Thirty years ago, it is fair to say that very few Irish people could ever even begin to contemplate something like apartments in Rome for their annual holiday. In short, finances were low, especially when compared to the neighbouring United Kingdom.

Today, however, how that proverbial tide has completely changed. Ireland has actually proved itself to be something of a sleeping giant, where its economical capabilities are concerned. It may not exactly be a tiger economy, what with the population still only being some 4.5 million souls, but it could definitely rank as a European Cougar economy.

Surprisingly, Ireland managed to assert its current strengths even further, through the fact that it seems to have rode out the current worldwide recession with far more ease. In contrast, the economy of the United Kingdom and all of the other major European member states have taken what can best be described as a massive blow. (more...)

The global economic recession has had a profound effect on financial institutions across Europe. The pattern was repeated time and again by banks that made bad loans to risky clients who could not afford to pay them back. Many of these banks were forced to close their doors, while others limped on by dramatically cutting their services to customers. In this article we are going to discuss lending in Ireland.

Like most European countries, Ireland was hit hard by the recession, especially its banks. Those that survived vowed never again to lend to risky clients. In fact, many institutions have put a near freeze on consumer lending. What is a person to do if they are interested in getting a car loan in Ireland?

Fortunately, there are still a few viable financial options for Irish motorists. Probably the most popular one is obtaining a loan through the car dealership. Dealerships are able to offer reasonable rates because the volume of business they do gives them some leverage over lending institutions. As a result, they are able to offer attractive deals on loans and car insurance to potential customers. (more...)

Three short years ago, the economy of Ireland was known as the Celtic Tiger due to its rapid growth and dynamism. But those halcyon days came to a close when the global recession hit.

Because it had expanded so rapidly during the Celtic Tiger years (from 1995-2007), the Emerald Isle was hit especially hard. In just two years, Ireland's GDP fell by 14 percent. Most economists attribute this stunning volte-facie to the decline in the housing market and the billions of pounds in bad loans that were made to new homeowners.

To cut a long story short, the housing market was growing and the banks were handing out cheap loans to just about anyone that applied. But when the recession hit and people could not afford to pay their mortgage bills, the banks were forced to repossess their homes. (more...)

When it was announced that residents of the UK took fewer international flights in 2009, no one was surprised. The sovereign state suffered mightily during the recession and did not return to positive growth until the last quarter of 2009. As a result, people in the UK have been cutting back on luxuries and that includes trips overseas.

One trend that has been especially well covered is the increase in domestic travel. They even have a new name or neologism for them, staycations. These staycations resulted in a four percent increase in travel in the UK in 2009. Of course, that hasn\'t helped the airports, which have reported a decline of around seven percent in arrivals and departures.

When we take a closer look, we find that there is one group that cut back on travel more than any other. Because they receive special deals and are an integral part of the industry, airlines keep a close eye on business travellers. And with a 15 percent drop in business travel, we can safely assume that they don\'t like what they see. What does this mean for UK flights (more...)

Of all the pests you might find in your household, a cockroach infestation is perhaps the one we dread the most. If you find yourself plagued by these leathery, scuttling insects, you should get on the phone to a pest control expert without delay.

In order to ensure that the exterminator has all the details that he or she needs, you will need to take note of a few things. Start by considering the colour of the cockroaches. In some areas, you will find that you are entitled to a government exterminator, but only if your home is infested by a certain species of insect.

The colour of your roaches should help to determine whether you need to engage a private company or not. In addition, you will want to ascertain the size of the cockroaches in your home. (more...)

For all the doom and gloom that seems to permeate in various business media such as the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal, some business experts are forgetting that forex can still provide some returns from investors who know how the world currency markets are moving.

Forex Trading Online is one way for Irish investors and beginners to get involved. There are many ways to enjoy using forex online. Here are a few tools that you should consider getting before you start trading online with forex:

A good computer: Whether you are mad about Macs or you think happy with your HP laptop, you definitely need a computer that can withstand the nonstop nature of the online forex market. A good laptop or desktop will definitely do the trick because by having a strong battery size and the fact it has a tendency to freeze less quickly means you can indulge in your new favourite hobby: online forex trading. (more...)

Travelling can be a real hustle from the start because it involves a lot of formalities that many people may find themselves overlooking. During your preparation, you will need to do a very thorough outline of things to do before and during your travel. One of the most important things to do is to ensure that your well being is taken care of. You can’t have a nice vacation if anything is disturbing you.

If you are planning to travel to New Zealand, let TravelSure New Zealand take care of your worries. You will be afforded a time to remember because all you will be worried about is where to find that fun, the rest will be in good hands. TravelSure is the ultimate trusted pal who will never let you walk alone. You will be safe and secure all through your travel and in the event that anything goes wrong, a helping hand will be there.

Being a part of the old Cover-More Group, you can trust that this is an insurance company which has been in the game for far too long. Their experience speaks volumes and they known every corner of insurance. You can trust them to get exclusive cover over what no one else has dared to. They pride in providing insurance cover to over a million travelers annually, all of which have been assured of a 24 hour emergency check in case of anything. (more...)