Is Ireland too pricey for tourists? Is booze more popular than the Book of Kells? And will these visitors return? PAMELA DUNCANtook to the streets of Dublin to find out
FABRIZIO TENERIELLO FROM ROME, ITALY
Why did you choose to come here?We knew that it's very nice, that the people are friendly and that it would be a nice holiday.
What have you done since you've been here?We've been travelling around the southwest of Ireland. It is fantastic. We saw a lot of historical and archaeological sites and also natural sites, like Connemara, the Ring of Kerry and the most beautiful places that were listed in the guides.
Were there any downsides?No, I don't think we had any bad experiences.
Have your guide books been accurate?Yes, we are using the Lonely Planet and an Italian guide, Touring Club. They are accurate, especially the Lonely Planet.
JUDITH SIMSOVITS FROM NEW YORK
What were your first impressions of Ireland?Your airport sucks. It took us 45 minutes to go through customs. People were friendly but it was just a really long line. That was the only thing.
How long are you spending in Ireland?I'm only here for the day. Tomorrow morning I'm flying on to Tenerife so I'm trying to make the best of the time I have in Dublin today.
What have you seen in that time?I took the bus into town. I got off on this side of O'Connell Bridge, I walked across and back. Trinity is my first stop.
Do you think you'll return to Ireland?Yes, I will. People are very nice and really friendly.
PHILIP BROWN FROM WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
How are you finding Ireland?I absolutely love it. It's my first time here. It's clean, the people are friendly and, yeah, it's just a nice place to be. It's green – it's very much like New Zealand but it's got history and we haven't because we're only 150 years old.
What have you done so far?We've mainly been catching up with relatives who we'd never met. I'm of Irish descent. My great grandmother was Molly Malone – she wasn't the Molly Malone but she was called Molly Malone. That's why we had to come here.
Have you had a pint of Guinness?I've had too many pints of Guinness. We've had a few early sessions and a few three-o'clock-in-the-morning sessions, too.
MARTIN JOHN FROM STUTTGART, GERMANY
When did you arrive in Ireland?We arrived yesterday evening by plane and we'll spend two days in Dublin before going to Kerry.
What are your first impressions?Our first impression was, unfortunately, not too good. We hired a car by the internet from Germany and I paid €400 for 10 days. Yesterday, when I came to the Budget desk, they said we have to pay insurance of €350. I said I did not agree, and the man was very unfriendly, so it wasn't a good first impression. But the second impression was much better. We looked for the way from the airport to Dublin and we had to ask two taxi drivers, who were very friendly.
Do you find Ireland expensive?We are renting a house in Kerry for €600 a week. It's quite good, I think. Our hotel is €90 a night for a family room – that's really good. But the prices here for Irish people to buy a Coca Cola or a hamburger are quite high. We are really astonished by it.
JOSÉ LORENZO LOPEZ ZAMERA FROM VALENCIA, SPAIN
Is this your first time in Ireland?This is our second time here.
Why did you decide to come back?Some friends of ours wanted to come and the weather is nice and cool in summer. In Spain, it's 35-40 degrees now, so we left to get some fresh air.
How is your accommodation?We booked an apartment in Christchurch Hall – two rooms with a kitchen because we have babies and also because it is more economical than a hotel. We went to a supermarket to buy food so when we go out we just have to get something small. It saves us money.
Have you bought anything since you've been here?Yesterday we went to buy clothes for the babies at Penneys.
Have you seen the Book of Kells?No, I'm not that interested.
DAISY WORTHINGTON FROM LEEDS, ENGLAND
How are you enjoying your time in Ireland?I like it. We're just over for two days. We've been to the Guinness brewery. I expected to see it being made. I liked the Guinness but I've not been drinking it since.
Have you had good weather?We've not really.
Do you find that you're drinking more than you would at home?Yes. The pubs are really good, I like them a lot. But they're expensive, really expensive. Double what you would pay at home.
Has your guide book been accurate?Yes, it has actually been very helpful.
ANGELA SANCHEZ FROM MALLORCA, SPAIN
Mallorca is a popular holiday destination for Irish people but why have you chosen to come here?Not for the weather. The weather is so bad here.
Have you taken part in many tourist activities?Yes, I've been on the Guinness tour and I've been to Dublin Castle and today I've been to Stephen's Green. We haven't been on any organised tours but what we have seen has been very nice.
Have you tried Guinness?Yes, I have and it's really good.
Have you had any bad experiences?Yes, it's so expensive. In Spain, the food is a lot cheaper. I've eaten out but mostly I buy food in the supermarket and cook at home because the restaurants are so expensive.
YANNICK KERGOSIEN AND VIOLAINE ANTOINE FROM TOURS, FRANCE
What are your first impressions of Dublin?There are lots of people. We are not from a big town in France.
There are these guys in the streets with signs for the shops. We had never seen this before. It’s very strange. We were wondering how much they get paid to do that.
How is your accommodation?I don't think it's a good hotel. It's a little dirty. We are paying €25 for each person with breakfast. I don't know if that's expensive but it's very near the centre of the city.
Where are you going to go next?We are going to travel a little with the tour bus. We are looking forward to seeing the castle, the mountains and the landscape.
ANDREA ZAFFAGNINI FROM BOLOGNA, ITALY
What do you think of Ireland so far?I am only visiting Dublin but I like it very much. It is a beautiful city.
I visited Trinity College, the National Gallery, the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library, and all these cultural attractions.
Have you seen the Book of Kells?No, because it was too expensive. The ticket cost €9. But it was very interesting and free as well in the Chester Beatty Library. It was very beautiful.
Do you find it easy to get around?Yes, it's very easy to walk around with a map and the tourist office is a very good information point.
