Category: Accommodation

Transcription

1 Irish.LifeTips.com

2 Category: Accommodation Subcategory: Bed+Breakfast Tip: Burren View Bed & Breakfast. If you want to stay in a relaxing Bed & Breakfast while touring the Burren in County Clare - check this one out: As the family say: "The O'Conner family invite you to share their house and farm for the duration of your visit. Enjoy home cooking, comfortable accommodation, and sample fresh local produce. Arrive as a visitor and leave as a friend." For more information check out their site: Burren View Tip: Fishermans Rest Bed and Breakfast Fishermans Rest Bed and Breakfast in Doolin, County Clare is a family-run business. The site also has a photo gallery have a look i4ll certainly put you in the mood to go! Fishermans Rest Subcategory: Cottages Tip: Oughtdarra Self Catering Cottages, County Clare Cottages for rent: 200 year old Thatch Cottage, Totally rebuilt in the Traditional Style. Thatch Cottage to Rent Subcategory: Hotels Tip: Bono's Clarence Hotel in Dublin. If you've heard talk that U2's Bono owns a hotel in Dublin, its true! Bono is the owner of the Hotel Clarence, on the River Liffey. Back in November, 2000, Bono held his father's 75th birthday party at the hotel. Tip: Celebrate the New Year in style! Abbeyglen Castle Hotel in Clifton, Connemara has 3 day specials for 349 pounds and they provide entertainment and gourmet cuisine. Go on spoil yourself! Contact details: Abbeyglen Castle, 4**** Grade A, A.A. and Manor House Hotel Sky Road, Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland Telephone Clifden (095) Fax (095) info@abbeyglen.ie Abbeyglen Castle Subcategory: Youth Hostels

3 Tip: University Accommodation in Dublin. If yo5re looking for somewhere to put your head down for the night in Dublin check out University Campus holiday accommodation: UCD Blackrock Tel Trinity College (2) Tel Fax Cards: VS/MC Trinity Hall (Dartry Rd 6) Tel UCD Village (Bellfield 4) Tel Royal College of Surgeons Tel Dublin City University Tel St Patrick's College (Drumcondra) Tel Category: Art Subcategory: Galleries Tip: Kinsale and Crafts. The town of Kinsale (Co. Cork, Ireland) and its surrounding area boast many small craft shops and traditional craft workers from the famous Kinsale Crystal to local pottery and silver. I highly recommend that you check out what Kinsale is famous for besides its wonderful food! Detailed information can be found here: Kinsale Art Tip: Visiting Belleek The Belleek pottery factory, producing the world renowned fine glazed Belleek porcelain, was established in 1857 and is Ireland's oldest pottery factory. Situated in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, visitors can observe the firing, glazing and decorating of potteries by skilled craftsmen as well as learn how the delicate and intricate strands are woven together. The tiny petals, stems and twigs are created by hand and attached to vases and pots. Location: Belleek Tel: +44 (0) Category: Cities and Towns Subcategory: North Tip: Buses in Belfast. The central hub for buses in the city center is on the left side of Belfast City Hall. Subcategory: South Tip: Dublin' Over. Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest city, with over one-third of the country's

4 population living there. Tip: Walk Dublin. Dublin is a city to experience on foot. Pack your most comfortable walking boots and walk Dame Street, Grafton Street, round Trinity College and more. Stop off in a bar when you get tired and sample the Guinness. A city full of wonderful architecture, music, culture and art, you'll experience so much more walking than driving. Category: Education Subcategory: Irish Language and sayings Tip: Céad míle fáilte Céad míle fáilte means 'A hundred thousand welcomes' and is used a great deal in Irish literature and tourist information. Subcategory: Schools Tip: Primary Schools in the South of Ireland. If you are planning on moving to Ireland and are looking for Irish primary schools for your kids (aged 4-11) then have a look at this site: Irish Primary Schools It just might help you chose.. Category: Going Out Subcategory: Events Tip: Dublin's St. Patricks Festival 2003 St. Patrick's Day is so good that in 2003 Dubliners are going to celebrate for a full week! The St Patrick's Festival will run from the 11th - 17th March with lots of free entertainment for all to enjoy. Experience street theatre, fireworks, music, exhibitions and even a treasure hunt. More information can be found here: St Patricks Festival 2003 Subcategory: Pubs

5 Tip: The Crown bar Belfast. When in Belfast you really should visit The Crown bar or to give it its official name The Crown Liquor Saloon' on Great Victoria Street in the city centre. It has a Victorian exterior and a mad' interior and has recently been renovated by the National Trust. It used to be a gin palace! It is an experience not to be missed! Subcategory: Theaters Tip: The Abbey Theatre. The National Theatre of Ireland - the Abbey Theatre is situated in Dublin. To find out what is on currently and get some background about the theatre check out their very professional site: Abbey Theatre Category: History Subcategory: Ancient Tip: The Seat of the High Kings. The "High King" of Ireland would sit at Tara in the South of Ireland. Subcategory: Castles Tip: Cabra Castle Cabra Castle, County Cavan is an excellent place to stay. A 3-star Irish Tourist Board-approved hotel situated in acres of wonderful gardens surrounded by natural beauty. For more information check out their site: Cabra Castle Tip: Walk the Seafront at Carrickfergus. Take a walk along the seafront before or after going to visit the Castle. The bracing sea breeze will certainly blow any cobwebs away! Just remember to wrap up warm when you visit Carrickfergus Castle and town - it can be chilly no matter what the time of year. Subcategory: Fight for Independence Tip: The Land of the Free. The Irish Free State, forerunner of the modern Republic of Ireland, was officially proclaimed in 1922.

6 Category: Irish Recipes Subcategory: Food Tip: A potato by any other name. Other names for potatoes include spuds' and praties'. If you have any other slang terms for this very Irish vegetable please me! Tip: Tipsy Beef Cooking the beef in Guinness makes it very tender. For the recipe click here: Tipsy Beef Category: Music Subcategory: Literature Tip: Irish Music Magazine. Irish music lovers must check out this Irish Music magazine: Irish Music Magazine Category: Myths and Legends Subcategory: Blessings Tip: A Blessing for Blessings. May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings, slow to make enemies, and quick to make friends. But rich or poor, quick or slow, may you know nothing but happiness from this day forward. Tip: A Blessing for Keeping Friends. May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends gathered below never fall out. Subcategory: Folklore Tip: Irish Wedding Customs

7 There are many ancient beliefs surrounding Irish weddings. For example - Wednesday was believed to be the luckiest day to get married on while Saturday was seen as unlucky; Green was an unlucky colour to wear at a wedding (the ancient Irish believed that the faeries would 'get' you if you wore green and steal you away to the underworld!); and, if the mother-in-law broke a piece of cake over the bride's head as she entered the marriage home it was said that the 2 women would remain friends for life! These are just some of the many Irish superstitions that surround getting married! Category: Newspapers and Media Subcategory: Newspapers Tip: Belfast Telegraph. The Belfast Telegraph or the 'tele' to locals is the North of Ireland's premier newspaper. It can be accessed online at: Belfast Tele Category: People Subcategory: Communities Tip: Black Irish. This is a term which refers to people who were born in Ireland from the union of Spanish and Irish people. For more information check out this interesting site: Black Irish Tip: For Irish Farmers Seeking Info. The Irish Farmers' Journal Interactive The Irish Farmers' Journal Interactive site aims to be the best source of Irish agricultural and rural information on the Internet. Knowledge provides the base for all progress. The Irish Farmers' Journal continues to provide the focus for open debate on agricultural development as the best source of information for the Irish agricultural industry and the families dependent on it. The Irish Farmers' Journal Interactive site carries this tradition into the electronic arena. Tip: How Many Irish Americans? Approximately 40 million Irish Americans live in the United States today. Tip: Make your own Wedding Invites!

8 We made our own wedding invitations from A4-sized card folded in two, a photo and an insert. Envelopes we bought to match the card. We printed everything out from this very machine. Saved us a lot of money and they looked 'the part' - everyone is still talking about them (we posted them in March to give people time to sort their plans out). Tip: Organising an Irish Wedding. It is wise to begin organising your wedding at least a year in advance - if you want to get marrried in Ireland. The hotel for the reception will need to be booked well in advance. A site that'll organise the big day all for you is: Irish Wedding Day And even if you're not planning on getting married it is still a nice site to explore. Tip: The Irish Connection with St. Valentine St. Valentine was a third century Christian martyr who was beheaded in Rome around 269 AD. His remains are believed to be held at the Carmelite Church on Whitefriar Street in Dublin. Every year on Valentine's Day the casket containing the Saint's remains is carried in solemn procession to the high altar of the Carmelite Church for a special Mass dedicated to young people and those in love. Subcategory: Famous Irish Tip: John F. Kennedy Visited Ireland. President John F. Kennedy, son of Joseph Kennedy of County Wexford, traveled to Ireland prior to his death in At that time, he purchased a Connemara pony for his daughter, Caroline, and had it shipped back to America. After his death, the Irish people created a living memorial in his honor. Tip: Richard Harris Dies. Richard Harris, Irish actor, died aged 72 of Hodgkin's disease Friday 25 Oct His last role was as the much-loved Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films. Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern called him: One of Ireland's most outstanding artists. He will be sadly missed. Subcategory: Genealogy Tip: Read to find your Roots When searching for your Irish roots read as much background information as you can. Local library, online, books and magazines all provide useful information, therefore, get submerged in the literature it'll be a great help in the long run.

9 Category: Places to Visit Subcategory: North Tip: Best time to visit the Giant's Causeway. The best time to visit the Causeway is in the summer. The walk round the entire Causeway is possible but if you feel you'd like to see this natural wonder in comfort take the minibus service which operates from the car park to the Causeway during the summer. Also - the weather is likely to be better ;) Tip: Carrick-a-rede rope bridge. The stunning Carrick-a-rede rope bridge spans a gaping chasm between the coast and a small island used by fishermen. Close to the Giant's Causeway it can easily be visited on the same day. The terrifying eighty foot drop can be crossed via the swinging bridge - not for the faint hearted! Tip: Mussenden Temple Tip: The 6 Counties of Ulster. Ulster (the other name for Northern Ireland) consists of six counties. These are: Antrim, Derry (or Londonderry), Tyrone, Down, Armagh, and Fermanagh. Tip: The Giant's Causeway. The Giant's Causeway is situated on the Northern coast, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is made up of 40,000 polygonal columns of basalt, forming stepping stones, some of which are up to forty feet in height. Subcategory: South Tip: Christchurch Cathedral Dublin. Visit Christchurch cathedral (top end of Dame Street) in Dublin to have a taste of historic Ireland. Tip: Visiting the Cliffs of Moher When visiting the Cliffs of Moher check out O'Brien's Tower and the Visitor Centre: Opening Times - O'Brien's Tower - March to October 29th (weather permitting) 9.30am

10 to 18.00pm. Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre - open year round 9.30am to 17.30pm. June to Aug 29th 9.00am to 20.00pm. Category: Shopping Subcategory: North Tip: Shopping in Newry. Hill Street is the heart' for shopping in Newry and holds a market every Thursday and Saturday. There are also two major shopping and entertainment complexes in the town the Quays and Buttercrane Centres. Tip: The Tower Centre, Ballymena. The Tower Centre, Ballymena in the North of Ireland is a great place to shop. The town of Ballymena has become a thriving shopping area where people from all over Ulster and beyond come to peruse the many shops available in the town. Contact info for the Tower Centre: 57A Wellington Street, Tower Centre, Ballymena, BT43 6AB, Northern Ireland Subcategory: On-line Tip: KENNYS IRISH BOOK PARCELS Category: Writing Subcategory: Non-fiction Tip: One Belfast Boy. Looking for a source that gives an accurate picture of modern Belfast? ONE BELFAST BOY, a non-fiction book written by Patricia McMahon (published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1999), with photographs by Alan O'Connor, provides vast insights through the eyes of a child. Follow in the footsteps of 11-year old Liam Leathem, a Catholic, as he prepares for a match in his favorite sport - boxing. The book also deals with Ireland's troubles. Subcategory: Past Irish Writers

11 Tip: James Clarence Mangan's poetry. James Clarence Mangan's poetry is tinged with sadness a great deal of the time but there is also this wonderful sense of irony, of fun even in some places, of a superior wit. Tip: Jonathan Swift birthday. Irish satirist Jonathan Swift born on November 30th Tip: Samuel Ferguson More information about Samuel Ferguson can be found here: Samuel Ferguson