Lovely Jumpers - Now Try The Place

Advantages: A step back in history. Truly magnificent scenery. Wonderful local crafts, pubs, and genuinely friendly people.
Disadvantages: A LONG way from civilisation.

...~ ~ If you are visiting Ireland and happen to take in the west coast and Galway and Connemara regions as part of your trip, then be sure to take the time to visit the small group of islands called the Aran Islands, located about thirty miles or so from the coast in Galway Bay. Ireland generally (the Republic) is split into two parts; you have Dublin, which today is taking on much of the ambience of any large, modern European city. And then you have “the rest” of Ireland, where life tends to go on in much the same way as it has for generations. And to get a glimpse of the old Ireland, you couldn’t visit anywhere better than the Aran Islands, which have been left virtually untouched by the passage of history. (more on how to get there later) ~ ~ There are three islands that make up the Arans. Inishmore, Inishmaan...

the_mad_cabbie 07.10.2001 · Read review
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Review of Aran Islands (Ireland)

Sheer Magic

Advantages: Go Back In Time To Ireland Of Yore.
Disadvantages: The Effect Of Mass Tourism.

...The 3 Aran Islands lay about 4 miles off the West Coast of Ireland. The largest island Inishmore receives the most visitors but Inishmean and Inisheer also have much to offer. This opinion is based on a day and night spent on the smallest of the islands, Inisheer. There are about 300 people living on Inisheer (Irish is the primary language) but in the summer months this figure is dramatically increased by visitors from the mainland. The landscape is barren and rugged and the terrain is quite rocky (hence the innumerable stone walls that divide the island up). For an island covering just short of 1,400 acres there is an abundance of flora and fauna. The island is a noted area for botanists, or so they say anyway! Day-trippers There are several ways to get to Inisheer. We took one of the Doolin Ferries that offer...

indiecater 26.09.2002 · Read review
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Review of Aran Islands (Ireland)

Windswept away

Advantages: Dramatic landscape, friendly people
Disadvantages: Can be touristy in summer

...The highlight of my trip around Ireland without a doubt was my brief excursion to Inishmor, largest of the Aran Islands. Just a short, although somewhat turbulent, ferry trip from the Irish coast and I found myself on something of an island that time forgot. Yes I know it?s a hackneyed old cliché but I found it one of those places where they?re hard to avoid. There are two hostels on Inishmor and they?re both fairly cheap, but I recommend the one at the base of the cliffs (Dun Aengus or something similar) as that?s the most interesting side of the island. Don?t get me wrong, it?s a fine hostel too. Both hostels share a minibus service which greets travellers at the dock, and the friendly driver also returned to take a group of us to the only pub open on the night I stayed. Possibly the best thing about the place is the people...

disco_stu 11.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Aran Islands (Ireland)

Irelands hidden treasure

Advantages: Stunning scenery, good craic, not touristy
Disadvantages: Slightly inaccessible

...?ll eventually find yourself on the edge of 2000 ft cliff face peering down at crashing waves ? not for the faint hearted! EAT FRESHLY CAUGHT FISH & CHIPS AT KILLYBEGS: This is the busiest fishing port in Ireland, and every day tons of freshly caught fish are hauled onto the quayside. Killybegs has charming narrow streets and whitewashed buildings perched high above the harbour. Good spots to eat fish and chips are: Molly?s Café (a local institution by the harbour); the Galley Restauraunt; and the Harbour Bar. PARTY THE NIGHT AWAY IN LETTERKENNY: The largest town in County Donegal, Letterkenny is a wee bit ugly by day. But at nighttime, get ready to hit the town! There are plenty of pubs and bars ? perfect for those of you who like pub-crawling (crawling being the key word here!) AND YOU?LL BE LUCKY TO MAKE IT TO TORY ISLAND: Totally...

Maia 14.06.2003 · Read review
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Review of Donegal (Ireland)

The REAL Ireland

Advantages: Leprechauns, guinness, arse, feck, drink, girls
Disadvantages: Crime, violence, poverty, racism, sectarianism

...Top of the morning to ya! As an Irishman I know all that's worth knowing about the emerald isle and all the shenanigans that goes on there. I know there have been plenty of reviews by foreigners about my good country, but they can only give you a tourists view. The real Ireland lies beneath the shiny gloss and corporate lies. I'm here to unravel it for you. *What follows is called satire. If you have no sense of humour or just want real information on Ireland you shouldn't bother to read this. This disclaimer is a pre-emptitive strike against people who read the whole thing before commenting "I was expecting a nice review on Dublin."* 1. Myths and legends According to the Irish Tourist Board and Hollywood, Ireland is full of happy-go-lucky-leprechauns (see Darby O'Gill And The Little People). The idea of a mythological Ireland is...

kfingleton 18.03.2001 · Read review
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Review of Dublin (Ireland)

The 12 Islands of Gocek

Advantages: Lovely boat, fantastic views, gorgeous food, great value for money
Disadvantages: None for me

...All excursion boards claim the 12 Island Tour of Gocek is the most popular excursion, and based on the fact these tours are offered by almost every single tour operator on a daily basis this claim cannot be disputed. Format of the day The day commences with a bus journey (transfers are included from your hotel) from Dalyan to Gocek harbour, which is approximately half an hour away. Once in the harbour you are shown to the boat and introduced to Sammi, the captain, and his assistant. Whilst the assistant carries out all the relevant checks etc. the captain serves traditional Turkish tea (you can choose from normal, apple or strawberry) and some Turkish wafers (not dissimilar to those available in England in taste or texture). Once all the checks are complete the anchor is raised and the boat sets off around...

yackers1 21.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Göcek 12-Island Cruise, Mugla

The Island of Fun

Advantages: read opp
Disadvantages: read opp

...Well, continuing with my reviews of my time in Florida I thought I would right about the next theme park I visited, "The Island of Adventures" part of the Universal Studios branch, located in Orlando Florida. Having never even heard about this park, and already purchasing a multipass I figured I might as well check this place out. I can honestly say I would compare this place to being just as goods as Universal Studios. It was packed with fun, excitement, brilliant rides, fantastic scenery and just a brilliant buzzing atmosphere. Where is the Park and How to get there? The island of adventures is located in Orlando Florida, and most the tax and bus operators will be able to take you there. The park is located on Universal Boulevard, which is about 15 minutes drive away from the main international airport. If your located near...

jaygami1986 03.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of Islands of Adventure

All alone on an island

Advantages: Fun family film
Disadvantages: Unrealistic, poor acting from Jodie Foster

...A pleasant little film this one, not the greatest children's adventure film ever made, but a reasonable effort. Synopsis Nim is an 11 year old girl who lost her mother when she was a toddler. He father who's a writer and marine biologist told her she was swallowed by a blue whale which was on the run from a ship called the Buccaneer. Nim and her father Jack live on an island they discovered after sailing around the world for several years. They are the only inhabitants, unless you count a collection of animals which Nim has befriended, included a sealion, a bearded dragon and a pelican. Occasionally they receive parcels from the mainland which contain items they can't produce for themselves, some of Nim's favourite items are books, particularly those of the great adventurer Alex Rover. Across the other side...

Fiver29 25.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Nim's Island

The Island

Advantages: Clearly written. Nice progression.
Disadvantages: Some tragedy but it all might end in something good, is that naive?

...At the time I went to spend my Christmas gift book tokens "The Island" was top of the paperback best sellers and that was why I bought it. The bookseller tried to put me off it, he said it was by that Hislop woman who he thought was the wife of some obnoxious T.V. critic. In fact it's by Victoria Hislop who writes travel features for the Sunday Telegraph, parenting and education for the Daily Telegraph and general features for Woman and Home. I don't know any more about her. It's published by Headline Book Publishing, cost £6.99, ISBN 0-7553-0951-0. I found a round sticker on it saying Richard and Judy's Summer Read and thought I might have got the wrong thing; the Observer calls it a "beach book" with a heart. I don't hang around beaches in the summer reading nice books at all so I thought this might not work. The writing style is...

parker-munn 22.09.2006 · Read review
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Review of The Island - Victoria Hislop

Bank of ireland

Advantages: Friendly staff
Disadvantages: Long Cues

...Bank of Ireland I have been a customer of bank of Ireland for some time now, and I have to admit I have never had any problems with the service. I have a basic saving account and a credit card with this bank - and I have been a loyal customer every since. I opened an account when I was 17, and they were very helpful as I had no ID, so they worked hard with me to get a way of opening an account for me, which I appreciated very much. This account is not a card account, just a savings account - meaning I had to physically go into a bank branch to withdraw or deposit money. I didn't mind as they had 3 branches in my area, which is very handy. I then became a student and was offered a student credit card with all these brilliant deals, so in fell into the trap unfortunately, and now I owe them 800 quid . That's one thing...

lesleyanne18 17.10.2007 (08.04.2008) · Read review
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Review of Bank of Ireland