Beautiful Ireland.

The one thing that strikes visitors to Ireland is the very real difference in the pace of life in the smaller villages, rather than the larger cities such as Belfast and Dublin - with one exception. The extremely narrow roads are mostly 100km/h, even though a large number of the houses are built right up to the very edge of the roadway, many with very very solid dry stone walls bordering the roadway. Despite these narrow winding roads (read laneways) the local drivers take the posted speed limits literally. We are amazed that vehicles pass each other with millimetres to spare either side at break neck speed. However as you enter each county they have large signs showing the number of road deaths in that particular county that have occured within the last 4 years. The numbers are frightening - ranging from 75 in the smallest county's to 243 in Galway, one of the larger county's. When you consider the relatively small geographic area of Ireland, add the dozens of county's, the!
annual road toll must be horrific when compared to somewhere like Australia. The majority of cars are small compact sedans or hatchbacks - any wonder considering the minor roads.
Having said all this, parts of Ireland are slowly moving into the 21st century with massive construction works taking place such as new multi-lane motorways, vast housing developments - all built in identical style.

Kevin & Gail.
www.alaska-2006.blogspot.com

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