Ireland was really great. I really enjoyed it and have made up my mind that I need to go back. With the exception of the fact that the Union Jack was not in its rightful place flying over the buildings of Dublin-its a great place to visit.
As an aside-I have never understood the whole division of Ireland and Britain. From a logical standpoint, it would make better sense if all the British Isles were under one government. I do understand the 1000 years of history and the way the British slighted the Irish and all that, but the thing is, the Irish seem to have more in common with the British than they realize. Then again-they seem to have reached an accomodation of sorts now-and actively trade with one another. And on a positive note-Ireland has been able to avoid getting sucked into the overseas adventures that the British have-so maybe they are on to something.
I'll post a more detailed travelog this weekend. I'm pressed for time this evening.
Here are a few pictures though. We spent two nights in Dublin, and two in Galway-where, as it turns out, was having its Race Week. Wish I had known that before we left, I would have considered staying longer.
For you Quiet Man fans ( of which I am one) here is the stone bridge from the opening scenes of the film:
The library above the Book of Kells-Trinity College.
At the Cliffs of Moher
Downtown Dublin on O'Connel street:
The Benedictine Abbey in Conomara.
More to follow!
That whole division thing comes from some bloody awful history. The Irish got the short end of the stick for hundreds of years under British rule. Take for example (please) the Potato famine years when my ancestors left – The Irish starved while simultaenously exporting boatloads of grain to England. For your next suggestion, why don't you tell the Koreans that they'd be better off if they were part of Japan?
There is a big difference between Korea and Ireland-specifically the fact that the geography is different. The better analogy is that of Kyushu declaring itself independent of Japan-which also makes no sense. No matter what though-its about today, and a seperate Ireland makes no sense, as does a seperate Scotland. Who knows what good might have come had the Irish taken their seats in Westminster after the 1918 elections?
Reading Max Boots new "Invisible Armies" book and in one chapter he talks about the IRA etc etc.
What happened to Michael Collins was truly ironic.
By the way, excellent book.