So, I really want to travel to Ireland. From what I understand, my ancestors were Irish before immigrating to the US. I would really just to see and visit the country. Where are the best places for tourism? I'm not a big city guy, but I wouldn't mind seeing the bigger cities of Ireland as well the more rural areas. Pics of hills, castles, cliffsides.. they all look gorgeous. And as far lifestyle goes, what is it like? Hard for me to word that question differently, but it just seems like a place I'd want to live... And redhead ladies are the absolute best

Also, what are the import restrictions/processes for importing cars from Japan or the US? If any?

Craggy Island is beautiful and there's a parochial house you can stay in if your stuck! Go see the caves, the holy stone of clonrichert(recently upgraded), the magic road, and st Kevin's stump...


But If you do come over buy this book and get a car, it's got great directions and nice places you won't find on any maps.
www.amazon.com/Back-Roads-Ireland-Eyewit...Travel/dp/0756659159

Like yourself I'm not into cities and Dingle and The Ring of Kerry is, in my opinion, the best scenery in Ireland.


Do you know when your relatives left Ireland?

Do not come here thinking its red head heaven. Most of the red heads are over weight dogs (as is the majority of women, we are becoming increasingly americanised). I would say that one in twenty gingers are fit enough for the bang.

I think you might have a romantic notion of what Ireland is.

Tsporter, you made me giggle.

Having never lived outside of Ireland myself it's hard to judge but I'm told that lifestyle in Ireland is still rather good by comparision to most other countries...if you like rain of course. I don't know what your qualifications are or anything but you will find work very difficult to come by in Ireland if you were thinking of staying a while. For a short hoholiday though there is lots to do.

Ring of Kerry and the Antrim coast are two of Europe's great driving routes. County Kerry itself is full of beautiful scenery as is West Cork. Conneamara is another great spot and not too far from Galway city which seems to be everyones favourite town.

I'd say you probably do have a romantic version of Ireland but having worked a little bit in the tourism industry myself I found that most foreign visitors really enjoyed the variety in Ireland and the fact that you can see so much in a small space of time.

If you wanted to find out about importing a car here is a good place to start www.vrt.ie/. But to be honest you would be better off visiting for a few weeks and moving permanently to a country that's a little more stable economically as well as weather-wise!

Thanks for all the advice. Yeah, probably a bit romanticized point of view. I'm sure there's a huge difference from living there and being a tourist, as with most places. Just want to get some insight on what it's really like on a day-to-day basis.

No idea when my relatives left or where they're from. My last name is Alford if that means anything lol.

Definitely want to visit before I really consider it an option on a place to live. It's just nice to have options right now. And the longer I stay out of the US, the more I realize I don't really want to be there anymore. I am a jet engine mechanic and will probably stay in that line of work when I get out of the military.. 2 more years, and it can't come fast enough.. I'm entertaining other options as well. Spain, maybe Italy. I haven't been to Europe YET, but I've wanted to see Ireland since I was a kid. It's #1 on the bucket list.

I would say the north is your best bet.Cheaper to live and we don't get raped with car tax like our southern brothers!

We also have two (I think) company's in the airplane business.

Plus you can have a pint with me and craic onto the ginger trolls while I sit back and giggle!

Harper wrote:
I would say the north is your best bet.Cheaper to live and we don't get raped with car tax like our southern brothers!

We also have two (I think) company's in the airplane business.

Plus you can have a pint with me and craic onto the ginger trolls while I sit back and giggle!



When I let my stubble grow it is slightly ginger. Not sure if I want to be one of the dogs or one you would want to bang



@el_cake... : if you come this way make sure you visit the whole lot - north & south. There is a lot to see in a relatively small area. Better to plan on buying a car here though, 'cause we put the steering wheel on the best side of the car

well its as simple as this ireland is a beautiful country the only thing letting it down is the government they are thieves in suites. try and live in the north u wont get fucked for tax and the roads and stuff are just beter quality. but u must see the ring of kerry or even just west cork absaloutley gorgeous:)

If / when you do plan a visit, post up here first and we'll be sure to organise a meet for you : )

When the weather is good ireland is the most beautiful country in the world. Spend a summer evening at newgrange or at one of the many castles littered tru the countryside. The giants causeway, cliffs of moher, ring of kerry or the wicklow gap. Used to moor my boat by clonmacnoise on the banks of the shannon and enjoy a relaxin evenings fishing and u wud really appreciate ireland. Its the scenery, the history, the greenery, stay out of the cities, u might aswell be in any city in the world.
BUT........when the weather is wet and dark and dreary which for the last few years is 364 days a year then ireland is crap. An expensive over policed, over taxed, over priced horrible place to live.
We irish punch in a depressed 51 weeks a year just to enjoy that one week when the sun might come out.
Just my 2 cents worth anyway

Book a tour with my mate Dave Yeates he is the best tour driver in Ireland and I`ve worked with a lot of them over the years and he will have you splitting your sides with laughter . You won`t want to leave once he shows you our amazing little island here is a link to his tours for next year www.daveyeates.com/

It'd be pretty bad ass to have a meet with the club. Thanks again for al the advice. Where are most members located? Dublin?

Oh and if I were to ever live there, I would import my Super Edition AW11. It's RHD