i don't need reddit, i have dreamwidth

[lirazel]

Two things, both for my parents!

1. My parents are planning on going to Ireland (both Northern and Republic of) for two weeks in the spring, and it is my job to plan their trip. Of course I'll be consulting, like, Rick Steves and other travel guides, but I'd love to hear any recommendations, tips, etc. anyone has!

2. My mom has a new Bible and it's soft-cover and she's trying to find the best solution to make sure it doesn't get all torn up.

I know how to find protective covers like this or this but only in large amounts for library use. I have no idea how to find things for individual use.

Of course she can always just buy some contact paper, but I'd rather come up with something a bit sturdier if I can.

Anyone got any ideas?

Comments

[seekingferret]

I don't know how useful this is but the highlights of my trip to Dublin were both James Joyce tourism- a trip out to Howth Castle from Finnegans Wake and a trip to the Martello Tower from Ulysses. But they were genuinely lovely places that might have been good general tourism trips too?

[lirazel]

Ooh, those both look gorgeous! I will jot them down--thanks!

[inchoatewords]

I went in 2023 for a week with my husband and in-laws. In Dublin, we went to Trinity College, where we did a walking tour of the grounds and the surrounding area, and got to see the Book of Kells and the Long Library (the latter is being renovated, I believe, but should still be open, even though there might not be any books right now, lol).

We spent a few days in Killarney and Galway, as well. In Killarney you can do a bus tour of the Ring of Kerry. They hit quite a few spots for picture taking, lunch, etc. We also did one to the Cliffs of Moher, which is definitely a must-see if they have time. What a view! And puffins! (My sister-in-law was a bit obsessed, hehe).

I don't know if they want to rent a car, but we took taxis and the Irish Rail and got around pretty well. The Irish Rail was cool because you didn't have to worry about consulting maps, and most folks were happy to chat if you wanted to do so. We got some nice restaurant recs that way!

[lirazel]

There's some great ideas in there! Thank you!

[inchoatewords]

For your second question, they do make protective covers specifically for bibles. https://a.co/d/5d5251R would something like that work?

[lirazel]

We have experience with those in the family and the thing is that the actual paper covers usually get worn out by them in a way that's really frustrating. They work well for hard or leather cover books though!

[ambyr]

I buy my book covers from https://manausbooks.com/, I think they have some that would suit? (My only complaint about them is that my orders sometimes come shipped with cheerful bible verses included in the packaging, which I suspect your mother would find a feature rather than a bug!)

I haven't been to Ireland since 2009, so I don't know how useful my experiences are at this point, but if you'd like you can find my write-ups under https://ambyr.dreamwidth.org/tag/british+isles . Parts 1 and 2 are Ireland; after that we went to Scotland.

[lirazel]

Those look great except that they don't look like they'd work for paperback books? The mylar, maybe!

Nice! Thank you for the link--I'll read through it! <3

[thatjustwontbreak]

I have nothing helpful to contribute on either front, but I did laugh at i don't need reddit, i have dreamwidth.

[lirazel]

Hee! I'm glad it could make you giggle!

[pauraque]

I don't know, but I'm here taking notes because I have some softcover reference books that I have absolutely destroyed, and it honestly never occurred to me that I could get protective covers for them.

[lirazel]

At the very least you can get a roll of contact paper! But yeah, hopefully something else will come up...

[theseatheseatheopensea]

Those adhesive covers are really convenient, but I always like non-permanent options better! If your mum can find a reasonably cheap roll of the regular, non-adhesive mylar/polyester, it's sturdy enough and she can use the rest to make more book covers if she has time/more books she want to protect! Or if she's not planning to use it outside her home, maybe a box she can keep it in while she's not using it, like this or this or this?

[lirazel]

Ah, archival boxes! We love them! I think she wants to be able to take it to Bible classes and church, so they won't do what she wants them to, but I love a box for a book!

[vriddy]

I've been thinking of your Ireland question and it's tough to make suggestions without knowing anything about what the parties involved like, haha. Nature? Culture? Old stuff? Guided, free range?? So I'm going to talk about logistics! XD

You research things so you probably know, but because I've met confused tourists at the airport before: the money in Ireland and Northern Ireland will be different! Northern Ireland is part of the UK. And a separate visa is needed, though I think the new electronic visa might cover them for Northern Ireland.

And I know Americans have a different concept of distances, so be careful not to accidentally end up with a trip that's mostly from the car or bus, because the roads are not that great so it takes a while to go places even if the distance might not seem that bad by US standards.

[lirazel]

it's tough to make suggestions without knowing anything about what the parties involved like, haha.

So true!!!! I should have specified!

They like gardens, well-paved walks through scenery, maybe one or two museums and historic sites, food recommendations.

Those are good reminders!

And I know Americans have a different concept of distances, so be careful not to accidentally end up with a trip that's mostly from the car or bus, because the roads are not that great so it takes a while to go places even if the distance might not seem that bad by US standards.

This is VERY helpful! Thank you so much!

[vriddy]

The Botanic Gardens in Dublin are free, near the city centre (great bus access), and really lovely, all with paved paths! If they're staying near them, the Iveagh Gardens are small and lovely, and worth a walk, but I wouldn't get out of my way to visit. St Anne's Park is also super lovely and has a farmer's market on Saturday mornings, and is near Bull Island which is a pretty cool nature reserve and bird sanctuary, although the beach doesn't have paving and it turns into a very very long walk - I really liked it, though!

Everyone I know who's gone to the Little Museum in Dublin has raved about it although I haven't been myself yet. This one, you have to pay for, but all public museums are free otherwise.

Northern Ireland, usually everyone has to go see the Giant Causeway haha, though friends who recently visited it were tremendously disappointed after hearing all the stories about giants so ymmv! The Titanic Museum in Belfast is pretty cool although always super busy, definitely wouldn't go on the weekend (though weekdays might be just as bad depending on the season).

Cliffs of Moher and the Connemera region are lovely. It will probably rain if they do go, no matter the time of the year! The Bunratty Castle isn't so far and pretty neat as well. It's a really a big tower, but there's also an old (fake, "rebuilt") village in the park around it, with old cottages etc, which I thought was pretty cool when I was there. All paved ways there too :)

This is all pretty random lol, but maybe some things in there lead to other more relevant interesting locations and activities in your research!

[lirazel]

Oh lovely! Thank you thank you!