Went back in 1997 when Ireland was known as “The Celtic Tiger”. There was a super expansion of growth - suddenly Bed & Breakfasts (not always “charming”) and “Heritage Centers” were on every corner. It didn’t resemble the 1980 Ireland I remembered. Ireland had cheapened - everybody was trying to make a buck, no matter how cheesy their B&B or heritage center was.
I can’t imagine what Ireland is like today. I’m afraid to find out.
I haven’t been back in over twenty years. I sometimes look at dashcam videos of people driving around Dublin; I found a few things disturbing, such as rainbow flags atop the General Post Office on O’Connell Street and rainbow crosswalks at the corner of Dame and South Great George’s Streets, the increase in visibility of hijabs, and the like.