Try your hand at this hearty dinner recipe courtesy of the 5* Lough Erne Resort in County Fermanagh. Noel McMeel is executive head chef at the Lough Erne Resort in beautiful (and often overlooked) county Fermanagh. A true ambassador for local produce, he has dedicated his entire career to one very simple goal: finding, preparing…
The first message I usually receive when people find Ireland Family Vacations is “How much does a trip to Ireland cost?” And I feel badly when I tell them, “It depends.”
Do you ‘knead’ a taste of Ireland right now? Today’s guest has an Irish bread making experience you can try in your own home – or in her thatch cottage in the North of Ireland. Irish mythology and modern tragedy… The warmth of whiskey and the cool spray of the North Atlantic… And the opportunity…
Discussing Ireland travel predictions for the rest of 2020 and into 2021 with 3 of my favorite Ireland tourism experts: Tina O’Dwyer, Pól Ó Conghaile, and Stephanie Chastain. Ireland Travel Predictions My 3 Special Guests Tina O’Dwyer from County Clare. Owner of The Tourism Space, which offers training and professional development for Irish tourism businesses. Pol O’Conghaile,…
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,…
Calling all budding archaeologists- this is your chance to dig in the Irish dirt and earn college credits! Today I’m talking with Eileen Murphy, Professor of Archaeology at Queens University Belfast, about Ireland’s archaeological history and QUB Archaeological Field School. This article is based on a podcast episode featuring Eileen Murphy, Professor of Archaeology at…
While Coronavirus is dominating the news cycle right now there are dozens of reasons why your vacation may have to be cancelled. Here’s how to keep from losing your money along with your vacation This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom of the page…
Escape into a great story or plan your next trip with these recommended reads! Ireland Travel Guides Choose one of the Ireland travel guides that I use and recommend. Just a few of my Ireland books. Kids Books about Ireland Get your kids excited about Ireland with tales, stories, and facts about the Emerald Isle….
Kylemore Abbey is one of the most recognized buildings in all of Ireland. This romantic castle, nestled at the base of a mountain on the edge of a glistening lake in the wilds of Connemara, brings to mind fairy tales, stories of everlasting devotion, and, as with all good stories, tragedy. The story of Kylemore…
There are dozens of chocolate Guinness brownie recipes available. I know- because I have probably tried them all! And it may have taken a couple years, a few liters of Guinness, and pounds of chocolate, but I finally have a Guinness Chocolate Brownie recipe that I love. These brownies are the perfect fudgey consistency, super…
I always have three items in my house. Funnily enough, they are mainly used for cooking and baking, and these Irish Trilogy Cupcakes are one of the most popular (and requested) items I make. While they are incredibly popular during St. Patrick’s Day festivities I give them for gifts at Christmas and make them on…
This simple cake is one of my favorites year round. It’s delightful with afternoon tea and wonderful as a dessert with a caramel whiskey sauce. My girls will even eat it for breakfast with fruit. This is a dense cake, not a sponge, and has a mild flavor that allows it to pair with nearly…
Shepherds Pie is a recipe designed to create a second meal from leftover meat, usually lamb. The meat was mixed with a sauce or gravy that contained root vegetables, topped with a layer of mashed potatoes and baked. While the term Shepherds Pie is widely used now, the recipe was first known as Cottage Pie…
Corned beef is as synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day in the United States as a shamrock is with Ireland. And while traditional corned beef and cabbage is not Irish, it is definitely Irish American! Corned Beef Isn’t Irish??? Nope! Corned beef and cabbage actually traces back to New York and the influx of Irish immigrants…
When most people think of scones they think of a sweet treat, maybe served with a bit of jam and clotted cream, sitting aside a cup of tea. And while these scones would also be terrific served with afternoon tea, you definitely don’t want to top them with jam! These Mini Cheddar Scones are savory….
If you love a good stew this is one of the best I’ve ever made. While it can be made, start to finish, in about an hour and a half I prefer to make mine in the late morning and let it simmer on low for hours to really enhance the flavors. And it makes…
You’ll usually find a potato served at every meal in Ireland. They could be boxty (a traditional potato pancake) at breakfast, a side of fat chips at lunch, and mashed or roasted for dinner. Colcannon is a dish traditionally associated with the feast of Samhain (Halloween). During the feast to celebrate the end of the…
I adore Irish food. I think I’ve probably said that many (many) times over the years both on this website and in my podcast. And if I had to choose the one item I eat daily- multiple times if I can- it’s the Brown Bread. This quick, hearty bread is perfect with eggs and black…
Are you beginning to trace your Irish ancestry but are overwhelmed or don’t know where to start? My guest, genealogist and historian Declan Brady from the Irish Family History Centre in Dublin has tips to help you! This article is based on a podcast episode featuring Declan Brady, from the Irish Family History Centre. If…
Ireland is filled with wonderful monastic sites. And while you can expect a few similarities at all of them- spectacular ruins, a round tower, and a great story- each has something special. Glendalough, an easy day trip from Dublin, has the beauty of the Wicklow Mountains with wonderful walks and hikes. Clonmacnoise in County Offaly…