Frommer's Ireland 2003

Rating:
Summary: Can't Go Without It!
Review: I am a huge Frommer's fan and will purchase the newest Ireland book before every trip there. I'm on my 6th trip and my 5th Frommer's Ireland book.

I love how the books are set up with nearly everything included; how to get there and get around, what you need to travel to Ireland, the money, top attractions, accommodations, shopping, night life, places to eat and (of course) to drink. There's even a new chapter dedicated to all things outdoors. Included for the attractions are accurate phone numbers, dates and hours places are open, up to date pricing and web sites.
Places to eat and stay are divided by price into categories; Very Expensive, Expensive, Moderate and Inexpensive.

For each major town, Frommer's includes basic facts (ie. tourist office location or where's the nearest pharmacy), sights to see, how to get around and a map. The lesser towns also have a list for interesting places to see, things to do, places to stay but usually no map.

The book starts with a `Best Of` list then moves on to all that you need to know to plan your trip. Use this list Best Of list to help you plan your trip, especially if you only have a limited time in the Emerald Isle.
New and improved are symbols that highlight Special Finds, Fun Facts, Especially for Kids, Overrated Places, Insider Tips and Great Values which are sprinkled throughout the book.
Also new is their star system. Very Expensive and Expensive places are listed from 1 to 3 stars, the other categories are 0 to 2 stars while attractions and regions get 0 to 3 stars. The lowest rating is still considered "recommended" so you just can't lose.

The next chapters go through Ireland county by county. The book concludes with Northern Ireland and all the same detailed information is listed for them. The appendix explores Ireland's history through modern times and it's language.

If you want to spend less money (and who doesn't these days?) or you're on a tight budget then get "Frommer's Ireland From $60 A Day, 19th edition". It has all the same information but with a bigger, better selection of less expensive places to eat and stay. It also let's you know where it would be worth your while to splash out if you'd like.

I really like the size of this Frommer's book, some other Name Guides I've tried to read are too small and want to flip closed all the time. Others have a lots of information but it's so packed onto small pages with no breaks or lists it's too hard to absorb or remember what you read about. Frommer's are just about right in my eyes. There are only about 8 color photos and these are at the beginning of the book. Do not buy this book for photos because you will be sorely disappointed. However, the amount of information contained within will keep this guide way up on the top of your list when planning or just dreaming your trip to Ireland.

Rating:
Summary: Can't Go Without It!
Review: I am a huge Frommer's fan and will purchase the newest Ireland book before every trip there. I'm on my 6th trip and my 5th Frommer's Ireland book.

I love how the books are set up with nearly everything included; how to get there and get around, what you need to travel to Ireland, the money, top attractions, accommodations, shopping, night life, places to eat and (of course) to drink. There's even a new chapter dedicated to all things outdoors. Included for the attractions are accurate phone numbers, dates and hours places are open, up to date pricing and web sites.
Places to eat and stay are divided by price into categories; Very Expensive, Expensive, Moderate and Inexpensive.

For each major town, Frommer's includes basic facts (ie. tourist office location or where's the nearest pharmacy), sights to see, how to get around and a map. The lesser towns also have a list for interesting places to see, things to do, places to stay but usually no map.

The book starts with a 'Best Of' list then moves on to all that you need to know to plan your trip. Use this list Best Of list to help you plan your trip, especially if you only have a limited time in the Emerald Isle.
New and improved are symbols that highlight Special Finds, Fun Facts, Especially for Kids, Overrated Places, Insider Tips and Great Values which are sprinkled throughout the book.
Also new is their star system. Very Expensive and Expensive places are listed from 1 to 3 stars, the other categories are 0 to 2 stars while attractions and regions get 0 to 3 stars. The lowest rating is still considered "recommended" so you just can't lose.

The next chapters go through Ireland county by county. The book concludes with Northern Ireland and all the same detailed information is listed for them. The appendix explores Ireland's history through modern times and it's language.

If you want to spend less money (and who doesn't these days?) or you're on a tight budget then get "Frommer's Ireland From $60 A Day, 19th edition". It has all the same information but with a bigger, better selection of less expensive places to eat and stay. It also let's you know where it would be worth your while to splash out if you'd like.

I really like the size of this Frommer's book, some other Name Guides I've tried to read are too small and want to flip closed all the time. Others have a lots of information but it's so packed onto small pages with no breaks or lists it's too hard to absorb or remember what you read about. Frommer's are just about right in my eyes. There are only about 8 color photos and these are at the beginning of the book. Do not buy this book for photos because you will be sorely disappointed. However, the amount of information contained within will keep this guide way up on the top of your list when planning or just dreaming your trip to Ireland.

Rating:
Summary: Best information in a easy to read format
Review: I will be taking my 6th vacation to Ireland this summer. I have used Birnbaum, Rough Guide, and Fodors. None come close to Frommers in giving me the information I most need. All the great places to see are easily found and marked. The hotels are truly gems in many price ranges and the dining recommendations are only second the the famous Egon Ronay Jameson Guide which unfortunately went out of print in 1997.

So if you like staying in hotels instead of youth hostels and b&bs,like eating really great food and don't want to follow the average tourist, go with this guide. Don't get me wrong you don't have to spend a fortune but the recommendations cater to the 2-4 star crowd. Works great for us.

The first review above is right on the money. And yes don't buy this is you are on a tour group and need something to read on the bus or want a lot of pictures of the places you might visit.

Rating:
Summary: Best information in a easy to read format
Review: I will be taking my 6th vacation to Ireland this summer. I have used Birnbaum, Rough Guide, and Fodors. None come close to Frommers in giving me the information I most need. All the great places to see are easily found and marked. The hotels are truly gems in many price ranges and the dining recommendations are only second the the famous Egon Ronay Jameson Guide which unfortunately went out of print in 1997.

So if you like staying in hotels instead of youth hostels and b&bs,like eating really great food and don't want to follow the average tourist, go with this guide. Don't get me wrong you don't have to spend a fortune but the recommendations cater to the 2-4 star crowd. Works great for us.

The first review above is right on the money. And yes don't buy this is you are on a tour group and need something to read on the bus or want a lot of pictures of the places you might visit.

Rating:
Summary: Best information in a easy to read format
Review: Stop the presses. I used the new guide this year and was disappointed, not nearly as good as in the past. I tried posting a review but it did not make it to print. There are major mistakes in the book of venues that have been closed for over a year. Better to stick with another guide.

Restaurant info must also have been based on visits in the past as many of the recommended places offered poor service and high prices. The book just does not live up to what it used to be.

Rating:
Summary: Frommer's Ireland 2003
Review: This book is great. I plan to drive Ireland on my next trip and this book offered the best tip of all the books I have read. The website for AA of Ireland (ww.aaroadwatch.ie) is a goldmine. I can now get directions, distances, and times to use to plan my drive.

This book was also great with it's ratings of overrated sites, and recommended stops.

I have bought many guide books, but this one has jumped to the top of my list. I will not be leaving home without it.

Rating:
Summary: Worse than useless
Review: We wasted a precious day of our vacation searching for a music center listed in this book that has been closed for two years. The guide implies that activities are within walking distances when they're not. I felt that I had to confirm every piece of information I read in this book. Hotel listings were sparse and inaccurate. I was very disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Worse than useless
Review: We wasted a precious day of our vacation searching for a music center listed in this book that has been closed for two years. The guide implies that activities are within walking distances when they're not. I felt that I had to confirm every piece of information I read in this book. Hotel listings were sparse and inaccurate. I was very disappointed.