Friday July 03 2009
My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Ireland in five years. Each time we rented a car, stayed in B&Bs, ate in pubs and restaurants, took tours to the Aran Islands, the Skelligs, the Saltees and such, and did some shopping. In US dollars, petrol is $6.50 a US gallon. B&Bs cost an average of $58 per person per night. The least expensive cup of coffee I found was in a community centre and was $2.00 (It was usually $3 to $4). It is difficult to eat adequately in a pub for less than $20 per person and that doesn't include drinks. A pint of Guinness was around $6.50 in most pubs.
Overall, I would estimate that Ireland is about double the cost of making an equivalent trip in the US, and this doesn't take into account the round trip airfare which was approximately $1,000 per person. Even if the US dollar was equal to the euro, Ireland would still be expensive.
We love Ireland; however, until prices become more reasonable vis-à-vis the dollar, I'm afraid that we will not be back any time soon. I venture to guess that many other Americans feel the same.
As tourism is at the top of the Irish economy, the cost of touring Ireland could become a serious threat.
VC Joffrion
North Carolina, USA
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