Before departure
Cathleen ni Houlihan, personification of the Ireland
Drawing by Milo Manara
Map of Ireland
Hitchhiking: The genuine travel.
Introduction
Finally, after having given a lot of informations about culture, history and Irish habits, we can begin this travel.
If you want to have some other infos try to ask at the Irish Tourist Board, the Tourist Office of Ireland.
I have decided to arrive in Ireland by flight, so we should have some more time to wonder around. There are numerous flights to Dublin but during summer (above all in these last years) can be particularly hard to find places at reasonable prices, so, if you can, do it as early as possible. I have found a scheduled flight with the national airline company Aer Lingus.
Travelling in Ireland if you don't have your car could nearly become an odyssey: trains are really expensive and they do not cover many interesting places to visit; buses are far more economic and have a much big network but they take double the time to cover a route. Hitchhiking it's possible, enough sure and is practiced also by Irishes themself because often not there aren't any public transportation in some area. Obviously there are many places not so scoured, where you risk to wait for a lot of time before finding a lift. Be prepared !
At the end I have chosen to use mainly the bus, alternating it with some hitchhiking "sessions". For students there is a kind of stamp (Travelsafe stamp) to stick on ISIC card that allows reductions of price up to 30% on all the routes of Bus Eireann and on trains of Iarnród Éireann (you can find it in Dublin at one of the Usit's office - There's one near O'Connell Bridge). In some areas, especially in Donegal, there aren't buses of the national company but the transports are however guaranteed by some smaller companies, e.g. Lough Swilly that covers large part of North. If you think to often use the bus buy the timetable (you can find it almost everywhere at a price around 1-2 IRP).
The weather is absolutely unforeseeable, changes with an amazing rapidity and you must be therefore ready to contrast whichever type of inclemencies especially if you think to do long walks (In Sligo, in September, it were snowing !). Consequently camping involves some small disadvantage (like tent to take down during a strong raining) but you can do it.
There are many Youth Hostels, both official (An Oige) and independent (Independent Holiday Hostel - Independent Hostel Owners). I haven't had big problems neither in either one or the other. They are more or less equivalent both in price and comfort. In many of them you can access the kitchen, having therefore the chance to cook something by yourself saving some money. If you don't find any vacancy in Hostels there are many B&B at reasonable prices (the day after breakfast can be enough also as lunch). During the weekends big city as Dublin and Galway are usually completely full, reserve in advance !!
If you want to go in Northern Ireland (and I guarantee you that it's worthy) ask around if there are any demonstration, if there have been any clash recently or if they are living a quiet period. When I was there it was really peaceful and there wasn't any examination at the border. I saw helicopters fling over my head, armoured trucks and other things like that but I have never had any kind of problem. Just be careful.
Ireland is not very economic, but (for the exchange rate) is far better than Great Britain. In '97 I should live and travel with about 20 pounds a day, obviously I've never went to eat at restaurants and other very expensive places.
As I've already said I'm deeply in love for this country, so if you want to share opinions, experiences or any other things just let me know something writing me an e-mail to webmaster@emmedici.com
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