Rick Steves' Ireland 2005

Rating:
Summary: Good, not great
Review: As mentioned, this is a small volume and gives a good overview of Ireland for the first time visitor. Check it out, but don't rely on it totally. We didn't use any of his B&B recommendations. Two restaurants he recommended in Ennis were no longer in business. The way he continually pats himself on the back for his superior knowledge of Ireland and the locals becomes very distracting. He fails to convey the extreme difficulty of navigating rural roads in Ireland.

Rating:
Summary: Helpful for VERY local concerns
Review: Had I just finished Rick Steves' Ireland 2002 in an Irish pub rather than my livingroom, I would have felt my thirst unquenched. Indeed,... this rather skimpy volume leaves the reader feeling as if he just finished a glass of stout, yet knowing full well he paid for a pint. Whatever happened to Europe Through the Back Door value?

In Ireland 2002 Steves is at least a tad disingenuous. On the book's back cover he writes, "Don't be fooled by overweight guidebooks...it's my job to sift through mountains of time-sapping alternatives and present you with only the best." While this philosophy sounds practical, even attractive, Steves' 200-odd pages lack many of this small, yet historically-rich country's highlights. Steves' stripped-down philosophy, in truth, comes off as a bit hollow, leaving the reader to conclude that he's a bit lazy, reluctant to complete his homework.

The prospective traveler to Ireland should consider what's missing in Steves' Ireland 2002. West Cork is a lovely land, full of small, quiet villages, entrancing scenery, and at least a pair of islands (Clear and Sherkin) that beckon the traveler. Steves makes no mention of these. In addition, Steves all but snubs the counties of Donegal and Sligo. The former features stunning scenery, the highest cliffs in Europe (Slieve League), and the lovely Glenveagh National Park, to name but a few attractions. As for the latter, County Sligo is home to a large number of prehistoric attractions, along with the literary presence of W.B. Yeats. Also conspicuously absent in Ireland 2002 is information about Clonmacnois, located in the Irish midlands and perhaps Ireland's most noteworthy monastic site. Missing, too, is much mention of Northern Ireland's County Fermanagh, home to some gorgeous (and untouristy) lakeland scenery, plus some impressive medieval sites, including stone carvings and a round tower located on Devenish Island. Lastly, it wouldn't be a complete trip to Ireland without a visit to Skellig Michael. Unfortunately, Steves fails to give detailed information about getting to this fascinating and stunningly situated monastic site, located off the Kerry coast.

In his defense, Steves' Ireland does have its pleasures. His conversational writing style is enjoyable, and I was especially impressed with his comprehensive look at the highly popular Dingle Peninsula. The author's Slea Head itinerary is particularly strong, and perhaps the best thing about Ireland 2002. Even the most dedicated travel guide curmudgeon would have a hard time quibbling with Steves' combination of history and pop culture, as he describes stone age forts along with the house inhabited by Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman during the filming of Far & Away.

Unfortunately, when one compares Steves' Ireland 2002 with the likes of The Rough Guide and Lonely Planet, it just can't compete. The number of pages can - and does - matter, especially when the Ireland-bound traveler is looking for a comprehensive and satisfying overview of the Emerald Isle. Steves' Ireland 2002 simply fails to meet such a demand.

Rating:
Summary: Great Guide - Here's where he's coming from:
Review: I think that Rick Steves' really intends this guide for first time travellers who want an excellent overview of Ireland, its culture, and its people. The guide covers the places he recommends you visit - it plans a 20 day itinerary mainly along the perimeter of the island. You should know that, as mentioned by a previous reviewer, it skips places, such as Donnegal and much of the center of the country. However, as a first time traveller who is travelling with someone who also has never been there before, I'm looking for well thought out recommendations by someone who's been there many times. Rick's book has an intimate feeling about it.. like a friend who's been there and wants to share his joys of Ireland with you... what to see, what to skip, etc. I've bought seven (yes, seven!) guides of Ireland and yes, some of them have a broader scope and the simple number of places mentioned is greater. But I found them rather unhelpful when it came to where I should go on my actual 12 day first visit. I can't possibly hit all those sites, but how do I know what to see and what not to see? That's where Rick Steves' guide comes in. He narrows it down FOR you. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't lock you into his itinerary.. he just tells you what he would do along with other sites that you may want to visit. Also, his list of places to stay rivals the number and quality of the other bigger guidebooks. Many of his recommendations also offer discounts if you show them his book. Because his recommendations seem so heartfelt (and not so anonymous as in the other guides, such as Lonely Planet, Frommer's, and Eyewitness), I trust what he's telling me. He gives detailed information about how to get where you want to go, the hours, the prices, etc. Also, because the book is small in comparison, I won't weigh down my bag (a concern because I'm taking his advice about packing light). You should know, however, that he doens't have pictures in this book (it helps to keep the weight down). If you want a guide filled with pictures, you should get the Eyewitness Guide.. but keep in mind that it doesn't always give detailed advice on how to get to the places.

Rating:
Summary: A bit to general, useful for some B&B info
Review: In general we found the prices of the B&B's to high and often unavailable. We stayed at one of the recommendations in Dingle and were quite happy with it.
We found that many of the sites of interest were not interesting and that many of the things ignored or downplayed were much better.
We did not use this book a lot and found Eyewitness Travel Guide to Ireland much better.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful and Intriguing
Review: No, it's not as in depth as the Lonely Planet or Let's Go. That's because it doesn't have to be! Rick Steves has cut through the thick, overblown travel guides to write one that is to the point and extremely helpful for the budget traveller. Within minutes of starting this book I had all my questions answered and was on the path to seeing Ireland local-style. Also, it isn't boring. I enjoyed reading this insightful and fun guide. ~Happy Travelling

Rating:
Summary: A must have for any European traveller!!!!
Review: Rick Steves is one of the best travel guides of all time!!! Stationed in Germany with the Air Force I've been able to travel all over Europe and have found all his book extremaly helpful. They have everything you need to know about places to stay, where to go, what to see and do, and most important the culture of the people who live there. I take my books where ever I go. A must have for anyone wishing to have a great time in Europe.