Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for ireland
St. Patrick’s Rock
By Linda Tancs
In the heart of Ireland’s County Tipperary, Cashel is one of the most visited sites thanks to the Rock of Cashel. Known as St. Patrick’s Rock, this elevated limestone peak is the former seat of the High Kings of Munster. Legend has it that St. Patrick baptized Aenghus the King of Munster there in the fifth century. The ruins of Hore Abbey, a Cistercian monastery, are at the base of the Rock and provide great views of it. The area is easily accessible via public bus from Dublin.
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The Colony of Seals
By Linda Tancs
Ireland’s Garinish Island in County Cork is best known for its subtropical gardens in Bantry Bay. Try telling that to the attention-grabbing seal colony living in the harbor waters. Unfazed by the hum of ferries between the island and the main pier at Glengarriff, the 250-strong seal colony stands ready to strike the pose.
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Gathering in Ireland
By Linda Tancs
If you want to understand what it means to be Irish, then make your way to Ireland for the year-long Gathering Festival. Of the 70 million folks worldwide claiming Irish ancestry, many will enjoy a homecoming to the cities, towns and villages of their heritage. The festivities include sporting and music events and clan gatherings. Someone once remarked, “There are two kinds of people in the world. The Irish, and those who wish they were.” Are you lucky enough to be Irish?
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Trad Festival Begins in Ennis
By Linda Tancs
The folks of Ennis, Ireland in County Clare haven’t lost the art of traditional Irish music. After all, it’s celebrated each year at the Trad Festival, a gathering of traditional singers, dancers and musicians in a relaxed and informal setting. Now through 14 November, this year’s event will include a masterclass for both flute and fiddle enthusiasts on Saturday. Just 24 km from Shannon Airport, you can reach the festivities by train or bus as well from Dublin or Limerick.
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Dublin Gets Nod for Literature
By Linda Tancs
A city like Dublin is defined by its literary giants–writers like James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, William Butler Yeats and Oscar Wilde. No doubt that’s why UNESCO has seen fit to award the city with the designation City of Literature. One of only four cities in the world so designated, the move might increase tourism to an island hard hit by the worldwide economic meltdown. What better way to celebrate the city’s new moniker than by taking a walking tour of literary Dublin, beginning at the Writer’s Museum at Parnell Square and ending at Trinity College where many of the legends were educated. Just two hours of your time to experience a timeless treasure.
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Ireland’s West Celebrates 25 Years of Literature
By Linda Tancs
Dublin has its fair share of authors, poets and playwrights, but Ireland’s literary tradition is equally strong along the western coast. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Galway’s Cúirt Festival, a celebration of verse that has been previously described as a banquet of writing. Quite a banquet, indeed, as the event this week welcomes such luminaries as Fread D’Aguair, Naomi Shihab Nye and Dionne Brand. A highlight will be Colum McCann’s first reading in Ireland since his National Book Award win for Let the Great World Spin. Budget conscious travelers should look into the sponsoring hotel’s midweek cost cutting offer–that is, if the recent volcanic activity in Iceland doesn’t ruin your plans.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Tempest in a Teapot
By Linda Tancs
I read an article recently about Irish teapots. Apparently, in the antiques and collectibles market, those little shamrock-adorned porcelain Belleek teapots make hearts go aflutter. One of the best known products of Ireland, they say. That may be true, but it’s doubtful that the area responsible for its production rolls off the tongue of most people. That would be County Fermanagh, the westernmost of the six counties that form Northern Ireland. Reputedly translated to mean Men of Monach, the region is supported largely by tourism and agriculture. The pottery visitor centre in the tiny hamlet of Belleek is nicely situated at the banks of the River Erne. Inside the lobby, the 28-inch tall Belleek International Centre Piece takes pride of place as the winning entry at the Paris Exhibition of 1900. Seems like teapots aren’t the only thing causing a tempest.
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St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Abound
By Linda Tancs
More than just a holy day, the feast of St. Patrick is celebrated with song, parades and, of course, lots of comfort food. Whether or not you’ve made it to the festivities in or around locales like Dublin, Galway, Belfast or Cork (or anywhere else in the world), you can virtually be there in the online community of Second Life. Or watch the movie at www.discoverireland.com. Either way, as the Irish say, céad míle fáilte!
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