Disneyland Ireland
Watching news and current affairs programmes, you’d be forgiven for thinking Ireland was one gigantic theme park.
Interpretative centres, visitor attractions, information centres, museums and the like seem to be springing up everywhere.
There are few scenic areas left at this stage that don’t have some kind of carpark and centre attached so that you can enter and be told what you are supposed to be looking at. We even have an interpretive centre at the Cliffs of Moher. How the fuck do you interpret a cliff? It’s a cliff and that’s that. Nothing more to be said.
This is a cliff in case you didn’t know.
Of course the country is now awash with little information booths telling the unwary what took place there back in 1916. Every fucking village seems to have played a part somehow. And if nothing happened, then doubtless there will be a visitor centre telling us why nothing happened.
One of the latest to join the theme park craze is Youghal in East Cork. It’s a fine place and I have passed through it many times, but this isn’t enough for Youghal. They have to have their Visitor Attraction so they are cashing in on the film “Moby Dick” which was filmed there over sixty years ago! Sixty fucking years? That’s stretching fame a bit?
Films of course are the cause of many tourist traps here. Between people pouring in to visit Ballykissangel and Star Wars boat trips to The Skelligs, not to mention “The Quiet Man” you’d think the country was one gigantic film set.
While I cringe at some of the excuses for these traps, I have to admire the initiative. Why work when you can just fleece the tourists? Just sit at the door and get them to empty their wallets. Why bother farming when you can turn your farm into a “Farming Experience”? If you are clever enough you can even get them to do the farming for you [get immersed into the farming way of life].
Actually, I may be missing out on a trick here?
Guided tours of Head Rambles Manor?
Experience the life of a real Grandad?
See the chair where the famous website was actually written?
It’s got to be worth €50 a head?
The Republic of Ireland is merely cashing in the tourist industry. As most of the main industry is centred around the Cities, particularly Dublin, then why not I guess. Many tourists (especially American) can trace their heritage back to Ireland so what easier way to part them from their cash ?
As for 1916, I have done a lot of reading of that event from all points of view and actually am quite fascinated by it as it is where the Proclamation came from. I suppose it is a big selling point because everyone knows about it and many consider it the birthdate of Irish Independence, even though it took many more years and bloodshed before it was actually achieved. However, from what I have read not much happened outside of Dublin in 1916 – that’s where the main battle was. Only a few isolated spots elsewhere in the country rose up at that time in support. So I am not sure what anywhere outside of Dublin’s claim to fame might be in regard to 1916. It was events that occurred from 1917 onwards (when most of the survivors of the 1916 uprising were released from prison) when the rest of the country really became involved.
I’ve not been over to Ireland other than a ‘taxi-stop’ when a plane I was catching to the Isle Of Man had a stop in Dublin Airport to pick up passengers. But it is a country that I hope one day to visit.
I don’t blame people for cashing in, but you would be forgiven for thinking that tourism is our only industry. Interpretative centres and the like are grand but occasionally they despoil the very thing they are centred on, and even if they don’t, they give me the impression I am looking at an exhibit rather than the original.
Indeed the 1916 Rising was a monumental disaster. It was actually called off beforehand but word didn’t reach some of the leaders in time resulting in relatively isolated battles. Of course there are monuments all over the place to the civil war which came later.
If you do decide to drop by, give me a shout and I’ll show you around.
I only charge €400 a day.
As I read it, Eoin MacNeill issued a countermanding order which was published in the Irish Times just before the event, so thousands stayed at home right across the country. As a result, the Rising started a day late (Easter Monday) with too few people and a military strategy devised by a poet (Plunkett). As you say, a complete disaster. Most Dubliners apparently hated them for it until the executions started. That’s when things changed …
As for the further battles from 1917 onwards (and including the Civil War), that certainly did encompass most of the country as you say. County Cork in particular becoming famous for being the place where Collins met his end – despite him actually being born and bred there. The whole thing from 1916 thru to the Free State in 1922, then full Independence in (I think ?) 1947 is a saga of tragedy, contradiction and irony. That’s probably why I found it so fascinating to read about – from all sides of the differing viewpoints. Not many of those involved are still with us anymore, so all we have now are mostly second hand accounts or old film/memoirs.
What are these Euros you talk about ? 😉
It was indeed the executions that turned the tide. If they had been imprisoned instead of facing the firing squad I imagine history would have been radically different.
Euros are nasty little things we inherited when we sold our independence away again.
Yes, that’s another irony in the story of the Republic. To have so much bloodshed to achieve independence, then to meekly give it away again by joining the EU. It does make you wonder what De Valera would have made of that decision to join the EU given his role in the Easter Rising, the civil war and then eventually establishing Independence. Especially as he only died two years AFTER Ireland joined the (then) EEC.
I agree it is totally naff. Information booths? Activity Centres? *shudders* Every true born Irish man knows the only right and proper money spinner is the ancient celtic art of fleecing ‘Irish-Americans’ returning to the ‘shores where his fathers lay’ (The Pogues). Is there nae more genuine-fake Waterford Crystal to be found on your shores? No more ‘a taste of home’ presentation boxes of WhiskEy? No more dodgy geneological charts in the shape of a leprechaun that show, conclusively, that the Bearer is a true descendant of Cuchulain and so entitled to a free pint of Green Beer anywhere in the world on St.Paddy’s day?
Tis the problem with today’s society-and not just in Eire: No sense of TRADITION.
Fleecing Americans is not only traditional and a major source of income for the country, but it actually seems to be the main focus for the future of the economy. Plastic shillelaghs and leprechauns? Genuine shamrock for the garden [actually spray painted clover but no one will notice]? All mass produced by leprechauns under the local fairy tree.
No sense of TRADITION? No sense of DIGNITY!
O/T but does anyone remember the name of a tv series about a transsexual, male to female, hit woman? Sounds awful but was quite good, set in Ireland it was on a few years ago? I just cannot remember the name.
Was that ‘The Crying Game’ – which was a film as I recall ?
Hit & Miss? Never heard of it but IMDB suggested it.
I am pretty sure it was Hit & Miss I will check it was out on Google thanks. I was telling my son about it but just couldn’t remember the name.
Item on the news tonight……
Ireland to be marketed abroad as the film location for “Game of Thrones”.
I rest my case, M’Lud…..
Perhaps Hollywood might be persuaded to finance the building of The Wall, as a permanent set, along the border? Bit of a win-win that….Sort the whole BREXSHITE thing out and bring in the tourists…
…and royally piss off the DUP!
*wanders off humming ‘Everyone’s a winner, baby’
They ruined the Strange Field in the Burren by building a visitor’s centre in it.