The Bottom Line
Pros
- Comprehensive and exhaustive information on all aspects of traveling in Ireland.
- Handy size and flexible enough to be stuffed into a backpack.
- Important information is highlighted for a quick scan.
Cons
- Low on pictures.
- Weight ... you'll know you're carrying it around.
Description
- Up to Date? The (current) eighth edition was published in July 2006.
- Images and Illustrations - Most are in monochrome and quite dark, not a very visual guide.
- Maps - Several useful city and town maps, some local maps, (very) small all-Ireland map just for quick reference.
- Typeface - Several used, all are clear, but quite small, best read in broad daylight.
- General Layout - Very clear and grouped by counties, numerous sidebars tend to liven up the layout.
- "Completeness" - No quibbles, all Ireland is covered, additional information sufficient.
- Binding and Paper Quality - Typical (good) paperback quality, fairly flexible, may get scruffy fast.
- Size and Weight - 712 pages plus covers, 5.25 x 8 inches, 650 grams.
- Would I Feel Comfortable Using this Book? Yes - though you need a map to go with it.
Guide Review - "The Rough Guide to Ireland" by Paul Gray and Geoff Wallis
Did I like this book? Yes and no - I am a fan of visual guides, so the Rough Guide did not score well. The few color pages are largely wasted and the monochrome photos were great but dark. I would not be seduced into traveling by leafing through this book, that much was clear. On the other hand this leaves a lot of room for text ... and here the Rough Guide scores full marks.
Okay, you might struggle with the small print and Crowded pages occasionally, but the authors manage to cram in nearly all the information you need. Actually more than you will need before a new edition comes out, unless you are traveling for a living. And almost all data is up to date - only occasionally suffering the march of time (like "The Road to Independence" in the National Museum or the polar bears in Dublin Zoo).
The history part in the "Contexts" section might be up for criticism occasionally - some events are painted with a rather broad brush.
Apart from this most criticism would be down to the individual user. I could only disagree utterly with the inclusion of surfing and the "Spike" in the list of "33 things not to miss". On the other hand the authors have to be commended for not perpetuating the myth of Doolin.
If you want to discuss this review, please use our forum to do so.
