Ireland tops the Conde Nast Traveler resorts poll

Headed by Ashford Castle in Mayo, there are a striking amount of Irish resorts on the list of best European resorts voted by Conde Nast Traveler readers. I wonder what it is about Irish resorts? I've been to the top-placed resort, Ashford Castle, but it scored lower for me when I realized it is not actually an old castle, just a recreation of one...

Scenic traveling with Google Maps

How about this for a nice view of Kerry, Ireland, from Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ftr=sv.seven:loc=eu:page=2&hl=en&hl=en&layer=c&utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-sk-svn&utm_term=7