Posted by Corey | 1 Comment

Until the Cows Come Home in Beautiful Ireland

I hope this pastoral scene eases your day and gets you dreaming of Ireland.

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Posted by Liam | 4 Comments

Skellig Michael During Puffin Season: Video

Although Skellig Michael has been on my want-to-see list for years, I had no idea what I was in for when I got there. Here’s a quick look at my thoughts:

Firstly, it was gorgeous… especially with a clear day like we had. The views of the ocean, Little Skellig island, sea birds, dolphins, seals and the construction of the stone beehive huts and churches were all above expectation.

The 1,000+ year old steps built by the monks were scary, and a tumble could be deadly, but I found them quite manageable. One woman who was afraid of heights climbed them on her hands… once she was within the monastery walls, she seemed to forget that she had crawled over 600 feet to get there.

We had about two hours on the island itself, which was enough to see everything, but I certainly would have liked to stay much longer… on a bad weather day, I can imagine many folks would be ready to leave much sooner though… there’s not much shelter, and, no, public toilets are not available on the island.

I underestimated the boat trip. Although the crossing varies depending on where you launch from and which boat you take, my trip clocked in at 50 minutes on “moderate” seas. The skipper told us the seas were about a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10 (they sail up to a 7, but he said they warn people that it will be a “very scary trip” when the seas are that rough). A 3 was enough for me to feel nauseous for about half the trip. I didn’t vomit, but I couldn’t say the same for the other people on the boat. The trip back from the island was a bit calmer.

For those who prefer staying on shore, a visit to the Skellig Experience on Valencia Island near Portmagee gives a good look at the history and wildlife of the islands (Skellig Michael and Little Skellig). From there, you can also take a boat trip around the islands… they do not stop on Skellig Michael.

Photos from our visit

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Posted by Corey | 6 Comments

A Day in Kilkenny City

We made a quick stop in Kilkenny and caught Sunday mass in Irish (10:30 at the Capuchin Friary Church on Friar Street).

Here’s a peek at a few of the sites in town… St Canice’s Cathedral, St Francis Abbey Brewery, St Mary’s Cathedral, St John’s Cemetery, Kilkenny Castle, Grace’s Castle/Courthouse, the Parade, the Hole in the Wall, the medieval gate and wall and Rothe House.

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Posted by Corey | 6 Comments

Touring the NEW Waterford Crystal Factory

The city of Waterford has a new sparkling gem to celebrate its crystal-making history. The new factory and visitor centre, called The House of Waterford, has just opened on the Mall in Waterford city, and the facility is pumping new life into Waterford’s tourism identity. In the past, the old crystal-making giant was located on the road leading out of town making city centre an afterthought for visitors. The new, smaller centre pairs with the Waterford Treasures Museum to bookend the heart of Waterford City and establish the place as a true visitor destination.

Improvements are already underway on buildings surrounding the new complex, and as the city prepares for next summer’s Tall Ships Races, Waterford will likely begin unveiling its new look — a pedestrian-friendly hub of activity. Quite an achievement for a city that always seemed to struggle balancing its commerce, cultural, tourism, civic and business offerings.

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Posted by Corey | 16 Comments

Liam’s Horse Ride Through Knockahopple in Ireland

Must say, Liam had one of his favorite days ever… a horse ride down Knockahopple Road in County Tipperary, Ireland.

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Posted by Corey | 1 Comment

#104 Audiobooks with a Taste of Ireland

Episode Guide – Podcast #104 Audiobooks with a Taste of Ireland

We have a listen to Frank Delaney’s “Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show” and tell you about a way to get a FREE audiobook download.

CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON below to listen.

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

Irish author and broadcaster Frank Delaney is challenging you to write the first 140 characters of your novel via Twitter.

Post your opening line and add #fdwt to the tweet (oops you’re now down to 134 characters), and he’ll choose the ten openings that pique his interest. From there, three submissions will be awarded copies of one his latest book “Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show” (a $45 value).

The contest runs through noon on Monday, May 24th. Final selection will occur on Thursday, May 27.

So get Tweeting. Click here for details.

We also have a new partnership with www.Audible.com, the largest online provider of digital audiobooks. Sign up through our affiliate program via the link below and get a free audiobook and a discount on a subscription. Try Audible Now and Get A FREE Audiobook!

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