I don't know, most places I go to don't seem to be affected in the same way. The sheer scale of some of the developments in Doolin compared to what was there, the way people in shops approach you (or actually don't approach you, they just charge you as much as they can without as much as looking at you), the way the 'visitors' go about (I suppose those last two are typical of any resort) and all that. It's just not particularly attractive and certainly not friendly in any way (compared to any other place in North or West Clare).

Two years ago a friend was visiting and he wanted to see Doolin, fair enough. We walked into O 'Connors and were met by an accordeonplayer singing/playing The Forty Shades of Green for a package bustour of senior americans in green Aran jumpers doing the Oirish thing. If that's authenticity or renaissance of traditional music, they can keep it. We didn't make it past the door anyway.

Then again, the new visitors centre and the admission/parking charges at the Cliffs of Moher put me off as well. Enough to do here without being ripped off.