My last rant spoke of the tourist trade in Ireland and the rip off label that Ireland has acquired. And it really speaks a great deal more about why tourism happens in Ireland. I always though of Ireland as a ‘quaint’ rural culture. Small villages, friendly local pubs laid back friendly people. And that’s what draws in the tourist. They are reminded of simpler times, less hectic, and frankly less Mad.
And now here is the rub, the Irish government long ago established laws to help prevent the local shops and farmers from being put out of business by large food chains, fast food shops and multi-national corporations. But the outcome of this, is that while some of the small shop owners are protected the large chains are using the protection to increase profits generated by their bulk purchase power to expand into every little town. There was even a law to prevent large furniture stores like Ikea by preventing the construction of the giant buildings Ikea is so fond of.
This all gets back to the globalization issue, the Irish public want cheaper prices, it needs tourist, wants the vast choices that the Multi’s offer. But are also interested in preserving the Irish way of life, the one the tourist want to remember.
Thus hangs the dilemma. To get a less ‘rip off’ Ireland, Ireland will have to give up Irish culture, and the Tourist trade.
Frankly when I came here more than three years ago, I missed the American choices and prices, and I wasn’t an anti-globalization person. But I am now, why travel to other countries, and see new places if they all look alike? None! Where’s the Crack in that? I’d rather live in the Old Ireland, the one shown in ‘The Quiet Man’, ‘Waking Ned Devine’ and the ‘Matchmaker’
Did I mention, I’m an Irish citizen now? And more proud of that, than I can say.