Sir, - My husband and I have just had the pleasure of the company of our German friends. We did our best to return some of the hospitality that they afforded my husband while he lived in their city.
It is with great shame that I recount some of their experiences during their visit here.
The were amazed at how dirty Dublin was, that so much litter was lying around. They were shocked at the prices in restaurants and in lodgings. B&B rates have almost doubled since their last visit four years ago.
They were amazed to be charged £16 for one average main course in a Chinese restaurant. The staff never asked how our meal was, nor did they offer or bring water to the table.
They were also surprised to pay £6 for a 10-minute ferry ride to Garinish Island (not including entry to the gardens).
They decided not to pay £7 to enter Bantry House on advice from other German tourists who had just come out.
They witnessed two 10- to 13-year-olds beat up another similar aged boy in Bantry town.
Their Avis car rental bill was higher than expected as they could not fill the car with petrol on September 14th, the national day of mourning, because all stations were closed. They were invited to find a cash machine as they were short 16p from their £173.01 bill. The unhelpful agent gave them incorrect directions to the cash machine. . .
Thank goodness they saw lots of sheep on the ring of Kerry. This, they said, was the highlight of their trip. There's an idea: maybe we could figure out some way of charging tourists for that? - Yours, etc.,
Deirdre Reddy, Bayview Court, Killiney, Co Dublin.