My mom and daughter left this morning and our final day was spent ‘vacationing’. Now, that probably sounds like a ‘duh’ statement, because they were in Ireland for a vacation. But, sometimes it is so easy to go-go-go, see and do everything, and forget that you should also take the time to relax a bit….
We’ve spent two days at Lyrath Estate in County Kilkenny. I’ll be sharing more about our experience, but first, a wee chat with John Dugan, owner of Hawkeye School of Falconry , which you will find at Lyrath. This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the…
I had the opportunity to speak with Sean Egan, a master engraver with over 35 years of experience. A trained artist at the former Waterford Crystal, Sean now runs Sean Egan Art Glass in the Bishop’s Palace Museum, located in the heart of Waterford’s Viking Triangle. See also: Waterford Travel Tips with Clodagh Fitzgerald This…
Live from Morrissey’s Pub in Abbeyleix, County Laois. A wee chat with John Nolan, manager of Morrissey’s Pub , built in 1775. This article is based on a podcast episode featuring John Nolan, manager of Morrissey’s. If you prefer to listen to the podcast, you can find the player at the bottom of the page….
Hear the story of how Guinness was accidentally created in Cashel, County Tipperary. Plus the next ‘new’ Ireland tourism destination.
Hello again from Ireland! I missed podcasting the past couple of days. On Thursday I had absolutely no connectivity and Friday night half of my hotel room had no electricity – so I was in the dark. The very sweet maintenance man came from home to try to fix it, but left his industrial flashlight…
While visiting the Kilkenny Saturday Market on The Parade outside Kilkenny Castle I met a charming artist and sat down to have a wee chat. Deirdre McCarthy is inspired by the coutryside that surrounds her house on the hill in Inistioge, just south of Kilkenny City. I love the whimiscal feel of her paintings and…
Learn Ireland’s ancient sport of hurling in Kilkenny, the ‘home of hurling’. Ireland’s oldest sport & the ‘fastest sport on grass’.
County Laois (pronounced leash) may not be on your radar when planning your Ireland itinerary, but if you are traveling between Dublin and Kilkenny, Cork, Kerry, or Clare, you’re likely to pass through this often overlooked county. This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom…
Beyond the Trees Avondale (County Wicklow) includes a treetop walk and 10 story viewing tower – along with the tallest slide in Ireland!
Failte Ireland certified guide Clodagh Fitzgerald shares Waterford travel tips. From Waterford city to the ‘hidden’ countryside.
What is it like to inherit a Georgian country house? Get the inside scoop from Helen Brennan, caretaker of Clonacody House in Tipperary. (Podcast)
It is rare for my family to visit Ireland and not buy an OPW (Office of Public Works) Heritage Card. The €90 family fee (2019) allows access into dozens of OPW Heritage Sites across Ireland. CLICK HERE to pin this to your Ireland vacation board! What Sites Can I Visit with the OPW Heritage Card? Some…
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Ireland! Join Jody as she chats with Tommie Ryan, the festival director of Ireland’s largest Christmas festival: Winterval in Waterford. If you prefer to listen to the podcast, you can find the player at the bottom of the page. The Ireland Christmas Festival Winterval Winterval in…
Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, and home to the country’s busiest airport, is an obvious place to begin or end your Ireland vacation. You can even base yourself in the capital city and take some amazing day trips from Dublin! No car required! This article is also available as a podcast. To…
Jody is talking about Ireland’s sunny Southeast in this episode. Join her and guest speaker John Purcell, owner of Waterford Greenway Cycle Tours and Bike Hire as they discuss the Waterford Greenway. . CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON below to listen. If you like what you hear, please give my podcast a 5-Star review at iTunes,…
The Munster Vales are nestled in the heart of Ireland’s “Ancient East” and offer a glimpse into Ireland’s wild beauty and rich history. Spanning counties Limerick, Cork, Tipperary, and Waterford, the region is famous for its mountainous landscapes, rolling hills, and quaint towns. Unlike Ireland’s more famous spots—like Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, or the…
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…
Yes! Family travel in Ireland is possible! No land is more filled with magic than Ireland. Even if you’re past the age of believing in fairies (though I don’t think you should ever stop believing in fairies) the moment your flight touches down on Irish soil a feeling of possibility washes over you. You just don’t…
Our first stop as we explored County Kilkenny was Jerpoint Abbey . Located near Thomastown, just south of Kilkenny, you really can’t miss it as it nestles up to a curve of the N9 (a major roadway). We received a great lesson on the history of Jerpoint Abbey from Sheila in the interpretive center- be sure…