the day ever comes that I believe that I can't LEARN from others, I hope several somebodies give me a good, swift kick ....

My own interests in Ireland tend to be obscure locales and (mostly) unhearalded, historical sites. I tend to pay INTENSE attention to those details, while being unable to remember what, when or where I ate last ....

While I've gotten BETTER about paying attention to more details (in order to chronicle them in trip reports and recommend, or warn about them), I really lack the orginizational skills and motivation to do what you do.

If I can ever convince my wife to get her Irish Citizenship (and then, hopefully, by default qualify for mine, as her spouse), I wouldn't mind acting as an occassional driver/guide for SMALL groups of carefully screened, like-minded visitors, but THAT involves so MANY ifs, it isn't very likely.

Then again, there's always the Red Neck Retirement Plan (AKA the Lotto)!

I already know a pretty good builder.

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

I love obscure locales. I still have not found Lissyvigeen stone circle. It is somewhere outside Killarney. I spent a good day hunting for it and all the locals I asked didn't have a clue.

You should push for that Irish citizenship. So few can actually get it. I am too removed from my Irish ancestry to get that. And my husband is of pure Norwegian descent (the dreaded Vikings!). But he is Irish by osmosis.

Michele

susan · Senior Member

Bob if your wife can get her irish (EU) passport she should.My husband just got his and it took less then 2 months,which is faster then a us passport at this time.His US passport was sent back within a week and cost 100 dollars plus postage.They did not require euros.This was all done by the Irish consulate in New York.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

BOTH my wife's paternal Grandparents were born in Ireland, We have an older photocopy of her Grandfather's and last April we got an offical, Long Form birth certificate for her Grandmother's.

Supposedly, one is enough, and I don't know how long it will be before the law is changed to do away with the option entirely, but I think that my wife is afraid I'll make her move there permenantly!!! yawn

Realize I lack the youthful countenance of Corey (and that nobody asked smile

), but I have added MY mug to the lineup, as well. weirdface

Bob

susan · Senior Member

Bob my FIL was born in Ireland,so the process was easier since my husband was all ready considered a irish citizen.So she would have to apply for that first.

http://www.irelandemb.org/fbr.html

Then she could apply for the passport.

http://www.irelandemb.org/apply.html

I know that all docs where original or certified copies.All of the siblings applied together.

When he retires he would like to spend 50/50 US and Ireland.I am still not 100% on board yet with that plan,but he still has 10-15 years to convince me.His father still has the family farm and my husband would love to build a place there.The original house my FIL was rasied in ruins,it was a real thatched cottage only part of the walls are standing.

The best part about the passport is that it is an EU passport,which makes traveling in Europe easier.

Dude · Guru

HEY! There's Handsome Bob! Who is also our resident expert on things electrical. Thanks for posting your avatar!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I don't qualify at all (even if I went back to great-great-great-GREAT....
Notice, the 'Itallian' in Itallian Chauffeur yawn

..., still -- it isn't ME that needs to be convinced.

The husband of one of my wife's cousins is a builder / developer of housing estates in Co Cork. I even have a few sites picked out already. Unfortunately for me, the Celtic Tiger's roar has pretty well priced me out of the market there barring the smile of the Lottery Gods. furious

I DEFINITELY intend to spend some extended time on the Emerald Isle once my retirement comes to pass in 2-5 years (since the Mrs. has this TOTALLY unreasonable determination that I can't until she does!). cry

Ah, well ...
Maybe the GODS will smile, or..
Maybe I'll think of something else...

Bob

CowboyCraic · Guru

I definitely appreciate all of the photo avatars. It makes this seem more like a gathering of friends. What a handsome crew we all make!

I, too, have the dream of someday splitting my time in Ireland. My son swears he will make that happen for me! At 17, he thinks he has the secret to getting rich. We shall see how that turns out, shan't we?

As I trace our genealogy and discover that we are in fact of Irish stock on both sides of my Father's house, it is causing quite the upheaval. I am not sure that my father's heart could take me obtaining an Irish citizenship! wink

Bob, every time my brother & I have traveled over, he willpoint to a ruin of crofter's cottage and say, "I could fix that up and make it outstanding!" Again, I am not holding my breath.

Slan Agus Barrogs,

Bit

Dude · Guru

I have three Irish great-greatgrandparents. Everyone else in that generation was born in the States (or a territory). Maiden name is Jones and grandma's maiden name is Lloyd so I need to go visit Wales at some point, but it doesn't call me as Ireland does.

When I go on Social Security (just a year from now!) my income will triple so I plan to take all my children and grandchildren to Ireland. Not all at once, mind you, but in small groups. I want to travel enough to make airline miles mean something.

Were I not so fond of my non-traveling husband, I would go and live, if I could afford it.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I think we've gotten a BIT 'Off-Topic'.... weirdface

Michele's NEW book is AVAILABLE for purchase NOW!!!
It's MOST excellent.
I just got mine. biggrin

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

I'm glad you joined the "lineup". Nothing wrong with deviating from the topic. It is what makes things fun. You gotta have fun or life is entirely too boring.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I agree, Michele...

But that doesn't mean we can't support this site by sellin' a few books....

smile

Bob