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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Massive reaction to our most annoying things about Ireland story

Posted on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 06:32 PM
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Read More: Ten most annoying things about Ireland

We ran a piece yesterday on the top ten things one of our writers Simon Morrison did not like about Ireland and wham!-- the reaction was instantaneous.

The comments began flowing in immediately to our Facebook page and to the website. Many were from Irish people in Ireland outraged that there could be anything like the number of things wrong in Ireland our writer discovered.

I got invited on radio in Ireland to talk about the article and found myself assailed by a couple of hosts slamming Irish Central for even intimating that everything was not perfect in Ireland.

Touchy, touchy.

It suddenly made me realize just what a low ebb confidence in Ireland is at the moment. The death of the Celtic Tiger and the collapse of the economy have led to a deep sense of self doubt that the article seemed to touch upon.

The writer made it clear that he had actually enjoyed Ireland, but, just for contrary reasons decided to talk about the things he did not enjoy.

He stayed away from the obvious ones, the weather -- it was glorious-- and traffic because he took public transport most of the time.

But no refills for coffee, waitresses not interested, no daytime flight, many road signs that led nowhere were all included.

Most I would have though were pretty basic and most people would agree with them.

Not many of our readers.

It also shows the deep love and affection that is out there for Ireland among Irish Americans.

Many recounted in great detail the wonderful time they had there and were shocked to hear anything bad.

As well they should be. Ireland is a magnificent place that combines people scenery and craic in a wonderful pastiche.

But it is not perfect.

Which is all Simon Morrison was saying.



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21 Comments

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ancavker | Apr 06, 2011, 04:39 PM EDT
Carolan: Niall?? Right wing?? ReallY?? Anti Obama?? Must be a different Niall.

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sirpeter | Apr 03, 2011, 09:51 PM EDT
Carolanndriver..You have a point.It's not a feel good if you are Irish type of site. Neill is an expert!! He's an expert at driving us mad.It IS about all things Irish..Just all Irish negative things. No!! I tell a lie..You will find the odd good thing on this site about been Irish. They put up pretty pictures of Ireland.

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kateomprint | Apr 02, 2011, 02:13 PM EDT
I wonder what the Gael in Fine Gael stands for

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kateomprint | Apr 02, 2011, 11:16 AM EDT
Niall this one is for you see what you think. Did you know that in the early gaelic language that Fianna meant clan or crowd and that Fail meant a phallic symbol. How does translate to Fianna Fail, so its true after they are a crowd of pr***ks.

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Carolanndriver | Mar 31, 2011, 10:20 AM EDT
You missed one (most annoying things about Ireland) - how about IrishCentral, which purports to be about all things Irish and Niall says he's an expert? That's pretty sad commentary...I’ve found that the writing is right-wing and sniping and negative and critical and really doesn’t contribute anything positive to my education on Ireland and Irish people. So – it improve it – how about being a real journalist and present the FACTS instead of insinuating and inciting negative views on your subjects? What do you have against President Obama, who is trying so hard to correct many years of bad management? How about presenting unbiased FACTS and positive human interest stories about the country and history, instead of nasty stories about Charlie Sheen and men who have sex with their daughters and disembodied rapist arms? My impression of IrishCentral is more like a disgusting rag akin to “The Enquirer”. Couldn’t you up your game and contribute something positive to society?

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mamaginnty | Mar 28, 2011, 12:08 PM EDT
Whenever someone tells me they are coming to to Ireland, I tell them to stay away from the touristy places and tour buses. Land In Ireland, hire a car, stay well away from motorways, and just follow your nose east is every bit as beautiful as the west, travel from village to village get B.B.

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wodon13 | Mar 28, 2011, 09:11 AM EDT
There is nothing wrong with Ireland,it's irish,And we love it.

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wodon13 | Mar 27, 2011, 12:18 PM EDT
I listened to your interview on the Right Hook Irish radio show on Newstalk 106-108 FM Friday (Newstalk available on an iphone app and on your PC). George Hook did not give you a hard time. All agreed with Simon's criticism of the airlines' 6 or 7 am arrival time and the fact that you arrive tired and must wait until 12 noon before being allowed to register. At the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire in the 1990's before the hotel was renovated the Hotel allowed me to register on arrival at the hotel around 8 am and did not charge me extra!

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Newrone | Mar 27, 2011, 11:33 AM EDT
@cillowen "the use of foul language is out of control in erin got to experience it on their rte tele." - What a relief! Compared to the Nannying tabooing of specific words on UK & US media! You should try France - What would otherwise be "foul" language is just part of the vernacular (and much less "foul" as a result.) When the planet Uranus suddenly changed its name to "You-rin-us" in the media was a very entertaining example, along with the exaggeration in pronouncing the "Fooookoooshima" power plant! Chill. Our kids hear far worse in the playground.

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conchobhar | Mar 27, 2011, 09:58 AM EDT
Amusing. And haven't I read that there were riots at the Abbey's opening of THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS, by Sean O'Casey? Seems folks objected to the idea that there might be prostitutes on the Isle of Saints and Scholars. That said, the overwhelming majority of my experiences in Ireland have been wonderful, the people warm, interesting and interested. Even those incidents that tilted negative make for great stories: like the aoul curmudgeon who, upon learning my last name, called me a Norman.

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sirpeter | Mar 26, 2011, 11:12 PM EDT
To be honest I could understand an American complaining about the price of petrol and the price of alcohol.Dealing with our new foreigners isn't exactly a delightful experience either.They don't seem to be blessed with the social graces.Eastern Europeans don't really put on an act.They just aren't good with the public.If Simon is talking about Dublin Irish waitresses I have found them very good,nice and pleasant.Excellent to be honest,even compared to Cork city.But both are better then the in your face waiters/waitresses in London who watch you like a hawk and the second you are finished are barely holding back the urge to pull you out the door by the leg if it's busy.On light switches I can't say I ever had a problem with them anywhere in the world ever.I'm not even sure you can get a book for light switches for dummies.Narrow roads in the countryside and scary drivers.Nothing is more scary on the road then a person who is used to driving on the right hand side.It takes alot more concentration,so I think Simon was a bit tense.(Don't drive in Italy)it's a sphincter clenching experience.Confusing road signs or none at all.Third class roads,you might have a problem alright wondering where the hell you are.I find the odd glance at an ordinance survey map solves that problem.I think you can get map reading for dummies.Only women buy them though.Snotty bankers..Well If that's Simon in the pic..Get rid of the shades and go away and get a respectable haircut ;))

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casualMBA | Mar 26, 2011, 10:07 PM EDT
How is the Mass liturgy in Ireland these days? Does it continue(a la U.S. liturgy)to insist - having participated in the Offertory and Consecration prayers - and declare "I am not worthy ..." before the affirmation "...say the Word and I shall be healed..."?

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Towngate | Mar 26, 2011, 06:01 PM EDT
SIMON made it clear his amusing article was a bit of 'divilment' only. 'Many a true work spoken in jest', sort of thing. That IrishCentral's Taoseach should be called to account on Irish Radio for remarks posted on his site, indicates indemic defensivness,a denial of free speech and refusal the accept criticism of anything Irish by an Outsider. I am sure The Dauntless O'Dowd gave a good account of himself!

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jamieLM | Mar 26, 2011, 01:18 PM EDT
sa1lavin@ great post. I appreciate people who can be objective and acknowledge, without becoming angry and defensive, that there are things in their country that could be improved. I can name 10 things in my city in the U.S. that could be made better. After all, we're living on earth, not in Heaven. Btw: Sligo is beautiful.

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jamieLM | Mar 26, 2011, 01:04 PM EDT
Every country has some annoying things. The citizens don't always see these things as annoyances or they're used to them and know how to deal with them. Within the U.S. there are things that people from one part of the country don't like about other parts of the country. Why get offended and take the criticism personally? Things are what they are and that's what makes going away from home an adventure. Our family laughs (now) about our forced stay in some motels from hell in the U.S. When traveling within the U.S. or abroad, I never expect everything to be perfect or to be "like we do it at home." I just hope the overall experience will be positive and outweigh any negative aspects. No country is 100% perfect, 100% of the time and that includes the U.S. and Ireland.

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