As the trip to Ireland is winding down, it is easy to see how much of an attraction this country is for tourists. In analyzing the different aspects of this country it is also easy to determine why people come here. However, there are also less desirable aspects. Several speakers, in discussing the desirability of Ireland, have drawn comparisons to Cancun which proves that there are other aspects which bring people here. So what are these things?
First and foremost is culture. We’ve heard time and time again that culture is Ireland’s greatest infinite natural resource. And it’s true, there is a ton of culture in the fabric of this country whether you are in downtown Dublin or the Cliff’s of Moher. Furthermore, with several big cities, Ireland enjoys the perks that come with a large population like great restaurants, museums, and concerts. Beyond the manmade aspects, Ireland has a ton of natural beauty. A lot of this we have been lucky enough to see ourselves with the Cliffs and the Wicklow Mountains, along with the countryside on the drive there. This beauty is a force that draws tourists on its own. Additionally, as a transportation junky myself, I can say that there is extensive and easy public transit in Dublin.
These positive aspects more than counter the negative aspects that would keep people from coming to this country. These aspects include a lack of diversity and an overall homogeneity which limits the presence of other cultures other than the Irish culture. Additionally, the average temperature during the summer remains a cool 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which brings back the argument that this is no Cancun beach vacation. It also tends to be fairly rainy here, so not the best of weather. One last potential negative aspect is the size of the country. Unlike the United States, there is really only one climate and feel you get since the country is smaller than Pennsylvania. It’s not like you have the chance to go from New York City to Miami, there just isn’t that option here.
Despite the negatives, as I mentioned before obviously the positive aspects of this country far outweigh them since there are hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Keep doing your thing Ireland and keep mining that culture.