Sir, - Ireland has become a great favourite with a certain type of person: one who loves the landscape and people; who seeks peace and quiet and is willing to suffer the occasional shower to enjoy it. In this connection I should like to make the following observations:
The gap between the picture created by the Bord Failte (and others) and reality must be reduced. I am thinking of the difference between the "Traffic Jam" on the postcards consisting of a flock of sheep and the N11 at five p.m.; the floating trash everywhere, polluted lakes etc. I think most people are aware of this discrepancy.
One problem given less consideration is that of noise. Recently I had to meet someone at Dublin Airport. With an hour and a half to spare, I bought a newspaper and went to the bar to enjoy it with a quiet pint.
The noise there was unbelievable. Hard, relentless rock-music, non-stop. I fled to the "Panoramic Lounge" upstairs. Same thing: ear-splitting, aggressive pop/rock. I had to leave.
Now, this is for many people the first contact with Ireland, and a very negative one. This is the type of thing the promoters of Ireland tell us to escape from in our own countries, and to recover from in Ireland. The truth is, however, that a quiet drink can be had at most European airports, but not Dublin's. - Yours, etc.,
Jan Bobak,
Valerinsstraat, Amsterdam, Holland.