Here’s a synopsis, anyway:

I flew into Dublin. Dublin is a decent size, very modern, great weather that never gets too cold (not too cold for me, anyhow), and has enough mix of touristy plus historical stuff to make it worth spending a few days (or longer), which I didn’t have. I went to the Guinness storehouse, which is basically a commercialized “museum” of sorts where the old brewery was. It was interesting, but somewhat disappointing, since what I really wanted to do was see them brewing Guinness, and to drink some from the source. I did do the latter, and I’ll say that the Guinness in Dublin tastes different from the Guinness in the states (incidentally, it also tastes different from the Guinness served in pubs mere miles from the brewery). Those friends of mine I met in Dublin indicated it was because of Dublin’s notorious water supply.

I visited a few villages here and there, saw the peat bogs, learned a lot about Ireland’s land and history, eventually got to the west, where I saw a very nice beach and the Cliffs of Moher, which are just amazing (though unfortunately mostly covered in fog).

I was warned that there was some anti-American sentiment, but it wasn’t strong from where I stood, and it didn’t affect the mood too much when it was noticeable. I think the Irish are a bit depressed that their economy has begun to decline greatly after a number of years of success.

I wish I could go back and spend more time in each place, without a tour, but that will probably have to wait till after all the other places I’d like to go in the meantime.