Archive for January, 2008
The Burren
If you just caught a passing glimpse of The Burren in County Clare, you might wonder why anyone would call it a tourist destination. It’s a barren place, windswept and gray, that is famous for its unique rock formations. But it’s also got lots of historic sites contained within its borders, so The Burren makes an interesting stop for anyone in the area.
The Burren is quite large, actually, covering 250 square kilometers, and is roughly bordered by the County Clare villages of Ballyvaughan, Kinvara, Tubber, Corofin, Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna. Among the historic and archaeological sites of importance in The Burren are tombs, burial chambers and a celtic high cross in Kilfenora. There is also the Corcomroe Abbey and a couple of well-preserved forts. The Abbey no longer has its roof, but otherwise is also well-preserved. It’s one of the most popular sights in the area.
Date: January 22nd, 2008 |
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Tipping in Ireland
To tip or not to tip - that is the question! Tipping is one of those things that vexes travelers the world over. Do you tip at the bar? Do you tip your waitress? Do you tip the taxi driver? Is there an automatic tip added onto your bill? These are all questions which can confuse and confound, but don’t be confused about the issue anymore - here is what you need to know about tipping in Ireland.
Tipping has traditionally been considered not necessary, but a nice gesture in some cases (with a particularly nice meal or helpful waiter).
More recently, tipping has become more common - perhaps due to the large percentage of foreign tourists who tip as a matter of habit at home - although 12-15% is considered the upper end of the scale.
Date: January 9th, 2008 |
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