Ireland Other Destinations
Things that are not historical sites, pubs, general regions. Here you’ll find some of the glorious miscellanea that make up the rest of Ireland.
Magical Shannon Mist
I couldn’t sleep last night. I’m usually one of those types who looks at his pillow and is fast asleep before the head even makes contact. I was renown in college for being able to fall asleep anywhere under the most unlikely circumstances. This not sleeping thing - completely disconcerting.
I suppose I’ve had a lot going on lately with work and in my personal life, but whatever it was that kept me from sleeping last night I watched the sky lighten over the town and then around 6am witnessed a phenomenon I have seen usually only when the munchkin wakes this early - the Shannon dawn mist.
It’s really quite startling, actually.
Date: May 5th, 2007 |
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Mountain Biking in Ireland
Normally you’d need to be on the Adventure Travel Logue for this kind of thing.
In 2006 the number one reason tourists came to Scotland was for mountain biking holidays. A good friend of mine, Chris (pictured left there), competes on the UCI (International Cycling Union) World Cup Downhill circuit and is something of an authority on mountain biking in Ireland. Having seen engineBad’s posting on the bootsnall travel forum, I thought there might be an interesting post in it and sat down with Chris to find out about mountain biking in Ireland.
Date: February 25th, 2007 |
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Throw your money into the river Shannon!
Encouraging tourism is a big *ahem* part of Ireland’s agenda. Despite some unfortunate comments about Athlone (WHAT??!! That hotbed of fun and frolicking? Someone OBVIOUSLY missed the post on topless sunbathing!), government ministers have recently gained some grudging support from locals that could bring funding in to improve the area around the Shannon.
Date: February 8th, 2007 |
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The Thirsty traveller visits Guinness
This is a travelistic piece featuring the Thirsty Traveller’s visit to the Guinness brewery.
Date: January 20th, 2007 |
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Travelistic short on Trinity College
Here is a video short the city guide folks over at Travelistic have published on Trinity College in Dublin. Is it just me, or is there a lot of French stuff in these travelistic videos?
Date: January 11th, 2007 |
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Irish walks scheme
I read the other day that Irish Farming Association President Padraig Walshe visited west Cork and talked about the creation of a walkways scheme, which would encourage farmers to open up their lands for recreational tourism. Not a bad idea in a country where there are some breathtaking walks on private land.
In his speech, Washe said “farmers in this area have shown the economic benefits that walks can create.” The president was speaking from Sheep’s Head Way where a very popular walk has been set up on …
Date: March 16th, 2007 |
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Moydrum Castle and U2
Moydrum Castle is located on private land and, as such, is not necessarily frequented by tourists. The castle is viewable from the road, however, and U2 fans might get a little thrill standing where the band stood for their picture of their 1984 album The Unforgettable Fire.
The castle itself was built by a British landlord named William Handcock who inherited the land (several thousand acres) granted to his family in 1680 following the Cromwellian occupation of Ireland. William actually opposed the Act of Union, there are records of his speaking against it and refusing generous bribes from Britian, until he was offered a title and flip-flopped politically, voting to unify Ireland and England. In 1812 he got his title, becoming a baron, and built a castle he felt befitted his new status in Moydrum.
Date: February 10th, 2007 |
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Lovely Shannonside walk
On my way upriver recently on the Connacht side of town, I couldn’t help but notice that the comely, black iron light fixtures on the southeast bank seem to have reproduced themselves on the northwest bank.
Furthermore, some stainless steel benches have been installed, as if to purposefully inspire passersby to sit with their back to the military barracks and stare at the water.
Good.
How many places along the Shannon have a decent walkway? Okay, it’s only maybe a 5-10 minute walk, but …
Date: February 2nd, 2007 |
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Dublin’s Famine Statues
Along the north quays at the east end of Dublin city centre you’ll find some strange and disturbing figures.
Gaunt and disturbing, these iron figures commemorate the great hunger that killed a huge portion of Ireland’s population in the last century.
I don’t feel like I can adequately discuss the famine itself in this entry. Perhaps this image of the statues will do what seeing them for the first time did for me: lead to you reading a bit more about what happened to these people.
Hopefully these disturbing statues will continue to …
Date: January 19th, 2007 |
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The original Claddagh
You’ve seen the design, it’s an icon of Ireland herself: The Claddagh Ring.
The origin of the ring’s design has various stories, but its production can be traced to Thomas Dillon’s jewelers in Galway. There is a one-room exhibit on the history of the ring set up inside the shop and numerous examples of the ring for sale in various metals and designs.
Date: January 8th, 2007 |
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