Irish Fireside &#187; Michele&#8217;s Posts

http://www.crochetdivas.com/

Michele’s Irish Shop: www.zazzle.com/irelandyes*

Follow Michele on Twitter

Free Ireland Travel Forum

Autumn Giveaway: Irish Hat and Scarf Set – The Colors of Ireland

Michele Erdvig — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Kick off the cool, crisp days of Autumn with an Irish Fireside giveaway! The winner will be able to snuggle into a warm, cozy hat and scarf set hand-crocheted by the Crochet Divas. Done in the colors of Ireland – green, white and orange – the scarf has a whimsical shamrock fringe. The fringe can easily be snipped off if you prefer a plainer scarf.

How to Enter: Visit the Crochet Divas’ website and view their items under the Shop tab. Leave a comment here telling us about your favorite crocheted product on their website. Be creative! Give us a good description of the product. Then tell why you would like to win the hat and scarf set. NOTE: This giveaway is for those in the USA only. The scarf and hat set can only be mailed within the US.

Closing Date: The giveaway will close on November 1, 2011. The winner will be announced by November 3, 2011. Let the fun begin!

UPDATE: Congratulations to our winner… Sharlene Peerson.

“Ireland Travel Expert”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sS8YF3XcX0

Michele’s Irish Shop: www.zazzle.com/irelandyes*

Follow Michele on Twitter

Blasket Islands: A Lost Way of Life

Michele Erdvig — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:25:57 +0000

Just off the coast of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry are the scenic Blasket Islands. They poke out of the ocean like the tops of drowned mountains, so close yet so far away. In 1953 the hardy Irish-speaking islanders left their insular homes to relocate to a more friendly environment. In their books they recorded a poignant lost way of life that seems romantic and sad at the same time. Today their once snug homes are abandoned ruins left to the elements. Their accomplishments are celebrated at the Blakset Island Center in Dunquin. The next Parrish is America!

“Ireland Travel Expert”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS8WisImDEM

Michele’s Irish Shop: www.zazzle.com/irelandyes*

Follow Michele on Twitter

Ireland 1934

Michele Erdvig — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:54:03 +0000

Many Americans visiting Ireland for the first time have a stereotypical view of what Ireland is. They expect thatched cottages around every bend, sheep dotting the landscape, dancing at the crossroads, rainbows and leprechauns. Although I have yet to meet a leprechaun I have seen plenty of rainbows and sheep. But – alas – thatched cottages are a dying breed and to find them you must go searching or stumble across them.

In this “Hollywood” film of a bucolic Ireland of 1934 I can read between the lines and see plenty of hard work and poverty. Much as we tend to romanticize old Ireland it was and is a real place where people live and not the Disneyland of our imaginations. Those traveling to Ireland can find remnants of the past everywhere but they should leave their rose-colored glasses at home. Instead they can enjoy Ireland of today with enticing glimpses of Ireland’s storied past.

“Ireland Travel Expert”

Click here to Read more of the story . . .

Michele’s Irish Shop: www.zazzle.com/irelandyes*

Follow Michele on Twitter

A Yank in Ireland Remembers September 11, 2001

Michele Erdvig — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 08:11:04 +0000

Ulster History Park 9-11-01

I remember 9-11 differently than a lot of you do. You were at home in the USA watching events unfold on TV. I was far away in Northern Ireland. My husband Barry and I were touring the Ulster History Park – sadly now defunct and closed. It was a gorgeous day with blue skies, fluffy white clouds and crisp weather. The director of the museum gave us a personal tour and then we wandered through the various outdoor exhibits. There were re-creations of a monastic settlement, various towns and houses.

When we look back on a couple of photos we took that day we can see the effects of the World Trade Center attacks even though we didn’t realize at the time what was happening. If you look at the photos in this article you can see the contrails of jets high over Northern Ireland. Usually when you see jet contrails they are straight. The ones we saw were curved. Why? Unknown to us, American airspace was closed and jets were making U-turns to return from where they departed.

After our tour we stopped in the museum’s café for lunch. While Barry was in the men’s room the museum’s director came up to me and said, “Planes have been hijacked and buildings in New York are falling down. It is on TV.” Then he left. The words didn’t make any sense to me but I could tell something was terribly wrong. Barry returned and I told him something was going on and we should go out to the car and turn on the radio. Without the pictures that everyone else was seeing of the tragedy, even the radio report seemed disjointed, unbelievable and still didn’t make sense.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and that is true. When we reached out self-catering cottage the first film we saw was of a plane hitting one of the towers. Barry yelled, “That was United!” At the time he worked for United Airlines. Later we learned that he knew several flight attendants and one of the pilots on the United planes that were hijacked.

“Ireland Travel Expert”

Follow Michele on Twitter

Ireland Freebies!

Michele Erdvig — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 00:32:58 +0000

We love Freebies! Heritage Ireland and the Office of Public Works is offering free admissions to most of their sites on the first Wednesday of each month for the remainder of 2011. The only places not included are Glenveigh Castle, Co. Donegal and Muckross House, Gardens & Farms, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

Tourists who plan on doing a lot of sightseeing in Ireland should think about buying a Heritage Pass. It will save money in Ireland.

For a list of sightseeing included visit the Heritage Ireland website.

Ireland Travel Expert

Excerpt From Guidebook Ireland Dream Trip

Michele’s Irish Shop: www.zazzle.com/irelandyes*

Follow Michele on Twitter

Magical Irish Roads: Bunny Lane

Michele Erdvig — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 04:13:43 +0000

Serendipity and enchantment are never far from the surface in Ireland. You will find it when you least expect it. Perhaps it is just around the corner, up a little hill or down a crooked path. You may find it under an arched stone bridge, on the seashore or hidden by a lake in the mountains. If you are bold enough to stray off the beaten path and let yourself be “fairy-led” you too might find your own Bunny Lane.

Where is Bunny Lane? Although I’ve been there, I really can’t tell you. It’s a place that keeps itself secret. I have some clues and landmarks. A castle. A bridge. A lonesome country pub. It is near Cork and Blarney but far, far away. I will look for it again but may never find it.

It is a quixotic place where time stands still as you traverse the country borreen alone. Tunnels of trees – with their fresh green leaves backlit like stained glass – create cathedrals in the air. Little brown rabbits peep shyly with their dark, shining eyes from sweetly-scented hedgerows that are heavy with a blizzard of blackthorn blossoms. They hop and dart through the nodding bluebells, ferns and flowering wild garlic. Stone walls line the potholed track and grass grows in the center. A light breeze ruffles the leaves, swirling the heady green scent of eternal spring. Twittering birds swoop through the branches. Sunshine and showers waft across rainbow-strewn skies.

Spellbinding Bunny Lane beckons every traveler in Ireland. It lies dreaming in memories past and on the threshold of tomorrow. Are you brave enough to leave the modern world behind and follow the path less taken? Will you find Bunny Lane or will Bunny Lane find you?

Michele’s Hot Deals in Ireland 2011

Michele Erdvig — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:57:39 +0000

Save money and get some great deals and offers in Ireland. Give your budget a break; get a discount, special extra or an upgrade by staying in excellent accommodations throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland. All of these offers are from reputable lodgings that I have personally inspected and stayed at. All are reviewed in my book Ireland Dream Trip.

“Your name is magic in Ireland.” Or so I’ve been told. Use my name – Michele Erdvig – as the key to open the doors of the friendly homes of Ireland. Just mention my name when booking to get your Ireland travel deal.

All offers are for 2011 and subject to the details in each individual description. Listings are alphabetically by town. Note: pps means per person sharing a room.

Adare Gate Lodge © M. Erdvig

ADARE, CO. LIMERICK

Gate Lodge Cottage Offer: 20% discount for bookings confirmed by March 21. Mini Review: Gate Lodge Cottage is a charming thatched cottage right in Adare village. It is very convenient for walking to everything. Those who prefer old world charm will find the cottage cozy, comfortable and extremely convenient.

Smarmore Castle © M. Erdvig

ARDEE, CO. LOUTH

Smarmore Castle (north of Dublin). Offer: 10% off for a two-night stay or more. Mini Review: Smarmore is a great little castle. Rooms are comfortable and well kept; there is an elegant drawing room to relax in as well as a pool and leisure facilities. A very good Italian restaurant is located in the stable courtyard.

Drumcreehy © M. Erdvig

BALLYVAUGHAN, CO. CLARE

Drumcreehy House Offer: Discount off their usual rate of €42 from now to March 31, 2011 and from Oct 1 to Dec 16, 2011. One night B&B: €38 euro pps (per person sharing a room) or two nights B&B: 70 euro pps. Mini Review: Drumcreehy House is an elegant guesthouse overlooking Galway Bay slightly outside Ballyvaughan. Lovely, comfortable rooms overlook either the water or Burren and breakfast is has so many selections you will have to spend a week to sample them all.

Bunratty Lodge © M. Erdvig

BUNRATTY, CO. CLARE

Bunratty Lodge Offer: €30 pps for a 2-night stay (or longer). Available all year, even high season. Mini Review: Bunratty Lodge is a delightful B&B with spotless, very comfy rooms and elegant public areas. The stylish Wedgwood sitting room is a great place to read, relax or meet other travelers. Renowned for true Irish hospitality and an excellent breakfast with homemade baking, this flawless lodging is an area favorite of actress Maureen O’Hara.

Headley Court © M. Erdvig

Headley Court Offer: “Red or White Grape Deal”. B&B for two is €65 per night and includes a free bottle of wine. Mini Review: Headley Court an attractive B&B with meticulous, well-decorated accommodations. Kathleen is a charming host who makes guests feel right at home with her warm Irish welcome and home baking. Set in the countryside, yet minutes from Shannon Airport.

Dualla House © M. Erdvig

CASHEL, CO. TIPPERARY

Dualla House Offer: July & August: 5% off any stay or 10% off a 3-night stay. Remainder of the year: 10% off any stay or 20% off a 3-night stay. Mini Review: Dualla House is a historic farmhouse set on a 300-acre sheep farm just a few miles from Cashel town. It is a very peaceful, lovely place to stay in the Irish countryside with large rooms, great breakfast and afternoon tea served in front of a fire. Plus it is fun to watch the sheep dogs rounding up the sheep.

Emlagh House © M. Erdvig

DINGLE, CO. KERRY

Emlagh House Offer: Upgrade to a superior or deluxe room (when available). Mini Review: Emlagh House is an outstanding place to stay with an easy walk into Dingle town on lit sidewalks. Most of the rooms overlook Dingle Harbor and some have private patios. If you are looking for quiet elegance, wonderful hosts, gourmet breakfast and a unique experience that will be difficult to duplicate anywhere Emlagh House will fulfill all that and much more.

Donegal Manor © M. Erdvig

DONEGAL, CO. DONEGAL

Donegal Manor Offer: Dream, Dine & Discover Donegal – Short Break: 3 nights of B&B and one gourmet dinner €149 pps. Available till Oct 30, 2011. Mini Review: Donegal Manor is the epitome of the famous warm Irish welcome. Comfortable, modern, well-kept rooms blend with the old world charm of the public areas. Food is top quality and carefully overseen by Sian who also runs a cookery school.

Cullinan's © M. Erdvig

DOOLIN, CO. CLARE

Cullinan’s Guesthouse Offer: Bed and Breakfast (excluding holiday weekends). Feb/March €30 pps; April/May: €32.50 pps; June/July/Aug: €40 pps; Sept/Oct: €35 pps. Mini Review: Cullinan’s is set on the river in Doolin village. Rooms are bright, comfortable and clean. Food is a specialty so look for delicious breakfast and gourmet dinners. Booking ahead during the season for both the guesthouse and restaurant is advised.

O'Connors © M. Erdvig

O’Connor’s Farmhouse Offer: Discount off regular prices for March, April, May and June. €30 pps (cash only). That is a savings of €10 per couple per night. Mini Review: O’Connor’s Guesthouse is in Doolin Village and provides attractive, comfortable, well kept accommodations and a good Irish breakfast. Many of the rooms are on the ground floor and several are wheelchair accessible and fitted for handicapped access.

Pheasants Hill © M. Erdvig

DOWNPATRICK, CO. DOWN

Pheasants’ Hill Farm Offer: discount of £10 on a 2-night stay. The regular price is £70 pounds per night for two people sharing. The 2-night special is a total of £130 for B&B for two. Mini Review: Pheasants’ Hill provides charming accommodations on a working rare breeds organic farm. Rooms are serene, well kept and comfortable. The farms own organic products are served at breakfast.

Ferndale © M. Erdvig

ENNISKERRY, CO. WICKLOW

Ferndale House Offer: €5 per person discount for those that stay 3 nights or more. Mini Review: Ferndale is a historic house located right in the village so you can walk everywhere. It is filled with antiques, was a film location for a TV movie and has a surprisingly large garden to enjoy out back. Private off-street parking is a plus. Powerscourt House and Gardens is nearby.

Abocurragh © M. Erdvig

ENNISKILLEN, CO. FERMANAGH

Abocurragh Farm Offer: A free nightcap each evening. Your choice of whiskey, Baileys, a glass of wine or most anything else to suit your fancy. Mini Review: This is one of those special hidden places that will have you dreaming of Ireland long after your trip is over. Wonderful food and hospitality, adorable bedrooms and the peace of being deep in the Irish countryside.

Kilwarlin Cottages © M. Erdvig

HILLSBOROUGH, CO. DOWN

Kilwarlin Cottages Offer: £10 off a 2-night stay or 10% off stays of 7 nights or more. Mini Review: Kilwarlin Cottages are set on a 200-acre farm in Northern Ireland near Hillsborough and Lisburn in Co. Down. The two adjacent self-catering cottages are cosy, well heated and sparking clean. Each has two bedrooms and two baths, while sharing a utility room with washer and dryer. Light and airy inside with high ceilings and open-concept living areas, the cottages are comfortable, welcoming places to stay.

Arthur's Lodge Wood © M. Erdvig

KENMARE, CO. KERRY

Arthur’s Lodge Wood Offer: Book two nights and get half off your third night. Mini Review: Arthur’s Lodge Wood is a superb new guesthouse just around the corner from Kenmare town and a quick 5-minute walk to pubs, restaurants and shopping. Arthur’s has it all and then some: beautifully decorated rooms, excellent breakfast, hospitable hosts and even air-conditioning.

Doire Farm Cottages © M. Erdvig

Doire Farm Cottages Offer: 10% discount off self-catering cottages. Mini Review: The three cottages are about a 10-minute drive to Kenmare in a quiet, rural, scenic area. Enjoy time on the farm with the friendly Randles family who take great pride in running comfortable, sparkling accommodations. All the cottages are spacious, beautifully decorated and well equipped. Everything you need for a wonderful stay is in each cottage.

Willow Lodge © M. Erdvig

Willow Lodge Offer: Discount of 20% in Jan, Feb, March, April, Sept, Oct, Nov & Dec. During other months and Greta will see if she can do something special for you (depending on dates). Mini Review: Willow Lodge is near the church and square in Kenmare, making it a quick walk into town. It is a quiet comfortable place to stay with well-kept rooms and a nice breakfast.

Rosquil House

KILKENNY, CO. KILKENNY

Rosquil House Offer: Based on 2 people sharing a room, this special is not available on Bank Holidays, public holidays or during festivals. Feb & March: Stay for 2 nights get 50% off your third night. April: Stay mid-week for 2 nights get 50% off your third night. May – Sept: 10% discount on any 3-night stay. Oct: Stay mid-week for 2 nights get 50% off your third night. Nov & Dec: Stay for 2 nights get 50% off your third night. Mews Apartment (Self-catering Rental): Feb & March; Nov & Dec (except Dec 22 – Jan 2): Stay for 3 nights get 50% off your fourth night. Mini Review: Rosquill House is an elegant guesthouse that is walking distance to Kilkenny City. Beautifully decorated, this lodging has very comfortable, meticulous rooms and luxurious public areas. A scrumptious breakfast and kind hosts make this a great place to stay in Kilkenny.

KILLARNEY, CO. KERRY

Earl's Court © M. Erdvig

Earl’s Court House Offer: 10% discount on all bookings made before March 17. The date of the stay can be up to Oct 30, 2011. This applies to all bookings made on www.killarney-earlscourt.ie or directly with the hotel. Mini Review: Earl’s Court House is elegant, meticulous and tranquil with an easy walk into Killarney town. Big, comfortable rooms and suites are luxuriously appointed, some with four-poster beds. Superb food and attentive hosts makes it a perfect stay in Ireland’s southwest.

Friar's Glen

Friar’s Glen Offer: Two nights B&B for two people sharing a room for €160 total. Three nights B&B for two people sharing a room for €200 total. Mini Review: Friar’s Glen is a picturesque retreat surrounded by Killarney National Park. Although a few miles from Killarney, it is near Muckross House and Gardens. Rooms are large, nicely decorated and comfortable. Public areas have the rustic aura of an old world hunting lodge and you can enjoy breakfast overlooking the mountains and forest.

Killarney Lodge

Killarney Lodge Offer: 10% discount, available all year. Mini Review: Killarney Lodge is just a short walk into Killarney town, making it a quiet, convenient place to stay. Charming hospitality with rooms that are comfy, spotless and even have air conditioning! Breakfast is truly memorable and delicious.

Woodlands © M. Erdvig

KINSALE, CO. CORK

Woodlands House Offer: a free bottle of wine for a stay of 2 nights or more from March 1 to Nov 1, 2011. Mini Review: Woodlands is walking distance to Kinsale town and is a warm, immaculate, elegant B&B. I especially enjoy tea or coffee on arrival and the very comfortable rooms that contain everything you would expect of a 1st class establishment. Nice beds, great breakfast and excellent hosts.

Edenvale © M. Erdvig

NEWTOWNARDS, CO. DOWN

Edenvale House Offer: Free admission for two to Mount Stewart House & Gardens for each couple staying for one night or more. Mini Review: Edenvale is set on the Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland overlooking Strangford Lough and is just minutes from Mount Stewart House & Gardens. It is a 300-year-old country house straight out of a Masterpiece Theater movie set. Well kept yet comfortable and filled with family antiques, the enchanting house is covered in vines and flower boxes. Breakfast is a bountiful banquet set in the formal dining room and pretty guest bedrooms have absolutely everything a traveler can think of.

Brookhaven © M. Erdvig

WATERVILLE, CO. KERRY

Brookhaven House Offer: 10% discount. The only date it is not available is Nov 15 to Feb 1. Mini Review: Brookhaven overlooks the ocean on the tip of the Ring of Kerry. It is a comfortable, well kept, luxurious guesthouse near Waterville Golf Club and a perfect place to stop and explore the Ring of Kerry.

Granville © M. Erdvig

WEXFORD, CO. WEXFORD

Granville House Offer: For a two-night stay or longer choose either €10 off or a free bottle of wine. This offer is good all year except for July, Aug and the last half of Oct. Mini Review: Granville House is surrounded by gorgeous gardens and provides excellent accommodations near Wexford. Meticulous, comfy rooms, friendly hosts and a truly memorable breakfast make for an outstanding stay.

Resources:

Accommodations

Self-catering Rentals

Castle Hotels

Free Help with Your Trip: Free Ireland Travel Forum

Customized Ireland Itinerary

IrelandYes! Ireland Dream Trips

Plan Your Trip to Ireland in Ten Easy Steps

Michele Erdvig — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:13:46 +0000

By Michele Erdvig

1. Plan Ahead

Whether you will visit Ireland for three days or three weeks your vacation time is limited. You are using your hard-earned cash to see Ireland. Think of each day, hour and minute you are in Ireland as money trickling away through an hourglass. Why spend precious “Ireland time” looking for accommodations, planning routes or deciding on sightseeing? Do it now! By spending your free time in advance researching you will optimize your valuable time in Ireland.

Discounts, deals and special offers abound in Ireland. Many accommodations offer weekend and mid-week specials if you can spend two or more nights in one place. Some hotels will include dinner, golf or a spa treatment as part of the package. However, most special offers must be booked in advance. Seniors can avail of “Golden Years” specials. Discount brochures, passes and coupons are all available. Yet another reason to plan ahead.

Filmed in Ireland: “An Old Fashioned Christmas”

Michele Erdvig — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 08:36:09 +0000

Cast of An Old Fashioned Christmas

Ireland is a prime location for making movies. In October 2010 while I was visiting Bunratty Folk Park I discovered that a movie for the Hallmark Channel was being filmed. As I stopped to watch, I recognized the main actress Jacqueline Bisset among some Irish character actors and several young actors who were unfamiliar to me.

A crowd had gathered to quietly watch the fascinating process. It was a period drama with Victorian costumes, horses and carriages. One of the cottages in the folk park made a perfect farmyard setting for an encounter between the main characters. I marveled at the patience of the actors as they repeated the same scene over and over. As the light changed technicians either shielded the actors or brought in light boxes. It was very busy off-camera as the actors worked at their craft.

After watching for a while I departed and visited the castle and folk park. When I returned a few hours later I was surprised to see that they were still filming the same scene and repeating the same lines. It takes an amazing amount of endurance to make a movie.

I learned that the film was An Old Fashioned Christmas based on a story by Louisa May Alcott and a sequel to An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving. It is currently being shown on the Hallmark Channel on December 18, 19 & 27. The castle in the movie is Knappogue Castle in County Clare. For video clips, photos, interviews and much more go to the movie’s website on the Hallmark Channel.

Bushmills Irish Kiss

Michele Erdvig — Thu, 13 May 2010 06:37:18 +0000

Last December Bit shared her recipe for a chocolaty delicious drink called an Irish Kiss. This month I would like to share with everyone a Bushmills Irish Kiss. It is a refreshing beverage for hot summer evenings as you study your map of Ireland planning your next big trip to the Emerald Isle.

Bushmills Irish Kiss

1 ½ ounces Bushmills whiskey

1 oz. Peach schnapps

2 oz. Orange juice

5 oz. Ginger ale

Add ice and garnish with a lime wedge.

Michele Erdvig

Michele’s Irish Shop: Beautiful Photos of Ireland

#102 When Volcanos Interfere with Your Trip to Ireland & Michele vs the Volcano

Corey — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:29:15 +0000

Episode Guide – Podcast #102 When Volcanos Interfere with Your Trip to Ireland

We hear from Bernard McMullen about the affects the volcano in Iceland has had on Irish travel and we have a guest who had to change her plans for Ireland because of the volcanic ash.

Our apologies in advance, we didn’t have access to our usual recording equipment, so this episode sounds a bit different than others.

Note: These interviews were conducted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010. Since then Irish airspace has opened and airlines are working their way back to normal service.

CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON below to listen.

Our Podcasts are availble on iTunes – here’s our link for Techies

Show Notes

00:00
Intro: The Devil’s Bit by Theresa Larkin & Noel McQuaid

01:19
Bernard McMullen from www.discoverireland.com

10:00
Michele Erdvig from www.irelandyes.com talks about how the volcano has affected her travel plans and tells us what steps she took in changing her trip.

13:40
Discounts for travelers stranded in Ireland www.discoverireland.ie/features/stranded-in-Ireland.aspx as posted on Michele’s travel forum.

Closing Song – Jigs: McGuire’s/The Coming Of Spring by Theresa Larkin & Noel McQuaid

Volcano photo credit Plasmastik — Michele Erdvig photo courtesy of www.Irelandyes.com

Ireland Dream Trip’s 18th Edition

Corey — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:08:03 +0000

Michele Erdvig is at it again. Her latest edition of “Ireland Dream Trip ” has just been released and is ready to ship.

The book is loaded with in depth accommodation recommendations from great places to stay across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Michele also lends her expertise on general travel, dining and sites. You can hear more about the guide in Episode #99.

Give it a peek and start planning your trip.

Read Michele’s Irish Fireside posts.

Michele’s Leprechaun Mashed Potatoes

Michele Erdvig — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:08:48 +0000

Michele’s Leprechaun Mashed Potatoes

Disclaimer
No leprechauns were harmed during the making of this recipe. But they would love to eat the potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day – if you can catch them!

Ingredients

6 large potatoes, peeled & cut in chunks
8 oz frozen peas
Salt & pepper to taste
A tablespoon or two of milk or cream (optional)
A knob of butter (optional)

Click here for the remainder of the recipe.
© 2010 Michele Erdvig
IrelandYes.com Ireland Dream Trips
Michele’s Irish Shop
Michele’s Ireland Guidebook

10 Things You Should Never Say to an Irish Woman

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:36:03 +0000

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!

Michele’s Irish Shop

#99 Irish Travel Chat with Michele Erdvig

Corey — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:22:28 +0000

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.

Our Podcasts are availble on iTunes – here’s our link for Techies

Show Notes

00:00
Intro: The Devil’s Bit by Theresa Larkin & Noel McQuaid

00:24
Michele Erdvig – read her posts on the Irish Fireside – visit her website at www.IrelandYes.com

01:05
We are accepting entries for the Irish Fireside Cookbook – email corey@irishfireside.com

01:28
Irish Fireside iPhone App

01:42
Be a part of our 100th episode by calling 414-292-9269 and leaving us a message, travel tip, memory from Ireland or information about your connection to the Emerald Isle.

02:34
Interview – Winter Storms in Ireland… and the rest of the world

03:27
What do you look for in a good B&B? B&Bs then and now.

04:13
What do you miss from the “old days” of B&Bs?

06:40
Where can we find places that still have the old “flavour” of B&Bs?

07:14
Any advice for those debating between hotels and B&Bs?

09:05
What are your favorite B&B stories?

12:30
The one travel item that Michele doesn’t travel without.

14:25
Tell us about self-catering accommodations.

16:44
Rural vs. urban accommodations.

18:00
How do research B&Bs?

18:42
How do B&Bs get in your book?

23:00
Do B&Bs prefer cash or credit cards?

24:54
What’s the future for B&Bs?

26:00
B&B guests from hell.

28:00
Differences North American guests will find in Ireland.

28:57
Any special spots you’d like to share with us?

30:25
When is the best time to book a trip? When will airfare go down? Shannon Airport vs Dublin Airport.

33:00
Bunratty is becoming a ghost town

33:37
What are the things to look for on a B&B website?

34:40
The history of Michele’s book.

37:16
Michele’s Blog

38:00
Recipe & the Irish Fireside Cookbook – coming soon

38:57
The Banoffee Pie Story

42:38
Ashokan Farewell by Theresa Larkin & Noel McQuaid

Ireland’s Real Castle Hotels

Michele Erdvig — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:16:36 +0000

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…

Michele’s Sweet & Dreamy Irish Coffee

Michele Erdvig — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:56:06 +0000

I have put my own spin on traditional Irish coffee. If you like it sweet and creamy you will love this. Make it with decaf and it becomes a perfect nightcap for your sweet dreams.

Ingredients

Strong hot coffee

1 (1.5 oz.) jigger of Irish Mist Liqueur per glass

1 teaspoon of sugar per glass

Half & half

Whipping cream

Chocolate shavings (if desired)

Whip cream with a little sugar and vanilla to taste. Consistency should not be stiff but still slightly runny.

Mix together coffee, half and half to taste, sugar and a jigger of Irish Mist. Stir well. Fill glasses about ¾ full with the coffee mixture. Pour softly whipped cream over the back of a spoon and into the glass to float on top of the coffee. Top with chocolate shavings, if desired. Sip the coffee through the cream.

Tip: I like to mix the coffee, sugar, half & half and Irish Mist in a measuring cup and then pour into the glasses because I use Waterford Crystal wine goblets for serving the coffee in. However, if your glasses are not so pricey you can make the coffee directly in the glasses.

Sláinte!

“Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.” – Alex Levin

By Michele Erdvig

Tea at Josie’s

Michele Erdvig — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 05:54:27 +0000

Tea at Josie’s is a guilty pleasure. The scones are homemade – light, flaky and fluffy. They arrive warm from the oven and dusted with powdered sugar. Add a layer of butter, strawberry jam and a dollop of whipped cream. Pour a steaming cup of Irish tea. Sit back and absorb the spectacular scenery of the hidden lake and mountains.

Is it worth driving fifty Irish miles round trip for tea and scones? You have to be kidding. Of course it is. It’s Josie’s! Read More…

What Does a Trip to Ireland Cost?

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:01:53 +0000

Every day I get emails asking that question. The only problem is people don’t tell me if they are flying to Ireland from London, New York or Fiji. They also don’t tell me whether they want to spend a week in Ireland or a month.

Are they planning on an all-inclusive tour or a self-drive or will they take public transportation? If they are renting a car I suppose it will be a Ford or Toyota…but then again perhaps they prefer a Mercedes. They all want to stay at a castle but on the cheap. So what shall I tell them their trip will cost?

Let me consult my crystal ball!

I have written a comprehensive article about how to calculate your trip costs. You can read it on the IrelandYes! Blog.

If you follow my advice you can determine how much money you should save up for your trip to the Emerald Isle.

Michele Erdvig

10 Things You MUST DO in Ireland

Michele Erdvig — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:14:40 +0000

Ross Castle, Killarney © M. Erdvig

1. Explore Ancient Castles: Ireland is chock-a-block with castles. You see them in farmer’s fields, atop rocky outcrops, guarding rivers and in towns. Some are romantic ruins entwined with vines and trees. Others have been restored to their former glory and furnished with paintings, antiques and expensive fittings. Many castles rent by the week. One has been turned into a bank.

I prefer the lonely, battle-scarred castles that wear their age like a badge of honor. Observe how part of a wall was blown up by Cromwell’s soldiers leaving a gaping hole open to the elements. Notice a rusty cannonball from the Elizabethan Wars still stuck in a tower. Wander up small, spiral stone stairs that are waiting to stumble the unwary tourist – just as they were meant to slow down invaders. Look through arrow-slit windows at glimpses of the countryside. Feel the damp air and smell musty stone rooms. Battlements that once hid soldiers now house nesting birds. In the old ruins you can let your imagination run wild – to battles won and lost, pirate queens, bards entertaining at banquets, lords and ladies, serfs and knights. Each one has its legends, history and ghosts…if only you take the time to observe.

2. Walk the Beach: Choose a beach. Any beach. With a coastline over 3,500 miles long, Ireland has a surfeit of beaches. Search for seashells and smooth, round rocks. Explore a shipwreck. Feel the sand crunch under your feet. Hear the waves lap at the shore and sniff the briny air. Watch the birds wheeling overhead or playing tag with the waves. Look out for the tide! It can come in quickly and trap you where you stand. Bring a picnic or your surfboard or – if you are brave – your bathing suit.

3. Stay at a Bed-and-Breakfast: Ireland has elegant castles, modern hotels with spas and historic manor houses. They all have their place. But if you want to enjoy the real Ireland stay at a B&B. It is someone’s home where they take paying guests and provide a bedroom with bathroom and breakfast in the morning. Your hosts know the local area, the best restaurants, what sightseeing you should not miss and where the nearest laundry is. Most hosts are truly interested in their guests and are happy to dispense their knowledge with a delightful brogue and a touch of Blarney. Where else can you get so close to a real Irish family?

4. Discover the Night: Go outside, look up and marvel at the darkness. In most of rural Ireland you can behold the night sky in a way you might remember from childhood. Without light pollution the magnificence of the Milky Way is strewn like a silken veil across the black velvet sky. Every spot above you seems to twinkle with a star if you look long enough. The moon seems close enough to touch.

5. Visit a Garden: Ireland is a paradise for gardeners. With its damp, temperate climate blooms can be found almost year round. Each season produces its own flowers from early daffodils and lily-of-the-valley to spring cherry trees and tulips, to summer roses and rhododendrons and fall heather and furze. You can visit gardens at ancient castles, elegant manor houses, serene abbeys, planned parks, little villages and even in big-city Dublin.

6. Learn a Legend: It looks like an old pile of stones. But there are interesting rounded depressions filled with rainwater in the boulder. A tourist has paused for a snack and left behind an orange peel. But what does the legend tell? Over a thousand years ago a saint found an abandoned baby and the monastery adopted the infant. But with no women about they could not feed it. So they prayed and a white deer appeared every morning. The monks milked the doe, and its milk was caught in the bowl-like depressions in the stone. The baby thrived and today it is called the Deer’s Stone. What was it five thousand years before St. Kevin passed this way? Only the ancients know.

And why is that old tree covered with strips of cloth and trinkets? Could the fate of the English crown have been decided on an Irish battlefield? Am I walking in the footsteps of a pirate queen? Is this the wood the poets trod? Every inch of Ireland has a legend just waiting to be discovered by you.

7. Meet the Friendly Irish People: The number one request of visitor’s to Ireland is to meet the Irish. Strike up a conversation with people anywhere. Just a comment on the weather, a question about where something is or a friendly greeting on the street or in a shop can elicit the Irish interest in you as a visitor. Where can you meet Irish people? At the pub, in a shop, at Bingo night, attending the races, at church services, at a dance, in a restaurant, at a B&B. The list is endless. Forget the rule that you should not speak to strangers. After all in Ireland there are no strangers, only friends you have yet to meet!

8. Get off the Beaten Path: Turn off the GPS. Put the map away. Get off the highway and take that little road with grass growing in the middle of it. Maybe it is only wide enough for one car, but how many cars do you expect you will meet on such a road? If you do meet a car the local driver will likely know the nearest wide spot in the road where you can pass each other safely. A smile, a quick nod of acknowledgment with the other driver and you have safely navigated a little country boreen.

Where will the road take you? Probably over a hill and around a bend. Maybe beside a lake or up a mountain. If you are lucky, through a grove of ancient trees and past a fairy mound. Where will it end? Where else but the ocean? Ireland is an island after all.

9. Sing Along in Pubs: It is not always easy to find traditional Irish music or Trad as the locals call it. More often than not you will find country-western music emanating from the pubs. But keep searching or ask in town for a trad session. Usually they start late – after nine or even ten. But seeking trad out can be worth the trouble. Grab a table, order a drink and be prepared for toe tapping, hand-clapping music and songs you can sing along with. If you don’t know the words, just hum.

10: Take Time to Daydream: Take a deep breath. Forget the schedule. Throw out the itinerary. Stop and look around you. Observe what you are seeing, feeling, smelling and hearing. Breathe in the salty tang of the sea along with a whiff of pungent smoke from the chimney of a distant cottage. Watch the clouds scud across the sky – sunshine and shadow – followed by a thin gray veil of rain. A sudden rainbow, a blast of damp breeze and a quick shower scatters the grass with sparkling raindrops. Birds twitter overhead and on the hills sheep are baaing as they graze. This is what you saved and planned for. This is what you dreamed of. Enjoy Ireland!

Fifty is Nifty: Rose of Tralee 50th Anniversary Offer

Michele Erdvig — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:15:21 +0000

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Rose of Tralee Festival!

Every August The Rose of Tralee Festival takes place in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland. This year marks the festival’s 50th Anniversary. Besides the beauty pageant there will be festivities for the whole family. For six days (August 21 – 26) the streets of Tralee will overflow with craic including:

music
dancing
arts & crafts
puppet shows
parades
teen scene
street carnival
bands
a fashion show
singer Brendan Shine
a dog show
races
fireworks

In conjunction with the Rose of Tralee Festival – if you are turning fifty this year - the Carlton Hotel Group is offering you a free night’s stay at one of their hotels. To get this offer you must be born between August 18 and 26 1959.But even if you are not turning the big five-o this year you can still win a spa break weekend for four by entering their contest.If you are one of the lucky few born between those dates sign up for the offer and choose your hotel:

Carlton Dublin Airport Hotel, Co Dublin
Carlton Abbey Hotel, Co Kildare
Carlton Millrace Hotel, Co Wexford
Carlton Kinsale Hotel, Co Cork
Carlton Shearwater Hotel, Co Galway
Carlton Redcastle Hotel, Co Donegal
Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel, Co Limerick
Carlton Atlantic Coast Hotel, Co Mayo

I hope a few Blog readers win big!

Michele Erdvig
www.IrelandYes.com

Photo credit: A Rose of Tralee, originally uploaded by Eye on the World.

"Non-Irish" Need Not Apply

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:26:29 +0000

Ireland’s national TV station RTE used to allow people from all over the world to access some of their news and entertainment programs free online. It was wonderful to sit back and watch the nightly news and catch up on happenings in Ireland. Those addicted to certain series could continue with their Irish “fix”. But recently RTE has restricted their TV shows to only those living in Ireland.

This web page explains it: http://www.rte.ie/info/avfaq.html

It says:
How is access restricted? Where access is restricted, the mechanism for doing so is based on the computer’s IP address. An IP address is the numerical address that each computer has on the web. It is provided by the Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP is the company that provides Internet connections to private and business customers. Examples of ISPs are Eircom, BT, Smart Telecom, UTV, NTL and Irish Broadband.”

Evidently even if you are Irish but are not in the country at the moment you cannot access RTE TV programs because your IP will indicate you are in another country. It makes one wonder why a wall is being built around Ireland to block out Internet access to its TV shows. RTE cites copyright issues. Perhaps pay per view is in in the not too distant future?

Fortunately, some Irish radio shows can still be listened to by non-Irish.

Come on Ireland…share your culture with the world. Don’t just keep it to yourselves. The more people around the world that enjoy your culture, the more will want to visit. In this economy doesn’t Ireland want and need more visitors?

Michele Erdvig
www.IrelandYes.com

Banoffee Pie For Breakfast

Michele Erdvig — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:55:20 +0000

Banoffee photo by Hi Paul

IrishFireside recently had a podcast about self-catering in Ireland. Lately my husband Barry and I spend at least a week (or maybe two) in a cottage during our month-long trips to Ireland. It breaks up the one-night stays and gives us a sanity break. We can intensively explore the vicinity where we are staying for the week and find things that the ordinary tourist would never see. I always ask the cottage owners for secret off-the-beaten-path places to share with my readers.

Besides having a base from which to day-trip from for the week, self-catering gives us the chance to be lazy on rainy mornings if we want. Plus we don’t have to stick with the usual breakfast choices like a fry or scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. On our last trip to Ireland the owner of Doire Farm Cottages Anne Randles made us a banoffee pie. Or should I say she made it for Barry and he shared it with me? For those of you who have never indulged in the sweet treat it is a toffee and banana pie in a graham crust, slathered with whipped cream. Sometimes it is sprinkled with chocolate shavings. It is definitely a favorite dessert for Barry when in Ireland.

Since Barry could do anything he wanted with his pie (within reason) he decided to have some for breakfast. Ahhh…the joys of self-catering.

Now this is the problem. Anne told me how to make banoffee pie and it is very easy. Now Barry expects banoffee on demand.

Michele’s Quick and Easy Banoffe Pie

Cans of Sweetened Condensed Milk
Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Ripe Bananas
Whipping Cream
Chocolate Shavings or Sauce (optional)

Immerse cans of condensed milk in a big pot of water. Bring to a boil. Put a lid on the pot and turn the heat down to medium low, just high enough to keep the pot boiling. Boil for three hours. CAUTION: You must keep the cans covered with water or they will explode! During the process I added boiling water once. The lid keeps the evaporation down.

Let cans of milk cool. They can be stored indefinitely in your pantry.

Spread one can of milk (now toffee) in the crust. I like to stir it first with a knife to loosen the texture and make spreading easier.

Slice a couple of bananas and layer it on the toffee filling.

Whip cream with a teaspoon of vanilla and a little sugar (to taste). Slather the pie with cream. Add chocolate shavings or drizzle with chocolate sauce. Refrigerate. It is even better the next day.

Enjoy!

A Chat With "Ireland Dream Trip’s" Michele Erdvig

Corey — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:50:45 +0000

Corey says…Two years ago, Kat Behling enjoyed a “fireside chat” with Michele Erdvig. We thought it was worth reading again…

Michele Erdvig

Today we chat with Michele Erdvig, travel expert and author of “Ireland Dream Trip”. She and her husband Barry make their home in Atlanta, GA where she has enjoyed a successful career as an assistant editor, photographer, illustrator, publisher, web designer and travel consultant.

Michele’s first visit to the Emerald Isle came in 1973 and she and her husband have since returned repeatedly over the years. She has been certified by Tourism Ireland as an expert on the country, has moderated numerous online forums and is rated as a leading expert on Irish Travel at both AskMe.com and AllExperts.com. But it is moderating her travel forum on her own website, www.irelandyes.com, that gives this Irish-American the greatest sense of pleasure. Welcome, Michele.

What is your idea of a perfect day? It would start with a champagne brunch with my husband, followed by a nice long walk through a beautiful garden. Afterward, I would spend some quiet time reading. In the evening we would get together with all our friends and family for a big barbecue, which I would have catered so no one would have to cook or do the dishes. We’d all enjoy the meal, the company and talk the night away.

What historical figure do you most identify with and why? Lady Augusta Gregory was one “Coole” lady. Not only did she mentor and bankroll some of Ireland’s most famous writers (Yeats, Synge, O´Casey), she was one of the founders of the Irish Literary Revival, the Abbey Theatre and Irish Literary Theatre. Add to her talents folklorist, playwright, writer and theater manager and you have a true Renaissance lady. I suppose I identify with the multi-faceted aspects of her vocation since I have become a jack-of-all-trades in my career. I recommend anyone passing through Gort (on the main road from Limerick to Galway) to take time to stop by Lady Gregory’s beloved Coole Park. The Autograph Tree – signed by the famous writers of her day – in the walled garden is a must. In the springtime, the woods where Yeats wandered is a riot of bluebells.

Which living person do you most admire and why? My mother, Diane Dorion. She raised five children with incredible patience and gentleness, while working full-time. She is still the most caring and wonderful mother who is the bedrock and heart of our family.

What is your morning ritual? I don’t do mornings unless I am jet-lagged and in Ireland (did I choose the perfect job for a night owl or what?) Otherwise, my afternoon ritual is to turn on the computer, put on the coffee and answer essential emails. I then allow myself two cups of java and a bowl of porridge while watching TV and catching up on world events.

The perfect place to live is… Exactly where I live in Cobb County, Georgia. I have all the hustle and bustle of a first-class city (Atlanta) at my doorstep and non-stop flights to Ireland from the airport. I am also within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, banks, etc. Yet my house is tucked away in a tiny, quiet neighborhood where everyone knows everyone else and looks out for one another. Would you believe that my neighbors own several bison that I can watch roam from my kitchen window? Even though I live in a large metropolitan city, I feel like I live out in the country – the best of both worlds. Since I spent most of the first half of my life in Miami with perpetual summer, I really enjoy Georgia and the gently changing seasons. I would love to have a vacation home in Ireland but alas, the prices are too dear there now. I should have jumped at that cottage in Dingle thirty years ago for 500 pounds!

Name an off-the-beaten-path destination in Ireland you think more visitors should visit. Achill Island, Co. Mayo. It is easy to get to since it is connected to the mainland by a bridge, but it is like going back to old Ireland with a slower pace and genuine hospitality. The scenery is fantastic – pristine beaches, towering cliffs, mountains, castles, bogs, green hills, wandering sheep and the sea omnipresent. Try to visit it before it changes.

How would you describe your sense of humor? Eclectic. I like all kinds of humor -even my husband’s corny jokes that I have heard ten times before. I love the quick wit of the Irish, but I don’t like gutter humor.

What music are you listening to today? Classical. When I am working I cannot listen to music with words for obvious reasons. Classical is soothing and fits the bill.

What three things are you most grateful for? This is a total cliché but so true: family, friends and health. All three are priceless.

In the event you are reincarnated, what would you like to return as? A rainbow. I would flit around Ireland putting on a colorful display for everyone to enjoy. It would let people know that the rain is as fleeting as the rainbow.

Name one trait you most deplore in yourself. I am not a morning person.

Name one trait you most deplore in others. No common sense.

What do you consider the most important qualities of a good Irish B&B? I have a long list of things that must meet my expectations before I will recommend a B&B. The list to get reviewed in my book is even longer. However, the first three are cleanliness, comfort and good hosts.

What is one of your most treasured memories? My wedding day. I met my husband when I was sixteen and we waited several years to marry. So far, it’s been 36 years and counting – he’s a keeper!

What is your favorite meal? For starters, I would have a Caesar salad. My entrée would be poached salmon with a nice sauce accompanied by champ, baby carrots and French green beans, along with a glass of wine. For dessert it would be a slice of banoffee pie and a cappuccino. If I was feeling really decadent, a bit later I would indulge with a Bailey’s and some Thornton’s mini caramel shortcakes.

Your philosophy on life is… Follow your dreams. You never know where they will lead you!

How did you get your start in the Irish travel resource business? My husband worked for an airline so we could travel anywhere in the world cheaply. In 1973 we had a two-week vacation and decided on Europe. He chose Norway where his father was born for his week, and for my week I chose Ireland where my ancestry was (though I could have chosen Italy or France too). We were enchanted with Ireland and have since returned multiple times a year.

When you work for an airline and have been somewhere other employees have not been, they tend to pick your brain for travel tips. I started out by helping others plan their trips. It was fun. Later, my husband transferred from the airport to a big reservations office where everyone would stop by his desk for info on Ireland. Eventually, he asked me to devise a list that he could loan out. You could say that the first “Best Little Guide to Ireland” started life as a 7-page list of recommendations for B&Bs, sightseeing and restaurants.

A few years later, a light bulb went off in my head and I decided to elaborate on that list – write reviews and descriptions of my recommended places in Ireland and see if people would actually buy it. The endeavor was an experiment and I had no idea where it would lead. A college professor friend whose expertise was finance didn’t think much of the crazy idea. Who would I sell to? This was pre-Internet and I had to find an audience. Airline employees! Most of the airlines had employee newsletters with a column dedicated to discounts. I priced my now 32-page tome, discounted it by 10% and contacted the editors of all the airline newsletters. Voila! “Best Little Guide to Ireland was born.” It has taken on a life of its own and has grown to over 300 pages.

Some people look down on the fact that my book is self-published, but that is just the path it took on its own. Besides, if self-publishing was good enough for Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, Beatrix Potter and Stephen King, it’s good enough for me. It allows me to cut out the middleman and keep the info very fresh and up-to-date. Most traditionally published books are already six months to a year out of date by the time they hit the bookstore.

Doing custom itineraries and getting paid was a natural offshoot of becoming a travel expert on Ireland. A local Marietta Georgia dentist suggested it. He was putting together a dentists’ convention in Dublin and all those dentists needed my help badly.

What advice would you give to an entrepreneur looking to start a business? Start small, get to know your business clients inside-out and then expand gradually. You will learn the ropes as you go.

What is the biggest change you’ve noticed in Ireland since your first visit? Since 1973 I have seen Ireland transform from one of Europe’s poorest countries into one of its wealthiest. They have gone from bicycles and donkey carts to cell phones and BMWs. I am so glad to have been along for the ride!

What is the most common question you are asked from prospective visitors to Ireland…and how do you answer that question? Where should I go and what should I see? Only YOU know exactly what you want to see in Ireland and THAT will determine where you will go. Do your homework first. Read up at the library, bookstores and on the Internet. Take time to thoroughly look at my website because there is a lot of good info there. Take advantage of my free Ireland Travel Forum where you can ask anything you want to know. Contact Tourism Ireland for a free travel kit (see sidebar). Buy a good, up-to-date guidebook that fits your style and that you feel comfortable with. Better yet, buy a couple of guidebooks. Don’t give up when your first itinerary flops. Keep doing it ‘til it’s perfect – or give me a call!

How many editions of your book have been published? “Best Little Guide to Ireland” is in its 15th edition. Where does the time go? I may have to change the title since it’s not “so little” anymore! (Note: the name has been changed to “Ireland Dream Trip” and it is in 18th edition)

Chicken or Beef? Are you practicing to be a flight attendant? Usually chicken.

Visit Michele’s website. Have Questions? Use Michele’s FREE Ireland Travel Forum

April 1, 2009: Taxi Driver's Strike at Dublin Airport

Michele Erdvig — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:48:49 +0000

As reported in the Irish Times, taxi drivers at Dublin Airport have voted to strike on April 1, 2009 from 7 am to 11 am. That is the time that most of the international flights arrive.

For public transportation check the Dublin Airport website.

Michele Erdvig

March 30: Strike Could Affect Dublin, Shannon & Cork Airports

Michele Erdvig — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:29:41 +0000

Industrial Action on March 30

If you are traveling to Ireland on March 30, 2009 check with your airline for more info. There is the possibility of a strike that could adversely affect Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports. For more info: http://www.airport-technology.com/news/news51807.html

Michele Erdvig

UPDATE MAR 23, 2009: National strike deferred for talks

Abandoned Ireland

Michele Erdvig — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:31:55 +0000

Ireland is littered with lost castles, abandoned great houses that were burned down during the “troubles” and other oddities including The Hellfire Club in the Dublin mountains. The website Abandoned Ireland tells the stories of some of these overlooked sites. Even if you don’t take the time to read the history, the evocative photos are haunting. Creeper-clad castles, trees growing through houses, a tower lost in a forest, abandoned schools, a thatched cottage that looks oh so cute from the outside but has been trashed by vandals inside. A lovely way to wile away an hour. http://www.abandonedireland.com/

Michele Erdvig
www.IrelandYes.com

Top 10 Castles in Ireland

Michele Erdvig — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:34:19 +0000

Dunluce Castle - Photo by Tom Thomson

The list below is in no particular order. It includes castles that you can visit and tour but does not include castle hotels. For castle hotels you can visit my website listing: http://www.irelandyes.com/castles.html

Bunratty Castle (Co. Clare) restored
Barryscourt Castle (Co. Cork) restored
Ross Castle (Co. Kerry) restored
Cahir Castle (Co. Tipperary) restored
Kilkenny Castle (Co. Kilkenny) restored
Trim Castle (Co. Meath) partially restored
Glenveagh Castle (Co. Donegal) restored
Parke’s Castle (Co. Leitrim) restored
Rock of Dunamase (Co. Laois) ruins
Dunluce Castle (Co. Antrim) ruins

Michele Erdvig
www.IrelandYes.com

A Taste of Ireland

Michele Erdvig — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:22:14 +0000

Mary Browne’s Delicious Irish Brown Bread
The staff of Irish life is brown bread – sometimes referred to as Irish soda bread. There are countless recipes all over the country but the secret is to use real buttermilk. Most tourists are introduced to the wholesome nutty flavor at breakfast, with tea or as an accompaniment to a bowl of soup. The taste and scent of real homemade Irish brown bread is a treat that many want to bring back from vacation to enjoy in their own homes. Mary Browne of “Bunratty Lodge Bed-and-Breakfast” has generously shared her delicious recipe for Irish brown bread with all of us. Indulge in a little taste of Ireland!

8 ozs. wholemeal flour (whole wheat)
8 ozs. white flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
1 egg
1 pint of buttermilk

With a large spoon, mix all the ingredients to a moist consistency and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees in a ring tin (bunt pan). Cool for ten minutes and turn out of the pan. Allow to cool, Slice and enjoy.

Michele Erdvig

Liam takes his guests CJ and Laury to Cahergall Stone Fort in Cahirsiveen

Special Places in Ireland: Part One

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:20:11 +0000

Special Places in Ireland: Part One
There are some special places in Ireland that “speak to me”. No matter how many times I visit, these places have a “magical” hold that brings me back repeatedly. They are places to dream about long after my trip is over. Everyone has their own special places and memories. These are some of mine.

Loop Head Co. Clare: This is the end of the earth. The edge of the world. Man’s only intrusion is the old lighthouse guarding the cliffs. Flower-studded sea stacks seem close enough to touch. Seabirds wheel overhead and the ocean crashes below your feet. Walk around the headland breathing the heady salt-scented air. Picnic on the springy grass. Gaze through the distant sea haze toward the place where the sky and ocean meet. Or do they meet? Is it all just an illusion and a great void? Loop Head is peaceful and dramatic and overwhelming all at the same time.

Sligo: Yeats’ called it “The Land of Heart’s Desire” and requested he be buried under the majestic mountain Ben Bulben. If it inspired one of Ireland’s greatest poets there has to be something special there. Ancient monuments inbue the air with their mysteries where the mountains meet the sea. Little islands float dreamily on mirrored lakes laced with waterfalls. Strangely shaped mountains brood over hidden valleys where legendary lovers hid in caves from the king’s men. Few tourists venture this far north or take the time to feel the primeval mystique.

Glendalough Co. Wicklow: This place has it all. Lakes, mountains, woods and waterfalls. An ancient saint chose the heavenly valley for his hermitage and attracted a great following to his little hideaway. Which legend to believe? St. Kevin drowned a woman in the lake for bothering him? Or he gently fed an orphaned baby by milking a white deer? The lake is still there – deep and mysterious – shadowed by green mountains. The megalithic Deer’s Stone remains where Kevin caught the milk in rounded depressions. There is a holy well and rag tree along with the famous round tower and Christian remains. Will you find the ancient auras if you visit the interpretative center and take the tour? Not likely. Can you imagine the legends on a weekend in July when the whole population of Ireland is trampling the venerable site? Don’t think so. Glendalough is a place of solitude chosen by a hermit monk. Go very early in the morning or in the evening before or after the tourists disrupt the atmosphere.

Inch Strand Co. Kerry: Ocean and sand, dunes and sky. Children with ice cream cones running and squealing with delight, lovers strolling hand-in-hand, the local gliding club landing and taking off, fishermen in waders with long lines disappearing into the sea. It can be a carnival near the entrance to the strand. But the dune-backed beach extends four miles into the channel, almost meeting another finger of sand on the other side. Stroll away from the crowds and find the solitude of land’s end. Watch the churning tide rush between the peninsulas that seem to be straining to touch. Did they meet long ago? Feel the sand crunching under your feet. Hear the roar of the ocean. See the lapping waves and the gulls soaring through the sky. Smell the briny sea. Inch Strand is a feast for the senses.

Cong Woods Co. Mayo: There has to be a reason John Ford chose the tiny village of Cong for his epic Irish fairy tale of a movie “The Quiet Man”. The scenery, ah the scenery! The little village is picturesque, the abbey charming and Ashford Castle is grand. But wander out in back of the abbey to Cong Woods. Cross over the river by way of the old stone bridge. Enter into the enchanted glade through a pointed archway benignly watched over by the carved head of a monk. Fallen leaves carpet the pathway. A green, mossy smell permeates the still air. Is it a Monet painting? No just the trees reflected in the still waters. Is that glimpse from the corner of your eye one of the little people? If they are to be found…perhaps here?

Spots the Tourists Miss

Michele Erdvig — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:41:59 +0000

corey says…
When a trip to Ireland succumbs to the Green Blur…a term Michele introduced to us in her post earlier today… the lesser-known sites tend to be the first casualty. My recent article for Wandering Educators reveals some of the off-the-beaten-path sites you’ll discover when you slow down the pace.

www.wanderingeducators.com/special-interest/misc/spots-tourists-miss-ireland.html

The Green Blur Tour of Ireland

Michele Erdvig — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:54:48 +0000

Been there, done that! Over 30 years ago my husband Barry coined the term “Green Blur Tour” when we did just that in Ireland. Each night was in a different place. We would drive and sightsee from dawn to dusk. Only when it was getting dark did we even start looking for a place to stay. Instead of telling us what their breakfast hours were, the B&B owners made the mistake of asking us what time we wanted breakfast. When Barry replied, “6:30,” their eyes rolled back in their heads at the thought of getting up and feeding two Yanks at that ungodly hour. (The Irish are not early risers.) But they did it.

Okay, we were in our 20s and full of energy but even then the Green Blur Tour of Ireland was a bit too much. We saw Ireland through the windshield of our car whizzing past us in a green blur. Fortunately, we learned that is not the best way to see the Emerald Isle. Now we are much older and wiser. We have slowed down and learned to enjoy Ireland. Instead of having a “must see” list where the only goal is to cross things off, we have a “less is more” philosophy when it comes to seeing Ireland. The country is so jam packed with interesting, strange, beautiful, historic and quirky things to see and do it is impossible to accomplish everything in one trip. If you can slow down and spend a few nights in each spot - with a few one-nighters thrown in for spice - you will avoid the green blur and add greatly to your enjoyment of Ireland.

Learn from my mistakes. I have.

Michele Erdvig
www.IrelandYes.com

10 Things I Will Never do in Ireland

Michele Erdvig — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:44:14 +0000

Drink a pint of Guinness: Sorry all you Guinness lovers. I have tried it many times but just can’t stomach the black stuff – although my husband loves it. Give me a Smithwick’s any day.

Cross Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: Okay, I admit I am chicken. I trekked the whole way to the bridge and absolutely could not set foot on it. I watched my husband be braver than me and I took photos to prove that he did it. Do you think I can Photo Shop my head onto his body? Would anyone believe it?

Climb to the top of Skellig Michael: Yet another place someone without a head for heights cannot do. All the photos look fantastic and I applaud the hearty souls who have made the pilgrimage. Do you think height aversion therapy would help?

Run the Dublin Marathon: I will let the younger, thinner, fitter folks do this one. Besides, I don’t like crowds.

Go for a walk in the countryside at night without a flashlight: I value my life!

Hike to the top of Carrauntuohill: You have to be kidding. I barely made it to the top of Knocknarea and my husband was speechless with amazement for a week. That will have to suffice. (Great views though.)

Camp out in a tent: My idea of camping out is staying at a really bad B&B with no en suite bathroom.

Ride a horse on the beach: I rode a horse through the Gap of Dunloe once and that cured me. A cowgirl, I’m not.

Eat black pudding: Yuck! If you knew what was in it, you probably wouldn’t either.

Kiss the Blarney Stone: Oh, come on. Does anyone believe that silly legend? Evidently! Hoards of tourists climb up hundreds of tiny spiral steps, through claustrophobic passageways to the top of a tower to stand in line, do some gymnastics, hang upside down and kiss a stone that hundreds of others have just kissed. Lysol anyone?

Michele Erdvig
www.IrelandYes.com

Irish Car Rentals Drops 70+ Age Limits for Rentals

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:41:27 +0000

Because Irish Car Rentals was challenged over their ageism policies they have dropped their surcharge of €25 per day on drivers between the ages of 70 and 75. They will now rent to drivers over 75 provided they fill out a Driver Safety Assessment: http://www.irishcarrentals.com/daf.pdf

Australian Anthony White was charged a surcharge in 2006 and subsequently contacted Irish Car Rentals and the Equality Authority in Ireland with his complaint. Irish Car Rentals agreed to drop their over 70 surcharge and their ban on drivers 75 and older. The Equality Authority is now urging all car rental companies to drop their age-related policies.

Michele Erdvig

Top 10 Ireland Sightseeing

Michele Erdvig — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 07:17:12 +0000

Michele’s Top 10 Sightseeing in the Republic of Ireland

Cliffs of Moher
By Jax60

Cliffs of Moher, Burren & Loop Head (County Clare)
Dingle Peninsula (County Kerry)
Killarney Area & Ring of Kerry (County Kerry)
Kenmare Area (County Kerry)
Beara Peninsula & West Cork Coastline (Counties Kerry & Cork)
Connemara (County Galway)
Cashel (County Tipperary) & Kilkenny (Co. Kilkenny)
Glendalough & Powerscourt (Co. Wicklow)
County Donegal
Dublin (County Dublin)

Michele’s Top 10 Sightseeing in Northern Ireland

Giant’s Causeway
By neroburnsme

The Giant’s Causeway (County Antrim)
Dunluce Castle (County Antrim)
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (County Antrim)
Antrim Coast & Torr Road (County Antrim)
The Dark Hedges (County Antrim)
Mount Stewart House & Gardens (County Down)
Ulster American Folk Park (County Tyrone)
Hillsborough Village & Castle (County Down)
Ards Peninsula (County Down)
Mountains of Mourne (County Down)

Michele Erdvig