NEWS ASSORTMENT

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

RE: NEWS ASSORTMENT

CowboyCraic · Guru

One More way to appease homesickness....or increase it...way too cool though!

Rich207 · Veteran Member

Wow. Way too cool. I was able to locate the street view of the B&B in Ennis where we are spending our first night in Ireland.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Maybe TOO much views???? : confuse

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1001/breaking42.html

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

Now that guy is "cheeky" indeed. I was in Kenmare last year when Google went through. Maybe I'm in view. I'll have to check it out. What will they think of next?

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Boy, do I wish I could be in Ireland for THIS!

They're putting THE Band back together!!!!

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1006/breaking30.html

Bob

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Looks like many of us are returning at a good time -- for ALL ....

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0111/breaking29.html

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

I've seen Ireland through its good times and bad times, old times and new times. I just read the looooong press release from Failte Ireland. Let's hope their optimistic spin (despite the figures) follows through for this year.

If only they could sort out the car rental mess. When the price of a car equals or exceeds the price of airfare, something is out of balance.

Michele

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Boy, are you right about the car rental situation! And everyone we have spoken to from various representatives in the tourism industry (within and outside of Ireland) agree that there is some sort of problem, but no one seems to know what can be done about it.

Some people we've heard from are surprised that the cost of rentals hasn't decreased significantly (which, for some time periods, you can get a deal), but what they don't realize is that the companies can't necessarily afford to keep a huge fleet (or don't care to), so even though demand is down, availability is also down. That keeps the prices higher than they might otherwise be.

It seems like the least car hire companies could do is to quote prices in a more complete manner. That way people aren't shocked when they arrive at the counter to find that the price of the rental is actually almost twice what they thought, because something like CDW wasn't included in their rock-bottom pricing quote.

Kind of reminds me of what airlines do these days. Sigh...

Boy, I sound all "gloom and doom," don't I? Sorry! It's just one of those things that kind of sticks in my craw, if you know what I mean. I wish *I* had a solution to offer!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kathy,

I've been traveling to Ireland since 1973 and the car rental situation has not changed. I sincerely doubt if it will change in my lifetime. The "powers that be" have an incestuous relationship with the car rental companies. They are really not concerned with their "customers". Tourists are held hostage if they want to rent a car. My advice: just bite the bullet, pay for the car and go. At least with some advance research tourists can be informed.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Here's something to view with a grain of salt ... cry cry :

http://www.breakingnews.ie/election/news/ff-aims-to-attract-8m-visitors-to-ireland-492809.html

Bob

CowboyCraic · Guru

I noticed that nothing was said about a mandatory regulating of Car rental. That is a huge deterrent to tourism, as we all well know.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I think that it's -- once, again -- a case of, "Not being able to see the Forest, because of the Trees". hmm

Nobody EVER wants to talk about the 500 pound Gorilla in the room -- seems it's easier to concentrate on the ceiling .... furious

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

With the election coming up they are just recycling past initiatives with a new slant. What do all those points mean anyway?

- Competitive airport and port charges; * Dublin Airport already cut passenger taxes. Aer Rianta won't let Shannon do it to pay for Terminal 2 in Dublin.
- Competitive and tourist-friendly immigration and visa arrangements; * This is already a done deal and in operation.
- Cooperative marketing support programmes with air and sea carriers; * You mean they aren't cooperating with them?
- Innovative marketing campaigns and programmes and greater use of e-marketing; * Already have marketing campaigns, etc. in place.
- Helping tourism businesses to reduce their cost bases and access credit; * How are they going to do that without handouts or tax breaks? Ain't gonna happen.
- Positioning Ireland as an important cultural and heritage tourism destination; * Publicity already on the table, awaiting a St. Patrick's Day launch.
- Greater North/South tourism cooperation. * Ongoing for many years.

My news is there are ongoing discussions to bring back the Golden Trekker free rail travel this year. Announcement for St. Patrick's Day. Stay tuned.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dunno if anyone watched the Rosie O'Donnell episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?" on NBC last Friday, but ...

See it HERE

I watched the Rosie show and was FLABBERGASTED when she met with the neatly-suited, very dignified and sagely informative Historian from the Library in Newbridge, Co. Kildare -- Mario Corrigan.

I hardly recognized the vibrant, curly haired, rascal, bass player for Ciaran Wynne, with whom I have shared many laughs with (and a few pints! biggrin ) in Kildare town, inside of Cunningham's Bar !!!!

Mario really IS that smart, but he has a devilishly WICKED sense of humor. He also is a VERY good musician.

Bob

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Street View for the Rock of Cashel and MORE!!!!! biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0301/breaking27.html

Bob

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

Bobby Flay had special on Food Network tonight. Will be rebroadcast tonight at midnight ET and on March 17 (of course) at 9 pm ET.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food-network-specials/bobbys-ireland/index.html

Most of it was around Cork, finishing in Dublin. I have it recorded and can summarize the places if anyone is interested. Not sure if it will be online soon, Food Network can be stingy with their content.

Food looked yummy.

Jackie

egnolive · Veteran Member

I saw it last night also. Also happy to see Ireland promoted, especially for its food

I was also excited to see Ultan Walsh and Denis Cotter promoting Ireland's vegetarian fare. We stayed with Ultan outside Cork in 2009. He's great fun and full of knowledge. If anyone desires to stay in a vegetarian guesthouse near Cork [even if not vegetarian] I can highly recommend Gort Na Nain. My husband and I had one of the best meals ever cooked by Ultan and Lucy.

Now we just have to work it out so we can get back there soon! wink

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jackie,

Thanks for that post. I saw part of the program. That vegetarian food looked delish at Cafe Paradiso in Cork. I must watch the whole program.

Michele

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

It made me wish I was going to Cork in May but will have to come back. That will be so rough.

murphy · Guru

Watched the program last night....didn't even fall asleep, as is the norm for TV programs that I try to watch 9pm or later smile

. It was really good.

Hope to sample some good Irish Cusine....in just 2 weeks and counting! If you haven't had a chance to see this program, it would be a good way to spend part of St Paddy's evening! Dan

gabbaroo · Veteran Member

The Washington Post has a travel chat most Mondays. Today's chat had a lot on Ireland including a link to a Going Our Way article (people submit trip wants and the staffers suggest itinerary) in the first question and several other questions/answers on Ireland. I find them interesting reading.

http://live.washingtonpost.com/talk-about-travel-0314.html

Michele Erdvig · Host

There is a new plan in the offing to welcome visitors to Dublin starting this June: http://www.cityofathousandwelcomes.com/

It includes your own free Dublin Ambassador to greet you and tell you about the city as well as a free pint or cup of coffee.

Read more: http://www.irishtimes.com:80/newspaper/magazine/2011/0312/1224291627667.html

And for the Irish take on the plan: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0314/1224292061716.html

Gotta love the Irish sense of humor!

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Sounds a bit like Blind dating, the anticipation is usually more exciting than the meting.

murphy · Guru

I loved the comment by David Walker in regard to a first time Dublin visitor meeting a local and having a chat and a free pint/coffee.

He wrote: "I am a Dub who lives abroad, so I qualify on both counts, could I meet myself, have a chat, and drink both free pints?"

Sounds like a plan to me! biggrin