As I was about to go home today, I was told to get my passport and they'd like me to be in ireland next tuesday! Such short notice sucks, but it turns out I couldn't get a passport appointment in philly, boston, dc or norwalk CT until monday morning. It took one of my co-workers two days from his appointment to get the passport, so that'll give me about a week before I have to ship off. The real issue now is what to do with the BP Gathering? I'm almost positive I won't be able to make it. I supposed it can go on without me, but I'd feel bad [:(]

I think it is time to add an Ireland folder to the forum. You can grow the beerpal membership in Ireland and become St. BP. Have a great trip and keep the stout flowing.

Perfect: You will have killer internet access and the best cell phone serive you can imagine. Hit Gallway in October for the oyster fest. Go to the ring of Kerry, and find Biddy Earlies brewpub. What a crack up. Hit the mummies at St. Mickens in Dublin, and take on of those bus tours of the city. Ireland is a fine place, folks are wonderful.

quote: Originally posted by Brett Sweet [quote]Originally posted by Brad Pear Perfect

Flash, you're going to have a great time. Ireland is beautiful: a great place to work and enjoy life. When we (Familia del Foam) moved back Stateside from Germany in 2000, we stopped in Ireland for a two-week visit. The tech industry was exploding there, computer and telecom companies springing up and expanding overnight. I agree with Brett and Brad Pear and others, you'll have great Internet access and cell coverage, esp in the city. Meanwhile, if you have some time off for touring now and then, there are some spectacular historical and natural sites to visit. Get thee to a bookstore and buy the Dorling Kindersley Guide: festivals, abbeys, castles, pubs, etc. The people are extremely friendly, esp in the country, and there's good beer on every corner of every village and town. Sweaters are cheap in August, so it will be a good time to buy a few! Kiss the Blarney Stone--we could use more of that on the site. I know many businesses are expanding in Ireland because there is a surplus of well-educated and underemployed people who can do technical work at a reasonable cost. You will also notice the incredible number of Americans who take golfing vacations to Ireland because it's such a great value. There are courses everywhere, greens fees and accomodations are reasonable, and it's easy to get around (you'll get the hang of driving on the left). I expect you'll develop a taste for other malt-based beverages besides beer while your there... Just don't change the name of the site to BarleyPal, ok? Don't stress about the BeerPal Bash. There's nothing stopping BeerPals from gathering anywhere, anytime. However, you will be present for the first "Official" BeerPal gathering. In fact, I'm always looking for a good reason to return to the Emerald Isle, so why don't we just move the BeerPal Bash to Dublin! We could combine it with golf and save enough in greens fees to pay for the plane tickets! Lucky you, your company is picking up the tab! Foam PS--Say hi to Elvis Costello for me; he lives in Dublin, too. Also, since you are not leaving until Monday night, please read a little James Joyce over the weekend. Ulysses will do.

This will help with your reading assignment--full text of Joyce's Ulysses on line! http://www.bibliomania.com/0/0/29/61/frameset.html

I keep hearing people talk about "great internet and cell phone access", but you they serious? After talking about a half dozen co-workers who have returned from assignments out there, it seems that most hotels do not have internet access. Apparently the only one that does is a 2 year old Crown Plaza near one of our offices. I've heard that there are plenty of internet cafes, but that's a horrible inconvenience. As for cell phone service, I'm not sure how anyone can be serious. The rates are nothing short of outrageous, as with most European countries. What's the point of being able to use a cell phone in the deep country if you're getting charged for local calls? Boy, do I sound like an ingnorant American, or what? LOL

http://www.beerpal.com/compass/retailerinfo.asp?ID=1086 Bruxelles Pub. Go on a Sunday around noon and grab a seat with the locals (and a couple of tourist due to the area). GREAT Blues music weekly. (oh yeah - check out the gold/platinum Commitments records on the wall behind the bar - left side).

Enjoy the *FRESH* Guinness!

quote: Originally posted by Flashpro less than 4 hours until take off. I booked my flight this morning, got the last seat on the plane, and leave at 8pm. I'll arrive at 7:45am local time, go to the hotel, take a 3 hour nap, then go to the Dublin office at noon. I can't sleep on planes. This is going to suck! Also, I'm staying at a hotel in Ashbourne that has no ****ing internet! grrrrrr

I, likewise, don't sleep on airplanes and the European flights are killer, cuz you get there in the AM. Whatever you do, don't go to sleep, it will mess you up. Just stay up and go to bed at 9 or 10PM. All will be good.

quote: Originally posted by eaglefan538 I, likewise, don't sleep on airplanes and the European flights are killer, cuz you get there in the AM. Whatever you do, don't go to sleep, it will mess you up. Just stay up and go to bed at 9 or 10PM. All will be good.

That's exactly what I ended up doing. I couldn't fall asleep on the plane if I tried, and by the time I got to the hotel (the plane left an hour and a half late) I only had a chance to take a one hour nap before heading to the office. Then I couldn't leave until 6:30pm because that's when my ride was leaving. Finally, got back and went out to dinner and had a Guinness at about 10pm and I was wide awake after dinner. Anyway, I had the Guinness and... eh. It was a little better, but I was really let down. Maybe it will be better somewhere else, especially at the brewery.