I was recently on vacation here and in my opinion every inch of this country is gorgeous. I went from the big, beautiful, busy streets of Dublin, to the one lane dirt roads of the country, full of sheep and flowers, and down to the fresh, chilly coastline. I would love to have stayed longer, the people are kind, the food and accommodations were amazing, and the scenery was to die for. A fabulous place to go on vacation.

It's a dump. A big green drunken dump.

What a country...
One day I will visit the statue of Phil Lynott and leave my plectrum in his bass string...

always wanted to go!

Never been there but would love to go. My only concern is the political unrest there which I think has calmed down some. Had a friend who had gone there and took some wonderful pictures. She said it was the prettiest place she has ever seen. Probably true from pictures and documentaries Ive seen on Ireland.

Great place to visit although it has been a while for me. The dollar used to go a long way here, but I supposed that has changed.

A fine place!

Another place I'd love to visit one day.(My stopover in Shannon Airport just won't do!) Looks lush and beautiful- My parents went there twice and loved it:great people,great music,great history.It is said that the "veil between the worlds" is very thin there....that's intriguing! Plus, I LOVE Guinness and have it on reliable sources that what we get here is a pale imitation!

Just got back from nine days on the ground in Ireland - it is, overall, a really beautiful country. A couple of negative points to address first: it's pretty expensive (real estate values are astronomical), and Dublin is pretty dirty (I'll probably do separate ratings of Irish cities). The weather was predictably rainy and overcast during most of my stay, but somewhat miraculously, it managed to clear every time I needed to take pictures. I also experieinced first-hand the joys of driving on the wrong side of the road, on very narrow country roads - I would not recommend it to anyone (maybe I'm just getting too old for that kind of radical readjustment). All of that aside, Ireland is by and large a very beautiful country. The Ring of Kerry is hard to beat for scenery. Pleanty of quaint cottages throughout the countryside (although one has to wonder where the heck people go to shop). Lots of sheep throughout the country (I went from Dublin to Cork to Galway, with plenty of short stops along the way). It also seems that every town has at least one shop that has tons of Arn knit sweaters (interestingly, the pricier sweaters made of Merino wool use woll imported from New Zealand and other places - I'm told that the Irish do not raise Merinos). Food is pretty good (especially if you like fish), people are nice enough (although I heard very few stereotypical Irish brougues), service is generally good. Interestingly, with Ireland in the EU, there are a lot of foreigners working in service industries - I ran across a number of young Poles, Italians, and one Slovak working in hotels and restaurants. The economy is thriving, and there are plenty of tourists (even in the off season). Now I can finally say I've fulfilled a lifelong ambition and been to Ireland (although I didn't kiss the Blarney Stone, despite the fact that I climbed to the top of Blarney Castle). If I were younger, I'd probably plan a return trip, but at my age, this trip will have to do.

I don't know why, but I have always wanted to visit Ireland, the Irish people are supposed to be very friendly and welcoming. The rolling green hills that seem to go on forever with the centuries old castles dotted throughout the country, seems almost like a fantasy land, like it isn't real. Would love to go there for a visit within the next few years. It's very sad to think that it is a country divided (of course it's also very said to think that I live in a country divided as well, but that's another story).

We have history everywhere, just stroll anywhere in Dublin. There are also lots of festivities to attend. The best beer. We are finally getting our shot to be recognized, as our economy is growing fast. A Great Country. The one to look out for tommorow.

Utter nonsense, 'fart in the wind'. Irish people do not have a hang up about Catholics and Protestants, at least not to the extent that you imply. That is just a perpetuation of the misconception that the troubles in NI have their roots in religious dogma as opposed to cultural identity and social justice.

Green, beautiful, a strong Economy thanks to the EU investment and local entrepreneurship, becoming ever more forward looking. Bad points Catholic/protestant divide,(northern Ireland)and the country is expensive. The people have a very round-about way of saying things.

Well which Ireland, the beautiful green-laced Emerald Isle with kindly folk, or the War-Torn Religious strife ridden get-conquered-by-the-English every couple hundred years Ireland?

Englands bitch!

Great country, great people.

I'd say 5 - Great! about beer and 1 week. More, what I care for, takes 1.

IRELAND ROCKS!!

other than u2 what have they done for me lately? land of drunk catholic morons who fight at the drop of a hat.

Any place that churned out Sinead O'Connor, U2, and gave me my adopted sisters is perfect in my eyes.

I've never been to Ireland... yet. It's one of my life goals to live in Ireland before I die, or at the very least spend a sizeable amount of time there. The mythology, the scenery, the history... it's my home, it's where I belong. It calls to my soul like no other place does - and one day I will answer.

what about ireland? i have been in ireland and i dint like my staying there at all

Ireland is truly a beautiful country. From the wind swept cliffs of the coast to the safe historic cities.The Irish are also maybe the most decent people in all of Europe. I wish the hatred that simmers below the surface beteween the British and Irish would cease, this is after all, the 21st century.

Great country!

Maybe the Micks would shake off the drunken stereotype if they would STOP DRINKING. Nice country where their biggest holiday revolves around getting plastered.

a great country!

Definetly one of the most interesting countries in the world. Not only do you have a exciting fusion between an ancient celtic culture and the rest of the world in the cosmopolatin, but you also have an extremely intelligent, educated, funny, and witty population. Not to mention the beautiful scenery. One has not lived until they have sat down with their friends and raised glasses of guiness in a toast while sitting in a fine Irish pub.

I live here. It's fantastic!

Overrated. Everyone and their brother thinks its cutesy-poo to have Celtic names for their brats these days. You know: Meagan, Caitlin, Dylan, Siobhan, etc. Too Catholic. Expensive as all get-out in Dublin, probably because the Irish know that gullible Americans will buy their overpriced begorrah. Protestant/Catholic internicine war for over four centuries and counting. Gee, sounds like a GREAT place to go.

Out of deference to the Irish today on St. Patricks day, I will have to give them a high rating. It is very well deserved though. Ireland is a country on the move. A country that was once one of the poorest in Europe is now the fastest growing. It is a beautiful country with really nice people. There are many contrasts, between urban cities that have a classical, European edge (Dublin) to beautiful seaside scenery along the Atlantic coast. In addition, real progress has been made in the past 5 years concerning the strife between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. It is not so much of a concern anymore, but still it's acute and it comes up every once in a while. The fighting is very localized and it should not stop anyone from coming. When visiting the British Isles, Ireland is a must see!!

I'm delighted to see that a once poor country is now thriving economically and has an extremely positive,forward-looking image.Ireland has rightly been renowned for its writers-Yeats,Joyce,Wilde,Shaw etc.It is wild and romantic,the people are welcoming.I particularly love the West;Connemara has a wonderful sense of open space and peace(the popular film "The Quiet Man"was filmed there).Kylemore Abbey is in a lovely spot.The Cliffs of Moher are dramatic,and further South,the Ring of Kerry(mountains and unspoilt coastline) is beautiful.I've been twice in May:it was gloriously sunny all week,though i know others who've been less fortunate.I shall certainly return in the not too distant future- to a real Emerald Isle.

I've heard some great things about Ireland's scenery. However, the on-going violence is a major drawback.

Ireland has an atmosphere unlike any other place on earth. It is a green, blue and gray swirl of thick grass, craggy rocks, sky, sea and peat bogs. The feelings it inspires and the memories it holds are deep, dramatic - never dull or lukewarm. Like a favorite old sweater, it is somewhat worn but also warm and comforting in a way that new things have no idea how to be. My trip around the Ring of Kerry brought out my deepest fear of heights along with an amazing sense of awe. The spectacular views were well worth the temporary mental stress. Dublin, with its beautiful Georgian doors, ancient pubs, shops and flower vendors, is a wonderful town to explore. If you are drawn to Celtic art, as I am, you should not miss seeing the Book of Kells at Trinity College. The quick look you get will be unforgettable. Afterward, be sure to go upstairs and around the corner to the library's Long Room to have a look at another great Irish treasure; the harp of the famous Irish king, Brian Boru. Traveling to Ireland was the realization of a life-long dream and I found what I somehow always knew I would; a fascinating place where myth and reality blend well, of myriad tales, legends, haunting music, triumphs and tragedies. This isle has so many brilliant facets that you may go to bed exhausted every night, but you will never be bored.

Great sites and tours all around Ireland especially in the more southerly parts like Cork and Kerry A deffinately must go!

definitely a must go!

What's not to love?

After traveling all over Europe I found Ireland to be the best spot for outdoor activity. The biking, hiking, kayaking etc were all incredible. And you can't beat winding down with a pint of Guiness in a local pub.

The mythology of the island is fascinating.