Something for everyone
Twenty years, maybe even less, the average person in England knew practically nothing about Ireland, and the thought of going west for a holiday rather than south east towards the sun and sea of the Mediterranean would never have occurred to anyone without some family connection with the country.
The same situation, more or less, pertained across in continental Europe, although there were always a few hardy, well-informed souls in France and Germany who would cross two seas to savour the flavour of Ireland. (Heinrich Böll’s Irish Diary remains one of the greatest travel books, not just about Ireland, but in the entire in the history of travelling writing). However, until very late in the 20th century by and large most people in Europe were more likely to head for Bangkok rather than Dundalk, or Portofino rather than Portaferry until a couple of decades ago.
But then things began to change, word began to spread that the Emerald Isle really is a gem. The reasons for Ireland becoming a major European holiday are complex and you could probably do a university doctorate on the topic, but include the craic, the culture and the character of the people.
Nowadays you can add to that list some of the finest restaurants in Europe, hotels to fit every budget, self catering cottages, country houses, and as many B&Bs as you could shake a shillelagh at.
Culturally, Ireland has always had plenty to offer. From sesúns in pubs to Beckett at the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s distinctive social character has been a lure for art-minded people. Mind you, remember that if going to pub is a big reason for your visit to Ireland, there’s even better news this summer. There’s no smoking in the pubs, and even smokers like the new atmosphere. Up North, of course this is not the case —so the phenomenon of tobacco tourists has arisen, with busloads of wheezing smokers hiring a bus to take them across the border from the likes of Co. Louth, Co Cavan and Co . Donegal. For those not living within easy driving distance to the North, there are other compensations. ‘Tobacco romance’ has blossomed —those forced outside to feed their tobacco addiction have developed a camaraderie, which in some instances has developed into something more…
At the other end of the health scale from having a fly fag outside the pub are the sports people, who have long known about the delights of Ireland. Golfing and angling are two activities which are world renowned, and which have for most of the twentieth century attracted their own aficionados. In golf, Ireland has two or three of the finest links courses in the world. However, just about every town, north or south, can boast some sort of course. Fishing in Ireland has been enjoyed by everyone from the late Queen Mother to Jeremy Paxman —but there’s plenty of deserted riverbanks, so you don’t have to worry about mixing with the wrong sort of people. As far as hillwalking is concerned —well, consider this. A the height of summer last year in the Pennines, the mountains had to be closed because so many people wanted to walk along the Pennine Way! Yet, within two hours of landing at Dublin Airport you could be hiking in the Mournes, negotiating the Wicklow Way, or peering across at the congested Pennines from the top of the Cooleys.
These two traditional sporting pastimes are now supplemented by everything from quad biking to seas kayaking, with all stops in between.
In short Ireland has something for everyone.
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