Attractions in Ireland’s Ancient East
Our first visit to Glendalough in 2008 focused on the Monastic City. The cold and wet March day was much more suitable to learning about St. Kevin in the visitors center and hot tea in the nearby hotel restaurant than explorations beyond the stone churches. Finally following up that visit in 2015, our day began…
It’s kind of funny to me as I look back at the recommendations made in the last couple years of my Ireland travel coaching business… I recommend Cahir Castle highly, noting that it is a favorite of ours. And yet, I’ve never written about it. Maybe I wanted to keep it as my own little…
When the opportunity presents itself to join a knowledgeable local at a rarely explored historic site, you take it. (<– important travel tip!) When that knowledgeable local is Neil Jackman, archaeologist and executive director of Abarta Heritage, you happily trudge out in heavy rain to hear the stories he has to tell. Like many of…
When you close your eyes and picture Ireland, what do you see? If the answer includes round towers and high crosses, then you’ll want to be sure Clonmacnoise in County Offaly is part of your Ireland itinerary. Located in the heart of Ireland at what once was a major crossroads where the north/south route of the…
Known as the medieval capital of Ireland, Kilkenny offers visitors a unique blend of ancient stories, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. As you wander through the narrow alleyways, you can’t help but feel transported to another time, where each street corner holds a door to a new tale waiting to be discovered. This article is…
Known as the Garden of Ireland, County Wicklow offers an array of stunning landscapes and attractions, but the crown jewel is undoubtedly the Powerscourt Estate. Powerscourt Estate ticks so many boxes for visitors to Ireland. This article is based on a podcast episode featuring Vivienne Nyhan, sales manager at Powerscourt Estate. If you prefer to…
Learn more about Ireland’s top heritage sites in 2023 & tips for visiting + my favorite sites that you should add to your Ireland itinerary.
Ireland is a country known for stunning landscapes and natural beauty. The abundant rainfall that contributes to the country’s ’40 shades of green’ is also at least partially responsible for the lush gardens you’ll find across the country. While the majority of public gardens seem to be concentrated in the ‘sunny southeast’, you can easily…
Wondering about the best places to visit in Ireland in 2024? And, if you are planning on visiting one of these tops spots, you’ve probably wondered if there are any secrets to having an amazing visit – and maybe avoiding the crowds (as much as possible). The answers to your questions are below – based…
Round towers are an -almost- uniquely Irish structure. (Only 3 ancient round towers exist outside of Ireland.) In Irish they are called cloitheach (cloy- cach), meaning bell house, and were probably built between the 9th and 12th centuries. This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the…
Ireland has so much to offer families. I think it is the best country for a first European vacation – there is no (or very little) language barrier, wide open space to explore, and the land oozes magic. When you’re traveling in Ireland with kids it’s smart to concentrate on one or two areas. Not…
Ireland’s Celtic Coast stretches along the southeastern part of the country. Coastal views, vibrant villages, amazing attractions & fewer tourists.
Learn Ireland’s ancient sport of hurling in Kilkenny, the ‘home of hurling’. Ireland’s oldest sport & the ‘fastest sport on grass’.
Failte Ireland certified guide Clodagh Fitzgerald shares Waterford travel tips. From Waterford city to the ‘hidden’ countryside.
Archaeologist Neil Jackman joins Jody to talk about some of the 5,000 years of Irish history in Ireland’s Ancient East and shares stories about his excavations which separate fact from fiction. This article is based on a podcast episode featuring Neil Jackman, the director of Abarta Heritage. If you prefer to listen to the podcast,…
Stepping (virtually) into four historic buildings that will transform into TradFest venues in Dublin- but you can also visit on your own! Jody will also share a few handy Dublin travel tips! This article is based on a podcast episode. If you prefer to listen to the podcast, you can find the player at the…
When planning a trip to Ireland Temple Bar in Dublin is usually near the top of the list of places to visit in the capital city. But do you know where to find Temple Bar? Or how the area was named? Martin Harte, CEO of the Temple Bar Company joins me on the Traveling in…
Article update: We were saddened to hear about Micheal’s passing on August 4, 2018. I credit Michael with gifting my girls and I a deep love of the Lough Gur area and all its treasures. In tribute I am re-publishing this article about our tour of Lough Gur with Michael in 2012. A Guided Tour…
Mention Kells to anyone visiting Ireland and their thoughts move immediately to the Book of Kells, now housed at Trinity College in Dublin. The famous book is associated with Kells, a heritage town in County Meath, not the beautiful medieval priory we visited in County Kilkenny. We first ‘discovered’ Kells in 2005, having gotten lost…
This article is based on a podcast episode featuring Willie Forde, the founder Adare Country Pursuits in County Limerick. If you prefer to listen to the podcast, you can find the player at the bottom of the page. Discovering A Unique Irish Experience Willie Ford is the owner of Adare Country Pursuits at Adare Manor…