Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [623]
DECEMBER
Christmas This is a quiet affair in the countryside, though on 26 December the ancient custom of Wren Boys is reenacted, most notably in Dingle, County Kerry, when groups of children dress up and go about singing hymns.
Return to beginning of chapter
FOOD
Our cafe and restaurant listings appear in order of price, with the cheapest appearing first. We’ve used the following price ranges: budget (under €10/£10), midrange (€10 to €20/£10 to £20) and top end (above €20/£20). Please note that our hierarchies of favourite places aren’t written in stone (as authors, we can crave caviar on a Monday and cod and chips on a Friday).
For explanations of peculiarities of Irish menus and further reading on Irish food and drink, see the Food & Drink chapter Click here.
Return to beginning of chapter
GAY & LESBIAN TRAVELLERS
Irish laws on homosexuality are among the most liberal in Europe, and the margin of tolerance between the laws and prevalent attitudes is getting narrower all the time. Gays and lesbians are a comfortably visible presence on the streets of the bigger urban centres, but even outside of Dublin, Cork and Galway there is a growing acceptance of homosexuality as a fact of life.
Generally the Irish couldn’t care less what you do behind closed doors, and neither gays nor lesbians (in the Republic) are excluded from the armed forces. Although the Vatican maintains its position that being gay is a crime against God, the Catholic Church here maintains an air of discreet silence on gay and lesbian issues.
The monthly Gay Community News (www.gcn.ie), found in clubs and bars and online, is a free publication of the National Lesbian & Gay Federation (NLGF; 01-671 9076; www.nlgf.ie). Aimed at younger members of the gay, lesbian and transgender community, BeLonG To (Map Click here; 01-670 6223; www.belongto.org; 13 Parliament St, Dublin) offers advice and support to people aged 14 to 23 and facilitates support groups throughout the country.
Other online resources and organisations for the gay and lesbian community:
Gaire (www.gaire.com) Message board and info for a host of gay-related issues.
Gay & Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland (www.glyni.org.uk)
Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association (Nigra; 9066 5257; nigra@dnet.co.uk)
Outhouse (Map; 01-873 4932; www.outhouse.ie; 105 Capel St, Dublin) A gay, lesbian and transgender community centre.
The following helplines can be called from anywhere in Ireland:
Gay Men’s Health Project ( 01-660 2189) Practical advice on men’s health issues.
Gay Switchboard Dublin ( 01-872 1055; 7.30am-9.30pm Mon-Fri, 3.30-6pm Sat)
Lesbian Line Belfast ( 9023 8668; 7.30-10pm Thu)
Lesbian Line Dublin ( 01-872 9911; 7-9pm Thu)
Mensline Belfast ( 9032 2023; 7.30-10pm Mon-Wed)
Return to beginning of chapter
HOLIDAYS
Public holidays can cause road chaos as everyone tries to get somewhere else for the break. It’s also wise to book accommodation in advance around these times.
Public Holidays
Public holidays in both the Republic and Northern Ireland:
New Year’s Day 1 January
St Patrick’s Day 17 March
Easter (Good Friday to Easter Monday inclusive) March/April
May Holiday 1st Monday in May
Christmas Day 25 December
St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) 26 December
NORTHERN IRELAND
Spring Bank Holiday Last Monday in May
Orangeman’s Day 12 July
August Holiday Last Monday in August
REPUBLIC
June Holiday 1st Monday in June
August Holiday 1st Monday in August
October Holiday Last Monday in October
St Patrick’s Day and St Stephen’s Day holidays are taken on the following Monday when they fall on a weekend. In the Republic, nearly everywhere closes on Good Friday even though it isn’t an official public holiday. In the North, most shops open on Good Friday but close the following