Readers feedback
Tim O'Neill of Broadstone, in Dublin, enjoyed our cover story last week, on Catherine Mack's Irish ecoescapes, but is unhappy that buses and trains are still not geared to cope with bicycles
"Travelling around Ireland by public transport is an absolute disaster because of the Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann rules concerning bicycles.
"It is overpriced for a start, but worse than that is the uncertainty about whether you will be allowed to take your bike with you - especially on the buses, where the driver can, seemingly on a whim, say: 'Sorry, no room for the bike.' Bang goes your short break.
"It is almost impossible to take two bikes by public transport, but how many people go away for the weekend by themselves?
Three or more bikes will never be allowed on the same journey.
"Somehow the Germans, Dutch, French and Spanish all have facilities for passengers plus bike, and their charges are much more reasonable.
"As a result, when I go away for a short break in Ireland with my friends, we all pack our bikes into our cars and drive. On the Continent we rent bikes, take them by public transport and would never consider renting a car."
Alison O'Sullivan from Dublin is unhappy at what she feels is discrimination against non-UK and non-US residents by American Airlines
"I was booking flights recently from San Francisco to Boston. American Airlines' website wouldn't allow me to book, as I am not a UK or US resident, so I had to call the UK.
"At the very end, having spelled out every word and spent 20 minutes on the phone, I was told that, although the online-booking process is free, there is a charge of £15 per person to book over the phone.
"I think this is really unfair. It should not make a difference where I am resident."
E-mail your experiences to go@irish-times.ie