Tim McDonald - Latest Comments on Golf and travel in Ireland: the good, bad and ugly

Kiel Christianson [Member] in response to: Golf and travel in Ireland: the good, bad and ugly

Kiel Christianson [Member] — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 01:32:46 +0000

Brad--

I've written a couple of stories on planning trips to Scotland and Ireland. See my TravelGolf.com archive page (URL above) and scroll down the page till you find what you want.

Harry [Visitor] in response to: Golf and travel in Ireland: the good, bad and ugly

Harry [Visitor] — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 22:29:20 +0000

They are bad but there is worse
Yeah! you.
It’s only now after a momentous battle that we have random breath testing. Not that this will matter, I don’t think it will change a thing because go to any pub after 10.00oc in the evening and try to find a parking spot.
How sad are you? If you're that up-set about the roads and road users, then why live here? Move out, bye-bye, so-long, the Airport is well sign posted.
One more parking spot vacant for 2 mins.
Oh, the Golf is good over here, and I'm not talking about the car, although the VW Golf is a nice car.

Michael Cantwell [Visitor] in response to: Golf and travel in Ireland: the good, bad and ugly

Michael Cantwell [Visitor] — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 21:29:25 +0000

It’s not only non-nationals that are at fault. They are bad but there is worse,
There is a waiting list of around a year and a half to do a driving test, which has been always the case for at least 7 or 8 years now. Some time ago (in the 1980’s) because there were so many people waiting to be tested the government announced that they were passing everybody that had a Provisional Licence (learners permit) so you just had to apply for a full licence, no test. Now these people can go driving all over the world.

Today you can do your driving test, fail it, and still drive away without a qualified driver sitting beside you. You can do this as many times as you like provided you have applied for a test. You can drive anywhere even on motorways with “L” plates showing and the police wouldn’t even pull you over.

On top of all this you have no road signage of any significance, the local authorities don’t seem to think it’s important to signpost anything, with the result that a lot of signs are erected by local people, because they feel sorry for tourists getting lost and ending up in housing estates or dead ends and looking for directions for a way out.

But I think the drinking and driving is the worst. You see the publicans are a strong group of people in Ireland as is the whole drinks industry. So anything the government comes up with will not get through the house. It’s only now after a momentous battle that we have random breath testing. Not that this will matter, I don’t think it will change a thing because go to any pub after 10.00oc in the evening and try to find a parking spot.

Brad [Visitor] in response to: Golf and travel in Ireland: the good, bad and ugly

Brad [Visitor] — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 13:26:04 +0000

Good post. A few friends of mine and I are wanting to plan a week and a half long golf trip to the Ireland / Scotland area to play links courses and drink in the Irish pubs in the evening. I don't even know where to start planning. I was hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction.

Kiel Christianson [Member] in response to: Golf and travel in Ireland: the good, bad and ugly

Kiel Christianson [Member] — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 17:47:15 +0000

Tim--

Go to Crail (Balcomie Links)! Not really "hidden," but should not be missed.

Tim McDonald [Member] in response to: Golf and travel in Ireland: the good, bad and ugly

Tim McDonald [Member] — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 07:27:29 +0000

Oh yeah, I forgot about that warm towel rack deal, should have included that. That IS a bit of genius.

McGyver the TV show? Yeah, come to think of if, he was prety ingenious.

Top 10 Irish toasts (ongoing series)

"May all your ups and downs be in bed"

If I ever wore a kilt, I'd make damn sure no photographers were around. I'd do in in the privacy of my own home, or in the company of other transvestites.

Molly Bloom [Visitor] in response to: Golf and travel in Ireland: the good, bad and ugly

Molly Bloom [Visitor] — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:20:20 +0000

Re: Suggestions for "hidden gems" theme trip:
Send us a photo op of you in a kilt.

Leopold Bloom [Visitor] in response to: Golf and travel in Ireland: the good, bad and ugly

Leopold Bloom [Visitor] — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:12:29 +0000

How much do they really have to worry about snake thoroughfares in Ireland?

One of the greatest ideas in GB overall is the frequent arrangement of routing hot water pipes through places where you may hang towels and wet socks.
Used to be an old ad circulating that said, "Hire the Irish Before They Hire You." McGyver probably had that genetic ingenuity most North Americans don't even recognize, much less possess.