DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland should stop selling itself simply as the home of leprechauns and the Blarney Stone and play up its status as a hip and trendy travel destination, according to the author of an influential guide to the country.

Fionn Davenport, Dublin-born coordinating author of the latest Lonely Planet guide to Ireland, says a fresh look at the Emerald Isle is long overdue in the wake of the country's decade-long economic boom.

"Ireland has long since outgrown its forty shades of green and all of the other shamrock-laden clichés that never really did it justice," he said. "Surely we should be known as much for our cool cafe culture and buzzing music scene as our ancient monuments and dramatic coastline."

While praising Belfast, Cork, Limerick and other towns, the Lonely Planet new edition has annoyed some popular tourist destinations such as surfing hotspot Bundoran which it describes as "one of Ireland's tackiest holiday resorts".