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Non GAA Discussion => General discussion => Topic started by: armaghniac on October 09, 2013, 11:28:18 PM

Title: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: armaghniac on October 09, 2013, 11:28:18 PM
Good thread (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=205705211) on boards.ie about Ireland's grimmest place on Streetview

some of the usual suspects
Limerick  (https://www.google.ie/maps?ll=52.655977,-8.599548&spn=0.226586,0.648193&cbp=12,256.82,,1,-0.8&layer=c&panoid=gB-TJt6jJca1PzeMd3bZgg&cbll=52.680839,-8.640627&t=m&z=11) & Limerick (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=553+Castle+Oaks+View,+Donough+O%27Malley+Park,+Ireland&ll=52.644364,-8.611659&spn=0.000007,0.006024&hnear=553+Castle+Oaks+View,+Donough+O%27Malley+Park,+County+Limerick,+Ireland&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=52.644364,-8.611659&panoid=-uUYJg5cDr2tdyO0rNPdVw&cbp=12,139.56,,0,7.29)

Ballyfermot (https://www.google.ie/maps?q=Labre+Park,+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.332629,-6.345141&spn=0.006971,0.020256&sll=53.354496,-6.22839&sspn=0.033555,0.077162&oq=labre+,+Dublin&hnear=Labre+Park,+County+Dublin&t=m&layer=c&cbll=53.33325,-6.34645&panoid=HDuQWmrq_68aXHEu3w3XFw&cbp=12,295.22,,0,4.37&z=16)

Range Rover country in Kildare  (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Castledermot,+Ireland&hl=en&ll=52.911102,-6.834912&spn=0.014079,0.040512&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.231745,56.513672&oq=castledermot&t=h&hnear=Castledermot,+County+Kildare,+Ireland&layer=c&cbll=52.912585,-6.837501&panoid=b9oNUqOon909-NId-jFgiA&cbp=12,246.09,,0,22.67&z=15)

Athlone (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Athlone,+Co.+Westmeath,+Ireland&hl=en&ll=53.423791,-7.928723&spn=0.001752,0.005064&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=35.494074,68.642578&oq=athlone,+co.+west&t=h&hnear=Athlone,+County+Westmeath,+Ireland&layer=c&cbll=53.423961,-7.928764&panoid=4hwkeKyuAkYWDfmYFpL_AQ&cbp=12,151.18,,0,0&z=18) (but not the plush Rossie side, of course)

and storied Dungannon (https://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Perry+Street,+Dungannon&hl=en&ll=54.503368,-6.766977&spn=0.006778,0.020256&sll=54.502346,-6.761398&sspn=0.013556,0.040512&hnear=Perry+St,+Dungannon,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=54.503346,-6.766791&panoid=aV6xjd5LRlQ3Zz_Jb6fYHg&cbp=12,320.12,,0,0)
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: ziggysego on October 09, 2013, 11:43:59 PM
Top of John Street in Omagh (https://www.google.ie/maps/preview#!q=John+Street%2C+Omagh%2C+United+Kingdom&data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-7.30686!3d54.599263!2m2!1f53.19!2f81.4!4f75!2m7!1e1!2m2!1sjpTFuB8yrH3w2lUboWcfIg!2e0!5m2!1sjpTFuB8yrH3w2lUboWcfIg!2e0!4m15!2m14!1m13!1s0x485fd30d350e03ff%3A0x7fcb54ada7d777d!3m8!1m3!1d10679!2d-6.766791!3d54.503346!3m2!1i1680!2i885!4f13.1!4m2!3d54.5993146!4d-7.3060204&fid=5) is pretty grim.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Lecale2 on October 10, 2013, 07:38:34 AM
Strabane usually gets a mention.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Gold on October 10, 2013, 08:24:44 AM
None as bad as estates in Belfast that look like the 1st Limerick picture but have rotten, intimidating, washed out murals of gunmen etc. Rank.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Billys Boots on October 10, 2013, 08:33:55 AM
Why is this happening again when everyone knows it's Granard.  ::)
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: brokencrossbar1 on October 10, 2013, 09:22:36 AM
Quote from: Billys Boots on October 10, 2013, 08:33:55 AM
Why is this happening again when everyone knows it's Granard.  ::)

That was inevitable! 
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: muppet on October 10, 2013, 09:33:03 AM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on October 10, 2013, 09:22:36 AM
Quote from: Billys Boots on October 10, 2013, 08:33:55 AM
Why is this happening again when everyone knows it's Granard.  ::)

That was inevitable!

Will somebody think of the (Tuam) children?
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Premier Emperor on October 10, 2013, 09:34:28 AM
http://www.anfearrua.com/topic.aspx?id=248678
5th post down.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 09:34:56 AM
Quote from: Lecale2 on October 10, 2013, 07:38:34 AM
Strabane usually gets a mention.

I don't know why. It's not the worst on a sunny day. For being in such a nice county Letterkenny is a mess. The greater Shantallow area of Derry is just a sea of misery. And Belfast is like a big polished turd. The politicians keep throwing disproportinate money at the place and it doesn't seem to improve.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: theticklemister on October 10, 2013, 09:36:44 AM
Oakleaf, go and stick your f**king opinions up your hole
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 09:43:08 AM
Quote from: theticklemister on October 10, 2013, 09:36:44 AM
Oakleaf, go and stick your f**king opinions up your hole

No need for that! Do you have a point to make or are you just an internet hardman? 
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: J OGorman on October 10, 2013, 09:43:21 AM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 09:34:56 AM
Quote from: Lecale2 on October 10, 2013, 07:38:34 AM
Strabane usually gets a mention.

I don't know why. It's not the worst on a sunny day. For being in such a nice county Letterkenny is a mess. The greater Shantallow area of Derry is just a sea of misery. And Belfast is like a big polished turd. The politicians keep throwing disproportinate money at the place and it doesn't seem to improve.

absolute dung. As city working class areas go, Shantallow is far far removed from a sea of misery. a few areas of the city on both sides of the river are definitely lacking in the funding front, but not the one you had a 'guess' at
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: nrico2006 on October 10, 2013, 09:45:35 AM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 09:34:56 AM
Quote from: Lecale2 on October 10, 2013, 07:38:34 AM
Strabane usually gets a mention.

I don't know why. It's not the worst on a sunny day. For being in such a nice county Letterkenny is a mess. The greater Shantallow area of Derry is just a sea of misery. And Belfast is like a big polished turd. The politicians keep throwing disproportinate money at the place and it doesn't seem to improve.

Belfast is an eyesore.  I don't know who conducts these surveys or is it simply lazy research because I have been around a lot of towns and Strabane would be one of the nicer ones.  Lurgan on the other hand is a dump.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: imtommygunn on October 10, 2013, 09:50:36 AM
You wouldn't find much grimmer than Larne.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 09:52:47 AM
Quote from: J OGorman on October 10, 2013, 09:43:21 AM
absolute dung. As city working class areas go, Shantallow is far far removed from a sea of misery. a few areas of the city on both sides of the river are definitely lacking in the funding front, but not the one you had a 'guess' at

A guess? I'm not just talking about Shantallow estate. The whole area from Pennyburn roundabout to Skeoge is generally known as the greater Shantallow area. And grim doesn't necessarily mean poverty stricken. It's just a sea of endless housing estates and little else. I wouldn't live there for free. Nothing against the people so don't take it so personally, it's a product of bad planning.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: theskull1 on October 10, 2013, 09:56:35 AM
Can many go more than a few yards from your own door and not think this place is a dirty hole? The amount of litter lying round the countryside is shameful.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: J OGorman on October 10, 2013, 10:03:54 AM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 09:52:47 AM
Quote from: J OGorman on October 10, 2013, 09:43:21 AM
absolute dung. As city working class areas go, Shantallow is far far removed from a sea of misery. a few areas of the city on both sides of the river are definitely lacking in the funding front, but not the one you had a 'guess' at

A guess? I'm not just talking about Shantallow estate. The whole area from Pennyburn roundabout to Skeoge is generally known as the greater Shantallow area. And grim doesn't necessarily mean poverty stricken. It's just a sea of endless housing estates and little else. I wouldn't live there for free. Nothing against the people so don't take it so personally, it's a product of bad planning.

decent enough housing, generally clean, playparks, indoor sports venues, 3 g floodlit pitches, 2 x shopping areas, 1 which has just been completely remodelled. Steelstown, ballyarnett, parts of the culmore road, racecourse and the skeoge area. affordable terraced housing as all cities have. To call it a sea of misery is bulldung and lazy...you pulled 'Shantallow' from your head and winged it in a sentence
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Wee Roddy on October 10, 2013, 10:05:48 AM
I agree regarding Strabane. It is well developed with very good shops, schools and facilities. It is usually very tidy. I have heard about the Ballycolman estate but I have had to go through it on numerous occasions on route to the Sigersons GAA facilities (which are also impressive) and I saw nothing wrong with it.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: J OGorman on October 10, 2013, 10:06:34 AM
Quote from: J OGorman on October 10, 2013, 10:03:54 AM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 09:52:47 AM
Quote from: J OGorman on October 10, 2013, 09:43:21 AM
absolute dung. As city working class areas go, Shantallow is far far removed from a sea of misery. a few areas of the city on both sides of the river are definitely lacking in the funding front, but not the one you had a 'guess' at

A guess? I'm not just talking about Shantallow estate. The whole area from Pennyburn roundabout to Skeoge is generally known as the greater Shantallow area. And grim doesn't necessarily mean poverty stricken. It's just a sea of endless housing estates and little else. I wouldn't live there for free. Nothing against the people so don't take it so personally, it's a product of bad planning.

decent enough housing, generally clean, playparks, indoor sports venues, 3 g floodlit pitches, 2 x shopping areas, 1 which has just been completely remodelled. Steelstown, ballyarnett, parts of the culmore road, racecourse and the skeoge area. affordable terraced housing as all cities have. To call it a sea of misery is bulldung and lazy...you pulled 'Shantallow' from your head and winged it in a sentence

oh, and I'd say there isnt another school in the land with better facilities for kids with physical and learning difficulties than Belmont inc the whole playtrail area withits parks and ampitheatre
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: J OGorman on October 10, 2013, 10:07:08 AM
Larne on the other hand......
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 10:15:57 AM
J OGorman

Wind your neck in. To bring a school with for children with special needs into the debate is really scraping the bottom of the barrel! The two shopping areas are entirely tailored for people with cars and the sport complex is falling apart. I don't like the layout of the area and as a planner I think the way the area has been allowed to sprawl in the Brigend direction while there is so much empty space closer to the town centre is a joke. You can spout all the nonsense you like but give me Rosemount over Galliagh any day of the week.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: theticklemister on October 10, 2013, 10:21:25 AM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 10:15:57 AM
J OGorman

Wind your neck in. To bring a school with for children with special needs into the debate is really scraping the bottom of the barrel! The two shopping areas are entirely tailored for people with cars and the sport complex is falling apart. I don't like the layout of the area and as a planner I think the way the area has been allowed to sprawl in the Brigend direction while there is so much empty space closer to the town centre is a joke. You can spout all the nonsense you like but give me Rosemount over Galliagh any day of the week.

Im proud of my Pennyburn/Shantallow area and no man, especially not you; will make me feel any different.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Fear Bun Na Sceilpe on October 10, 2013, 10:25:40 AM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 10:15:57 AM
J OGorman

Wind your neck in. To bring a school with for children with special needs into the debate is really scraping the bottom of the barrel! The two shopping areas are entirely tailored for people with cars and the sport complex is falling apart. I don't like the layout of the area and as a planner I think the way the area has been allowed to sprawl in the Brigend direction while there is so much empty space closer to the town centre is a joke. You can spout all the nonsense you like but give me Rosemount over Galliagh any day of the week.

Lurgan is a step back in time. Looks like Derry 20 years ago.

Strabane isnt really that bad.

Limerick looks rough at times but every town has grim areas, Brandywell in Derry can be pretty grim at times.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 10:33:06 AM
Quote from: theticklemister on October 10, 2013, 10:21:25 AM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 10:15:57 AM
J OGorman

Wind your neck in. To bring a school with for children with special needs into the debate is really scraping the bottom of the barrel! The two shopping areas are entirely tailored for people with cars and the sport complex is falling apart. I don't like the layout of the area and as a planner I think the way the area has been allowed to sprawl in the Brigend direction while there is so much empty space closer to the town centre is a joke. You can spout all the nonsense you like but give me Rosemount over Galliagh any day of the week.

Im proud of my Pennyburn/Shantallow area and no man, especially not you; will make me feel any different.

Good for you. I don't like it. The majority of it was sprung from farmland when the Bog was bursting at the seams after decades of gerrymandering and could have been planned much better. Nothing personal like. I have plenty of aquaintances and some family in the area.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: J OGorman on October 10, 2013, 12:09:36 PM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 10:33:06 AM
Quote from: theticklemister on October 10, 2013, 10:21:25 AM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 10:15:57 AM
J OGorman

Wind your neck in. To bring a school with for children with special needs into the debate is really scraping the bottom of the barrel! The two shopping areas are entirely tailored for people with cars and the sport complex is falling apart. I don't like the layout of the area and as a planner I think the way the area has been allowed to sprawl in the Brigend direction while there is so much empty space closer to the town centre is a joke. You can spout all the nonsense you like but give me Rosemount over Galliagh any day of the week.

Im proud of my Pennyburn/Shantallow area and no man, especially not you; will make me feel any different.

Good for you. I don't like it. The majority of it was sprung from farmland when the Bog was bursting at the seams after decades of gerrymandering and could have been planned much better. Nothing personal like. I have plenty of aquaintances and some family in the area.

wind your own neck in...you said the greater shantallow area is a sea of misery (of all the areas in derry city you could have picked, you pluck shantallow out of your head). i could have just told you you are talking out your hole, but decided to explain to you, and incase others got the impression you were right, why its not this sea of misery you think it is...so, stop talking through your ass  :)
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: armaghniac on October 10, 2013, 12:53:40 PM
Unimaginative planning doesn"t quite make Ireland's grimmest place.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: heganboy on October 10, 2013, 12:57:11 PM
Quote from: Fear Bun Na Sceilpe on October 10, 2013, 10:25:40 AM


Lurgan is a step back in time. Looks like Derry 20 years ago.


I looked at all those street view pics at the top of the thread and every time I thought "I've seen a lot worse in Lurgan"
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: clarshack on October 10, 2013, 12:58:46 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on October 09, 2013, 11:28:18 PM

and storied Dungannon (https://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Perry+Street,+Dungannon&hl=en&ll=54.503368,-6.766977&spn=0.006778,0.020256&sll=54.502346,-6.761398&sspn=0.013556,0.040512&hnear=Perry+St,+Dungannon,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=54.503346,-6.766791&panoid=aV6xjd5LRlQ3Zz_Jb6fYHg&cbp=12,320.12,,0,0)

the look of the shop fronts in perry street have been improved since then.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 01:00:46 PM
Quote from: J OGorman on October 10, 2013, 12:09:36 PM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 10:33:06 AM
Quote from: theticklemister on October 10, 2013, 10:21:25 AM
Quote from: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 10:15:57 AM
J OGorman

Wind your neck in. To bring a school with for children with special needs into the debate is really scraping the bottom of the barrel! The two shopping areas are entirely tailored for people with cars and the sport complex is falling apart. I don't like the layout of the area and as a planner I think the way the area has been allowed to sprawl in the Brigend direction while there is so much empty space closer to the town centre is a joke. You can spout all the nonsense you like but give me Rosemount over Galliagh any day of the week.

Im proud of my Pennyburn/Shantallow area and no man, especially not you; will make me feel any different.

Good for you. I don't like it. The majority of it was sprung from farmland when the Bog was bursting at the seams after decades of gerrymandering and could have been planned much better. Nothing personal like. I have plenty of aquaintances and some family in the area.

wind your own neck in...you said the greater shantallow area is a sea of misery (of all the areas in derry city you could have picked, you pluck shantallow out of your head). i could have just told you you are talking out your hole, but decided to explain to you, and incase others got the impression you were right, why its not this sea of misery you think it is...so, stop talking through your ass  :)

You don't need to explain anything to me. I think the place is a dump. So what? Move on before we completely derail the thread.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: seafoid on October 10, 2013, 01:01:31 PM
Around the shankill road in west belfast is fairly grim especially if it is raining. Murals of dead drug dealers and the somme.  Moyross in Limerick has been neglected too and has the drugs and violence.  Tuam has some very shabby streets.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: thewobbler on October 10, 2013, 01:03:59 PM
I'd describe the majority of NI's towns and villages as quite grim. You've got those places like Newbuildings and Dervock, in which it seems the locals are so so inbred they would happily build a 20 foot concrete wall around. Then there's the likes of Middletown, Rathfriland and Comber, which look like places time has forgot; made worse by it being an especially grey and drab period of time when they were forgotten.

Newry, Portadown, Derry, Lurgan, Omagh, Cookstown, Lisburn, Belfast. All grotty and suffer a general lack of vision, consistency and investment.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Canalman on October 10, 2013, 01:12:24 PM
Anywhere non coastal in Ireland on a longdrawn out wet day in November is grim imo. While not grim I always got the heebee jeebies for some reason driving through Mountrath in Laois  ( I think). Never seemed to be a sinner in the place.


By far the grimmest place I was ever in is Holyhead. Newark downtown in wintertime very grim as well.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Hereiam on October 10, 2013, 01:15:43 PM
Larne has to be the worst place I was ever in. Shit hole of the highest order.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: OakleafCounty on October 10, 2013, 01:22:00 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on October 10, 2013, 01:03:59 PM
I'd describe the majority of NI's towns and villages as quite grim. You've got those places like Newbuildings and Dervock, in which it seems the locals are so so inbred they would happily build a 20 foot concrete wall around. Then there's the likes of Middletown, Rathfriland and Comber, which look like places time has forgot; made worse by it being an especially grey and drab period of time when they were forgotten.

Newry, Portadown, Derry, Lurgan, Omagh, Cookstown, Lisburn, Belfast. All grotty and suffer a general lack of vision, consistency and investment.

Omagh and Cookstown are perfectly fine.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Franko on October 10, 2013, 01:42:43 PM
Some areas of Coleraine would bring a tear to a glass eye.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: nrico2006 on October 10, 2013, 01:47:40 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on October 10, 2013, 01:03:59 PM
I'd describe the majority of NI's towns and villages as quite grim. You've got those places like Newbuildings and Dervock, in which it seems the locals are so so inbred they would happily build a 20 foot concrete wall around. Then there's the likes of Middletown, Rathfriland and Comber, which look like places time has forgot; made worse by it being an especially grey and drab period of time when they were forgotten.

Newry, Portadown, Derry, Lurgan, Omagh, Cookstown, Lisburn, Belfast. All grotty and suffer a general lack of vision, consistency and investment.

I suppose villages are a different kettle of fish, but the like of Middletown, Derrynoose, Newbuildings, Donemana, Garvagh, Fintona, Newtonstewart, Augher, Plumbridge, Coalisland would depress the life out of you if you lived there.  Its unbelievable how much nicer villages and towns down south appear, places such as Sligo, Monaghan or Castleblayney all have a bit of character to them whereas every town up north are more or less designed in that same old ugly plantation format.  Lurgan and Cookstown are two examples of this, with their big long wide main street.  Portrush has to be one of the ugliest towns about. 
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 01:53:22 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 10, 2013, 01:47:40 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on October 10, 2013, 01:03:59 PM
I'd describe the majority of NI's towns and villages as quite grim. You've got those places like Newbuildings and Dervock, in which it seems the locals are so so inbred they would happily build a 20 foot concrete wall around. Then there's the likes of Middletown, Rathfriland and Comber, which look like places time has forgot; made worse by it being an especially grey and drab period of time when they were forgotten.

Newry, Portadown, Derry, Lurgan, Omagh, Cookstown, Lisburn, Belfast. All grotty and suffer a general lack of vision, consistency and investment.

I suppose villages are a different kettle of fish, but the like of Middletown, Derrynoose, Newbuildings, Donemana, Garvagh, Fintona, Newtonstewart, Augher, Plumbridge, Coalisland would depress the life out of you if you lived there.  Its unbelievable how much nicer villages and towns down south appear, places such as Sligo, Monaghan or Castleblayney all have a bit of character to them whereas every town up north are more or less designed in that same old ugly plantation format.  Lurgan and Cookstown are two examples of this, with their big long wide main street.  Portrush has to be one of the ugliest towns about.

Some spot alright  ;D

I'd class the city centre of Dublin as one of the Grimmest places going. Nothing memorable or interesting about it compared to other European capitals.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: muppet on October 10, 2013, 01:57:25 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 10, 2013, 01:47:40 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on October 10, 2013, 01:03:59 PM
I'd describe the majority of NI's towns and villages as quite grim. You've got those places like Newbuildings and Dervock, in which it seems the locals are so so inbred they would happily build a 20 foot concrete wall around. Then there's the likes of Middletown, Rathfriland and Comber, which look like places time has forgot; made worse by it being an especially grey and drab period of time when they were forgotten.

Newry, Portadown, Derry, Lurgan, Omagh, Cookstown, Lisburn, Belfast. All grotty and suffer a general lack of vision, consistency and investment.

I suppose villages are a different kettle of fish, but the like of Middletown, Derrynoose, Newbuildings, Donemana, Garvagh, Fintona, Newtonstewart, Augher, Plumbridge, Coalisland would depress the life out of you if you lived there.  Its unbelievable how much nicer villages and towns down south appear, places such as Sligo, Monaghan or Castleblayney all have a bit of character to them whereas every town up north are more or less designed in that same old ugly plantation format.  Lurgan and Cookstown are two examples of this, with their big long wide main street.  Portrush has to be one of the ugliest towns about.

I think this is a relatively recent development. I grew up in Castlebar and for my teens I thought it was a hole. Now don't get me wrong, I would still argue with anyone who said their hole was better, but I still thought of it that way. The lake was a great place to go as kids but it was our secret, hidden away from the rest of the world. In the 1990s they really did a good job doing the town up and in the last 10 years the place is completely unrecognisable from the hole of my youth. They built great playgrounds for kids at the lake, completely opened it all up for everyone and created a lovely walk, run or cycle around part of the lake. I believe they are looking into connecting it to Westport and the Greenway (http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/50229/exciting-new-developments-at-lough-lannagh-to-attract-thousands-of-visitors). That would be a fantastic resource.

But if you said they have done a good job with a lot of towns/village in the south I would have to agree.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: laoislad on October 10, 2013, 01:58:48 PM
Athy is up there as the grimmest places in Ireland. Horrible place.
Carlow town also is fairly grim. Portlaoise isn't great either.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 01:59:15 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 01:53:22 PM
I'd class the city centre of Dublin as one of the Grimmest places going. Nothing memorable or interesting about it compared to other European capitals.
Agreed. Saw a bird eating garlic cheese chips with her hands on Harcourt street at 5am last Sunday morning. Grim isn't the word....
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: muppet on October 10, 2013, 02:01:06 PM
Quote from: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 01:59:15 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 01:53:22 PM
I'd class the city centre of Dublin as one of the Grimmest places going. Nothing memorable or interesting about it compared to other European capitals.
Agreed. Saw a bird eating garlic cheese chips with her hands on Harcourt street at 5am last Sunday morning. Grim isn't the word....

Yea but she was from Boyle.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 02:02:38 PM
Quote from: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 01:59:15 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 01:53:22 PM
I'd class the city centre of Dublin as one of the Grimmest places going. Nothing memorable or interesting about it compared to other European capitals.
Agreed. Saw a bird eating garlic cheese chips with her hands on Harcourt street at 5am last Sunday morning. Grim isn't the word....

She turn you down?
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 02:07:43 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 02:02:38 PM
Quote from: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 01:59:15 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 01:53:22 PM
I'd class the city centre of Dublin as one of the Grimmest places going. Nothing memorable or interesting about it compared to other European capitals.
Agreed. Saw a bird eating garlic cheese chips with her hands on Harcourt street at 5am last Sunday morning. Grim isn't the word....

She turn you down?
Mutual agreement if I can recall correctly, I was going to leave it slide if it was just curry chips...but garlic cheese chips...c'mon like..
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 02:11:51 PM
Quote from: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 02:07:43 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 02:02:38 PM
Quote from: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 01:59:15 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 01:53:22 PM
I'd class the city centre of Dublin as one of the Grimmest places going. Nothing memorable or interesting about it compared to other European capitals.
Agreed. Saw a bird eating garlic cheese chips with her hands on Harcourt street at 5am last Sunday morning. Grim isn't the word....

She turn you down?
Mutual agreement if I can recall correctly, I was going to leave it slide if it was just curry chips...but garlic cheese chips...c'mon like..

I'd guess she wasn't the type to share her food either.

Worst I seen one night years ago was a drunken culchie type eat a snack box, left the savaged snack box sitting and a bird came along and start eating what was left of the chicken. Took me years to eat a snack box after that.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: muppet on October 10, 2013, 02:14:52 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 02:11:51 PM
Quote from: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 02:07:43 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 02:02:38 PM
Quote from: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 01:59:15 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 01:53:22 PM
I'd class the city centre of Dublin as one of the Grimmest places going. Nothing memorable or interesting about it compared to other European capitals.
Agreed. Saw a bird eating garlic cheese chips with her hands on Harcourt street at 5am last Sunday morning. Grim isn't the word....

She turn you down?
Mutual agreement if I can recall correctly, I was going to leave it slide if it was just curry chips...but garlic cheese chips...c'mon like..

I'd guess she wasn't the type to share her food either.

Worst I seen one night years ago was a drunken culchie type eat a snack box, left the savaged snack box sitting and a bird came along and start eating what was left of the chicken. Took me years to eat a snack box after that.

You ruled out the snack box but I notice you didn't rule out the 'drunken culchie type'.  ;)
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: armaghniac on October 10, 2013, 02:21:37 PM
QuoteIts unbelievable how much nicer villages and towns down south appear, places such as Sligo, Monaghan or Castleblayney all have a bit of character to them whereas every town up north are more or less designed in that same old ugly plantation format.  Lurgan and Cookstown are two examples of this, with their big long wide main street.

It is a bit more fundamental than this, Monaghan is a plantation town with a Diamond and the likes of Carrickmacross or Kingscourt have a wide main street.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 02:42:44 PM
Quote from: muppet on October 10, 2013, 02:14:52 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 02:11:51 PM
Quote from: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 02:07:43 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 02:02:38 PM
Quote from: ballinaman on October 10, 2013, 01:59:15 PM
Quote from: Bingo on October 10, 2013, 01:53:22 PM
I'd class the city centre of Dublin as one of the Grimmest places going. Nothing memorable or interesting about it compared to other European capitals.
Agreed. Saw a bird eating garlic cheese chips with her hands on Harcourt street at 5am last Sunday morning. Grim isn't the word....

She turn you down?
Mutual agreement if I can recall correctly, I was going to leave it slide if it was just curry chips...but garlic cheese chips...c'mon like..

I'd guess she wasn't the type to share her food either.

Worst I seen one night years ago was a drunken culchie type eat a snack box, left the savaged snack box sitting and a bird came along and start eating what was left of the chicken. Took me years to eat a snack box after that.

You ruled out the snack box but I notice you didn't rule out the 'drunken culchie type'.  ;)

They where never ruled in, it was a male drunken culchie type.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: deiseach on October 10, 2013, 03:06:47 PM
Four pages in and not one mention of Coppers? Bad form.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Apparently so on October 10, 2013, 03:40:10 PM
Larne wins

Close thread
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Geoff Tipps on October 10, 2013, 03:46:31 PM
Anywhere in Roscommon.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Club Rossa on October 10, 2013, 04:25:43 PM
Moortown.Leaving Ardboe and heading down over Duff's hill is a journey no man should have to make.Only for the football I would never be in it.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: armaghniac on October 10, 2013, 05:00:32 PM
6 county planning policy can grimify places
e.g Greencastle (https://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Belfast&hl=en&ll=54.646972,-5.92&spn=0.025452,0.050769&sll=54.647792,-5.919721&sspn=0.012676,0.025384&t=h&hnear=Belfast,+United+Kingdom&z=15&layer=c&cbll=54.647289,-5.919859&panoid=WkEyJ2FcMgeULRA4fxW0Hg&cbp=12,0,,0,0) Co Antrim, (not the Tyrone version which is probably wonderful).
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Mayo4Sam on October 10, 2013, 05:00:54 PM
Quote from: Geoff Tipps on October 10, 2013, 03:46:31 PM
Anywhere in Roscommon.

Everywhere in Roscommon
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Mayo4Sam on October 10, 2013, 05:05:00 PM
Quote from: muppet on October 10, 2013, 01:57:25 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 10, 2013, 01:47:40 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on October 10, 2013, 01:03:59 PM
I'd describe the majority of NI's towns and villages as quite grim. You've got those places like Newbuildings and Dervock, in which it seems the locals are so so inbred they would happily build a 20 foot concrete wall around. Then there's the likes of Middletown, Rathfriland and Comber, which look like places time has forgot; made worse by it being an especially grey and drab period of time when they were forgotten.

Newry, Portadown, Derry, Lurgan, Omagh, Cookstown, Lisburn, Belfast. All grotty and suffer a general lack of vision, consistency and investment.

I suppose villages are a different kettle of fish, but the like of Middletown, Derrynoose, Newbuildings, Donemana, Garvagh, Fintona, Newtonstewart, Augher, Plumbridge, Coalisland would depress the life out of you if you lived there.  Its unbelievable how much nicer villages and towns down south appear, places such as Sligo, Monaghan or Castleblayney all have a bit of character to them whereas every town up north are more or less designed in that same old ugly plantation format.  Lurgan and Cookstown are two examples of this, with their big long wide main street.  Portrush has to be one of the ugliest towns about.

I think this is a relatively recent development. I grew up in Castlebar and for my teens I thought it was a hole. Now don't get me wrong, I would still argue with anyone who said their hole was better, but I still thought of it that way. The lake was a great place to go as kids but it was our secret, hidden away from the rest of the world. In the 1990s they really did a good job doing the town up and in the last 10 years the place is completely unrecognisable from the hole of my youth. They built great playgrounds for kids at the lake, completely opened it all up for everyone and created a lovely walk, run or cycle around part of the lake. I believe they are looking into connecting it to Westport and the Greenway (http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/50229/exciting-new-developments-at-lough-lannagh-to-attract-thousands-of-visitors). That would be a fantastic resource.

But if you said they have done a good job with a lot of towns/village in the south I would have to agree.

Castlebar was a right kip when I was younger, it did a great job during the boom in redeveloping.
Ballina went down hill in the 2000s and was a right kip for a long time, looks to be getting back on its feet

Swinford is depressing with not a lot going for it

Charlestown is just full of c**ts
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Stall the Bailer on October 10, 2013, 05:10:30 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 10, 2013, 01:47:40 PM
...Fintona, Newtonstewart, Augher, Plumbridge...

I don't see much wrong with these places. Very few painted kerbs or flags on show. No gettos or big bland housing estates.. Plumbridge had the lowest crime rates in the North not so long ago.
The bypass of Newtown helped it, with less traffic destroying it. Must be a nice village you live in.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Rois on October 10, 2013, 05:31:52 PM
I actually think Plumbridge is one of the prettiest villages we have!  With it's little bridge and old fashioned buildings, it has a Postman Pat charm about it. 
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: rrhf on October 10, 2013, 06:21:40 PM
Its pretty alright but it produces more postmen than footballers. 
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Franko on October 10, 2013, 06:35:18 PM
Bettystown (which has most of the required natural features to be quite a nice place) is a complete kip of a place.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: The Worker on October 10, 2013, 06:44:53 PM
Crumlin, co. antrim
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Saffrongael on October 10, 2013, 07:04:35 PM
Quote from: The Worker on October 10, 2013, 06:44:53 PM
Crumlin, co. antrim

Didn't think there was much wrong with Crumlin anytime I was in it.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Count 10 on October 10, 2013, 07:37:35 PM
Keady makes Larne look like Dallas ;)
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: laoislad on October 10, 2013, 07:40:20 PM
Quote from: The Worker on October 10, 2013, 06:44:53 PM
Crumlin, co. antrim

Bet it's not as bad as Crumlin,Co Dublin.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: ApresMatch on October 10, 2013, 07:52:47 PM
Larne wins, then Portadown!! Newtownards has to be up there too!!
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: GalwayBayBoy on October 10, 2013, 08:04:17 PM
Granard in Longford is usually mentioned when this comes up. Never been there myself.

Tipperary town is probably the worst dump I've ever been in though. An absolute hole.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: rodney trotter on October 10, 2013, 08:21:09 PM
Granard is 15 minutes from me, it's probably worth its place on this thread.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: seafoid on October 10, 2013, 08:38:02 PM
Dundrum shopping centre, roysh
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Donnellys Hollow on October 10, 2013, 08:38:55 PM
Mountrath.

The M7 was money well spent.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: rodney trotter on October 10, 2013, 08:40:45 PM
Not sure if Kells was mentioned, needs to be in there too.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: bennydorano on October 10, 2013, 08:55:57 PM
Quote from: Count 10 on October 10, 2013, 07:37:35 PM
Keady makes Larne look like Dallas ;)
I was reading through the thread thinking to myself, all towns are much of a muchness and none are spectacular in any shape or form and also thinking nearly any town or village could be described as a dump or a kip by someone or other - and then Keady got a mention and I thought, yip, it's a shithole of the highest order, close the thread.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: armaghniac on October 10, 2013, 08:56:48 PM
QuoteKeady makes Larne look like Dallas ;)

What's wrong with Keady that isn't worse in Newtownhamilton?
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: CD on October 10, 2013, 09:05:25 PM
Quote from: Rois on October 10, 2013, 05:31:52 PM
I actually think Plumbridge is one of the prettiest villages we have!  With it's little bridge and old fashioned buildings, it has a Postman Pat charm about it.
Agree - very nice wee place although it's been 15+ years since I've been in it
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: An Gaeilgoir on October 10, 2013, 09:09:14 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on October 10, 2013, 08:04:17 PM
Granard in Longford is usually mentioned when this comes up. Never been there myself.

Tipperary town is probably the worst dump I've ever been in though. An absolute hole.

This, Clara in Co. Offaly gets an honorable mention.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Seamroga in exile on October 10, 2013, 09:22:17 PM
Ballymoney, Co. Antrim.

Lock 'er up!
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Wildweasel74 on October 10, 2013, 09:35:15 PM
You lads down south havent the pleasure of driving through the flag ridden cesspit that is East Belfast,. i am  stuck to pick out as bad a shit hole, been in Ballymoney, been in Granard and other mentioned but the drive through the low end of the newtownards road would turn even the nicest of people
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: imtommygunn on October 10, 2013, 09:44:20 PM
You will get no worse than larne! Sectarian hole.

Most of east antrim anyway these days is flag ridden cesspit but you get that used to them you forget about them.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Wildweasel74 on October 10, 2013, 10:09:03 PM
Most places mention on this thread especially down south i have been in and didnt think them that bad compared to some loyalist places in the north, its different that a town is run down due to shops closing and unruly locals and vandalism and little funding, but compared to the local residents going out of their way to paint road kerbs, bunting everywhere, flags out of every window and on bt poles, blocking roads.

Up here we are stuck for choice, lets look at Larne, the Ballykeel area of ballymena, The low end of the newtownards road in east belfast, tiger bays into fortwilliam in north belfast,  Taughmonagh in south belfast, The Donegall Rd in general, looks like something out of duffys circus.

Until you lads have had the pleasure of been in any of these areas which i do on weekly basis on and off through work (Name tag hidden of course) other places down south aint even in the same park,

We should rename this thread the grimmest place in Belfast as it got to have 4/5 of ireland top 10 contenders!!
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Kidder81 on October 10, 2013, 10:12:39 PM
New Lodge, North Belfast.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Tony Baloney on October 10, 2013, 10:13:02 PM
Howl on. Keady is certainly a strange wee place with a bit of a Wild West vibe but it has plenty of boozers etc. so wouldn't say it is grim. Coastal villages are by far the worst in the bad weather. Larne needs no introduction but Annalong and Fundoran aren't world beaters either.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Wildweasel74 on October 10, 2013, 10:20:04 PM
Portrush in Winter, bit like dodge city, last person out of town turn out the lights please,
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Franko on October 10, 2013, 10:22:48 PM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on October 10, 2013, 10:20:04 PM
Portrush in Winter, bit like dodge city, last person out of town turn out the lights please,

Except at the Ramore.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Orior on October 10, 2013, 10:36:35 PM
I've just skimmed through six pages and either everyone has missed the point of this thread or youse are all lazy arsed posters.

Please post Google Street View links to these grim places please.

This place isn't the prettiest. Ballysillan Road in Belfast ...

https://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=54.624505,-5.969755&spn=0.000003,0.002642&t=h&layer=c&cbll=54.624504,-5.969755&panoid=EueAZYMUQaHyfCT6UQIGJg&cbp=12,306.26,,0,2.47&z=19 (https://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=54.624505,-5.969755&spn=0.000003,0.002642&t=h&layer=c&cbll=54.624504,-5.969755&panoid=EueAZYMUQaHyfCT6UQIGJg&cbp=12,306.26,,0,2.47&z=19)
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Kidder81 on October 10, 2013, 10:42:20 PM
New Lodge

http://maps.gstatic.com/m/streetview/?q=New+Lodge+Road,+Belfast&layer=c&z=17&iwloc=A&sll=54.611207,-5.932234&cbp=13,118.6,0,0,0&cbll=54.611220,-5.932275&hl=en&ved=0CAsQ2wU&ei=Ah9XUo_wJsPZiQbwmICQBw
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Tony Baloney on October 10, 2013, 10:43:47 PM
I think bits of towns is a cop out too. Every large town in the country will have a decent bit and a shit bit. It should be whole places only.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Wildweasel74 on October 10, 2013, 10:59:45 PM
in the new lodge this morning, the youth club there is like the backdrop to clint eastwood escape from Alcatraz (minus the water of course) and we not even mention the flats,

Sorry had a flashback, driving through rathcoole would be a grim place especially round july
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: theskull1 on October 10, 2013, 11:00:10 PM
What about Ballycastle during the lammas fair? Every shit kicker in the country must descend on the town that day to cast chip wrappers and beer cans all over the place.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Wildweasel74 on October 10, 2013, 11:02:53 PM
If its Whole places Larne in general, then sweet ole Belfast, to keep the boys down south happy, surely we can look now farther than Limerick unless its had a serious turn round in recent year.
On a  good footnote, having been in kilkenny pass few summers, think its a great place
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: laoislad on October 10, 2013, 11:06:36 PM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on October 10, 2013, 11:02:53 PM
If its Whole places Larne in general, then sweet ole Belfast, to keep the boys down south happy, surely we can look now farther than Limerick unless its had a serious turn round in recent year.
On a  good footnote, having been in kilkenny pass few summers, think its a great place

Limerick is fine,has a few dodgy areas but on a whole it's fine and a good spot for a night out.
Kilkenny is the best city in Ireland IMO.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Hardy on October 11, 2013, 12:24:26 AM

Tullamore is a awful hole.
Mullingar is twice as bad.
But the worst fuckin' kip I ever saw?
Oh Jaysis, Kinnegad.


(c) N. Tóibín
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: armaghniac on October 11, 2013, 12:24:41 AM
Quote from: Kidder81 on October 10, 2013, 10:42:20 PM
New Lodge

http://maps.gstatic.com/m/streetview/?q=New+Lodge+Road,+Belfast&layer=c&z=17&iwloc=A&sll=54.611207,-5.932234&cbp=13,118.6,0,0,0&cbll=54.611220,-5.932275&hl=en&ved=0CAsQ2wU&ei=Ah9XUo_wJsPZiQbwmICQBw

Lepper Street doesn't seem very encouraging, but I've seen worse.

Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 08:36:14 AM
Lisburn and Derrytrasna need added to this list too.  Actually really like Fundoran.   Stick in Tandragee and Markethill too.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Canalman on October 11, 2013, 09:48:57 AM
Limerick is fine imo. Sound and friendly people and a great place to go out at night.

Charming in a very understated way.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: guy crouchback on October 11, 2013, 10:14:37 AM
Quote from: Mayo4Sam on October 10, 2013, 05:05:00 PM
Quote from: muppet on October 10, 2013, 01:57:25 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 10, 2013, 01:47:40 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on October 10, 2013, 01:03:59 PM
I'd describe the majority of NI's towns and villages as quite grim. You've got those places like Newbuildings and Dervock, in which it seems the locals are so so inbred they would happily build a 20 foot concrete wall around. Then there's the likes of Middletown, Rathfriland and Comber, which look like places time has forgot; made worse by it being an especially grey and drab period of time when they were forgotten.

Newry, Portadown, Derry, Lurgan, Omagh, Cookstown, Lisburn, Belfast. All grotty and suffer a general lack of vision, consistency and investment.

I suppose villages are a different kettle of fish, but the like of Middletown, Derrynoose, Newbuildings, Donemana, Garvagh, Fintona, Newtonstewart, Augher, Plumbridge, Coalisland would depress the life out of you if you lived there.  Its unbelievable how much nicer villages and towns down south appear, places such as Sligo, Monaghan or Castleblayney all have a bit of character to them whereas every town up north are more or less designed in that same old ugly plantation format.  Lurgan and Cookstown are two examples of this, with their big long wide main street.  Portrush has to be one of the ugliest towns about.

I think this is a relatively recent development. I grew up in Castlebar and for my teens I thought it was a hole. Now don't get me wrong, I would still argue with anyone who said their hole was better, but I still thought of it that way. The lake was a great place to go as kids but it was our secret, hidden away from the rest of the world. In the 1990s they really did a good job doing the town up and in the last 10 years the place is completely unrecognisable from the hole of my youth. They built great playgrounds for kids at the lake, completely opened it all up for everyone and created a lovely walk, run or cycle around part of the lake. I believe they are looking into connecting it to Westport and the Greenway (http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/50229/exciting-new-developments-at-lough-lannagh-to-attract-thousands-of-visitors). That would be a fantastic resource.

But if you said they have done a good job with a lot of towns/village in the south I would have to agree.

Castlebar was a right kip when I was younger, it did a great job during the boom in redeveloping.
Ballina went down hill in the 2000s and was a right kip for a long time, looks to be getting back on its feet

Swinford is depressing with not a lot going for it

Charlestown is just full of c**ts

agree with pretty much all of this, Ballina has defiantly improved a lot in the last 5 years, the new bridge, tree planting ,work on the park, beleek woods  the new museum and library, the general  re development of the main street and a big effort by the tidy towns crowd has seen a massive improvement, having said that we still have a few estates that would go toe to toe with the best limerick has to offer.

in fact mayo county council for all their shortcomings have to be commended for their work in improving the look of most of Mayo's towns and villages and its amazing how a small bit of investment spurs on the local people to do more for their locality.

i was in ballyhanuis during the summer and i hardly recognised it, it had really improved, and most of the small villages have come on a lot, kilkelly however remains a notable exception.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: No Soloing on October 11, 2013, 11:09:27 AM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 08:36:14 AM
Lisburn and Derrytrasna need added to this list too.  Actually really like Fundoran.   Stick in Tandragee and Markethill too.

Lisburn is like jeckyll & hyde. Half of it is grim, the other half is very nice. It doesnt really have any good pubs, restaurants or shops though.
Any of the villages that you pass through and its flags and red, white & blue kerbstones from one end to another are the worst. Most villages wouldnt have much going for them but these ones take it down a notch covering themselves in such crap. Some still look like Garvagh in the 1980s - maybe Garvagh still looks like it did in the 1980s - its been years since I've been through it but I always hated it.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: lawnseed on October 11, 2013, 11:16:31 AM
you haven't experienced grim until you've visited LARNE it's only matched on the grim scale by its twin sister Stranraer in Scotland. two horrible holes
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Mayo4Sam on October 11, 2013, 11:33:07 AM
Quote from: Canalman on October 11, 2013, 09:48:57 AM
Limerick is fine imo. Sound and friendly people and a great place to go out at night.

Charming in a very understated way.

Your a dub though, youre used to knackers, Limerick is probably an upgrade
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Canalman on October 11, 2013, 11:45:18 AM
Quote from: Mayo4Sam on October 11, 2013, 11:33:07 AM
Quote from: Canalman on October 11, 2013, 09:48:57 AM
Limerick is fine imo. Sound and friendly people and a great place to go out at night.

Charming in a very understated way.

Your a dub though, youre used to knackers, Limerick is probably an upgrade

Fair enough I suppose. You don't seem to like Dublin . Something happen to you  when you were there last.  ;)
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 11:48:59 AM
Quote from: No Soloing on October 11, 2013, 11:09:27 AM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 08:36:14 AM
Lisburn and Derrytrasna need added to this list too.  Actually really like Fundoran.   Stick in Tandragee and Markethill too.

Lisburn is like jeckyll & hyde. Half of it is grim, the other half is very nice. It doesnt really have any good pubs, restaurants or shops though.
Any of the villages that you pass through and its flags and red, white & blue kerbstones from one end to another are the worst. Most villages wouldnt have much going for them but these ones take it down a notch covering themselves in such crap. Some still look like Garvagh in the 1980s - maybe Garvagh still looks like it did in the 1980s - its been years since I've been through it but I always hated it.

Garvagh actually popped into my head yesterday.  I can't imagine it looks any different now than it did in the 80's.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: LeoMc on October 11, 2013, 11:56:13 AM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on October 10, 2013, 10:09:03 PM
Most places mention on this thread especially down south i have been in and didnt think them that bad compared to some loyalist places in the north, its different that a town is run down due to shops closing and unruly locals and vandalism and little funding, but compared to the local residents going out of their way to paint road kerbs, bunting everywhere, flags out of every window and on bt poles, blocking roads.

Up here we are stuck for choice, lets look at Larne, the Ballykeel area of ballymena, The low end of the newtownards road in east belfast, tiger bays into fortwilliam in north belfast,  Taughmonagh in south belfast, The Donegall Rd in general, looks like something out of duffys circus.

Until you lads have had the pleasure of been in any of these areas which i do on weekly basis on and off through work (Name tag hidden of course) other places down south aint even in the same park,

We should rename this thread the grimmest place in Belfast as it got to have 4/5 of ireland top 10 contenders!!

In fairness to Belfast it has a few nice areas (if you remove the flags), some great old buildings (those that survived), a lot of green space (check for floating drug dealers in the water) and good night life (if you keep yourself to yourself).
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: screenexile on October 11, 2013, 12:04:49 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 11:48:59 AM
Quote from: No Soloing on October 11, 2013, 11:09:27 AM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 08:36:14 AM
Lisburn and Derrytrasna need added to this list too.  Actually really like Fundoran.   Stick in Tandragee and Markethill too.

Lisburn is like jeckyll & hyde. Half of it is grim, the other half is very nice. It doesnt really have any good pubs, restaurants or shops though.
Any of the villages that you pass through and its flags and red, white & blue kerbstones from one end to another are the worst. Most villages wouldnt have much going for them but these ones take it down a notch covering themselves in such crap. Some still look like Garvagh in the 1980s - maybe Garvagh still looks like it did in the 1980s - its been years since I've been through it but I always hated it.

Garvagh actually popped into my head yesterday.  I can't imagine it looks any different now than it did in the 80's.

Complete shitehole!! Coleraine isn't much better it's a horrible town!
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: johnneycool on October 11, 2013, 12:10:55 PM
And they want to build a 50K stadium down there, just look at the traffic to the post office on dole day.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Jeepers Creepers on October 11, 2013, 12:13:01 PM
Larne, Newtownards, Portadown, Coleraine.......
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: johnneycool on October 11, 2013, 12:19:59 PM
Quote from: Jeepers Creepers on October 11, 2013, 12:13:01 PM
Larne, Newtownards, Portadown, Coleraine.......

whatever made you think of Newtownards;;

(http://ni_towns.tripod.com/newtownards/thall_gold_jub.jpg)

The place where Offaly hurlers decided to do a warm up in the early 90's....
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: mouview on October 11, 2013, 12:20:10 PM
Can't believe we've gotten this far without Ennis being mentioned. Full of emigrants, migrants, knacks, gypos, loafers, spongers, spides, weirdos, headbangers, scumbags and various others sorts of ne'er-do-wells. Avoid because it's a void.

Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Tony Baloney on October 11, 2013, 01:12:36 PM
Prefer the Andytown Roundabout myself.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 01:42:47 PM
Waterfoot?
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: theticklemister on October 11, 2013, 01:56:53 PM
Quote from: hardstation on October 11, 2013, 12:07:24 PM
Heaven on earth:

(http://www.tate.org.uk/art/images/work/P/P79/P79342_10.jpg)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/The_Andersonstown_Road_-_geograph.org.uk_-_449476.jpg)

when was that first pic taken hardstation? Last weekend?
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Jeepers Creepers on October 11, 2013, 01:58:23 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 01:42:47 PM
Waterfoot?

Rather unfortunate this one, those mingy b**tards on larne council cough up the money then this would be one of the nicest small towns in the North. Everything already in place, beach, and in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Feeling of an old deserted cowboy gold rush town an the mo.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: theticklemister on October 11, 2013, 01:58:47 PM
Quote from: mouview on October 11, 2013, 12:20:10 PM
Can't believe we've gotten this far without Ennis being mentioned. Full of emigrants, migrants, knacks, gypos, loafers, spongers, spides, weirdos, headbangers, scumbags and various others sorts of ne'er-do-wells. Avoid because it's a void.

I think yer just a f**king racist and bigot.

Thank God I don't live in the same place as ye; don't know whatye would be doing or preaching to children if this is the shite ye come out with.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Jeepers Creepers on October 11, 2013, 01:59:15 PM
Brit with no helmet on shows its age!
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Mayo4Sam on October 11, 2013, 01:59:22 PM
Quote from: Canalman on October 11, 2013, 11:45:18 AM
Quote from: Mayo4Sam on October 11, 2013, 11:33:07 AM
Quote from: Canalman on October 11, 2013, 09:48:57 AM
Limerick is fine imo. Sound and friendly people and a great place to go out at night.

Charming in a very understated way.

Your a dub though, youre used to knackers, Limerick is probably an upgrade

Fair enough I suppose. You don't seem to like Dublin . Something happen to you  when you were there last.  ;)

Got stuck living amongst them.

Oh hold on, I see what you did there..................
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Minder on October 11, 2013, 02:00:10 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 01:42:47 PM
Waterfoot?

Ha, coming from someone from Strabane  ;D
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Craigyhill Terror on October 11, 2013, 02:04:52 PM
Quote from: Jeepers Creepers on October 11, 2013, 01:58:23 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 01:42:47 PM
Waterfoot?

Rather unfortunate this one, those mingy b**tards on larne council cough up the money then this would be one of the nicest small towns in the North. Everything already in place, beach, and in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Feeling of an old deserted cowboy gold rush town an the mo.

Is Waterfoot not in the Moyle Council area? Anyway, Larne always seems to get a touch in threads like this and, as a native, I sort of feel honour-bound to defend it. But I can't
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: BennyCake on October 11, 2013, 02:12:39 PM
Craigavon. What a shithole.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: brokencrossbar1 on October 11, 2013, 02:23:19 PM
Quote from: BennyCake on October 11, 2013, 02:12:39 PM
Craigavon. What a shithole.

Worked I lovely Legahory for a year and it brought the meaning of poverty to a whole new level!   
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: theticklemister on October 11, 2013, 02:30:49 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on October 11, 2013, 02:23:19 PM
Quote from: BennyCake on October 11, 2013, 02:12:39 PM
Craigavon. What a shithole.

Worked I lovely Legahory for a year and it brought the meaning of poverty to a whole new level!

nothing to snigger about at poverty at all; hence the use of your exclamation mark.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: brokencrossbar1 on October 11, 2013, 03:13:13 PM
Quote from: theticklemister on October 11, 2013, 02:30:49 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on October 11, 2013, 02:23:19 PM
Quote from: BennyCake on October 11, 2013, 02:12:39 PM
Craigavon. What a shithole.

Worked I lovely Legahory for a year and it brought the meaning of poverty to a whole new level!

nothing to snigger about at poverty at all; hence the use of your exclamation mark.

Definitely nothing to snigger at.  It was a very grim place for people to exist in, and I would say exist as I can't imagine it was a 'life' in what you or I would call a life.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: theticklemister on October 11, 2013, 03:33:26 PM
I never seen a South Armagh man dig a hole for himself as quick as ye, oh wait..........

All joking aside. Your first comment was bad, but your second was a disgrace.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: screenexile on October 11, 2013, 04:06:26 PM
From Twitter:

Derry Facts ‏@DerryFacts 1h
No one ever sang 'I wish I was back home in Tyrone'.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: brokencrossbar1 on October 11, 2013, 04:10:22 PM
I maybe have come across the wrong way.  It was a grim place to live in.  Notice that I put up life in '' .  It was a grim place to be in because of poverty and for many people they were unable to break out of the trap they were in.  They were caught in the cycle.  I am not being snobby because I worked directly with these people but to understand their existence is to compare it to what we see as the norm.  Many people are putting up places that are run down looking or have an old industrial revolution look about them as being grim.  To me walking along and seeing house after house of boarded windows and burnout houses is grimmer than anything else.  Poverty was a factor but the control over many people by a few drug lords was also a very significant factor.  Many of the houses were pulled down or partially destroyed which added to the scene of deprivation. 
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: joemamas on October 11, 2013, 04:33:37 PM
Quote from: Mayo4Sam on October 10, 2013, 05:05:00 PM
Quote from: muppet on October 10, 2013, 01:57:25 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 10, 2013, 01:47:40 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on October 10, 2013, 01:03:59 PM
I'd describe the majority of NI's towns and villages as quite grim. You've got those places like Newbuildings and Dervock, in which it seems the locals are so so inbred they would happily build a 20 foot concrete wall around. Then there's the likes of Middletown, Rathfriland and Comber, which look like places time has forgot; made worse by it being an especially grey and drab period of time when they were forgotten.

Newry, Portadown, Derry, Lurgan, Omagh, Cookstown, Lisburn, Belfast. All grotty and suffer a general lack of vision, consistency and investment.

I suppose villages are a different kettle of fish, but the like of Middletown, Derrynoose, Newbuildings, Donemana, Garvagh, Fintona, Newtonstewart, Augher, Plumbridge, Coalisland would depress the life out of you if you lived there.  Its unbelievable how much nicer villages and towns down south appear, places such as Sligo, Monaghan or Castleblayney all have a bit of character to them whereas every town up north are more or less designed in that same old ugly plantation format.  Lurgan and Cookstown are two examples of this, with their big long wide main street.  Portrush has to be one of the ugliest towns about.

I think this is a relatively recent development. I grew up in Castlebar and for my teens I thought it was a hole. Now don't get me wrong, I would still argue with anyone who said their hole was better, but I still thought of it that way. The lake was a great place to go as kids but it was our secret, hidden away from the rest of the world. In the 1990s they really did a good job doing the town up and in the last 10 years the place is completely unrecognisable from the hole of my youth. They built great playgrounds for kids at the lake, completely opened it all up for everyone and created a lovely walk, run or cycle around part of the lake. I believe they are looking into connecting it to Westport and the Greenway (http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/50229/exciting-new-developments-at-lough-lannagh-to-attract-thousands-of-visitors). That would be a fantastic resource.

But if you said they have done a good job with a lot of towns/village in the south I would have to agree.

Castlebar was a right kip when I was younger, it did a great job during the boom in redeveloping.
Ballina went down hill in the 2000s and was a right kip for a long time, looks to be getting back on its feet

Swinford is depressing with not a lot going for it

Charlestown is just full of c**ts

Two years on and you are still posting complete crap, you are an embarrasment to Mayo people. When you make such disgraceful comments on a public website, you better be able to back them up.

Quote from August 2011

quote author=joemamas link=topic=49.msg1009360#msg1009360 date=1314481349]
Quote from: Mayo4Sam on August 18, 2011, 10:37:00 AM
Ah I mightnt like all the local lads but at least you'd have time for them. Played c'town a lot underage in soccer and football for club and school and they were always a sneaky underhand shower. They had a settled traveller on the soccer team, would have been U-14/16, he was about 20 by the time the U-16 came about, no birth cert but the world and it's mother knew he was no more U-16.
Ginger Tiernan pretty much epitomises Charlestown for me

Could not let this comment go without a rebuttal.

1. Charlestown "an sneaky underhand shower" please elaborate in a gaelic football sense", if anything Charlestown's biggest criticism was that there was little or no cynicism to their game.

2. Gaelic and Soccer have zero connection in Charlestown. Most play Gaelic, the few that play soccer do not. How did you play Charlestown in underage Gaelic club games ?, have the divisonal boundries been redrawn renently.
As for a traveller playing organized sports, soccer in this case, well absolutely disgraceful, what will we have next in 2011 , Asian, Eastern Europeans, Blacks playing local sports. That comment is like saying I hate Galway football because a traveller played for their soccer team.

3. As for Ginger Teirnan, as Abbeysider said, A club legend, he epitomises everything a club and county football team needs. No need to elaborate on that.

Methinks you disdain for Charlestown lies with the 2-19 to 0-8 pt defeat you suffered from us in the 2001 county senior final,  in addition to the loss you suffered in the 2009 County senior final.

Charlestown may very well get relegated, they are suffering from the same fate as a lot of small rural clubs, lack of employment locally and renewed immigration, a fate their club were decimated from in the 1980's. Your lazy attempt to colour your disdain for them with anything related to what happened on a Gaelic football field is pretty pathetic to say the least.
[/quote]
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: CD on October 11, 2013, 04:35:05 PM
Quote from: Craigyhill Terror on October 11, 2013, 02:04:52 PM
Quote from: Jeepers Creepers on October 11, 2013, 01:58:23 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on October 11, 2013, 01:42:47 PM
Waterfoot?
y Rather unfortunate this one, those mingy b**tards on larne council cough up the money then this would be one of the nicest small towns in the North. Everything already in place, beach, and in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Feeling of an old deserted cowboy gold rush town an the mo.

Is Waterfoot not in the Moyle Council area? Anyway, Larne always seems to get a touch in threads like this and, as a native, I sort of feel honour-bound to defend it. But I can't

I had a good old laugh at that one! I don't like the idea of selecting Ireland's grimmest town but if I was backed into a corner, I'd have to say Larne as well! Sorry! ;)
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: southdown on October 11, 2013, 04:47:25 PM
Lurgan and Lisburn for me.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: glens abu on October 11, 2013, 05:35:01 PM
Larne,Newry and Portadown for me
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: BennyCake on October 11, 2013, 05:59:51 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on October 11, 2013, 02:23:19 PM
Quote from: BennyCake on October 11, 2013, 02:12:39 PM
Craigavon. What a shithole.

Worked I lovely Legahory for a year and it brought the meaning of poverty to a whole new level!

The North's answer to Milton Keynes turned out about as successful. Paisley has a lot to answer for.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: BennyCake on October 11, 2013, 06:02:24 PM
Quote from: southdown on October 11, 2013, 04:47:25 PM
Lurgan and Lisburn for me.

Lurgan is grim, but Lisburn is a black loyalist hellhole. That's where they should drop the big one. Then Portadown.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: general_lee on October 11, 2013, 06:26:00 PM
Has anyone been in Lurgan lately? I see it has featured a lot on here.

They've invested thousands in the last 2/3 years on public realm work that is still ongoing. The town centre is actually quite pleasant now IMO. Granted one or two estates might be intimidating to outsiders, the place isn't as bad as people make out.

Nrico, you said Derrytrasna. Why on earth did you put Derrytrasna, there's nothing to the place! A few houses, a chapel and a school!

Virtually everywhere will have areas that make it look like a shithole. Special mentions though for Belfast (N,S,E and W), Larne, Derry, Coleraine, Ballymena, Craigavon, Newry, Dundalk,
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Tony Baloney on October 11, 2013, 07:31:54 PM
It's not often nrico2006 has a decent point but he does have a point re. Waterfoot Main St. It's a pretty ugly wee strip for somewhere surrounded by natural beauty.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: 45 on October 11, 2013, 07:51:46 PM
Rathfriland enough said .
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Arthur_Friend on October 11, 2013, 08:43:13 PM
The only thing that could really fix Waterfoot main street would be trees planted on both sides of the street, a la Killough in Co. Down.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Tony Baloney on October 11, 2013, 09:25:13 PM
Quote from: Arthur_Friend on October 11, 2013, 08:43:13 PM
The only thing that could really fix Waterfoot main street would be trees planted on both sides of the street, a la Killough in Co. Down.
If there was sufficient funding available the frontage of many buildings could be smartened up and yes trees etc might help but how many would be intact after the first weekend after planting?!  :-\
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Matthew 5:9 on October 11, 2013, 09:27:58 PM
"Our Wee Town"

Not Because Their "Wee Town" Is My "Wee  Town,"
But In the Hope That They Will Grow To Love
   All The  "Wee Towns" of Ireland,
And Learn The Great Lesson of Life-
That No Place Is Dull Except To the Dull -Minded,
And That No Street, though Rough Its Cobbled Footway
    And Dingy It's Uneven Houses,
Can be Uninteresting If Children Play Across It
    And Men Laugh at Its Corners
And Women Weep By Its Hearthstones.

By Louis J Walsh
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Mayo4Sam on October 11, 2013, 09:39:29 PM
Joe, I'm not sure what I've said to make me an embarrassment to Mayo.  I'm glad to see that ur keeping a file of my posts and I'll keep an eye out for the Internet police for not backing up my posts.

As for my 2011 comment, if never seen ur rebuttal. For points 1 & 3 I'd point to the 2009 final when he spent the day acting the tr**p, when he epitomes ur club well it says a lot.
As for the finals I'm bitter about all the finals Knockmore have lost but I also remember the days like Bombers robbery goal in '92  ;) ;D

And as for my settled traveller comment I think it's quiet clear I was making no racist comments but nice of u to try and twist that.

As for being a grim place, well it hasn't been missed since it was by-passed is the best I can say about it
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Feckitt on October 11, 2013, 10:53:22 PM
Imagine a town nestled between the sea and the mountains, in one of the most picturesque areas of the country, throw in a fishing harbour, and nearby sandy beaches, and you have all you could ever want.

Then festoon the place with red, white and blue, grind it down with tense sectarianism, and you end up with Ireland's most depressing town.

Kilkeel
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Leo on October 12, 2013, 12:08:39 AM
Kilkeel? Hard to argue - but try Ballynahinch - its Kilkeel II - without the scenery!
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Feckitt on October 12, 2013, 09:46:02 AM
Quote from: Leo on October 12, 2013, 12:08:39 AM
Kilkeel? Hard to argue - but try Ballynahinch - its Kilkeel II - without the scenery!

Ballynahinch is a bit of a dump but it's like any other inland town in Ireland, but with worse than average traffic.

Kilkeel however is set in an Area of Natural Beauty, and has everything going for it.  Majestic Mountains, open sea, nearby beaches, fishing harbour, a river running through it.  If it was in Donegal or Kerry, yanks would flock to it. You've got the Silent Valley, You've got the Mourne Trail, You've got Spelga Dam, You've got the Coast Road.  Kilkeel should be the heartbeat of a vibrant and beautiful Mourne Area.
However the local unionists are so insecure that they are only content with painting the lovely wee bridge red white and blue, painting a massive union jack on the harbour wall.  Festooning the place with loyalist, british and paramilitary flags. Painting the kerbstones. No one wants to stop there, as a result the place looks like 1975.  THere is a bad atmosphere about the place.  It is miserable and depressing. 
Ireland's grimmest town - Kilkeel
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: maddog on October 12, 2013, 11:00:18 AM
There are lots of kips that much is established. One that is personal to me is that when I take the boat from Holyhead (now that is a kip) and drive up from Dublin I am thinking to myself look how much development there has been in my years away. The motorway cuts the Dublin journey time in half and i'd be thinking back to the days when I would be with my father in the wagon and having to stop at 3 customs points, which could, on a bad day, add hours to the journey. Then without a blink you cross into the north and take the road for Armagh. That estate on the Armagh road just outside of Newry on the right hand side inspires a mixture of head scratching amusement and amazement with the painted kerbs, uvf flags, Scottish flags etc. But you are quickly passed it. About 8 miles on you hit the next time warp Markethill which for those that don't know is a loyalist enclave parked on the side of the Newry road. There are more union jacks than the Dubs could ever have waved, the message is clear - we don't want a fenian about the place.
I'm sure there are much worse places but these two depress me personally. The need to mark out territory like feral cats is only serving to hinder themselves and depressingly it shows no sign of abating. At Christmas I think I will be off the motorway across above Ardee and up that way. Actually jesus no Keady is on that route, Markethill it is.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: Orior on October 13, 2013, 03:17:44 PM
I would propose Grimgrimley  Glengrimley  Grimgormley  Glengormley


This is actually the centre of the village

https://www.google.ie/maps?q=Glengormley,+United+Kingdom&hl=en&ll=54.67125,-5.958602&spn=0.000025,0.021136&sll=53.33325,-6.34645&sspn=0.007073,0.021136&oq=glengormley&hnear=Glengormley,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=54.671345,-5.958712&panoid=kSwMZnhwkT_632ucicXe_g&cbp=12,330.4,,0,16.17 (https://www.google.ie/maps?q=Glengormley,+United+Kingdom&hl=en&ll=54.67125,-5.958602&spn=0.000025,0.021136&sll=53.33325,-6.34645&sspn=0.007073,0.021136&oq=glengormley&hnear=Glengormley,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=54.671345,-5.958712&panoid=kSwMZnhwkT_632ucicXe_g&cbp=12,330.4,,0,16.17)
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: stibhan on October 13, 2013, 03:19:27 PM
Larne.
Title: Re: Ireland's grimmest place
Post by: laoislad on October 13, 2013, 03:57:21 PM
IKEA.