| There are many signs of slowing up of the | | | | My son had a pizza EUR17 for a basic one, when |
| economy in Ireland as it is now officially in | | | | he asked for oil to go on top he was presented |
| recession. | | | | with a small eggcup size container with a small |
| I have noticed on my visits this year that that | | | | drop in. They should have in fact had a bottle that |
| there not so many 09 registrations on cars and in | | | | they would have left on the table when delivering |
| fact when I was in Dublin in early March took four | | | | the pizza. They made a great song and dance of |
| days to see nine new vehicles with 09 number. A | | | | offering black pepper from a large mill that was |
| year earlier and three months into the new year | | | | not working well, but other basics were missing. |
| there would have been hundreds of 08s on the | | | | Back in North London, my son eats regularly at an |
| roads. | | | | excellent Italian establishment, getting larger better |
| House prices have fallen dramatically and it is now | | | | wood oven pizzas for lot money and more |
| fairly easier to get hold of a basic plumber or | | | | flavour. |
| builder with flyers being put through front doors | | | | I had Lasagna served with a side salad, lettuce |
| once again advertising their businesses. | | | | and tomato covered in mayonnaise. What is the |
| The media is full of stories about unemployment | | | | problem making a fine green salad with tomatoes, |
| rising, however you wouldn't notice a difference in | | | | olives etc? What they are serving up is probably |
| some of the restaurants in one of the main | | | | easier. |
| approaches from Dublin Airport to the centre via | | | | What about some bread sticks, Italian bread, small |
| Drumcondra. | | | | chocolate or biscuit with the coffee for example, |
| As part of a walk I give my dog when staying | | | | or better quality napkins and not those cheap |
| with relatives a walk down part of Upper | | | | paper ones? |
| Drumcondra Road and whether it is early evening | | | | We left before 9.00 and the place was filling up |
| or later the restaurants look busy. Last night was | | | | well, maybe the restaurant need some real |
| no exception. The 22nd June, a Monday evening. | | | | competition. A few weeks ago in Italy five of us |
| We booked a table at an Italian Restaurant for | | | | had a great meal in Italy near the French border. |
| 6.45. The restaurant has been there for a few | | | | EUR150 including a couple of bottles of wine plus |
| years and when we went in there were several | | | | bottled water. That place was also full, however |
| diners in there. They might have been a mixture | | | | you were getting value for money and quality. |
| of the left over customers from the "early bird" | | | | I hope restaurants in the Dublin area wake up to |
| specials 5-7 eating a two course meal for | | | | the fact that the tourist market is going through |
| EUR22.95 or starting out for the evening. | | | | a very bad patch this year. Many UK visitors are |
| Other establishments along the road also run their | | | | not coming because of the euro-sterling exchange |
| early bird specials. What is surprising me is the | | | | rate. Although there are cheap flights, car hire is |
| prices these establishments are still charging. I | | | | fairly expensive and bringing your own car is very |
| appreciate they are in a suburb of North Dublin, | | | | costly compared with taking it over to France. |
| however the advertised prices look no different | | | | The Irish Tourist board is trying to encourage |
| to a year ago, but if people are prepared to pay | | | | more Scandinavians, Dutch and German tourists |
| and they clearly look like they are then the | | | | this year. |
| restaurant owners can continue to charge high | | | | However they won't return id prices are too high. |
| prices. | | | | Last weekend I was charged EUR4.90 for a pint |
| Dublin has a reputation of being one of the more | | | | of Kilkenny, this was in a hotel in Malahide near |
| expensive European cities to visit and if the quality | | | | Dublin that I had been going to for some 30 |
| is there, I might not mind it so much. | | | | years. Their carvery price is now EUR13 per |
| The Italian restaurant was expensive. Three | | | | person and OK. They must be making good |
| people EUR120 including a tip. A few years back | | | | money however as they were in the position to |
| when the euro was weak against sterling that | | | | run the central heating radiators and air |
| would have been around £70, today that is | | | | conditioning at the same time. |
| nearly £115 coming from my pocket. | | | | Recession, what recession. |