Irish President Michael D Higgins is asked “Why should Americans visit Ireland now?”

I am coming to Belfast ,and on to my ancestral birthplace of Co.Offaly in Sept-Oct this year.I'm excited,any suggestions?

I agree. Ireland (including al of its territory) is a beautiful countr, but it is MUCH MORE expensive that Michael Higgins would have us believe. When he mentions that there are 42 million Americans of Irish descent, apparently he includes those whose Irish ancestors came from what is now the 'Ulster' state, the part of Ireland which Higgins and his fellow Southen politicians consider British territory. The first time I filled out a census form in the U.S. was when I was at the Marine Corps basic training camp in Parris Island. The form required non-citizens to be precise about their county of origin and to distinguish between East and West Germany, also Northrn and Southrn Ireland. I simply wrote IRELAND in the space - meaning the whole Irish nation and all its parts. Would Michal Higgins have approved of this? Having served in the U.s. military in the 60s -the Vietnam War Era- I probably wouldn't receive a Céad Mil Fáilte from the Higgins crowd. Agus rud égin eile. Is maith liom an Ghaeilge a labhairt, teanga nach bhfuil meas mo mhadra ag Higgins uirthi.

Just stay away from Dublin, its just another city

Last May, I visited Ballinasloe, set up my home base in Creagh, to look for my relatives in Ahascragh. I was told I couldn't do it a week, I did it in two days. Good info on a very old obit in my posession, met with the people I was looking for, with the help of a local taxi driver. Unfortunately my probable relatives gave me a bogus e-mail address, and I didn't think to get their ph# or address figuring the e-mail would be enough. I spent 5 Large on that trip, and I went alone, but I'm amazed they mistreated me as they did not giving me info to keep in touch.

Was in Ireland last August for the third time, both parents having come from Leitrim. Both general bus tour and specific meeting with cousins, very good indeed. That was last year. This time, come October, God willing, I'll fly to Spain, that country for the first time. A (German) diplomat friend has a home in Madrid, and both of us want to do the camino de Santiago de Compostela, the St. James pilgrimage road featured in the movie The Way. Spain is surely hurting financially, as well, so I factored that into my equation to go there.

I would very much love to visit Ireland again. But airfares for our family would take 5 months income for me.

Everyone should visit Ireland at least once in their lifetime. I planned on going one time, and fell in love with the country and people. No, I didn't go to Dublin, but chose to land in Shannon, and venture from there. I rented a cottage each time I went (12 times), and journeyed from there. I found Connemara to be isolated and beautful with the farmers still tilling their land, and you can't go there without visiting the beautiful Kylemore Abbey. I've also stayed in Doolin, and County Kerry, and loved them all. My daughter and I had a flat tire in an isolated area in Co. Galway, walked to the nearest house, knocked on the door, and a wonderful older man answered. He called the nearest garage, and a man called Padraig came out with another tire, fixed it, and charged 10 euros. Are you kidding me? The people are wonderful, and the country is just beautiful. Now I have to just sit and plan what other part of Ireland will I go to, but I can just bet I'll head back to Connemara, and Walsh' bakery in Clifden.

Just maybe we are tired of getting our Culture or Constitution , our Bill of rights trashed everyday by this web site. Why should we spend our hard earned dollars on those who ridicule us for who we are and what we believe ? We will spend our money elsewhere thank you perhaps Royal Caribbean while sunning ourselves in the Bahamas is stead of looking at a statute of Che Guevara in Galway on a rainy day

Ummm Irish Central's posting issues strike again... The comment below timed 10.03am was not me! I know I am a plastic paddy :)

As a first generation immigrant, I think it would be a good idea for many of the second, third... etc. generation Irish Americans who have adopted an overly individualistic philosophy, which they bray about in this forum, to visit Ireland and ask the folks there what they think of tax cuts for the wealthy while cuts to social programs are made. They will find they have strayed far from their roots.

Maybe we are tired of being called "plastic paddy's" and the like and being severely corrected when we call ourselves Irish and we are told we are Yanks not Irish.

Mother Ireland calls all of her children back, no matter how far removed we are from our ancestors who emigrated. As for me, I've been privileged to visit twice. My last visit was in May of 2011...I lot my job and was forced into early retirement when I couldn't find another. My 401(k) was severely decimated by the bank disaster here in the US. The money left in it would have done little good long-term, so I took it all and blew it in Ireland. I am now filled with 12 days of beautiful memories and do not regret my decision for one moment.