People who have never left Ireland, EVER!

FinnLizzy

My OH's course went on a trip to Dublin the other day from Sligo. One of the girls, who's 19, was amazed by stuff like the spire and junkies.

Then she later mentioned that she never had a passport and was never abroad, not even England!

I also know an auld one from the village where my mum comes from, who never left Sligo until a few years ago, when she had to go to Dublin for medical reasons.

The first time I can remember going abroad was at the age of 8, but that was to go to England, and things didn't seem all that different. I wonder what it would be like now, at the age of 20, to go abroad for the first time and just be captivated by minor cultural differences.

Do you know anyone who has never been abroad? (specifically Ireland). And does it affect their worldview?

Sunnyisland

My Sisters husband(55)from Donegal was never outside the island of Ireland until this year.

oppenheimer1

FinnLizzy wrote: »

My OH's course went on a trip to Dublin the other day from Sligo. One of the girls, who's 19, was amazed by stuff like the spire and junkies.

Then she later mentioned that she never had a passport and was never abroad, not even England!

I also know an auld one from the village where my mum comes from, who never left Sligo until a few years ago, when she had to go to Dublin for medical reasons.

The first time I can remember going abroad was at the age of 8, but that was to go to England, and things didn't seem all that different. I wonder what it would be like now, at the age of 20, to go abroad for the first time and just be captivated by minor cultural differences.

Do you know anyone who has never been abroad? (specifically Ireland). And does it affect their worldview?

Not everyone has the luxury of foreign holidays and at 19 while it may be unusual, I wouldn't consider it odd

AngryBollix

I went to portlaoise for the first time last weekend.

It was grim

FinnLizzy

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Not everyone has the luxury of foreign holidays and at 19 while it may be unusual, I wouldn't consider it odd

Believe me, I phrased it in the best way possible. And I knew someone would call me out on my apparent snobbery! Just didn't expect it to be the 3rd post.

kippy

I didnt leave Ireland till I was 20. Up until I was 16 I was only in Dublin a handful of times and Cork Rarely.
We didnt do holidays at all when I was growing up, foreign or staycations.
Nothing too unusual about that, parents just had enough to bring us all up, carting kids around wasn't economical or much fun I'd think.

Not entirely into travel now either to be honest, although I've been a lot of places.

Chearp air travel is a relatively recent thing.

As far as knowing people who never left Ireland, I'd say I know plenty. Those of the older generation that didnt have to leave here for work but had to look after farms, families etc.

DEFTLEFTHAND

My maternal grandfather lived all his 74 years without ever leaving this island. Back then it was quite a common occurrence for rural types who were left the family farm. Nobody had the time, money or inclination for travel.

Chuck Stone

Shure why would ya leave Cork Ireland?

Out foreign is dangerous, like.

hondasam

FinnLizzy wrote: »

I also know an auld one from the village where my mum comes from, who never left Sligo until a few years ago, when she had to go to Dublin for medical reasons.

This is not odd or unusual, lots of people have never left Ireland or their own county. Some people are happy with this little country.

Aoifey!

My mother is in her late 40's and has only left Ireland once, and that was just as far as Wales a few years ago with the family. She says she always wanted to go on a plane.

biko

I met a cabbie from Mayo that had been to Dublin once in the 70s and that was about it.

TreesAreCrowd

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Not everyone has the luxury of foreign holidays and at 19 while it may be unusual, I wouldn't consider it odd

Yeah, people who can't get €40 together to fly into mainland Europe have significantly larger issues with their lives than not being able to travel.

Catari Jaguar

hondasam wrote: »

Some people are happy with this little country.

Ignorance is bliss...

starch4ser

I know a few people from Dublin who've never been abroad and they genuinely think that Dublin is one of the world's major cities.

kippy

TreesAreCrowd wrote: »

Yeah, people who can't get €40 together to fly into mainland Europe have significantly larger issues with their lives than not being able to travel.

It hasnt always been as relatively cheap to travel, and there are sometimes, as you say, more than money stopping people travel.
Some people don't have that need to see places outside of Ireland and some would probably find it more relaxing to take a few days off work and relax, rather than get involved in the whole hassle that travel can be.

Duggys Housemate

A recent survey I read which I cant be bothered searching, and which might be Sherlocked anyway, said that 50% of Americans never live more than 50 miles from where they were born. so there.

Of course that has nothing to do with this thread as they may travel all over the shop but I thought I would put it in there.

I've never been abroad. Nowadays it's due to me living the quiet life and having nobody to go with. Historically it was because my parents never had enough money to take us on a family holiday.

I'd like to visit Canada or the US though.

dirtyden

FinnLizzy wrote: »

My OH's course went on a trip to Dublin the other day from Sligo. One of the girls, who's 19, was amazed by stuff like the spire and junkies.

Then she later mentioned that she never had a passport and was never abroad, not even England!

I also know an auld one from the village where my mum comes from, who never left Sligo until a few years ago, when she had to go to Dublin for medical reasons.

The first time I can remember going abroad was at the age of 8, but that was to go to England, and things didn't seem all that different. I wonder what it would be like now, at the age of 20, to go abroad for the first time and just be captivated by minor cultural differences.

Do you know anyone who has never been abroad? (specifically Ireland). And does it affect their worldview?

Where have you been OP? How has it impacted your world view?

I was not abroad until I was 21, my first trip away was to the USA. I have travelled quite a bit since then, worked abroad for extended periods I dont think my world view has changed significantly.

Your post does seem quite condescending. The fact that you were expecting responses like this appears to indicate that you intended it to be so.

hondasam

Karsini wrote: »

I've never been abroad. Nowadays it's due to me living the quiet life and having nobody to go with. Historically it was because my parents never had enough money to take us on a family holiday.

I'd like to visit Canada or the US though.

Do you think you have missed out on anything?

stovelid

Travel is for snobs and students. I can see anything I want on the TV.

Ficheall

I've been abroad a few times and as of yet (aside from the weather) I've not encountered anything that made me feel like I was missing out in Ireland.
Of course, had I not gone, I'm sure grass on the other side always being greener would have gotten to me. And there are still plenty of places I intend to travel to.

Ellis Dee

A brother of mine, now aged 55, went to Lancashire once when he was a helper on a truck. Otherwise, he has never been outside Ireland. Now, he's getting a passport at last and I think I'll treat him (and myself) to a weekend in Amsterdam in about 3 weeks' time.:):);)

Sunnyisland

starch4ser wrote: »

I know a few people from Dublin who've never been abroad and they genuinely think that Dublin is one of the world's major cities.

It is isn't it :p:D:D:):)

Ellis Dee

AngryBollix wrote: »

I went to portlaoise for the first time last weekend.

It was grim

I agree. The place has gone to the dogs altogether with all the Dubs who have moved in.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

JohnMearsheimer

My uncle is in his 70s and he's never been to Dublin and he's only been abroad once on a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France.

FinnLizzy

dirtyden wrote: »

Where have you been OP? How has it impacted your world view?

I was not abroad until I was 21, my first trip away was to the USA. I have travelled quite a bit since then, worked abroad for extended periods I dont think my world view has changed significantly.

Your post does seem quite condescending. The fact that you were expecting responses like this appears to indicate that you intended it to be so.

How would I know how it would affect my world view? I can't un-visit these countries. I've been to America once and various places in Europe. The question was "And does it affect their worldview?", from an outside perspective.

I was expecting responses that call me out for being a snob because I may come across as one. I never owned an Xbox, would I wouldn't consider someone being condescending for owning one, and questioning my lack of ownership of one.

And I'm not being condescending, I just want to break the chain of recession threads on AH.

opinion guy

Duggys Housemate wrote: »

and which might be Sherlocked anyway

I clearly haven't traveled where you are from as I've never heard of this apparently capitalised verb Sherlocked! Pray tell - what does this mean ?

FinnLizzy

Ellis Dee wrote: »

Now, he's getting a passport at last and I think I'll treat him (and myself) to a weekend in Amsterdam in about 3 weeks' time.:):);)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD4heGsPks

dirtyden

FinnLizzy wrote: »

How would I know how it would affect my world view? I can't un-visit these countries. I've been to America once and various places in Europe. The question was "And does it affect their worldview?", from an outside perspective.

I was expecting responses that call me out for being a snob because I may come across as one. I never owned an Xbox, would I wouldn't consider someone being condescending for owning one, and questioning my lack of ownership of one.

And I'm not being condescending, I just want to break the chain of recession threads on AH.

I was asking you where have you been and how it affected your world view?

Your post seems to suggest that your world view is somehow more enlightened than the lady you posted about. I just wanted clarity on that.

Teyla Emmagan

My Granny. She's 90 though, and couldn't care less. And is also more well informed than most people.

Also a friend of my parents, she doesn't like flying (she's never been on a plane), or ferries (never been on one of them either), so they go to Kerry every year.

dirtyden

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

My Granny. She's 90 though, and couldn't care less. And is also more well informed than most people.

Also a friend of my parents, she doesn't like flying (she's never been on a plane), or ferries (never been on one of them either), so they go to Kerry every year.

Agreed I dont enlightenment is to be found on a shopping trip to New York.

Teyla Emmagan

dirtyden wrote: »

Agreed I dont enlightenment is to be found on a shopping trip to New York.

Last place you'd find it in fact

Eric Cartman

I know a person in their mid 20s who has never even been to the UK, its not financial, just the idea of planes and ferrys frighten them.

blackwhite

starch4ser wrote: »

I know a few people from Dublin who've never been abroad outside of Dublin and they genuinely think that Dublin is one of the world's major cities.

FYP

ejmaztec

I don't reckon my grand-parents ever left Kerry, but all their kids did.

af_thefragile

stovelid wrote: »

Travel is for snobs and students. I can see anything I want on the TV.

Or Google Earth!!!

oppenheimer1

TreesAreCrowd wrote: »

Yeah, people who can't get €40 together to fly into mainland Europe have significantly larger issues with their lives than not being able to travel.

It costs considerably more than €40 to go to mainland Europe for a few days. I spent over £300 a couple of weeks ago for a weekend in London, and that was done on the cheap.


Young people at 19 years of age would have (or should have) been accompanied by an adult if they travelled at a younger age. The costs build up.

While no foreign travel may affect a young persons world view, I'd be more worried about the world view of a person who thinks that it is strange for a 19 year old to never have travelled.

IcedOut

I was born abroad :pac:

Inventive User Name

I'm 19, never been abroad either. We didn't have the money when I was younger. Saving all my pennies for college at the minute, so it's not going to happen any time soon. Ah well ..........

Aidric

Unless it's down to financial constraints I find it quite sad.

up for anything

starch4ser wrote: »

I know a few people from Dublin who've never been abroad and they genuinely think that Dublin is one of the world's major cities.

The Celtic Tiger has a lot to answer for. In my young days I knew loads of people who had never been outside of Ireland and didn't look like they ever would be. I knew a few people who had never been to Dublin.

What is more shocking to me is that I know so many people born and bred in Kilkenny who have never been to towns and villages within a 10 mile radius of Kilkenny. When I moved to a village outside the town nearly every real Kilkenny person asked me what it was like out there, whereas all the blow-ins knew exactly what it was like having taken the time out to visit the village and it's wonderful priory.

Rabies

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Not everyone has the luxury of foreign holidays and at 19 while it may be unusual, I wouldn't consider it odd

Get off the recession train.

**** like that is ruining AH.

Air travel across europe has been very cheap since the mid 90's.
It still is.

There is no excuse for someone to not travel to even England. Take a ferry instead of flying.

It is odd and unusual that someone would not have traveled out of Ireland by the time they're 19-20.

You don't need to be rich or have a lot of money in the bank to go over seas for a weekend.

KeithAFC

Been to Scotland. Planning on going to Dixie.

kippy

Rabies wrote: »

Get off the recession train.

**** like that is ruining AH.

Air travel across europe has been very cheap since the mid 90's.
It still is.

There is no excuse for someone to not travel to even England. Take a ferry instead of flying.

It is odd and unusual that someone would not have traveled out of Ireland by the time they're 19-20.

You don't need to be rich or have a lot of money in the bank to go over seas for a weekend.

What are you basing that comment on?
(it being odd or unusual not to have left the country by the time you are 19/20)
I and many like me don't find that odd or unusual at all.

grindle

Rabies wrote: »

There is no excuse for someone to not travel to even England.

No excuse? For the Irish! WHAAAAAAAA?

:pac:

ProudDUB

Definitely don't think it is unusual for a 19 year old to have never been abroad. Not in this day and age. She is only a year out of school. She would have been reliant on others to take her abroad and pay for the trips for most of her life. If she comes from a poor background, or her parent(s) are in ill health that is a tall order. Then if she is an impoverished student scrimping and saving to put herself thru college, I can't really see any fun weekends away with the girls in NYC/London/Paris etc etc in her future.

oppenheimer1

Rabies wrote: »

Get off the recession train.

**** like that is ruining AH.

Air travel across europe has been very cheap since the mid 90's.
It still is.

There is no excuse for someone to not travel to even England. Take a ferry instead of flying.

It is odd and unusual that someone would not have traveled out of Ireland by the time they're 19-20.

You don't need to be rich or have a lot of money in the bank to go over seas for a weekend.

No it isn't odd, and it isn't recession talk either. At 19 that person is just out of school and is still very young. Depending on their parents they may not have had much freedom. Their parents also may not have had much money or desire for travel. Perhaps their parents have a farm or a large family which makes travel very impractical. There are many many reasons why someone so young hasn't ever been overseas.

And this notion about overseas travel being cheap is utter nonsense. The only thing that has come down in cost is flights and they're still pretty expensive if you have no means. As I said in an earlier post, I was in London a few weekends ago, I didn't go mad, yet the cost was over £300 for the few days.


Its unusual that someone wouldn't have been overseas at that age, but its certainly not odd.

hondasam

Rabies wrote: »

There is no excuse for someone to not travel to even England. Take a ferry instead of flying.

It is odd and unusual that someone would not have traveled out of Ireland by the time they're 19-20.

You don't need to be rich or have a lot of money in the bank to go over seas for a weekend.

Plenty of people have never travelled to the UK for one reason they don't want too.It's not odd or unusual at all depending on your circumstances.
Going away for a weekend is not that cheap when you factor in flights, spending money, hotels etc.

hondasam

hondasam wrote: »

Do you think you have missed out on anything?

I'm sure I have, but I'm not too pushed for the moment.

Jogathon

My 95 year old granduncle travelled everywhere with his wife for the last 60 years. I love to travel and I love showing him my holiday pics cos then he shows me his from 30 odd years before, the pyramids, ayers rock, niagera falls etc. It's so funny to compare the different eras. He's a total legend, with a brilliantly inclusive and informed personality.

I think that it is unusual that a 19 year old has never gone to Dublin but overseas travel is out for many families.

FinnLizzy

Some people seem to forget that people go abroad for other reasons aside from holidays.

I have a relative who moved to England because his dad was on parole in Ireland when he jumped across to England, and eventually he had to move over as well.

I recon he would have been a completely different person if he stayed in a village than in a working class suburb in England. And certainly less racist!