Ireland (ROI) question- please help?

Question

I'm about to graduate from Uni (Archaeology), and I want to visit ROI as it's only just across the water and I'm really interested in the region's history.

Is Ireland back-packer friendly to the English? I don't mean to offend but am worried about the reception an Englishman might recieve if he is asking questions about Ireland's history?

Are there any sites/ places I should look out for or a time of year to go? I'm more in to traditional, rural life rather than cities, someone has recommnded SW Ireland- true? Is there any reason why I can't approach people and enquire about their region's history?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Davey. I'm from Cork which is the southern most city in the south. Most rural areas have plenty of hostels that are quiet cheap and shouldnt be too busy arond this time of year. Most small towns have some kind of bus service that should allow you to travel around at your leisure. Dont worry about being English. The rural areas know how to treat foreign visitors and you'll get no grief from them. The rural areas tend to be more friendly than the urban areas anyway. I cant see how anyone could get offended about an English person asking about Irish history, so feel free to ask what ever you want. The republic isint as "sensitive" as maybe some of our northern counterparts can be.
Here's one place you could visit. Its the same age as Stonehenge and about 500 years older than the Pyramids of Giza.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newgrange

The south west is quiet nice aswell. I dont know whether there is much of an archaeological interest there, but the scenery around there is quiet nice and the mountains are some of the oldest in Europe. Definitely take a look at Kerry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connemara

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burren

Dont be afraid to enquire. We wont bite!
Enjoy your trip!

Answer 2

Hey, well done. You won't be the first English person to be interested in the history of Ireland! I think you will generally get a pretty good welcome, especially in rural areas of SW Ireland - I live in this area. You might like to get in touch with local historical societies first, and the easiest to do that is to contact the County libraries for information. They are easy enough to find on the Internet. The most central library in County Limerick is the Newcastle West branch. The Counties you need are Limerick, Kerry and Cork.

If you're going to try the SW, steer clear of the more obvious tourist towns like Adare and Killarney, as the inhabitants there have a vested interest in sending you to particular places.

As regards backpacking, well, the weather isn't always the best.

As an archeologist/historian, you are sure to find lots of hidden treasures around, especially if you are prepared to go off the beaten track and to talk to the local people. I really don't think you need worry about the reception you might get. People here are only too delighted to share their local history with outsiders.

Answer 3

First tip...don't call it ROI or Eire. It's Ireland. However, there is absolutely no reason to believe you won't be warmly received. The Irish love nothing more than to answer traveler's questions and appear knowledgeable so ask away (don't believe everything you're told though, we tend to make up stuff!)
Also, I would recommend the west coast..Galway, Mayo, Clare - lots of hostels and lots of other travelers and its very scenic. If you're an archaeologist you may want to visit Newgrange in County Meath (just outside Dublin) which is home to a 5000 year old burial site and was the home of High Kings of Ireland.
Don's be afraid to learn a phrase or two of Irish before you go- people will be even more helpful!

Dee-ah-gwit (Hello phonetically)
Gu- rev-moh-a-gut (Thank you phonetically)

All the best.

Answer 4

Failte, (welcome) anyway for starters.
Well, in general, as long as you say "Ireland" not ROI, you needn't worry about the reception. Most people who know quite a bit about their areas' history will be only too delighted to share it with someone else, wherever you're from.

Yeah, south west and west would be good spots to hit, just try to stay away from the real tourist destinations unless you travel off season. (generally October-March) If you're going to be around the west/ south west, might I recommend the Gaeltacht areas? There's generally a strong historical tradition there and lots of archaeological features. Theres the An Daingean/Dingle area in West Kerry, theres West Cork, An Rinn in Waterford, Connemara in Galway and the Donegal Gaeltacht.
There's generally no reason whatsoever not to approach people about their history, although you might want to inquire locally who would be good sources of information.

Answer 5

Ireland is very back-packer friendly for the English.

There are many places that accommodate back-packers such as hostels which seem to growing at a fast rate.

Places you might be interested in seeing are Cork, Galway and Donegal. I see someone suggested Newgrange, highly recommend it.

Best of luck on your travels.

Answer 6

Go to Charleville Castle in Tullamore one hour north of Dublin. It is built on a druid mound and it was said that during the plague people were buried on the land in mounds. The druids planted a father Oak the oldest oak tree in Europe but if you really are interested in some facts of Ireland that has not been tainted by others beliefs go see Dudley.

Answer 7

You should have no problems there, but like anywhere else, there are always a few idiots, but less than most places. The entire west of Ireland is great for really traditional, rural life.

Answer 8

I went on holiday to Ireland (Co. Clare) for the first time this year and like you, had misgivings, but I couldn't have received a warmer welcome. The Irish people are so welcoming and friendly, and I felt safer walking down their streets at night than I do at home. Go and enjoy the experience, I'm definitely going back next year.

Answer 9

Ireland is very friendly to people of all nationalties and if you go you should visit Donegal. You should also go to Blackrock whiich is outside Dublin. Be prepared for Traffic Jams entering Dublin as there is a massive roadbuilding improvement scheme that is ongoing. In Dublin City Centre the traffic is as bad as London.

Answer 10

The only reason you shouldn't ask people about their history is that you might never get away! They are the friendliest people on earth, and so willing to help you, it is astonishing.
Went over to Sligo a couple of years ago to trace my family history, and after several hours looking through church records, etc went to the local pub for refreshment. Got talking to the landlord about my family and he shouted over a customer, who's grandad knew my family. He bundled me in his car, took me to meet his grandad, I got loads and loads of information, a tour of the whole area in their car, and it was so late when we finished, that they insisted on putting me up over night, and then drove me back to my car the next day (which was perfectly safe in the town where I'd left it the day before).
Wonderful country, amazing people - you'll love it.