Dublin city has a long and chequered history, dating back to the Viking Settlement at Wood Quay over a thousand years ago. In 2016, the city is reflecting on one hundred years since the Easter Rising. The Rising was led by seven men, aided by a small army of volunteers, with the aim of ending British rule in Ireland and ... Read More »
Visitor Posts
Geocaching in Ireland: Searching for Hidden Treasure
I have never been what you could call ‘outdoorsy’. When I was growing up, I was obsessed with Barbies. The thoughts of climbing a tree or even going for a walk in the woods was enough to have me scrunch up my nose in derision. In 2013, when my sister and her family were visiting from England, I was invited ... Read More »
Bray Co. Wicklow – the perfect base for your Ireland vacation
More than a decade ago, I left my hometown of Bray to study abroad for a year in Germany. It was a somewhat terrifying prospect for a 19-year-old who had never lived away from home. As it turned out, it was one of the best years of my life, where I made some amazing friends and had the opportunity to ... Read More »
The Essential Packing List for Your First Diving Adventure
Getting all geared up for your first diving adventure is definitely exhilarating, but it can also be incredibly frustrating and nerve-wracking, especially when you’re trying to figure out just what it is you need to bring with you. Having the right gear with you can make or break your trip—but of course, that’s not something you want to worry about! ... Read More »
Shannon Airport vs. Dublin Airport
There is something about finally booking a flight to Ireland that makes it feel real, like I am actually going instead of just dreaming. While it is likely that I’ve been planning the trip for a while, when I get those plane tickets, I get so excited—like can’t-sleep-start-the-count-down-can-we-go-tomorrow excited. But before we buy those tickets, I need to know which ... Read More »
Ireland Travel with a Loose Plan
Guest article by Claire Fullerton Once upon a time, I spent a year living on the western coast of Ireland, in an area of Connemara called Inverin, which is thirteen miles up the coast road from Galway City. Last October, I had good cause to return for nine days, and had invited a childhood friend to accompany me sans husbands, ... Read More »
Come Have a Taste of Carlow!
Want to know a really cool secret? Cork isn’t the only fabulous Irish food county! (Don’t tell Cork-man Liam!) Yep, Ireland has a new rising star starting with C, and it’s county Carlow! I know, I know; Carlow has been one of those Irish counties that people tend to forget about. But as more and more folk are discovering, Carlow ... Read More »
Ireland’s favourite drinks
Are you an Irish expat pining for home comforts? Or would you like to experience Irish drink without having to board a plane? Then check out our guide to Ireland’s favourite beverages, and how you can get your hands on them. Barry’s Tea Barry’s Tea is an Irish icon. The Cork-based company, which was founded in 1901, claims that its ... Read More »
Your Last Chance for 1,000 Years – celebrating Brian Boru’s defeat of the Vikings
Guest post by Elizabeth Wilson A pivotal event in Irish history occurred 1,000 years ago on Good Friday, 23 April, 1014, when the first High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, defeated the Vikings in battle in Clontarf, Dublin, and shifted power back to the Irish, and Dublin is throwing a year long party to celebrate with the highlights this month–you won’t ... Read More »
14 great reasons to make 2014 the year to visit Ireland
Fresh off the back of a big year for tourism in 2013, spearheaded by The Gathering, Ireland is showing no signs of slowing down. You’ll be unlikely to need any sunscreen, and whilst they can’t guarantee sunshine, you’ll get history, art, sport and tradition like you’ve never seen it before. Here’s 14 reasons to make Ireland your choice of destination ... Read More »