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NEIL WILSON Belfast, Counties Down, Armagh, Derry, Antrim, Fermanagh & Tyrone

Neil’s first visit to Northern Ireland was in 1994, during the first flush of post-ceasefire optimism, and his interest in the history and politics of the place intensified a few years later when he found out that most of his mum’s ancestors were from Ulster. Working on recent editions of the Ireland guidebook has allowed him to witness firsthand the progress being made towards a lasting peace, as well as enjoying some excellent hiking on the Causeway Coast and in the Mourne Mountains. Neil is a full-time travel writer based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has written more than 45 guidebooks for half a dozen publishers.

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Behind the Scenes

THIS BOOK

This 9th edition of the Ireland guide was written by Fionn Davenport, Catherine Le Nevez, Etain O’Carroll, Ryan Ver Berkmoes and Neil Wilson. It was commissioned in Lonely Planet’s London office and produced by the following people:

Commissioning Editor Clifton Wilkinson

Coordinating Editor Ali Lemer

Coordinating Cartographer Mark Griffiths

Coordinating Layout Designer Jacqui Saunders

Managing Editor Bruce Evans

Managing Cartographers Corey Hutchison, Alison Lyall, Herman So

Managing Layout Designer Sally Darmody

Assisting Editors Elizabeth Anglin, Cathryn Game, Liz Heynes, Robyn Loughnane, Anne Mulvaney, Charlotte Orr, Angela Tinson, Saralinda Turner

Assisting Cartographers Diana Duggan, Khanh Luu, Anthony Phelan

Cover Image research provided by lonelyplanetimages.com

Project Manager Eoin Dunlevy

Language Content Coordinator Annelies Mertens

Thanks to Lucy Birchley, Jessica Crouch, Kirsten Rawlings, Dianne Schallmeiner, Trent Paton

THANKS

* * *

THE LONELY PLANET STORY

Fresh from an epic journey across Europe, Asia and Australia in 1972, Tony and Maureen Wheeler sat at their kitchen table stapling together notes. The first Lonely Planet guidebook, Across Asia on the Cheap, was born.

Travellers snapped up the guides. Inspired by their success, the Wheelers began publishing books to Southeast Asia, India and beyond. Demand was prodigious, and the Wheelers expanded the business rapidly to keep up. Over the years, Lonely Planet extended its coverage to every country and into the virtual world via lonelyplanet.com and the Thorn Tree message board.

As Lonely Planet became a globally loved brand, Tony and Maureen received several offers for the company. But it wasn’t until 2007 that they found a partner whom they trusted to remain true to the company’s principles of travelling widely, treading lightly and giving sustainably. In October of that year, BBC Worldwide acquired a 75% share in the company, pledging to uphold Lonely Planet’s commitment to independent travel, trustworthy advice and editorial independence.

Today, Lonely Planet has offices in Melbourne, London and Oakland, with over 500 staff members and 300 authors. Tony and Maureen are still actively involved with Lonely Planet. They’re travelling more often than ever, and they’re devoting their spare time to charitable projects. And the company is still driven by the philosophy of Across Asia on the Cheap: ‘All you’ve got to do is decide to go and the hardest part is over. So go!’

* * *

FIONN DAVENPORT

Thanks first and foremost to my fellow authors: Ryan, Catherine, Etain and Neil, who yet again came up with trumps and made this book every bit as good as it is. It’s always a pleasure to work with you. Thanks to Mark French, Una Mullally & Sinéad Gleeson for your expertise. Thanks to Cathy Kelly, who submitted to my pestering with a smiling friendliness. Thanks to Cliff in London, who served as sounding board and agony aunt in equal measure. Thanks to Tracy, Billy, Paul and Anto, who provided advice, suggestion and direction. Thanks finally to Caroline, whose cups of tea, quips and hugs were what made it all worthwhile.

CATHERINE LE NEVEZ

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