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…
Many thanks to my friend Leigh Maher who writes for the online store Irish Celtic Jewels. On his blog, he gives tips and information about all things Irish, including weddings, history, culture, symbolism, jewelry and the Claddagh ring. Ireland’s Ancient Symbolism Ireland offers families the chance to experience stunning medieval beauty at almost every turn….
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…
Michael Londra is an Irish Tenor from Wexford, star of Riverdance on Broadway, and host of Ireland with Micheal on PBS. Wexford Highlights Michael recommends listening to the Bow Tides (featured at the end of the podcast)
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…
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…
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 bottom…
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…
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’.
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’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…
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,…