Comments for Views from the Slow Lane

Comment on Becoming Irish by Adam

Adam — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:33:12 +0000

Pauline, I hope you are correct and I will be talking to the folks at immigration tomorrow. However, the chart that I have attempnted to post here which was taken from the General Information Leaflet on Irish Citizenship (that does not contain any mention of any changes since Mr. Cohen’s speech on St. Patrick’s day, 2009) says that I am a “D” (great grandchild of A, my grandmother is a B and my mother is C) but that my mother (C) would have had to register in the foreign births registry prior to my birth. I hope this is no longer true, or the fact that I’ve been here for over 2 years makes a difference. Do you happen to know anything about this?

If you are: then you are:

A: born in the island of Ireland
– entitled to Irish citizenship or an Irish citizen.

B: a child of A, born outside the island of Ireland
– an Irish citizen.

C: a child of B and a grandchild of A, born outside the island of Ireland
-entitled to Irish citizenship, but you must first register in Foreign Births Register.

D: a child of C and a great-grandchild of A, born outside the Island of Ireland
– entitled to Irish citizenship, by having your birth registered in the Foreign Births Register, but only if your parent C had registered by the time of your birth.

the pamphlet can be viewed here The leaflet can be viewed here http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Information%20Leaflet%20No.%201%20-%20140709.pdf/Files/Information%20Leaflet%20No.%201%20-%20140709.pdf

Comment on Find Vacation Rentals in Germany by Pauline

Pauline — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:14:01 +0000

Thanks! I will have a look at both of these sites.

Comment on Becoming Irish by Pauline

Pauline — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:13:00 +0000

I think you can apply for citizenship based on the great-grandparent. No one further down the generation tree has to be an Irish citizen. And since you are living in Ireland, you meet that requirement too. You probably need to talk to someone in the government there and start getting your records together – birth and marriage certificates. Good luck!

Comment on Becoming Irish by Adam

Adam — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:27:33 +0000

Hello,

I am an American who has earned a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology here in Ireland at Trinity College, Dublin. I believe my great-grandparent was an Irish citizen, but my parent didn’t apply for Irish citizenship by the time of my birth. Since I am living in Ireland can I apply for citizenship? Initially my plan was to use the green card scheme to acquire a green card working as a psychologist. Then, months before I graduated they amended the green card scheme to omit psychologists from the list of needed occupations. My entire life is now here in Ireland and I m very interested in becoming a citizen- I want to stay, work and pay taxes here in Ireland and I’m finding it difficult to do so! Will this change in policy help me? Please respond, getting anxious.

Adam

Comment on Thinking About a Vacation Rental in France? by Dea Dale

Dea Dale — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:49:27 +0000

Nice and Cannes are still as expensive as they have always been. But it is really lovely here and weather is still nice.

Will miss the Marathon November 8th, though.

Comment on Find Vacation Rentals in Germany by Anne Marie

Anne Marie — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:35:36 +0000

Hi,
Great article. I would like to recommend you a vacation rental website called http://rentalo.com. I have used this website with great results. It offers a nice option called wanted ads that allows you to submit an inquiry to several properties in a destination depending on your needs. You just have to sit back and wait for offers from property owners which usually come really quickly. A time and money saver!

Comment on Find Vacation Rentals in Germany by Jonna

Jonna — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:44:27 +0000

Thanks for the useful tips! I have rented apartments in Berlin through Checkin Apartments ( http://www.checkin.se/berlin ) and can highly recommend them. Central locations, great service and good apartments in various parts of Berlin.

Comment on The Water is Rising in Venice by Venice Travel Guide

Venice Travel Guide — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:03:37 +0000

Definitely ! When Aqua Alta happens and you are around, it is very interesting if equiped with the right boots.

San Marco square and around are actually on the same level and sometimes above the sea.

Also some very nice photographic opportunities.

Comment on Becoming Irish by arlene

arlene — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:54:44 +0000

hey, is this just for americans or ca anyone apply, does this include great grand parents born in uk as well since they are joined. it wouldnt be fair if it just had it for the irish americans.

Comment on Touring the Cotswolds in Your Own Way by Pauline

Pauline — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:30:48 +0000

It has been 20 yrs since we have been in the Lake District and we must get up there again – it is magnificent. But I have to defend the walking in the Cotswolds – footpaths are well marked and documented in hiking guides, you can walk for an hour or for the whole day, the countryside may not be “rugged” but it is beautiful for walking. I think you miss most of what the Cotswolds has to offer if you stay in cars and pubs.

Living in the Rocky Mountains in the US (northern New Mexico), I have “rugged” at my doorstep. I like the contrast of the walking/hiking in England because it is gentle and easy.

P.S. Am now in love with your Mark the Field Bag!! Beautiful!!

Comment on Touring the Cotswolds in Your Own Way by Jorrit Jorritsma

Jorrit Jorritsma — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:19:34 +0000

The Cotswolds are superb to tour by car. And Stow-on-the-Wold remains a firm favourite with some gorgeous cottages for rent. But lanes are narrow and walkers can get frustrated. We suggest a road and pub tour of the Cotswolds, followed by the wilderness and walking paradise of the Lake District. The Romantic Poets got it right, drawing their inspiration from this rugged landscape!

Comment on Thinking About a Vacation Rental in France? by Accommodation Croatia

Accommodation Croatia — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:06:52 +0000

Mmm, France. :) When I think of quiet and relaxing vacation, I think of picturesque French villages, vineyards, and beautiful nature. Basically, it’s everything one can wish for.

Comment on That Summer in Sicily, by Marlena de Blasi by Cheryl

Cheryl — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:45:50 +0000

Phyllis, you will love everyone of her other works too! I have not read Sicily but really look forward to it with your recommendation. I read “1000 Days in Tuscany” first and devoured it and followed with her other books. Thanks for posting your comments. Do you tour or live in Italy? The website that Marlena supposedly arranged tours does not work. But that would be fun!

Comment on That Summer in Sicily, by Marlena de Blasi by Phyllis Anastasiades

Phyllis Anastasiades — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:03:43 +0000

Just finished reading “That Summer in Sicily”. I loved it absolutely. It’s so different from anything else that I have read recently. I recommend it highly
It is textured with characters, and description of the countryside. It is so vivid that you can see the characters, smell the food and become intoxicated by the flowers. And I was completely surprised by the ending.
All the best to Marlena de Blasi, I shall read all of your other works.

Comment on Touring the Cotswolds in Your Own Way by Pauline

Pauline — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:51:01 +0000

Hi Chiaro! Tetbury is a nice town, but I think too long a drive to go back to (well over an hour). Other lovely towns are near you – Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Winchcombe.

Also think about what you want to see on the day you drive to the airport. You could stop at Burford on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds, then drive south to Wiltshire and see Avebury with its huge ancient stone circle – very different from Stonehenge.

I remember well what it is like the first time driving in England. I sit in the passenger seat and say “too close, too close” until Steve asks me to stop talking. It always seems to the passenger that you are too close to the edge, while the driver thinks he is too close to the center line! They just don’t have our concept of “road shoulders” and all roads seem to have curbs, hedgerows or stone rows right at the edge. Plus the lanes are more narrow.

I am happy that you liked Clive ( http://www.drive-u.co.uk ). He has driven us from the airport to Bath several times and it is such a luxury to not have to drive in a jetlagged state. The Queensberry ( http://www.thequeensberry.co.uk ) is a lovely hotel. We have stayed there twice and love the historic building and the location.