Ireland

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you are going there chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travellers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globe-trotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveller, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

>From pub hopping and leprechaun chasing to Ogham stones and the Book of Kells, Lonely Planet presents the essential Ireland. In addition to the requisite low-down on food and accommodations, a detailed activities section covers everything from walking and birdwatching to hang gliding and rock climbing. The book's intriguing "boxed asides" delve into topics ranging from the mystical to the environmental, including the Witch of Kilkenny, the Legend of Inishbofin Island, the Birr Observatory and Telescope, even Ireland's Disappearing Bogs. --Kathryn True

View other editions of Ireland.
View books by Fionn Davenport, Charlotte Beech, Tom Downs, Des Hannigan, Fran Parnell, Neil Wilson.

Ireland (Lonely Planet Country Guide) is great - Rated
Just returned from touring southern Ireland and I found the Lonely Planet guide priceless as it gives great detail for all the attractions in Ireland. I would have missed a number of must see attractions without this book! Another guide which was much dearer (and shall remain nameless)was very poor in comparison.

The information you need, when you need it. - Rated
Amazon have linked this review to the 2008 Edition as well as the 2004 one, so I am expanding the review to include both Editions. Don't buy anything except the most up to date edition.


2008 Edition (Village with painted houses on cover) Review.

Two editions later my review title from 2004 still works pretty well: This is the best laid out Guidebook going, with Lonely Planet's trademark plans of towns, villages and popular sites with all the places of interest, accommodations , bars etc show. There are excellent contents pages at the front to take you to the place in Ireland you want to get to and a good index at the back. There are short Irish history, culture etc sections to give you a feel for the country at the front. All the technical stuff: how to get to Ireland, insurance, visas etc is at the back.

This edition of the guidebook is more streetwise. Its writing, previously pretty anonymous, has aquired a relaxed modern Irish feel that makes it a lot easier to read through. There were seven researchers working on this edition, and it shows. Time and again this Guidebook goes the extra distance and gives you useful nuggets of information that will make you trip easier, more enjoyable or both. However, in order to provide more information on main tourist destinations some less popular places have been left out. The Guidebook is not as comprehensive as it used to be.

Despite all those researchers some information is as much as five years out of date, but overall this is now (as of early 2008) the most up to date Guidebbok to Ireland for budget travellers.

It is now completely internet friendly with web addresses all over the place.

While not being perfect this is as good as Guidebooks get. Take it out in any tourist location around Ireland and it is the nearest thing you will get to having a local person show you round.


2004 Edition (Shamrocks on cover) Review.

This guide is packed cover to cover with information in an easy to access style. Best of all are the many town maps which mean that the location of everything, from the Post Office, to the Banks, to the Bars and Accomodation is clearly laid out before you. The county by county coverage is pretty comprehensive, but with a few ommisions of smaller places that could have been included.

Since the last edition the guide has become fully web friendly, with website and email addresses included wherever possible.

As for the comprehensive nature of entires and how up to date they are, I am a frequent user of hostel accomodation in Ireland, so I can best judge by that. Coverage is in general good, but can be a few years out of date in some places. Also the choices of places in some major destinations is a bit idiosyncratic.

Overall however, an excellent guidebook that gives you the information you need when you need it.

An indepth look at Ireland - Rated
This guide to Ireland looks at the country in fine detail and provides all the information you possibly need for your trip. There are sections on eating out, accomodation, and places of interest. Even the smallest of towns seems to be included with information on B&B's and prices. Places that are not worth seeing are also included, just so you don't end up wasting your time. I also found the history and general sections on Ireland very interesting. This is a wonderful read containing detailed maps and information.