Ireland Named Best Place To Live

[pal78]

Dickie's right - it's an old name for Ireland. Look here

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cool, I didn't know that. Ireland is also know as "The emerald isle" but from now on you can call it "The best place to live in the world". (Still makes me feel sorry for the rest of the world.)

[PeaceBlondie]

Thanks, Bizz, for all that Irish data. Two people who caused the population of Clare County to increase by 9.9% between 1996 and 2002 would be my son Chris, who moved there to have their baby, Allanah (curly blond hair, sky blue eyes!). My son looks like the cartoon teenager "Shaggy," but they haven't a dog named "Scoobey Doo." He loves it there.

But Axl Rose was wrong: "Nothing lasts forever, even cold November rain." In Ireland, apparently the cold rain lasts forever.

Yes, if climate was left out of the Economist's criteria, what else was also disregarded? I can't stand cold weather; everywhere beyond 30 degrees of the equator is totally unacceptable, and within 20 degrees is better. And I like days of at least 11 hours, not 7.

But as Chris wrote to me, "Dad, everything here is green." Including the moss. And when God finished creating the world, he dropped 900 trillion tons of slate in western Ireland. His inlaws cooked me the best meal of boiled ham and potatos! The ale was a bit dark, and the prices were way too high. Clean city, that Ennis. They even drive on the right (left) side of the road. I only saw western Ireland, and it was gorgeous.

[nogutsnoapplepie]

Thanks, Bizz, for all that Irish data.  Two people who caused the population of Clare County to increase by 9.9% between 1996 and 2002 would be my son Chris, who moved there to have their baby, Allanah (curly blond hair, sky blue eyes!).    My son looks like the cartoon teenager "Shaggy," but they haven't a dog named "Scoobey Doo."  He loves it there.

But Axl Rose was wrong: "Nothing lasts forever, even cold November rain."  In Ireland, apparently the cold rain lasts forever.

Yes, if climate was left out of the Economist's criteria, what else was also disregarded?  I can't stand cold weather; everywhere beyond 30 degrees of the equator is totally unacceptable, and within 20 degrees is better.  And I like days of at least 11 hours, not 7.

But as Chris wrote to me, "Dad, everything here is green."  Including the moss.  And when God finished creating the world, he dropped 900 trillion tons of slate in western Ireland.  His inlaws cooked me the best meal of boiled ham and potatos!  The ale was a bit dark, and the prices were way too high.  Clean city, that Ennis.  They even drive on the right (left) side of the road.  I only saw western Ireland, and it was gorgeous.

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Glazed Ham and Spuds.Aaaahhhh Luvly.

[Bizz]

Let the battle begin.

26/02/05

Turning point for Grand Slam dreams

By Charlie Mulqueen

THROUGHOUT the week, Irish players have attempted to dampen the expectation that has gripped the nation in advance of tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash with England at Lansdowne Road.

And with good reason. Having stumbled to victory over an Italian side that was subsequently destroyed by Wales, Ireland went to Murrayfield and capitalised on a series of Scottish errors while creating few chances of their own. They romped home by 40 points and, coming on top of a defeat of South Africa in the autumn, things were never so good for Irish rugby. Compare and contrast with England’s losses to Wales and France, a host of injury problems and the perceived wisdom that they are in transition; it all points to an easy touch, especially at Lansdowne Road, for Eddie O’Sullivan’s men.

At first glance, there was a lot in what the optimists were saying. England will be without several key men through injury, not just out-half Jonny Wilkinson and centre Mike Tindall, and are going with their third choice tight head prop, after Julian White and Phil Vickery were ruled out.

So the front-row, for once, was seen as an area of English vulnerability. There’s little doubt that Ireland will target Matt Stevens, Graham Rowntree and Steve Thompson. Trouble is, the Irish front-row itself doesn’t instil fear into opposing units and will do well enough to handle its own business.

True, Ireland could have a big edge in the second-row, especially if Thompson has an off-day out of touch like his disastrous afternoon at Twickenham 12 months ago. There is no better pair than Paul O’Connell and Malcolm O’Kelly to make hay in those circumstances, although they are up against a seriously good pair in Danny Grewcock and England’s pack leader Ben Kay.

As for the back-row, it is difficult to justify how the Irish unit of Anthony Foley, Simon Easterby and Johnny O’Connor should be considered superior to Joe Worsley, Martin Corry and Lewis Moody (who remains a doubtful starter). O’Connor is unproven at this level and Easterby has had a quiet campaign. Foley, on the day he wins his 60th cap, will have to be at the very top of his game if Ireland are to hold a potentially crucial advantage in this area of the pitch. Interestingly, England coach Andy Robinson has pinpointed the battle on the ground as favouring his side, while it is also an area where referee Jonathan Kaplan also has a big role to play.

“The key battle will be which side dominates at the rucks,” Robinson insists.

“We have had a lot of slow ball in each of our last two games. If we are able to generate some quick ball, you will see our attacking flair and rhythm. We have worked hard at winning the ball dynamically.”

It will be the job of O’Connor, especially, to ensure it doesn’t happen. England carry a lot of punch behind the scrum, especially wide out where left winger Josh Lewsey is a real danger, not least because Girvan Dempsey is a relative stranger to the wing and a strange selection in my view.

On the other side of the three-quarter line, Mark Cueto is keeping a player of Ben Cohen’s calibre out so he, too, mustn’t be underestimated.

Furthermore, and lest it be overlooked, England have lost their two games so far by a total of three points. They performed poorly against Wales, who are a handful again on their own patch, and would have beaten France out the Twickenham gate were it not for the pathetic place- and drop-kicking of Charlie Hodgson and Olly Barkley. Will that happen again? Possibly, but I wouldn’t rely on it.

Still, it’s an area where Ireland could excel with 50-capper Ronan O’Gara’s confidence sky high after a few great outings, whereas Hodgson’s mind-set must be somewhat on the frail side after his Twickenham failures.

It’s good to see Brian O’Driscoll back to full fitness after his hamstring trouble and with Geordan Murphy a potential trump card at full-back, it could be that this will be one of those rare occasions when an Irish back line holds the edge over its English counterparts. No more than the forward battle, though, only a fool would count on that.

O’Sullivan certainly doesn’t fit into that category as he warned: “England may be in transition but it doesn’t mean they’re not ready to play. England were unhappy with their performance in Cardiff, yet they only lost by two points. They allowed the game at Twickenham to slip away from them. Had they kicked their kicks, they would have beaten France and it would be a different landscape on Sunday. They scored the tries and played good rugby but missed their kicks and paid a heavy price for it.”

An even more salient point is that tomorrow’s referee is South African Jonathan Kaplan, who enraged almost everybody at Thomond Park last week.

He is a fastidious official. Munster and Ireland play in a similar fashion. He didn’t like what he saw from the reds a week ago. A repeat of the same from the greens tomorrow could prove disastrous.

In spite of the expectation, this match is balanced on a knife edge. Ireland will probably keep us on the edge of our seats before edging through by the narrowest of margins.

But that will do.

[Bizz]

And you wonder where the yanks got football from

http://www.rugby.ie/news/breaking.asp?b=190640

http://www.rugby.ie/sixnations/

http://www.irishrugby.ie/viewThread.jsp?th...adsPageNumber=1

[BrissyBoy]

Thailand is ranked at number 42 out of 111

[Sporting Dog]

"Nobody trusts anyone and the first question out of someone you meet is whether you're Catholic or Protestent.

Told 'em I was Buddhist and left them speechless... "

No, they usually say "would that be a catholic buddhist or a protestant buddhist?"

Ireland is a great place - great beer, great pubs, great music.

I'm from Oz which isn't a bad place and I like living in Thailand at the mo'.

[BrissyBoy]

Rankings of asian countries

Singapore 11

Japan 17

Hong Kong 18

Taiwan 21

Sth Korea 30

Malaysia 36

Thailand 42

Sri Lanka 43

Phillipines 44

China 60

Vietnam 61

Indonesia 71

India 73

Dunno how they worked out the list but it doesn't look right sometimes when you look at the whole listing. Think someone on the take when they were compiling these figures.

Full list here

[Kerryd]

According the United Nations Human Development Index (2004), the best countries to live in are:

1. Norway

2. Sweden

3. Australia

4. Canada

5. Netherlands

6. Belgium

7. Iceland

8. United States

9. Japan

10. Ireland

11. Switzerland

12. United Kingdom

76. Thailand

130. Cambodia

132. Myanmar

135. Laos

177. Sierra Leone

Once again, Canada is in the top 5 ! From 1992 - 2000, Canada was # 1 seven times in eight years.

From the data I saw on the UN website, I would think that they (the UN) factors in a lot more information than the Economist would, to come up with lists like these.

Though, like any list that replies on stats, who ever is putting it together can omit certain stats to make the end result more appealing, especially to those that are paying the bills.

Just my 2 baht worth of things you didn't want to know !

[meom]

Makes you wonder what's the best country to die in.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Makes you wonder what's the best country to die in.

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None of 'em

[Braccobaldo]

1.Ireland

2.Switzerland

3.Norway

4.Luxembourg

5.Sweden

7.Iceland

9.Denmark

....WOW...what is this??....festival of cold countries????

...long of winter is DEFINITIVELY NOT one criteria for this classement...

...I full full disagree...

[aletta]

Ireland sure is beautiful and green but way too wet.On three visits it never stopped raining long enough to take down our umbrellas.

[srisatch]

Cold Countries???? NOOOOOOOOOOooooooo!

What is this thing about freezing places..that they have had to make an effort make them even habitable??

I meet a lot of Thais want to go to Switzerland. Why?

Canada? Do they mean Vancouver? Where else?

So where is the best place to live??

I've lived in all Asian countries and a lot more...Have yet to come up with anything better than Muang Thai.

If I was an Oz I would say Oz was pretty good, but expensive to get to stay if you are old git like me.

I hear people say Mexico is good, but they are Americans so I would not believe too much of that.

Ireland would be good except for the rain...which I cannot stand, but from what I saw better than UK

Still think France, Spain, Italy have a lot going for them...

Too boring to do a poll....

[Bizz]

Ireland 19 pts england 13pts we won

[jackr]

Ireland would be good except for the rain...which I cannot stand, but from what I saw better than UK

...hmmmm? whatever!

Personally, and I think I've said this before on this thread, all of those high up the list are &lt;deleted&gt; and are way behind Muang Thai; of course not in the economical sense and infrastructure blah, blah, but if it's between being bored shitless around a bunch of Europeans or enjoying life to the full here, I know which I'd pick.

[Braccobaldo]

CLASSEMENT REVISED:

1. THAILAND....chai-mai???

[Bizz]

Ireland would be good except for the rain...which I cannot stand, but from what I saw better than UK

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...hmmmm? whatever!

Personally, and I think I've said this before on this thread, all of those high up the list are &lt;deleted&gt; and are way behind Muang Thai; of course not in the economical sense and infrastructure blah, blah, but if it's between being bored shitless around a bunch of Europeans or enjoying life to the full here, I know which I'd pick.

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On what do you base your opionions on.

Interesting way behind Muang Thai and why bored shitless around a bunch of europeans where are you from Shangrelaa

[jackr]

Ireland would be good except for the rain...which I cannot stand, but from what I saw better than UK

...hmmmm? whatever!

Personally, and I think I've said this before on this thread, all of those high up the list are &lt;deleted&gt; and are way behind Muang Thai; of course not in the economical sense and infrastructure blah, blah, but if it's between being bored shitless around a bunch of Europeans or enjoying life to the full here, I know which I'd pick.

On what do you base your opionions on.

Interesting way behind Muang Thai and why bored shitless around a bunch of europeans where are you from Shangrelaa

yeah, shangrila

...on the opinions of pure liveability in the sense of the people, climate, food, costs, and laid-backness. Could you drive down the road at two in the morning in Norway, Sweden or any others in your shorts and stop off at a hawker and enjoy a Som Tam? Europe is rush, rush and all politics and it seems you need to be rich if you want to enjoy the place in the week too.

Spain and south of France are ok.

[Abandon]

Reminds me of a "Proud of Nationality" poll a few years ago. The British, naturally, were the least proud of their nation, and bored the interviewers to death about it.

The only reason they gave for not moving, was that everywhere else was probably worse.

And, another thing all this mention of the cold weather being a bind, actually lots of us prefer cool/cold weather. I really miss autumn, which had me in ecstasy in the UK. I miss winter and snow, and reading a book by the fire with the cat on my lap.

[walterbkk]

After watching the movie All or Nothing and Angela's ashes I have no interest in visiting or living in Ireland lol. Such a bland , damp emotionless country ... The only good thing is Westlife and U2.

[superchav]

Too true. Its not true.

Thailand is by far the best place to live, so I've been told

[tutsiwarrior]

well...Cochabamba ain't too bad if ye don't havta work...you ain't had good beer if you ain't had Cerveza Taquina...

after my wedding ceremony at St Micks at Inchecore (Fr Colm Connelly presiding) in 1988 I got the biggest helping of bacon and cabbage at the Clarence Hotel (latterly owned by Bono) that anyone has ever seen...

rained alot though...

[maxcherry]

Ireland best place to live. Hmm - I will be out of this kip(Dooblin) within two months and living in Thailand. I count every hour down till the day I get outta here.

[mickmac]

"After watching the movie All or Nothing and Angela's ashes I have no interest in visiting or living in Ireland lol. Such a bland , damp emotionless country ... The only good thing is Westlife and U2."

WalterBKK........ We'll have to make you the resident expert on Ireland, especially after watching two movies set there! emotionless country..........just how far have you got your head shoved up your own ar*e

I live in LOS and prior to that lived in the west of Ireland, admittedly the weather leaves a lot to be desired and it has become expensive to live there, but it still has a lot going for it whether it be the sceanery, the fishing, the time in the bars, the horse racing etc etc. Before you slate the country off you ought to have the decency to sample it first then make an informed opinion rather than rash statements.

[StuartinBKK]

"After watching the movie All or Nothing and Angela's ashes I have no interest in visiting or living in Ireland lol. Such a bland , damp emotionless country ... The only good thing is Westlife and U2." 

WalterBKK........ We'll have to make you the resident expert on Ireland, especially after watching two movies set there!  emotionless country..........just how far have you got your head shoved up your own ar*e

I live in LOS and prior to that lived in the west of Ireland, admittedly the weather leaves a lot to be desired and it has become expensive to live there, but it still has a lot going for it whether it be the sceanery, the fishing, the time in the bars, the horse racing etc etc. Before you slate the country off you ought to have the decency to sample it first then make an informed opinion rather than rash statements.

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Up the rebel county Mick.

[tuky]

Makes you wonder what's the best country to die in.

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None of 'em

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never a truer word spoken Doc

[Felt 35]

Have yet to come up with anything better than Muang Thai.

Many good things here in Thailand.

But if we as foreigners had to live of the average annually salary in Thailand, do

I guess many of us would prefer both rain in Irland and cold weather in Sweden.

Not much "good life" for a family on four with a monthly total on US 5-700,-

I dont think this "list" is based on what a few tourists, non immigrants or foreign residents with much higher buying power than what the "average man in the street" have.

[wolf5370]

Yeah, but the poll was "The best place to live" not "The best place to be born in".

So it is subjective to just whom is doing the "living" I suppose. It seems to me there criteria, therefore, is flawed.

Compatatively much more interested in the cost of living against income (my income), weather, safety for me and my family, acceptance of locals to non-locals (foreigners etc), ease of being able to live there (paperwork/harassment wise), tax, freedom etc.

[srisatch]

Have yet to come up with anything better than Muang Thai.

Many good things here in Thailand.

But if we as foreigners had to live of the average annually salary in Thailand, do

I guess many of us would prefer both rain in Irland and cold weather in Sweden.

Not much "good life" for a family on four with a monthly total on US 5-700,-

I dont think this "list" is based on what a few tourists, non immigrants or foreign residents with much higher buying power than what the "average man in the street" have.

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Well 20-30,000B and I think you are OK in LOS...it is those on 3-10K...and remember there is a lot of pooling of family income like Italy and elsewhere.....So in one sense you are right but what if you were in the UK/Eire on the minimum wage?,..better off here...just get a family that earns....!!Actually I don't think I would ever be better off in Sweden...nothing against the populace..just don't like it...at least you can get a drink in Galway