Looking for a holiday with a difference? Why not take a tour around some of Ireland’s many top heritage towns. No trip to Ireland is complete until you have visited and explored some of the many heritage towns peppered throughout the country. In this article we take a look at just a selection of some of Ireland’s wonderful heritage towns. For further details please read on… Kilrush - County Clare. Kilrush or ‘Cill Rois’ in Irish meaning ‘The church of the woods’, is a town located in County Clare near …
Read more »

The Year 2009 holds a special significance for the GAA - the association that promotes our National Games celebrates its 125th year of existence. With the return of the 2009 GAA Senior Hurling Championship at the end of May with the titanic clash of Tipperary v Cork in Thurles, we have compiled a list of the things you need to know about the All Ireland Hurling Championship! Read on for more… · The very first All Ireland Hurling Final took place in 1887 - and in the early years the championship took the format of …
Read more »

We’ve reached the middle of May, the National Football League is over, the hard winter training has been done, peak fitness levels have been reached and the training ground moves are given their final polishing- it can only mean one thing - the return of the GAA Football Championship! The Year 2009 is truly special for the GAA, as it is 125th Anniversary of the founding of the Association in Hayes Hotel, Thurles, Co.Tipperary. Our national games have developed greatly since the formative years of the organisation and have never …
Read more »

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Gaelic Athletics Association - this strong icon of modern Ireland has certainly come a long way since its foundation in November 1884 at Hayes Hotel Thurles, Co.Tipperary by Michael Cusack, Maurice Davin and Archbishop Croke amongst a total of 7 founding members. To celebrate this major anniversary, there are plenty of events around the country celebrating the birth and growth of our national games. Read on for more… The following are just some of the major events that will celebrate our National …
Read more »

Easter is the biggest religious celebration on the Church calender and this year it’s starting on the 17th March and culminating with Easter Sunday on 23rd March. If you’re spending your Easter in Ireland, read on to find out how the Irish celebrate it… Unusually, this year, Easter Sunday falls very early on the 23rd of March. Why? Well, it’s all to do with the moon! The lunar cycle determines when it falls which is always the first Sunday after the full moon of the Spring Equinox. This year, the …
Read more »

Halloween is finally here and the celebrations in Ireland are kicking off big time! There are loads of Halloween events taking place throughout Ireland so if you’re out and about we hope you have a spookily superb Halloween night! You can check out the events that are taking place in Dublin this Halloween or simply find out about the unique Halloween customs that still exist today in Ireland. Whatever you get up, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable time this Halloween! Why not drop us a line in …
Read more »

A few words of the native language is much appreciated by the locals no matter what country you’re in, so when in Ireland’s Gaeltacht areas, here are a few handy phrases to get you by… Dia dhuit (jeeh - ah - gwit) Hello translates as ‘God be with you’ Dia is Muire dhuit (jeeh - ah- iss mwira gwit) Hello literally translates as ‘God and Mary be with you’ Conas atá tú? (cun - iss - a - taw - too) How are you? Tá mé ceart go leor? (taw - mey- cart- guh- lower) I’m ok/fine. Céad …
Read more »

Renowned the world over for its spectacular scenery and dramatic landscape, Ireland now has something else to be proud of …its friendly people! According to the Lonely Planet Bluelist 2008, Ireland is the world’s friendliest country! It has been chosen from a list of top travel destinations all over the world. It beat countries like Turkey, Scotland, the US and Thailand in the poll to win the top spot. The Bluelist 2008 describes the friendly Irish as having “a dark sense of humour”, “a welcoming nature” and an “ability to …
Read more »

Although Ireland is now an English speaking country, it does have its own national language called Irish or Gaeilge. It was once spoken throughout Ireland, but today due to many factors, it’s a minority language, which can still be heard in particular parts of the country. It’s still considered our first language though, and it’s also recognised as one of 23 official languages in the EU. So where did the Irish language come from you might ask? Well, it’s believed it was the Celts who first brought an early form …
Read more »

If you’re intending to visit our Emerald Isle, then you’re sure to end up in an Irish pub enjoying a session! So when you sit back with a nice creamy pint of our famous Guinness, here are some Irish songs you are likely to hear… Our Irish pubs are famous the world over, as there’s no better place to enjoy, good food, good drink and good craic! This is also where you’ll find some of the best Irish music and Irish dancing, so make sure to pop down to the …
Read more »