JANUARY 22, 2008
The author of Lonely Planet’s guide to Ireland, released this month, claims that despite Ireland’s green efforts and reputation, the country is still not doing enough to protect the environment. The 8th edition guide says: “Ireland’s 40 shades of green don’t, it seems, include the all-important eco-green”, pointing out that “everyone has a car” and the country’s carbon footprint is “more than double the global average” (p21). Worryingly, the guide also explains how recent polls have shown “the Irish are slightly less concerned about the environment than are the citizens of most other European countries.” (p75)
The book emphasises the impact environmental damage could have on tourism, stating: “sustainable travel has to become a core issue if Ireland is to continue attracting visitors with its mix of great scenic beauty, distinctive heritage and wonderful culture.”(p21) Although the guide identifies areas where more could be done, it also recognises the positive actions the country has taken to tackle the issue. Davenport describes Ireland as “the envy of Europe for introducing recycling programmes to address environmental issues and to counteract the problems which the thriving economy has caused.” The guide supports this explaining the “plastic bag tax, dubbed ‘the plastax,’ resulted in a 90% drop in bag waste” (p75) and “has proved remarkably effective, reducing the use of these noxious carriers by up to 40%.” (p23). The guide goes on to say that following its success “Northern Ireland introduced a 5p levy in July 2007.”(p23)
The guide also acknowledges that “Ireland’s eco credentials are only just being established” (p29) and explains that compared to other countries, “Ireland does not rate among the world’s biggest offenders when it comes to polluting the environment.”(p74) While Ireland could do better environmentally, Davenport boasts it’s still a great place for an eco friendly break: “Ireland’s green natural landscapes are ideal for a host of outdoor activities such as diving, surfing and fishing.” The guide says: “Ireland’s comprehensive and efficient bus network makes it easy to avoid the use of a car, and the country is well suited to cycling and walking holidays. Many hotels, guesthouses and hostels tout green credentials and organic ingredients are frequently promoted on restaurant menus.” (p75)
The guide shows travellers how they can travel sustainably and highlights the many eco experiences for visitors to Ireland. For the first time, the guide includes Greendex, a reference index of attractions, tours, restaurants and accommodation that run along sustainable lines, and as well as this Davenport says: “Throughout this book, we have endeavoured to highlight any accommodation or project that puts green issues at the forefront of their planning.”(p21) which encourages travellers to choose holidays that have a positive impact on the environment, culture and economy.
WHAT LONELY PLANET SAYS ABOUT PLACES IN IRELAND…
Bangor: “Bangor is to Belfast what Brighton is to London – a Victorian seaside resort that is undergoing a renaissance as an out-of-town base for city commuters. The Belfast–Bangor train line was built in the late 19th century to connect the capital with the then flourishing resort. The opening of a huge marina and a surge in property prices have boosted the town’s fortunes in recent years, though the kitsch tradition of British seaside towns survives in the Pickie Family Fun Park.” (P614)
Londonderry: “Northern Ireland’s second city comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors. Derry (or Londonderry) may not be the prettiest of cities, and it certainly lags behind Belfast in terms of investment and redevelopment, but it has a great riverside setting, several fascinating historical sights and a determined air of can-do optimism that has made it the powerhouse of the North’s cultural revival.” (P640)
Bundoran: “It’s one of Ireland’s tackiest holiday resorts, with an assortment of unappealing arcades and fast-food diners, but not all is lost in Bundoran. The big draw here is the surf, for which Bundoran is renowned. The strand and nearby dunes are beautiful, offering scenic spots for walking, sunbathing and horse riding.” (P510)
Belfast: “Once lumped with Beirut, Baghdad and Bosnia as one the four ‘B’s for travellers to avoid, Belfast has pulled off a remarkable transformation from bombs-and-bullets pariah to hip-hotels-and-hedonism party town. “(P576)
Waterford Town: “Although that seedy port-town feel is still evident in places, the city has received a facelift in recent years. Pedestrianised streets and public artworks have improved the centre, and it’s now a more attractive place to wander.” (P184)
Tralee: “Despite being the county town, Tralee is dismissed in the rest of Kerry as an overflow valve for Limerick and its social problems. Tralee is certainly a down-to-earth place, more engaged with the business of everyday life than the tourist trade. A request for a cigarette is never far away and you should take care after dark. However, if you’ve just emerged from Kerry’s rural areas, this is a refreshingly lively, heterogeneous spot with some friendly pubs and worthwhile attractions”. (P278)
Kilkenny City: “Kilkenny remains a cultural centre, renowned for its devotion to the arts. Its cobbled pedestrian passageways and old-fashioned shop fronts may look like the way to a mysterious time warp realm, but in reality they lead to cool bars, stylish boutiques and interesting restaurants. Kilkenny has plenty of modern allure, but it didn’t sell out its traditional charms to get here.” (P323)
Dublin: “Dublin is a place transformed, a capital in more than name and a city that has finally taken its rightful place as one of the most vibrant in Europe.” (P79)
Connemara: “Connemara’s interior is a kaleidoscope of rusty bogs, lonely valleys and shimmering black lakes. At its heart are the Maumturk Mountains and the pewter-tinged quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens mountain range, with a network of scenic hiking and biking trails. It’s dazzling at any time of day but especially as the sun starts its descent, when the landscape glows as if filtered through a topaz-coloured lens.” (P424)
Clonakilty: “Cheerful, brightly coloured Clonakilty is a bustling market town that knows how to look after its visitors. You’ll find smart B&Bs, top restaurants and cosy pubs alive with great music.” (P223)
Letterkenny: “Letterkenny is undergoing great change as the local economy picks up, which is obviously great for most of its inhabitants…The town is also enjoying a cultural upswing, particularly in the form of its esteemed theatre, and pubs and clubs buzz with students and young professionals. But the town’s energy, while novel to its inhabitants, won’t necessarily entice visitors.”(P526)
Cork City: “Cork buzzes with the energy of a city that’s certain of its place in Ireland. Indeed, so confident is the former ‘Rebel City’ that locals only half-jokingly refer to it as the ‘People’s Republic of Cork’. The city has long been dismissive of Dublin and with a burgeoning arts, music and restaurant scene, it’s now getting a cultural reputation to rival the capital’s.” (P200)
Baltimore: “Picturesque Baltimore has its sailing hat wedged at a jaunty angle, and a merry whistle on its lips. Its pretty harbour, dominated by the remains of the Dún na Sead (Fort of the Jewels), is the only sight, but its divine coastal setting means there’s nowhere better on a sunny day. Watching the boats with a pint of stout in your hand is a fantastically lazy way to spend your time.” (P.229)
Cliffs of Moher: “Star of a million tourist brochures, the Cliffs of Moher are one of the most popular sights in Ireland. But like many an ageing star, you have to look beyond the glitz to appreciate the inherent attributes behind the cliché. The cliffs rise to a height of 203m. They are entirely vertical and the cliff edge abruptly falls away into the constantly churning sea. A series of heads, the dark limestone seems to march in a rigid formation that amazes, no matter how many times you look.” (P388)
Westport: “It’s perhaps the ultimate twee ‘tidy town,’ and its gentility is sometimes disturbed by hens and stags flying in for a weekend of partying – yet Westport has an undeniable appeal. Its broad Georgian streets and shaded lime-flanked riverside mall are about as photogenic as Ireland gets, and spirited pubs line Bridge St.” (P446)
Carrickmacross: “Until recently, the centre of Carrickmacross was clogged with highway traffic. But a new bypass has breathed new life into the town, making it a peaceful spot to wander.” (P486)
NOTE TO EDITORS
Fionn Davenport and Tom Hall are available for interview.
Extracts are available with permission, Copies are available for reader/listener give-aways and specific pages about your region are available in PDF format.
The addition of GreenDex to the Ireland guide enables travellers to easily look up the best eco experiences in the country. The guide also includes a new sustainable travel section with helpful tips and information such as top ten green projects and carbon offsetting schemes. There’s also a new food chapter highlighting the rediscovery of Irish traditional cuisine, with a focus on local farmers and locally sourced produce, and the authors have made a conscious effort to emphasise the less discovered parts of the country. The Ireland guide involved seven authors, over 200 days of research, and countless gallons of the ‘black stuff’. Lonely Planet’s authors are independent, dedicated travellers. They visit every destination in the guide, and they don’t take freebies in exchange for positive coverage. They personally visit thousands of hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, galleries, palaces, museums and more – and they take pride in getting all the details right, and telling it how it is.
Author, Fionn Davenport is a presenter on Newstalk 106 -108 FM where he also gives travel advice to the daily Wright Hook Show; he’s also the travel expert for RTE 1 Seoigh & O’Shea Programme and has written many guidebooks for Lonely Planet, including the last edition of Ireland and the city guide to his hometown of Dublin.
Ireland
8th edition
Fionn Davenport et al
ISBN 9781741046960
UK£14.99
AVAILABLE 22nd Jan 08
Ends.
For further information please contact Angela Wilkinson
Direct Ph: +44 (0) 20 7106 2150
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