The Internationality of this forum is amazing (And so is Matt O'Brien)

[clee01l]

I don't travel as often as I like and even fewer trips outside my country. When I do leave my homeland, it is nice to connect with other Forum members. I have done so in the past on a trip to the Shetlands and Scotland. Recently I traveled to Ireland. This trip was in planning for over 5 years with a host of personal issues and COVID impeding my journey. So In September 2023, I finally made it.

One of the reasons the trip was a success was Matt O'Brien (Gnits). Several years ago I contacted Matt, looking for advice on a trip to Ireland. Then he was very helpful. As soon as the trip was a definite, I messaged Matt to let him know I would be arriving In Dublin, renting a car and making an anti-clockwise loop around the Island. Not only did he offer places to photograph and other advice, he even offered his eToll tag to expedite the Toll roads that I might encounter. A big thanks for that generosity and Matt's hospitality.

Throughout the trip, we stayed in touch and Matt would make suggestions of places to photograph as I traveled through various parts of Ireland. I think that local help was invaluable. There are a few places that I would not have discovered on my own or through the online research that I made before my trip.

 

[tspear]

Awesome. Not sure how to accomplish this, but it would be cool to meet other forum members when I travel. My wife and I do about three or four trips a year around the USA and usually one international.

Tim

 

[clee01l]

Awesome. Not sure how to accomplish this, but it would be cool to meet other forum members when I travel. My wife and I do about three or four trips a year around the USA and usually one international.

Tim

I just paid attention to the Location info in each users profile. If I noticed some on from a destination that I was planning I might send a message to see if we could meet up. If I am ever in Waltham MA, I’ll look you up!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[tspear]

I just paid attention to the Location info in each users profile. If I noticed some on from a destination that I was planning I might send a message to see if we could meet up. If I am ever in Waltham MA, I’ll look you up!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I am not that observant
@Victoria Bampton Is it possible to add a search by location under the members?
For example, my wife and I are planning a trip to Tenerife (Spanish Canary Island) for 2024. It would be cool to search for members who are there....

I would also suggest a new sub-forum to display meet ups with photo proof....

Tim

 

[Gnits]

Cletus,
Thank you for the kind words.

I am happy at any stage to answer any queries people may have in relation to travelling to Ireland ... and if possible always glad to link up.

Also, Ireland is a very small island, but visitors constantly underestimate distances and time required to travel within Ireland. The most common complaint is that visitors run out of time, or their holiday is too rushed. One (of many) reasons is the fact that North to South, it's 486 km (302 miles) long and 275 km (171 miles) wide, going East to West. However, many people are keen to visit the West Coast of Ireland (ie The Wide Atlantic Way). This is thousands of miles long as it follows all the bays and headlands. It has lots of interesting places to visit.

I was more than happy to link up with Cletus and usage of the toll tag was just a small recognition of the effort and contribution he makes on this forum.

Also, Irish people in general are keen to make sure that visitors have a good experience.

Inflation, post Covid and Energy Crisis, has seriously caused hotel and food prices to soar. My biggest tip is to plan your accommodation well in advance.

This is my favourite time of the year to travel (in Ireland and Europe), but I am having personal difficulty finding accommodation way beyond the end of the normal tourist season.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

@Victoria Bampton Is it possible to add a search by location under the members?

Sorry Tim, I missed this. Looks like the forum software had a feature request for that functionality, but it was closed from lack of votes. I'll keep my eye open though.