Ón Irish times inniu:

http://www.gaelport.com/index.php?page=clippings&id=1409&viewby=date

quote:

I also resent the assumption that foreign visitors know and care little about Irelands beautiful native language. Indeed, Dingle's Gaeltacht status is the towns only unique selling point.

Mo ghraidhin é!

"Indeed, Dingle's Gaeltacht status is the towns only unique selling point."

Indeed, I cant see what else there would be to see down there if "the mountain'bungalow blight' and fly-tipping" is so common

I'm frankly amazed Ireland has any sort of a tourist industry. I can't fathom what the draw is

BRN - I think you are too harsh. There are really beautiful spots in Ireland, although the weather is not the strongest selling point.

But else - I agree, there is no reason to go to An Daingean except for Gaeltacht experience, which unfortunately you don't find there. The sea museum is fine, but nothing extraordinary or non-existant in other countries. So I see no point to drive all the way to an Daingean if you happen to be in Cill Airne - Uíbh Ráthach will do just as well. Next time I am in that smallish place having too good opinion on its attractions I will make point not to stop there and to go straight to Dún Chaoin or Baile na nGall. there is only one good thing about An Daingean - wonderful bookshop "Café literartha" where I can serve myself in 1h and just leave that dreadful town.

Has An Daingean suddenly become a "dreadful town" because it citizens had the temerity to vote for a name change?

Well my comments had the ingredient of annoyance that the REPS scheme is funding the clearance of hedgerows and the cutting of all trees in them to a certan height. It is a disgrace, and is another example of nonscence. A farmer told me today of in summer animals not having any shelter from the sun on some farms.

I was collecting acorns on a Protestant farm before dark, and one can see the value of keeping large trees to the aesthetic. There are over 50 oak trees on the part of the farm around my paretns house, but they dont seem to produce acorns (unusual for a Catholic farm, but one good tree and a few squirrels is all you need). If there were more mature trees and they were framed better, there would be better views for tourists.

quote:

Has An Daingean suddenly become a "dreadful town" because it citizens had the temerity to vote for a name change?

I was not excited about the place the first day I arrived. As I missed the bus to Dún Chaoin the same day - I became a hostage of the place as the buses are only twice a week and I wouldn't manage to get back on time.

And let's not talk about "temerity" of people there. I will not expand my comment, but just state that I liked my stay in Cill Rónan (Inis Mór) miles and miles better.

I was not excited about the place the first day I arrived. As I missed the bus to Dún Chaoin the same day - I became a hostage of the place as the buses are only twice a week and I wouldn't manage to get back on time.

I walked there one time all the way from Dingle via Ventry, spent a few hours in Dún Chaoin, and then leisurely walked back along the other side of the penisula. Starting out after breakfast, I returned around early evening.

I could have done the whole thing in half that time had I chosen to hire a bike, but I'm fond of a long walk and had time on my hands.

The next time you're there, don't feel you're "stranded" -- get some exercise and go there under your own power.

Agus is siúlóid deas atá ann.

Dingle hasn't become a dreadful town, but I am sure the thinking tourist (probably a minority) is put off by the brouhaha, and, as the letter writer put it, the "synthetic anger".

Well I did like Dingle and since I went there before Inis Mor it was my first experience in a Gaeltacht, giving it merrit in that capacity. It is true that its Gaeltacht status, whether or not deserved, was the thing that drew me there, it being the only sizable town on the penninsula. I did like it for the most part, subtract the dogs and add more Irish being spoken and it would have been exquisite.

Beir bua agus beannacht

quote:

I walked there one time all the way from Dingle via Ventry...The next time you're there, don't feel you're "stranded" -- get some exercise and go there under your own power.

You seem to underestimate me, a Chionaoidh! :-) Of course I was not "stranded", and I had bike - but I went by the main road to Ceann Tráigh and Fionn Tráigh. It was a strategic mistake, as biking on that road is simply dangerous. It is only on the way back I realised that there is another quite road inside of the peninsula. Anyway as we spent a lot of time on the beach in Fionn Tráigh - browsing the sea on foot for several km and then back - and then as we got lost somewhere in the marshes on the very tip of peninsula we got tired that even didn't manage to go to Ceann Sléibhe (?). The next day we went to Connor Pass, so basically there was no time to go to Dún Chaoin again.

Is mise
Róman

A Riona, tá ceist agam ort - cén ait is fearr leat - Cill Rónan nó An Daingean?

Is maith liom Cil Ronan breis. (I like Cil Ronan more ... ? )

Beir bua agus beannacht

Is fearr liom Cill Rónán.



(Message edited by aonghus on October 26, 2006)

Róman, Ríona, Aonghus:

Cill Rónáin ! Rónán's Church

Admhaím do Dennis uileeolach, agus daoibhse a bhráithre,
gur pheacaigh mé go trom
trí faillí
trí mo choir féin, trí mo choir féin, trí mo mhór choir féin....

Absolvo te. Imigh, agus ná peacaigh arís.

Omnipresent omnipotent eye of Dennis! :-)) Spooky...

Siúraltha, tá an ceart agat - Cill Rónáin!

"the mountain'bungalow blight' and fly-tipping"

He's right there. This country, which could be without doubt one of the most beautiful in the world, is being destroyed.
Where I live there's hardly a country road, no matter how small or remote that is not being built on. And the houses are so bloody ugly - pebble dashing, aluminium, ugly concrete-block walls.
Hedge row? mature trees? no problem, they'll just bulldoze through them. An unspoiled, scenic or historically important area? Again, no problem, just slip a brown envelope to the right person and it will all be sorted out for you.
Of course, 100 times worse than ordinary people building houses in which they actually intend to live are the so-called developers. These fuckers and the corrupt little 'politicians' they bribe should be lined up against a wall and shot.
Estates of identical, aesthetically worthless houses, holiday homes, vast out of town supermarkets built on green-field sites, petrol stations etc etc. Somehow I don't think our descendants will be too impressed by this age's contribution to our country's architectural heritage.

As for the fly-tipping..........

the houses are so bloody ugly - pebble dashing, aluminium, ugly concrete-block walls.

A Shéamuis

There is some enlightenment beginning to show in some planning departments. I recently bought a house in the course of construction in the Kerry Gaeltacht with a view to moving there permanently within the next few months. The planning conditions were very strict regarding the style of house, the finish and even things like the entrance from the road (must be finished in native stone or sod, no concrete blocks etc.)

Also because of the introduction of residency clauses locals, or those who wish to live there permanently have an advantage over those who are looking just for a holiday home. A house with a residency clause is currently about 20% - 30% than one that has no such clause.

I know there is a lot more that could be done, particularly with the appalling planning in the past,but it is a start

http://www.gaelport.com/index.php?page=clippings&id=1416&viewby=date

quote:

Chris Evans (October 25th) rightly points out that the message coming from the ongoing placename controversy is that the people of An Daingean are no longer proud of their Gaeltacht heritage. And he is right to say they will lose out because of this negative perception.

I don't think Dingle is 'dreadful' but I never really thought it was fantastic either. I've been there umpteen times and always found it a bit too touristy. And just like the rest of you, I much prefer Cill Rónáin - and then Cill Rónáin is the village I like the least in the three islands. :-)