Can I whine today?
Whine away....that's what we're here for!!!
Sorry about the aches and pains....it's always something, isn't it?
About Ireland....I went on a business trip in June last year. I left on a Sunday night and came home Thursday. It was fun because I had never gone to Europe before. We stayed in Dublin (very similar to NY). WAYYYYY expensive - and even more so now with the economy. The hotel was close to $400 / night and was fairly small (it was the Westin, Dublin). Internet access throughout the city was awful and they charged 30 plus dollars a night in additon to the $400. I spent two full days in meetings and site tours - they work long hours and party hard at night (ok, so it wasn't all bad!) The countryside is breathtaking...the food is overpriced and not so great. So, some good, some not so good. We had dinner at the Hard Rock one night just to get a little taste in our food....and you can only eat sooo much fish and chips while banded. One great thing is that you can do a TON of walking if you have time!!!
Tourists are treated well......and my Company flies you first class when travelling overseas (another fairly new experience for me). That was my favorite part - Hanging in the first class lounge at the Airport and then the service in First Class. Definitely not low cal.....but on somebody elses tab, it was fun!!
Hope you got a little nap in. What part of Ireland are you going to if you go?