Ultimate Ireland Trip

Ande · Veteran Member

Ultimate Ireland Trip

Dude · Guru

Got it on my Wish List. Thanks; I am always looking for good books, and more time to read them.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Ande,

Thanks for the book recommendation. I have not read it but - like Dude - will add it to my "to read" list. It sounds very interesting. That is a lot more adventurous than I would be. But then I never understand the people who want to tour Ireland by gypsy caravan either. I would much rather read about it and enjoy my comforts when traveling in Ireland.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

For those who would like to visit the author's website: http://www.kevin-ohara.com/ or read a preview of the book online: http://tinyurl.com/yvb2cy

The "good old days" in Ireland! I remember them well.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 19:15, 2007-07-22

Ande · Veteran Member

Michele,

It really is a remarkable adventure and not one that could be pulled off in today's more hectic and wary world. Also, like you, I enjoy my comforts. I'd love to replicate his itinerary, but be in lovely b&bs every night, always a full stomache, etc.

Ande

Michele Erdvig · Host

Ande,

Back in the 70s there were very few cars on the Irish roads. If a family had one car it was considered rich. Donkey carts were the norm of transportation for taking the big milk cans to the dairy. Many people walked, road bikes or even drove their tractors (if they were fortunate enough to have one) into town. I remember driving the Ring of Kerry and never passing another car. The people you saw along the way would wave as it was a novelty to see a car going by.

When I first visited Ireland B&B was 1.50 pounds and Guinness was 18 pence a pint. Of course there was no such thing as a B&B with en suite rooms. Only hotels had those luxuries. In the evening at B&Bs people would gather for tea in the lounge and listen to the radio. Once in a great while a B&Bs actually had a black-and-white TV in the lounge.

I will never forget the roads in Connemara. If you did 15 mph you were speeding. The roads out there were like a washboard or continuous speed bumps. It was like an amusement park ride. And the cars did not have seatbelts! Once I dozed off in the car only to be awakened close to the roof when my husband took a bridge too fast. He was amused but I was not at the time.

Michele