Customer Reviews

Rick Steves' Ireland 2010 with map

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
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We spent 9 days in Ireland in summer 2009. We're a 50's couple and have traveled a lot and like to stay out in the country side. This guide is by no means a complete guide to Ireland, and there are a lot of places that are not mentioned. For example, we spent a great nice at Bantry House in Bantry Bay, not even in the index. But, if you follow his guide, you will see a lot of interesting things. We took his tour around the Dingle Peninsula and found it to be a great day and he made some great suggestions, like going the opposite way of the buses. I would get a rather conventional guide book and this one and use them both. Then, for your next trip you'll know if you are a Rick Steve kind of traveler or not.

As usual, Rick has done a supurb job at bringing a country to life. A little history, a little joking, and a lot of what to see and where to go. Rick is right up front, Ireland is a country to be experienced, not just seen. The people are the real key to the heart of Ireland. Bring your voice and dancing shoes and be prepared to stay late!

It is always a pleasure to be in the old country. But things/shops/restaurants change of course. Rick Steves gives current news which helps the traveler re-visit the " I gotta go back and see the......... again" and dine/stay/travel/visit with ease and confidence.

First off, let me say that I am a Rick Steves fanboy (or fangirl), if there is such a thing out there. He is my go-to guy for all things European travel, so naturally his Ireland book was the first one I purchased when my travel partners and I decided Ireland should be our next European visit.

1) I like the pictures. It's black-and-white on regular printer paper, so it didn't make the guidebook extremely expensive, but enough pictures were scattered throughout the book that made it a fun read.
2) I like and trust his opinion. Unlike other guidebooks who just lists sites in every city, Rick Steves points out which ones are worth visiting and isn't afraid to rip apart other cities that aren't worthy of my attention. Of course, he's not right on every occasion as everyone has different tastes, but I trust and value his opinion enough, especially when I only have 8 days to visit the entire country. While I would have liked to learn more about Killarney and Cork, I don't think I really missed out on those places (except I wish he talked more about Killarney National Park--after my visit to the Muckross House, I promised myself that if I ever go back to Ireland, I must spend more time in the national park), or any other place he didn't bother to mention. His expectations of accommodations are very much like mine; of all the places I've slept in that he recommended, I've nothing but praises for them; but of the places I've slept in that he didn't mention, I didn't particularly like. There are more examples of why I trust his opinion, but these are the main ones.
3) I like the structure of the book. There's something about paragraphs that makes the reading less boring (believe me, I have another Ireland guidebook that's all text on practically every page, and it was a BORE!). I like how the font is big enough that I don't have to squint, and I like how every attraction and accommodation is ranked, so I know which to see and which to skip without delving further. I also like how he groups the different attractions based on his suggested 3-week itinerary--visiting Ireland in a clockwise manner, which is what I happened to do. This made it easier to find the pages I need everyday, rather listing it alphabetically or by counties or by regions. I would progress the book as I did my journey.
4) Accuracy. Since he updates his guidebooks either annually or bi-annually (depending on the popularity of the destination), almost all of the information is accurate, even his prices on accommodations. Of course, I always double check to make sure that museum is really 10EUR and its opening times are really 10:00-17:00. Furthermore, his city maps are EXTREMELY accurate, even more so than that city's tourist map! I've relied on the Dublin and Belfast city maps he's drawn more so than the free city maps they give you.
5) Extras. I like the extra information he has on the back, like road rules and fun Irish phrases. Those came handy at times, especially when I didn't know what two yellow lines meant on the sidewalks (it means no parking any time--like how in America it's a red line), and it was a breeze flipping to the back of the book and reading up on it.

This is, without a doubt, the best Ireland guidebook out there. While the other guidebooks certainly aren't lacking in terms of information, Rick Steves' opinions and suggestions of where to go and where not to go makes his guidebook better. I've used his guidebook literally everyday I was in Ireland, and the other one I had only ONCE. Do not hesitate to put your trust in him--I didn't and I had a blast in Ireland!

Used Library copy to preplan trip. Followed up on trip with places we went. Best tour book we had for Ireland. Worth the buy.

Myself and friends are traveling to Ireland this year and I had this book recommended to me. It is very informative and contains maps. One thing I like the best about the book is that it honestly tells you what is a must see and what is just a tourist trap. Great book and I will buy his other's for traveling abroad, as well.

If you are going on a trip get a Rick Steves' book. I went to London, Paris and Amsterdam using his books and they are great. I am going to Ireland next year and this book is going to help a lot. They give you great places to stay, eat and play!

The item was sent in a timely fashion and was in great condition as advertised. I would recommend this seller.

Written in the light and breezy manner we have come to expect fron Rick. But full of useful and practical information. We are planning a 2 week tour of Ireland and I had several questions answered (some I hadn't even thought of yet.)

Now I am going to see if he has one on Scotland.

This is a great guidebook. We took along three books but only really used this one. It helped to make for smooth trip. I now use a number of Rick's travel suggestions; best found in his Europe Through the Back Door.