This week we’ll be recording our 101st podcast episode AND celebrating St Patrick’s Day… I’d say, that sounds like an awesome week.
To make things even better, we want to compile a list of 101 IRISH TRAVEL TIPS for our readers to read and share… a whole list of pointers covering various aspects of travel to the Emerald Isle
Add your tip in the comments section below, and let’s see our list grow! >>
Iarnród Eireann Irish Rail CIE, originally uploaded by robokubo.
It’s official, any visitor over age 66 can travel Ireland by train for FREE starting March 16. Pat Preston has posted all the details in her “All aboard! New rail perk launched for seniors visiting Ireland” article.
Here are the highlights:
- Travelers need to fill out the application at least 48 hours in advance
- Passes are issued in four day increments (multiple passes can be issued)
- Travelers will present their Golden Trekker confirmation with a passport or national identity card at the train station
- The pass is not valid in Northern Ireland
Thanks for the info, Pat!
Episode Guide – Podcast #99 A Chat About Irish Travel with Michele Erdvig
In this audio podcast episode, we talk with author, blogger and travel forum moderator, Michele Erdvig to discuss Irish Travel, accommodations and plans for the Fireside.
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Show Notes
00:00
A message from Anne Roos from www.celticharpmusic.com
00:35
Intro: The Devil’s Bit by read more…
At the start of the year, we published our predictions of what the Irish travel picture might look like in 2010. It’s only March, and several of our forecasts have come true… some of them regretfully.
First, our suggestion that hotels would lead the charge for lower priced accommodations came with a nasty side effect – Zombie Hotels that will likely hurt the industry in the long run.
Then yesterday, Michele Erdvig from www.IrelandYes.com alerted us to news that a car rental shortage — especially automatic transmission vehicles that North Americans desire — might cause prices to skyrocket this season. That confirmed rental prices won’t be going down… in fact, after the Irish Times ran the article, some rental prices went up $4 a day.
And this morning, our concerns for an even quieter Shannon Airport were fueled. Aer Lingus is seriously considering plans to drop all long-haul flights from the west coast airport. The airline will likely announce their new “strategy” next month… we’ll keep our fingers crossed that they figure something out to keep Europe’s most tourist-friendly airport open for visitors from across the sea.
So What’s the Good News for Travelers?
All of these items are bad news for tourists, so what do we have to look forward to this year? Well, tourism is under the microscope at the moment, and it’s the one industry the Irish government seems to believe it can impact and profit from (even if their plans to put all their eggs in the UK basket could blow up in their face). So there are some positives for those traveling to the Emerald Isle this year…
Sweet Deals on Accommodations and Restaurants – While airfare and car rental prices are causing sticker shock for would-be visitors, hotels and B&Bs and restaurants are amping up their game… offering more for less and rewarding guests who stay a little longer.
Seniors Can Ride Irish Rail for Free – The government has moved forward on the plan we mentioned in our predictions to provide free rail transportation to seniors. That’s a double win for mature travelers… no car rental costs AND free train tickets.
Better Attitude Toward Tourism – The pendulum has swung yet again. As Irish emmigration is making a comeback, the Irish people have again become more sensitive to visitors. That includes a handful of astute government officials who are standing up for tourists by addressing fees, travel taxes, visa standards and several other issues that serve as barriers to growing tourism in Ireland. Psst, Irish officials, would you keep an eye on the car companies for us… they are among the LEAST tourist-friendly industries in Ireland — so much so, we had to tell our readers the 5 Things You Should Know When Renting a Car in Ireland.
The glut of hotels built as the Celtic Tiger roared, has created a dangerous combination for Ireland’s tourism secter — too many hotels… many of which would have closed but were bailed out by the Irish banking system. The result… the Zombie Hotel – a hotel equivalent of the living dead… and they are being labeled the cannibals of an already hurting industry.
As the economists duke out their theories on how to handle the situation and while they try to convince the powers that be, tourists are finding some of the lowest accommodation prices in years.
If you’re planning a trip this year, you really must read Michele Erdvig’s blog post about the zombies and the deals that are out there right now! If you want to read more about the Zombie Hotel phenomenon visit the Irish Times article and for more about the economic changes in Ireland this piece by The Guardian.
More Irish-interest headlines are available on our Twitter Feed… the most recent are featuring the sidebar on this page –>
Submitted by Kim
Book Review: Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show by Frank Delaney
I was delighted when the Irish Fireside offered me an advance copy of Frank Delaney’s new novel “Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show.” The book was truly hot off the press! I’ve read nearly all of Delaney’s other books “Tipperary,” “Shannon” and I had started to read “Ireland” — never quite settling into it the first time around.
I have been reading, listening or watching anything I could possibly find related to Ireland for over three years now. And I do declare Delaney’s books are delightful! I particularly enjoy listening to audiobooks with Irish narrators whose strong accents bring to life all those charming Irish sayings! I had a hard time leaving my car when I arrived at work or home because the stories were so good.
“Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show” was no exception. While I did read every word in this book, it is available in an audio format narrated by Delaney. Like so many Irish authors, Delaney is a gifted storyteller. He has the ability to truly animate the pages of his books for his readers. Not only does he manage to tell a grand story, but his style conveys the tradition and spirit of the Irish way of life to his audience.
His characters make the reader feel as though they are already close acquaintances, or longing to befriend the lead characters. His style of conversation, if truth be told, transports me into the homes of my Irish family and their lives. The book is full of Irish aphorisms spoken by regular folk in Irish villages. Delaney’s tales are epic and his method of entwining the myths and legends of Ireland with actual history provides a rich picture of the period and lifestyle of his characters.
“Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show” is one of the most original and interesting stories that I have read of late. It includes the political struggles of the period which is present in so many Irish novels, almost to the point of being overdone. That is not the situation in this story. Frank Delaney’s newest book is the story of a young man’s loss of innocence. It takes into account the political climate without those events dominating the narrative. Again in his signature style, Delaney has included a seanachai in “Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show”
Seanachai is the Irish word for storyteller. Historically the senachai went from village to village passing on the myths, legends and at times pure gossip. In more recent times, during the evening, the storyteller told stories in pubs or homes of the villagers and earned a meal and lodgings in return. By day, when the Gaelic language was illegal, the seanachai gathered the village children and took them into a field to secretly teach the Irish language.
The seanachai in “Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show” is James Clare who mentors the hero, young Ben McCarthy, with lessons from Ireland’s myths and legend. In this method, Mr. Clare supports young Ben as he literally saves the family farm and his parents from ruin!
So who is Venetia Kelly? She is an actor who arrives in town and mesmerizes both Ben and his father. Venetia in fact is the star of a traveling vaudeville show. And the show sits right in the center of the story. Surrounding the show is treachery, murder, revolution, high drama and politics all rolled into one wonderful yarn. And, as I’ve already mentioned, Irish culture, history, myth and legends as the backdrop for the story. There are plenty of twists, turns and surprises in the plot! I had trouble putting it down! Delaney’s humor expressed in the sayings and descriptions of his characters is grand and adds depth to the story.
But, I don’t want to spoil it, because anyone interested in Irish culture will enjoy this story. And, if you haven’t read any of Delaney’s books, then you should! Regardless of the format Delaney is a master of Irish culture. After I started this book, I went back to the novel Ireland, one of his first books. (It’s downloaded on my iPod). And this time, I really got it! Quite a Journey!
So, picture this, I’m driving down the San Diego Freeway listening to Mr. Delaney tell a story. Then gradually, I’m one of the characters in his book; Transported to the little blue country cottage of my ancestors in Ballinamore Bridge, Co. Galway. I even smell the peat fire burning in the fireplace! Then the room falls quiet and the seanachai begins his tale…
BUY THE BOOK FROM OUR AMAZON STORE
We are giving away one signed copy of “Venetia Kelley’s Traveling Show.” Enter to win by leaving a comment on this post and leaving a voicemal message for our 100th Episode (more info) at 414-292-9269 (many callers are leaving great Ireland travel tips, so feel free to do the same – calls must be received by Sunday, March 7, 2010).
UPDATE: Congratulations to Barbara Crane from Midland, TX. She won the signed copy of Frank Delaney’s new book.
It’s always nice to wake up to find out that our efforts at the Fireside are appreciated. This morning, the Clare Herald ran a tidbit about our 100th Episode… and they think you should leave a message too!
Have a peek… and feel free to leave them a comment too.
Eileen Ivers and band members Buddy Connolly, Leo Traversa, Tommy McDonnell, and Greg Anderson by Luke Ratray
“With Irish music, you’re cryin’ one minute and then you’re whoopin’ it up and bein’ joyful the next minute. We’ll be playing some really heart wrenching immigration songs, songs of leaving family and loved ones behind, and we’ll be playing a lot of the dance tunes from the tradition that are just upbeat and full of life and festive energy,” says fiddler Eileen Ivers. She’s talking about her current concert tour, which she’s named Beyond the Bog Road.
One day when she was back in her father’s town in County Mayo, a place where she’s often played her fiddle, Ivers heard an older man say he found it hard to think about the people who had left Ireland during the Great Hunger of the 1840s, and what lives they must have led. That sparked an idea in Ivers to start researching music, and later, composing tunes that traced parts of that journey, and often through unexpected moments.
She’s created an evening that moves emotionally and musically — and visually, there are scenes of Ireland historic images which weave in and out with the music projected behind the band — from that bog road to the uncertainties of crossing the oceans and the hard conditions on arrival in North America, to contact with other cultures, to an ending which celebrates the vibrancy of the Irish American community today.
That’s a fairly tall order for an evening’s worth of music: make a program that’s musical and entertaining and at the same time present a lot of context about music and history to people who may bring all sorts of ideas and backgrounds to hearing it. It’s an idea Ivers is well qualified to carry out: To her research, she brought a background including winning nine All Ireland fiddle championships, working with jazz and classical fiddlers, being a founding member of Cherish the Ladies and part of the original company of Riverdance, performances with artists ranging from the Boston Pops to the Afro Celts, Grammy awards, and worldwide touring.
Ivers and her band bring their varied talents together to focus on moments which connect to tell the story, and while Ivers’ fiddling and her vibrant personality are the center of things, she does not hesitate to collaborate and at times step aside for others to take over the telling of the stories.
She shares some of her own story as a first generation Irish American to connect things, and there’s recorded narrative spoken by Dermot Henry [himself a fine songwriter whom you’ve met before over at Music Road] which also sets things in context between songs. The result is a journey at times fast paced and at times in thoughtful reflection, that moves from exploring the heartfelt sorrow of famine times to the hope and hardships and persistence of next stages of the immigrant’s journey.
At the start. “We have some slow airs, songs, about love lost to famine, about heartbreak, kinda — there’s a classic immigration song called The Greenfields of America. Niamh Parsons sings it, and she’s incredible, one of Ireland’s truly great singers, I think,” Ivers says. A somber view of the vast and rolling ocean, such as Irish people might have seen on their voyages, unfolds behind Parsons as she sings.
The band and the narration follow the story of Irish people arriving in Grosse Ile, in Quebec, still a hard time, but lightened by encounters with kind people and with the music of French Canada. Traditional tunes, original tunes Ivers has written, and the skills of the dancers who join in on stage combine to show the connections between Acadian and Cajun music and the music of Ireland.
The band then traces the music’s journey southward. Ivers tells of trading tunes with Appalachian fiddler Ralph Blizzard and in a few bars illustrates the way a tune sounds in Irish tradition and how it moves over to bluegrass. The band extends that idea, playing the Irish tunes Kitty’s Wedding, and its Appalachian cousin, Smith’s Reel, and invites the audience to sing along as they head in to The Rocky Road Blues, a song by Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass.
Through the second half of the concert Ivers, the band, and the dancers trace the meeting up of Irish people and African Americans, through working on building railroads to the west, and it later years through tap dancing competitions in New York city, There’s even a bit of Louis Armstrong brought in, as well as the remembrance and looking back toward Ireland, and the new waves of Irish immigration to America.
The evening comes to a close with an extended set of reels incorporating world beat and other influences, with video backdrop reflecting the energy of the city and twenty first century life, and with Ivers playing her fiddle all across the stage, up on to the drum kit platform, exchanging jams with Buddy Connolly on accordion, and bringing her fiddle out for a quick trip around the room before jumping back onstage to join the band, audience and dancers in singing Will the Circle Be Unbroken — a gospel song which crosses American traditions American traditions and whose title neatly sums up the emotions and music Eileen Ivers and friends share Beyond the Bog Road.
The Beyond the Bog Road tour continues through late March. Information about that and other tour dates may be found at Eileen Ivers’ web site. Ivers is also working on a recording of the music from Beyond the Bog Road.
Kerry Dexter writes about the arts and creative practice at Music Road, and is music editor at Wandering Educators, long time contributor to world music magazine Dirty Linen, and former folk music editor at Barnes & Noble Online. Her work has appeared in Symphony, Ireland and the Americas, and The Encyclopedia of Counterculture, among other publications.
The Cliffs of Moher featured on a Cadbury wrapper.
Earlier this year, Irish chocolate-maker Cadbury kicked off a social media campaign that pitted would-be candy wrapper designers against each other for a chance at €10,000 and the title of the Cadbury Apprentice.
While three Leprechaun & shamrock themed wrappers duked it out for minor votes, the real contest was between two Irish landmark heavyweights… the Giants Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher. The top vote-getters both came in with over 25,000 online votes
In the end, the Giants Causeway won… no wait… the Cliffs of Moher won.
Ends up the Giants Causeway design was a knockoff of another work (kind of like Cadbury ripped off the title of Donald Trump’s show – Cadbury’s social network lit up with the controversy… which you can read about here), sooooo the grand prize went to Paul Ruane from County Kerry who turned the iconic Cliffs into blocks of chocolate and made the rippling waves of the Atlantic from creamy Cadbury milk.
It’s good to see two of my favorite things collide… Irish travel and chocolate!
I gotta say, I’m craving a Cadbury Flake right about now.
>> Remember, you can still vote for the Cliffs of Moher in the New Wonders of the World competition!
A special thanks to Katherine Webster, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, for giving us a heads-up on this tasty story.
Learner's Driving Sign
This one is just for fun. Corey mentioned on Twitter that someone had found his site by searching for “Ten Things You Should Never Say to an Irishwoman”. He suggested that someone should write the article. I’m up for the challenge.
Keep in mind that these are politically incorrect and only for entertainment. Do you have one to add?
1. You drive like you should have a red “L” on the back of your car.
2. Can’t you control your kids?
3. I hope that is mud on your Wellies.
4. You and your husband are a match made in Lisdoonvarna.
5. When was the last time you went to confession?
6. I thought talking on the phone and driving was illegal in Ireland.
7. I got the same designer jeans for $20 in Orlando.
8. New perfume? I thought it was a whiff of Dettol.
9. Is your husband just back from the pub – or does he always act like that?
10. There is no smoking in the ladies toilet!
© 2010 Michele Erdvig
A Music Festival Every Month
For those in search of an authentic Irish music experience, County Clare hits the high note. In addition to impromptu session in pubs across the county, Clare hosts well over a dozen music festivals each year… no matter what month you visit, there is a festival on the calendar.
Ireland’s Banner County kicks off it’s traditional music season with the 16th annual Russell Memorial Weekend in Doolin on the 26th of February. And that’s just the first note in a melody of festivals that continues throughout the year and criss-crosses the county from Feakle to Doonbeg, from Kilfenora to Kilkishen.
Generations of Vibrant Music
There is really only one place to come for traditional Irish music is the message coming from County Clare and some of her most talented native sons. Clare is often referenced as the read more…
Back in July we gave Pat Preston’s Ireland Travel 101 our highest praises (read our review), and this month the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) has followed suit. Yesterday, they named the “Ireland Expert’s” new book the best guide book of the year… that’s out of more than 500 entries covering a variety of countries and topics.
Pat has stopped by the Irish Fireside several times. You can listen to our interview with her in Episodes 33 & 34, read the 10 Irish Words You Should Know When Traveling Around the Emerald Isle she wrote for us and visit her website and blog at www.IrelandExpert.com.
As for the NATJA Awards, they recognize excellence in travel writing, photojournalism, multimedia platforms, advertising, marketing and public relations for the travel and tourism industry. For more information about the NATJA or a complete list of 2009 award-winners, visit www.natja.org.
We’re putting together an Irish Fireside Cookbook. It’ll be filled will all kinds of yummy Irish, Irish-American and Ireland-inspired treats. The book publishes later this year and will be out in time for the Christmas baking and gift-giving season. Yippee!
You are invited to submit your favorite recipes. We’re looking for a range of traditional to modern cuisine including starters (that’s what the Irish call appetizers), main meals, desserts, drinks and snacks.
Your recipe may have strong ties to Ireland or connect to your Irish-American heritage… we’re not trying to create a “traditional” Irish cookbook. Be sure to include a brief description of your recipe, so we can better understand it’s history, your memories or it’s ties to Ireland.
The cookbooks will be sold at www.IrishFireside.com and on www.Amazon.com, and the proceeds from the sales will help keep the Irish Fireside going strong.
We look forward to your submissions. We’re getting hungry just thinking about it. E-mail them to Corey@IrishFireside.com. Deadline is March 31, 2010, but submitting sooner is better.
Operators are standing by… well, kind of… our voicemail is.
We’ll be publishing our 100th podcast episode next month, and you’re invited to celebrate with us.
Leave a message on our comment line at 414-292-9269, and we’ll try including it on our show (short MP3 files via email are also welcome).
So far, a quick congrats followed by a travel tip has been the most popular, so feel free to give a call and leave your message.
Here are a few other suggestions for your message:
- Share an Irish Travel Story
- Talk About Your Connection to Ireland
- Tell Us What You Love About the Irish Fireside
Remember to include your first name, hometown and to keep your messages short and sweet. Messages must be received by Sunday, March 7, 2010 (we haven’t recorded yet, so messages left on Monday, should make it in).
If you leave a message, you’ll be entered in to win a signed copy of Frank Delaney’s new book.
Episode Guide – Podcast #99 A Chat About Irish Travel with Michele Erdvig
In this audio podcast episode, we talk with author, blogger and travel forum moderator, Michele Erdvig to discuss Irish Travel, accommodations and plans for the Fireside.
CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON below to listen.
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Show Notes
00:00
Intro: The Devil’s Bit by read more…
We just got word the Irish Fireside has been nominated for an Irish Blog Award. We’ve been nominated for awards before, but this is our first Ireland-based award, so it’s something a little different for us.
There are a lot of other nominees, so be sure to check out at the entire register of nominees.
Kudos to Imen McDonnell from I Married an Irish Farmer — we featured her in Episode 97. She’s been nominated in the Best Specialist Blog, Best Newcomer and Best Personal Blog – who knew someone could “specialize” in marrying an Irish farmer 
And a special thanks to Poetry Ireland for sponsoring our category… Best Arts and Culture Blog.
Now, I just wish we could be in Galway March 27th for the awards ceremony… we wouldn’t have to win for that to be a fantastic trip.
Taking a hike in “Ireland”, originally uploaded by RachelCorinne123.
Taking in a walking tour while in Ireland delivers an entirely different way to experience the Emerald Isle. I thought you might appreciate this post from the Ireland Yes blog that covers need-to-know details.
http://irelandyes.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/ireland-walking-tours/
Good news for lovers of the film The Quiet Man (the film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara). A new film, Connemara Days, is in the works based around the filming of 1952 classic). Film crews will revisit Cong on the Mayo-Galway border to tell the fictional tale of a girl who falls in love with one of Ford’s assistants.
They’ve already got some big names lined up… including Stacy Keach, Sir Roger Moore, Aidan Quinn and Geraldine Chaplin. We’ve got our fingers crossed for a Maureen O’Hara cameo!
Visit these links to learn more:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0217/1224264628353.html?digest=1
http://commanderbond.net/9598/sir-roger-moore-to-star-in-romantic-comedy-connemara-days.html
Get your pans and batter out. It’s Shrove Tuesday and the Irish are cooking up pancakes. A bit strange considering pancakes are a rarity on Irish menus any other time of year.
Learn more about the pre-Lenten ritual at:
http://irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/ShroveTues.html
http://marriedanirishfarmer.com/2010/02/16/paddy-cake-paddy-cake/ – includes a recipe!
Kim on her way to Dingle.
We received an email this week from Kim C. in San Diego. She told a wonderful story about her August visit to the Dingle Peninsula.
We couldn’t resist sharing this story with everyone at the Irish Fireside.
A special thanks to Kim for sending us her Ireland travel experience.
Author Thomas O'Crohan from the Blasket Islands
Slieve League – the highest seas cliffs in Europe – Clouds on Slieve League, originally uploaded by Fergus_B.
Submitted by Phil
Cyclist that are keen to see Ireland from one of the country’s highest vantage points should take a trip to Donegal. Lying in the North West of the emerald Isle, the county is a great attraction for bicycle fans who like to tackle hills in order to get beautiful views of the republic. As well as the expansive cliff-top observation points, Donegal also offers holidaymakers the opportunity to set foot on some of the best beaches in Ireland. There is much to see via bike in the region with many Irish car hire customers choosing to start their trips in Donegal, the town that the county was named after.
Blue Stack Mountains waterfall, originally uploaded by Old camera guy.
Resting near the impressive Bluestack Mountains, the enclave boasts a number of windswept beaches that are popular with surfers and other watersports fans. There is much history to soak up in the town and a visit to Donegal Castle is recommended. Constructed on the banks of the flowing River Eske, the site was first built in 1474.
In recent times, the attraction has undergone renovation and has been extensively restored. Now visitors can get an impression of how the castle looked when it was occupied by some of Ireland’s most influential families in the 15th and 16th Centuries. In addition, the ruin of a Franciscan Abbey located near the site is another historical attraction that hails from the same time period as the castle.
Once cyclists have toured the town, they may like to travel on the coastal road, which winds around soaring cliffs. From Donegal, visitors can travel towards the impressive Slieve League cliffs. These rocky outcroppings loom over the crashing sea, giving fantastic views of the ocean. This region is home to Ireland’s second highest cliffs as they rise 601 metres into the air, which makes them the sixth tallest in Europe.
After taking in the spectacular site, cyclists may like to make their way towards Glenveagh National Park to see more of the mountainous countryside. Open throughout the year, the attraction measures a staggering 16,000 hectares and can be divided into three main areas. Within the Glenveagh Estate region lie the majority of the peaks making up the Derryveagh Mountains, while the Western edge is mostly formed from striking quartzite hills and the south is home to peatlands.
This mixture of environments forms a striking contrast that is home to artic-like peaks, heather studded bogs and miles of green woodland. Many animals have chosen to make their home in the national park, including hares and golden eagles, who were recently re-introduced to the region.
There’s a new way for iPhone users to experience the Irish Fireside… the new Irish Fireside iPhone App.
Users can listen to the latest episodes on their phone (it even works over AT&T’s 3G and Edge networks, so you don’t have to wait until you are connected to wifi. There are also some bonus features… like beautiful wallpaper images and special PDF downloads.
You’re invited to check it out in the iTunes Store. A portion of the $1.99 cost goes to the Irish Fireside.
FYI – There may be an iTunes glitch at them moment that tells you the app is not available in the US store. That is not the case and if you get that message, just go to the iTunes Store, type “Irish Fireside” in the search field and the app will appear for you. Sorry about that.
February 1 is the feast day of one of Ireland’s patron saints, Saint Brigid and it’s considered the beginning of spring for the Irish.
You can learn more about Brigid at:
The Irish gift of gab is the stuff of legend: from traditional Irish folk tales, to the wit and humor of Oscar Wilde, to the gorgeous imagery of poet William Butler Yeats… the Irish storytelling tradition continues as a timeless reminder of the people and their unique culture.
For centuries, the Irish have committed words to song, verse, and prose, offering the world a taste of ancient Celtic traditions. The greatest art treasure of the Irish people, the seminal Book of Kells, depicts the four books of the Gospel in stunning detail. Intricate knot work borders crafted in vibrant colors surround words that reinforce themes of faith and spirituality. For the Irish, words and language are so very important…
Irish folk tales were perhaps some of the earliest examples of the storytelling tradition. In these stories, Celtic symbolism and historical allegories were braided together, creating a fairy-tale style of storytelling that is always linked with the Emerald Isle. Stories were passed down through the generations as beloved fables, and Saints and heroes were often the protagonists of such tales. While many believe in the magical elements of Irish folk tales, others simply enjoy the creativity and metaphorical elements of these ancient stories…
One famous example of an Irish folk tale that is still told today is the legend of Finn McCool, an Irishman who went up against a Scottish giant named Benandonner. In this legend, Finn was challenged by the mammoth Scotsman and became so angry at his taunts that he proceed to tears rocks off a cliff and arrange them in the sea, thereby building a pathway to Scotland. By creating this “bridge”, he made it possible for the giant to come to him so that they could finally do battle with one another.
In this fable, the crafty Irishman devises an ingenious plan to foil his enemy: he hides in a house and finds a large bed, which he crawls into, disguising himself as a baby. When the giant finds him, Finn bites off part of his finger. The giant is so dismayed that a mere baby should be so powerful that he begins to fear what the tot’s father might be capable of. Benandonner then retreats to Scotland, scattering and wrecking the stone pathway as he does so.
This story is about the power of the Irish to prevail by their wits: this recurrent theme is also found in tales of foxy leprechauns who trick and taunt those who wish to take their treasure.
Today’s masterpieces of Irish fiction, such as the late Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes, also celebrate the Irish storytelling tradition. In this novel, the Irish legend of Cuchelain is referenced throughout the book, and it is used to represent a powerful link between the main character and his father. Through the myths and legends of the Irish people, one generation bonds with the next.
The Irish authors and poets of modern literature have continued the old traditions, creating enduring works of unparalleled beauty. From Yeat’s famous poem, The Wild Swans At Coole, to James Joyce’s Dubliners (which really captures the Ireland of Joyce’s era), to the artistry of Wilde’s The Picture Of Dorian Gray…the Irish gift of self-expression continues. It is certain that many more works of genius will always come from the storytellers of the Emerald Isle…
Leigh Maher is the owner of the online Celtic jewelry store: Irish Celtic Jewels. On his blog, he shares tips and information about all things Irish, including jewelry, weddings and competitions.
Earlier this month, Tourism Ireland mailed a special Vacation Planner to targeted US audiences. They’ve got a digital versions available as well. You can download it and have a look for yourself:
- US – www.nxtbook.com/ireland-us
- Canada – www.nxtbook.com/ireland-can
- UK - www.nxtbook.com/ireland/GB
In other news, Waterford Crystal is getting new life since it closed its doors a year ago. Plans are underway for a brand new, much smaller, crystal factory to open in Waterford city this June. Crystal will again be produced in the city that made Irish crystal famous! With a significantly smaller-scale production and crystal actually produced in Ireland (for years much of Waterford’s crystal was made in other countries), the product will again be a true luxury brand.
Thanks to Engaging Ireland for sending us the link to this article www.insideireland.ie/index.cfm/section/news/ext/waterford001/category/1084.
A rendering of the new Waterford Crystal facility.
Production at the Waterford Crystal Factory ceased last year, but the visitor centre remained open. The visitor centre closes its door today for good.
According to RTE News, a new crystal operation is set to open in Waterford this June. Here’s the article http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0122/wedgwood.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
It’s road trip time for Corey and Liam… and even Liam’s mom. This time it’s not the Irish-American Road Trip, but you’re still invited to follow along… and there’s sure to be some Irish-American gems in the mix.
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Waterford Castle by M. Erdvig
Elegant ambiance fit for a king, attentive but discrete service, gourmet food served with flair…all evoke images of being pampered in a castle hotel in Ireland. Some castles have spas while at others you can indulge in falconry, riding, shooting, golf, fishing or whatever your heart desires.
But are all castle hotels equal? Is it possible to book a castle hotel only to find out it is not a castle at all? Yes! As with any other product let the buyer beware.
How do you find out if your dream castle in Ireland is the real thing? Read on…
© 2010 Michele Erdvig
Would you look at that… we’re the 62nd most popular travel blog www.travelblogsites.com.
See the full list at http://travelblogsites.com/2010/01/13/travel-blog-top-100-january-13-2010/
Ireland has had one of its coldest, snowiest winters on record… which came on the heels of one of the rainiest stretches on the books. The Irish Independent a few slide shows of reader-submitted photos we thought you might enjoy:
The Wild Geese: Helping Gram Discover Mary Pat Kelly’s “Galway Bay” and Our Family History
Submitted by Kim from San Diego
War battered dogs are we
Fighters in every clime;
Fillers of trench and of grave,
Mockers bemocked by time,
War dogs hungry and grey,
Gnawing a naked bone,
Fighters in every clime-
Every cause but our own-Emily Lawless 1902 “With the Wild Geese”
The term “Wild Geese” refers to people of Irish descent scattered across the world. It has been frequently associated with Irish mercenaries who went to Europe in organized units because Ireland had nothing to offer. The origin of the term is more accurately associated with Patrick Sarsfield who commanded the Stuart King James II army in the Jacobite Wars against William of Orange. After James’s II defeat by William of Orange, Sarsfield led 11,000 Irish troops to France in 1791. These soldiers later became read more…
It’s freezing this week in the US, so we thought it was a good time to crack out the “warm” prizes to giveaway. Look at these great hats (one Guinness cap and one Raglan Road hat)… and TWO packages of Carolan’s Irish Cream Coffee.
Leave us an Irish travel tip or tell us about an Irish site you’re dreaming about, and you’ll have a chance to win something to help keep you warm.
We’ll draw three winners from those who comment and one winner from the main giveaway pool. Remember, if you haven’t already signed up, you’ll need to do that to win… Sign Up Here. Winners will be drawn later this week.
Leave your comments here or on our Facebook Page.
- Matt and Shannon Heaton – Lovers’ Well
– songs and tunes which invite you to reflect on love as both fleeting and eternal
- Tommy Sands with Fionan and Moya Sands – Let the Circle Be Wide
– justice, history, landscape, and family ties from top poet and singer from County Down, with his son and daughter
- Liz Carroll and John Doyle – Double Play
- fiddle and guitar in good conversation
- Cherish the Ladies - Star in the East – sparkling new holiday offering from this well seasoned and always worth listening to band
- Denis Carey – Moving On – very fine piano based instrumentals which may well become classics of the tradition fromTipperary composer.
- Stephanie Makem and Tiarnan O Duinchinn - Ceol Is Píob
– elegant uillean pipes from O Duinchinn, fine singing from Makem, who is, yes, part of that well known musical family from Armagh
- The Unwanted – Music from the Atlantic Fringe
- Ireland and America meet in music in well chosen set of tunes and songs
- Pride of New York – Pride of New York – trad with a New York edge from Joanie Madden, Brendan Dolan, and friends
- Bua – An Spealadoir
– high energy and spot on playing from Irish American quintet from the US midwest
- The Green Fields of America – The Green Fields of America
– Athena Tergis, Mick Moloney, John Doyle — those are just three of the fine and unique talents who trade tunes and songs. melody lines and harmony, on this recording
Bonus Albums
You may have seen Hanneke Cassel or Sara Milonovich backing up top Irish musicians out on the road, or heard them on studio recordings by artists ranging from Cathie Ryan to Pete Seeger. Each has a new solo album out now, well worth your consideration. Milonovich’s recording, Daisycutter
Kerry Dexter writes about the arts at Music Road. and is an independent writer, editor, and photographer in the US and Ireland. She’s music editor at WanderingEducators.com, long time contributing writer to world music magazine Dirty Linen, and former folk music editor at VH1. Her work has appeared in Strings, Ireland and the Americas, Symphony, Songwriters Market, and The Dictionary of American History, among other publications.
Submitted by Phil
The historic town of Midleton lies to the east of County Cork, Ireland and has its origins dating back to the 12th century. The name Midleton originates from ‘Mainstir na Corann’, which means ‘The Abbey of the Coir’ and comes from the monastery that was founded by Cistercian Monks in the early 12th century. Unfortunately, the monastery was destroyed in the 19th century and is no longer present.
The rich agricultural surroundings of Midleton help to make the town the central market point of East Cork, famous for its fine food and drink. All tastes can be catered for in the town thanks to its array of award-winning restaurants, intimate cafes, modern lounge bars and cosy old pubs.
One of the most popular attractions in Cork is situated in Midleton, with many visitors flocking to the 18th century Old Midleton Distillery, which has been carefully restored and Jameson Heritage Centre. Irish whiskey is famous the world over and its history is traced back over the years through a guided tour.
The tour starts with an educational audio-visual presentation, before guests are led through the Old Distillery Trail, taking in various historic and architecturally unique buildings. Visitors will be guided through mills, malting houses, corn stores, still-houses, offices and warehouses that have been used to produce Irish whiskey for hundreds of years. Recreations of the processes used in whiskey production through the years can also be witnessed.
Each visit to the Old Midleton Distillery and Jameson Heritage Centre ends in the Jameson Bar with an Irish whiskey tasting session, allowing guests the opportunity to become a qualified Irish whiskey taster.
The centre also has a stylish restaurant where guests can relax and enjoy the country farmhouse fare that is served, or browse through the gift and craft shop.
For people wanting to visit this significant distillery, they can take advantage of the great car rental offers in many of Ireland’s towns and cities and head for County Cork. The Old Midleton Distillery and Jameson Heritage Centre are located just 12 miles east of Cork City, on the main Cork to Waterford road.
We thought a little video montage of this year’s highlights and headlines were appropriate as we dive into 2010. Below you’ll find links to the items mentioned: read more…
2009 was a bit of a downer for Ireland and Irish travel. The economy was in the dumper, tourists were staying home and the French stole Ireland’s bid for a World Cup final.
I’m afraid, there’s still a bit of doom and gloom in the forecast for 2010, but there are some great opportunities for travelers as well.
Have a look at our predictions for 2010 and let us know what you see for the future.
High Profile Visitors
There’s talk that both the Pope and President Obama are considering trips to the Emerald Isle (separately, of course). The Pope’s visit would celebrate the Peace efforts in Northern Ireland, but comes on the heels of long-delayed reports on Church abuse scandals. Word of an Obama stop comes from new information about read more…
This scone recipe came from Liam’s grandmother. Irish Firesider, Bill Sweeney, made a batch this Christmas and was kind enough to send us some photos.
Bill Sweeney's batch golden brown Minnie Collins' scones. Mmmmm.
4 cups of flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
½ teaspoon of salt
¼ cup of sugar
½ cup of cold butter (that is one stick or a quarter pound)
1 ½ cup of golden raisins
1 egg
1 cup of buttermilk and
1 teaspoon of vanilla
sugar for sprinkling
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar. Add butter and mix until crumbly. Mix in raisins.
In a separate bowl, use a fork to beat egg. Then beat in buttermilk and vanilla.
Mix about a third of the egg and buttermilk liquid into the butter/flour mixture and check consistency. Add additional liquid until dough reaches a consistency where it can be rolled out.
Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about 3⁄4 inch thick. Use a cookie cutter or glass with a 3 inch diameter to cut scones.
Sprinkle sugar on the top of the scones and place it on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes. The scones will be a creamy color. If you wait until they are golden brown, they will be too dry and the bottoms will be very dark.
Remove from oven/cookie sheet and cool on a wire rack. Serve with jam whipped cream and a cuppa tea.
Listen to our podcast for THREE SCONE SECRETS Liam’s family uses.
I must admit, this post goes well beyond my tech capabilities, but Jeff Coyle sent us this bit of programming for Twitter users that allows you to automatically “retweet” our posts… I know, just the word Twitter lost a bunch of you.
If you’re a techie, you’ll like this post. If you’re not… How about this slideshow of Beautiful Places in Ireland!
Submitted by Jeff Coyle
One of the greatest ways to add a little turf to the IrishFireside, is by sharing stories, podcasts, and other posts from IrishFireside.com with your friends. I have been following @IrishFireside on Twitter since the beginning. It occurred to me that I always seem to be “ReTweeting” their tweets, even when there wasn’t a contest going on that awarded points for ReTweets. 
read more…
We’ve got a little giveaway going on for our Facebook Fans. You can hop over to our Fan Page and leave a comment for your chance to win… It’s super easy.
My oh my, there was a great conversation going on over at Facebook for this one. Thanks to everyone for commenting.
We’re sending a cap from the Raglin Road Irish Pub in Kansas City, MO to Christi Koenig.
Don’t be surprised to find more giveaways over on our Facebook Fan Page in the future.
While today is the day many people are heading back to work, we thought we’d keep the Christmas spirit going. We’re thinking about “play” with a deck of cards from Celtic Crossing. The cards include recipes for some drinks inspired by Irish spirits.
We’re sending a deck to Shantie Lithopoulos from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
We’ve got a few more gifts to go, so stay tuned.
Submitted by Kat Behling
Ask anyone young or old to list their top five Christmas carols and you’ll likely get a multitude of responses ranging from traditional to folk to country to pop. But did you know that the Irish may be able to stake claim to one of the most known and much-loved holiday carols? Some believe the “Twelve Days of Christmas” is a centuries-old remnant from a time when being a Catholic in Ireland or England meant fear of imprisonment – or worse yet, punishment by death.
Hidden Meanings or Children’s Rhyme?
Although controversy surrounds the exact origins – and even the interpretation – of the silly lyrics, one popular theory has read more…
Today we’ve got a copy of R. Todd Felton’s book “A Journey into Ireland’s Literary Revival.” Filled with full-color images, this book delivers a treasure of words and pictures… and each page takes a look at some of the literary greats of Ireland and the places that inspired them.
For the reader, this is one of those books that brings Irish history and travel together, so of course we love it. Learn more at http://www.rtoddfelton.com/felton_books.html or find it at A Journey into Ireland’s Literary Revival (ArtPlace series)
A copy of this book is headed to Meghan Sweeney in Plymouth, MN.
All the best on this special day. We’ll be back tomorrow with more Holiday Giveaway items and blog posts. In the meantime, check out our tweets on Twitter and posts on Facebook and this bit from Celtic Women:
Irish Firesider Diana Goings sent us this recipe for Irish Cream. It sounded like the perfect Holiday treat. Diana wrote:This secret technique keeps the cream from clumping and separating from the whiskey, and allows the liqueur to go for two years unrefrigerated without spoiling. But we won’t need to tap into any secret preparation techniques for our clone here since we’ll be storing the liqueur in the refrigerator. We will, however, replace cream with canned Sweetened Condensed milk. This gives us a properly sweetened finished product with the taste and texture of the deliciously famous Irish cream.
Here now is an improved version of the Bailey’s clone recipe that appears in More Top Secret Recipes. This version has fewer ingredients, is easier to make, and tastes amazing.
Irish Cream Recipe
1 – 14 oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk (not evaporated milk)
1 cup Irish whiskey
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon Hershey’s chocolate syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp instant coffee
- Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and mix well or shake until sugar is dissolved.
- Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
- Shake before serving.
- Recipe makes 3 cups.
It’s Christmas, and we’re sharing our friend Bit’s amazing Irish Kiss recipe! The only thing better would be drinking this up with one of her homemade scones.
You can view some of Bit’s great Ireland-related items at www.zazzle.com/cowboycraic. She included her Images of Ireland Office Set as part of our Holiday Giveaway
2 Butler’s Hot chocolate drops or 3 TBSP of Hot Cocoa mix
1/2 cup half & half
1/2 cup whole milk
1TBSP powdered creamer
Pinch of Nutmeg
Pinch of Cinnamon
Splash of pure Vanilla
Jigger ‘n a splash of Irish Mist (a “running” shot/1.5+ fluid oz.)
In a saucepan, mix together and heat until just at a boil the half & half, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon and Vanilla…when just at a boil, add to it the cocoa and whisk until smooth..pour the jigger and a splash of Irish Mist into a heated ceramic mug (zap in micro with a cup of water)…add the cocoa.. garnish with whipped cream and chocolate chips
I'm wearing some warm, cozy Bridgedale socks at this very moment!
It’s cold outside… both in Ireland and a lot of other parts of the world. So for this Christmas Eve, we’re picking the winner of three pairs of socks from Bridgedale. They’ve been making socks in Northern Ireland for 99 years! And have become experts in outdoor socks for Walking, Hiking, Mountaineering, Running, Skiing and Everyday.
I just happen to be wearing a pair at this very moment, and they are super comfy and this pair is a year old (and I wear them a lot) and they’ve held up great. I love them!
We’re sending three pairs of socks to Bill Sweeney from Norwalk, CT, courtesy of www.Bridgedale.com!
Michelle Masters has offered a wonderful package of her Irish-themed artwork for the giveaway. Including a box of cards, lavender sachet and guest towel featuring the Topiary Claddagh.
Her illustrations combine a whimsical Irish spirit with formal knotwork designs. Michelle also has a full line of notecards to send a cheerful message and her linens and pillows provide charming accents for every room in the home.
Her work is available at www.michellemasters.com.
Before we pick a winner, we’ll give extra giveaway entries to everyone who looks around Michelle’s website and comes back here and writes a comment regarding her work. Just leave your comments below (and make sure you are officially signed up for the giveaway here.
This prize is heading to Raydra Hall from Shreveport, LA.
This week we’ll be giving away a copy of Celtic Fantasy Rhapsody Quilts from Ricky Tims. It’s a book from CT Publications. Since this is a very special gift for people with a special interest in quilting, I thought it would be a good idea make sure this ended up in the hands of someone who would appreciate it.
If you or someone you know has a special interest in quilt-making. Please leave a comment below about interest in quilting… especially quilting Celtic patterns, or about Ricky Tims’ quilting books. The winner will be chosen from the comments.
Learn more about the book at http://www.ctpub.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=1255. Then leave a comment below.
I assigned each commenter below a number and ran them through www.random.org.
The book is going to Dianna Smith. Congratulations!
We got our first peek at Pat and John Preston’s tours of Ireland when we met up with them and their group when they stopped in Adare. We had loads of fun, and it was clear that the tour members were enjoying the time of their life as well.
The Preston’s lead a couple of tours a year, but there’s good news for their Springtime in Ireland tour. Booking now means a couple can save $200 on airfare. It’s a special offer through Aer Lingus, so just drop Pat a note for more information. Visit the Springtime in Ireland page for details about the tour.
Irish & Celtic Notecards www.CustomSilhouettes.com ©Sharman Armstrong
Sharman Armstrong has a wonderful collection of Irish and Celtic note cards that capture the spirit of Irish dance and make fantastic gifts for anyone who finds their toes tapping at the very mention of Riverdance. Sharman also produces custom silhouette art that might be just the thing to finish off your gift list.
Learn more at www.customsilhouettes.com.
A set of notecards will be going to J. McEnery from Norfolk, VA.
We’ve got more giveaways coming up this week, so when you need a break from the holidays, be sure to check back in.
