Irish life
Weather, habits and oddities of everyday Ireland.
Plan a Layover in Iceland
The small island country of Iceland sits just between Europe and the US. In fact, most international flights between the two continents fly over (or very close to it) the country.
Explore America's Gulf Coast
Five years ago this August, Hurricane Katrina tore into the Gulf Coast of the US, hitting hard the city of New Orleans, and causing significant damage to other states in the Gulf region.
Attractions in Galway
Galway is famous for its landscape, including the Mountain Ranges with 12 Bens overlooking the skyline of Connemara.
Free Things to Do in Galway
Wondering if there are also free things that you can do while in Galway ? Yes there are and we are proud to list them.
Day Trips from Dublin
In the surroundings of Dublin you can find a lot of attractive historical spots, castles and gardens. These places are normally open all over the year and are truly worth your time visiting them.
Cheap Clothing Stores in Galway
Who doesn’t love the idea of shopping? Well, I might be able to find a few (guys) but, in general, all of us love to shop! All the time!
Cheap Clothing Stores in Dublin
Having a hard time looking for cheap clothing stores in Dublin ? Well, that’s not a problem anymore! Continue reading and you’ll realize that Dublin has a lot in store for you.
Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle, located in the medieval township of Killenny, Ireland, a short drive south of Dublin, is a sprawling ode to Victorian architecture.
Viking Splash Tours - Dublin's most entertaining city tour by far
On my recent visit to Dublin I had taken a couple of the standard-issue city bus tours, and while those were fairly entertaining, there wasn’t anything special about them at all.
Ireland Photo: Cliffs of Moher
Cliffs of Moher Ireland may be notorious for its rainy weather and gloomy forecast, but you'd never know that looking at this glorious photograph of the famous Cliffs of Moher.
Ireland Photo: Evening in Cork
Evening Falling on Cork I love so many things about this image... The stillness of the water reflecting the buildings with mirror-like accuracy, the soft grays & blues making it almost seem like a…
Nudes Pose at Irish Castle
American photographer Spencer Tunick has a thing for nudity, but it's not what you're thinking.
Sleep in the Former Home of Merv Griffin in Galway
Most of us have dreamed at one time or another of rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. It's one of those things that is unattainable for all but the very (privileged) few, right?
You're Invited to the BootsnAll Holiday Party
The beer in Portland, Oregon might not be as famous as the beer in Ireland, but we like to think that it measures up in terms of quality.
Most popular blog entries
For the past year I have woken up every morning wondering what I would write about that day. When I leave the house, I carry a PDA, digital camera and mp3 recorder.
One year of Irelandlogue
It's been a year in the 'logue, folks and, as I promised in an earlier post , I thought it would be a good idea to have a look over the year of blogging that's been.
Ireland Travel TV Shows To Go
When you can't actually be traveling to Ireland, the next best thing can be watching a travel TV program about Ireland .
Avast, ye scurvy dogs!
Yarrr! Today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day . Tis due to Dave Barry (sure I usedta be readin' him when I was moored up stateside) that this day be brought to me attention.
Ireland's dismal European soccer cup situation
Try again in 2010. It rhymes. It also pretty much sums up the situation for Irish world cup soccer.
The rugby world cup
It's one of those things I've never really understood. You meet these hard-core Irish guys who live in the country, listen to trad, have family with questionable political affiliations and carry a…
Irish traveler video
I've done a few posts on Irish travelers. Here's a video post they've done themselves:
What if the Beatles were Irish?
I love the Beatles. I'm not so mad about your man 's Irish accent:
Roma if you want to - Roma around the town
They've arrived. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say that Ireland has arrived.
I will force it to be summer with the powers of my mind
Repeat after me: It is the beginning of August. I will put on sandles. I will roll up my jeans. I will walk to the river's edge to feed the ducks.
Wage war in Ireland
Welcome to the war zone. There you are, staring across the battle plain somewhere in Athlone (Blyry estate, actually).
Space Shuttle over Ireland
Did you hear the Space Shuttle is visible tonight over Ireland? Unh-hunh - we all know what happens when you "go for one" in Ireland.
Skanger me banger
Pimp my ride . . . Dublin style.
Silk-tongued devils
I just had to post this. You'll recall this last Tuesday's session in the Shack we had a very talented singer from France join in around the table.
On feeding swans
It's probably not the best thing to be feeding them at all, but it's REALLY not a great idea to stroll right up to them and stick out your hand, folks.
Riverdance, anyone?
Did you know I have never posted anything about Riverdance? Did you know that the two stars of Riverdance (Michael Flatley and Jean Butler) were born and raised in the United States?
Round Ireland with a Fridge - Tony Hawks
It's hard not to applaud the idea behind this book. It's also not hard, halfway through it, to get a little annoyed by the narration.
Irish work party
So last Christmas I described the anatomy of an Irish christmas party . I recently experienced another type of party: the Irish going-away work do.
Rain, Rain go away . . .
In Ireland there is always an awful lot of talk about the weather. It's the natural perogative.
Irish Pot Heads
Yes, the rest of the world is doing it and Ireland is no exception. Last night at midnight the local corporate bookshop held a Harry Potter release giving away free t-shirts, books and, most…
Murphy's and Oysters
I really don't know where the tradition got started, but for some reason there is an association between Irish stout and oysters.
Skateboarding in Dublin
Doesn't look like there are many good places to board around the big smoke . . .
Murals in Northern Ireland
Flowers are here - the end is nigh!
Ah, last year when I started the blog the extremely long summer of 2006 was finally fading into gray September skies.
Happy Fourth of July!
Yes, today is the 231st birthday of the United States of America. They say that today there are more Irish people in the US than in Ireland itself.
Ah, the lovely rain-soaked Irish June
Just look at that. I had mentioned that this June is less than the tourist might expect in the way of sunshine and summer weather , but this Sunday when the skies opened up and a veritable monsoon…
Triple S
I had to do a post on this place because I've been eating my lunches there an awful lot lately and it's not just the proximity to my place of employment - sure, Supermacs is closer!
An Ireland of firsts
Moving swiftly into the 21st century; that's our modern Ireland. In 1990 Ireland elected her first female president.
DJ Clodagh the usurper
Funny things can happen in newspapers - I know well, having worked at one for years. Sometimes a writer's piece hits production staff and skitters across an editor's desk and comes out a bit . . .
Killinaskully Community Radio
Seriously 111. This has to be one of the best things on Irish TV at the moment:
Genoa revisited
I mentioned the newly opened Genoa Cafe a couple of weeks ago, but I took the occasion the other day to actually stop in and give her a go.
Blogger interviewed - from digital to analog
In one of the more ironic turns of events, this online writer is going to be the subject of a printed media story.
Creamy Cookie and Nelbert got married!!
A huge felicitous congratulations to two very good friends of the aul logue who got married last night here in Athlone. Let's pause here and appreciate a fabulous photo there taken by wifey.
A beautiful Irish June
So I was saying just last month that April may be the best month to visit Ireland - the weather is warm, the people are out and most of the other tourists are reciting a rhyme that assures them May…
Thriller - Irish Style
The lads from Killinaskully are at it again.
Manual Railroad crossing
I didn't think these things still existed until the other day we were driving in the country and came upon it: a little house adjacent to the railroad tracks.
The Muppets go Irish
Nothing rocks harder than classic muppet show.
Dublin bicycle couriers
The awesome thing about this one is that the first guy does his segment entirely in Irish . . .
Face in a pint Friday
Ah, pint head art. It’s a fleeting, beautiful thing. I’ve decided this field of artistic work has been too long neglected and am publishing a series of pint head art here on irelandlogue.
Irish Pollen
Okay, I spoke too soon. I have the great misfortune of being highly allergic to plant semen.
Back in the Emerald Isle
After two weeks abroad in the San Francisco bay area, it was good to get back home to the old sod.
You can never go home
So I've been abroad for the past couple weeks. For the first time in three years I boarded a plane and flew back to the bay area.
Killinaskully - The Usual Suspects
Irish comedian Pat Short has a new show called Killinaskully. It's very, very funny. Here's an example:
Giggles heard from California
Recently my little sister visited. We were strolling through the supermarket when she started giggling and fumbled frantically for her camera.
Streetwise
Ever been in prison? No? Well, neither had Neville Thompson until 2000 when he began teaching in them as part of an outreach program.
Irish tribute to Eminem
Not for the children, this one:
The 3am munchies
When you look at the image there to your left, do you think "battered sausage!" No? Curry chips, perhaps? Chicken balls? Nah, me neither.
Modern Ireland
"Dya wanna bag of oats with that?"
Boyne Fisherman's rescue
Occasionally it's good to recognise those who volunteer their time to help others. The Boyne Fisherman's Rescue unit is one of those organisations.
Bilingual Irish society
A close relative of mine who shall remain unnamed to prevent any embarassment once expressed an interest in visiting us here in Ireland. "So, what's the lingua franca in Ireland?" she asked.
Brendan Hickey's On The Verge
Brendan Hickey can be found every Wednesday night in Dublin's Sin E (pronounced "shin - A ") hosting his evening of original music.
The Irish "Cops" - Crimebusters
"You can't be doin' that, lads!"
The Bodhran Makers
In my last Irish book review , I commented that I was going to give the Irish novel a go - that I would attempt to familiarise myself with the workingman's novel in Ireland.
27 killed in Mayo hurling match
In the world of the strange and bizarre: I've just been clued in to an article the illustrious Liam Horan wrote for the Irish Times back in March.
The Family Guy - Irish style
I suppose they've done all the other stereotypes, time for the Family Guy folks to drag out the auld the-Irish-drink-a-lot stereotype. Sure, why not? (this one is for big beansie):
Irish Eurovision entry
You know, I metioned a while back that despite the occasional bit of comedic tragedy I wondered whether anyone really cares about Eurovision?
Blogus Interuptus
You know you've been blogging pretty regularly when close friends notice you've stopped for a few days and ring to see is everything all right.
Get thee to a butcher!
So there you are in your self-catering Irish accommodation and you think, "Hey, I'll pop down to the supermarket and get everything I need for breakfast!" May I suggest doing otherwise?
Garda Boat
So I was strolling along the Shannon the other day when I came across the high-powered, official watercraft you see there to your left.
Scary weather
So everyone's been saying what gorgeous Irish weather we've been having. Today I was sitting at lunch and an elderly lady came past us, "It's the best April we've ever seen, so they're saying," she…
Beheamoth Shopfront
I bet you've been wondering about the beheamoth, haven't you? It has been a while since my last post on the topic . I swear this one is bordering on sponsorship, but I just had to post it.
April Showers bring May flowering climate change
I have to say that April 2007 is turning out to be an absolutely gorgeous, sun-filled month of loveliness.
A cry for help
Maria walks 20 miles every day just to get water for her family. She is one of tens of thousands who live in a village in her area and cope daily with the basic lack of safe, drinkable water.
San Francisco to Dublin direct!
So it might just be that I'm like, hella from the bay area and all. The thing is, as awesome as the bay is, it just doesn't seem to register on the international radar as strongly as the southern…
Irish Television Inspector
Some time ago, a television license inspector came to our door. I've expressed my opinion about television licensing in the past.
Blogging for the dark side
As anyone who has visited Irishblogs.ie can tell you, the number of Irish bloggers has increased astronomically over the last two years.
Lovely day, lovely day, luhhvvlee dayy
I was just saying a week or so ago that April may be the best month to visit Ireland. Just look at that above there, folks.
Adams and Paisley release new single
Too funny:
Fishing Tackle and Tea
It was Easter morning and wifey, the munchkin and I were taking the scenic route back home along the strand when we noticed chairs and a table right at the water's edge.
Arson around
Not to put a dark cloud over things, but there was a suspicious black plume rising over the town on Monday. Curiosity burning, we approached the scene where a bunch of folks were rubbernecking.
Beheamoth goes on the block
Well, the beheamoth is back. I opened a local paper this week and saw computerised images of what the complex is meant to look like (one is there to your left).
Good Friday
Folks, I am sitting here in my sandles and shorts enjoying the sunshine. It is absolutely gorgeous; warm and the sun is shining brightly, as it has done for the last few days.
Queering the Pitch
Given that this arrived the week before April Fool's day, when one of the sport guys came in chortling and tossed the object you see on your left there over to me I really, honest and truly, thought…
The breathalising moment of truth
Well, it was a rough morning. The munchkin, having no knowledge of her parental units' hyjinks the night before , called for her breakfast a leeeetle before 8am.
Research expedition
Well campers, in the name of my science I found myself in the pursuit of inebriation.
Irish tourist ban
I wouldn't have believed it, folks. Apparently, the Irish government has decided that the economy here is not only no longer dependent on tourism, but that based on the strength of the celtic tiger…
The breathalising device
Well, I said all in the name of science, but doesn't that thing look like someone's high school science experiment? Well, that or someone's stash.
Good knight, Bono
We mentioned back in December that Bono was to recieve a British knighthood . Well, Thursday our man Bono received a little box and official Status of Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent…
Alchohol tester?
We all remember when I was breathalised , don't we? The poster there to your left is capitalising on the fact that Irish garda are breathalising morning commuters and people are afraid that if they…
Extreme Cycling at the Cliffs of Moher
This definitely belongs on the adventure travel logue . Illegal though it may have been, extreme cyclists Hans Rey and Steve Peat snuck into the Cliffs of Moher site in the wee hours of the morning,…
One in 20 will get sick at Irish hospitals
Given our recent brush with illness, I was shocked to read that, statistically, one in 20 will get sick in Irish hospitals .
Beheamoth Rising
Well, it's been a while since I blogged about the beheamoth . I glanced out the window the other day and realised that the rising structure is now threatening to literally eclipse the end of the…
Motorway takes its toll
I had the misfortune of mechanical issues with my vehicular transport this past week. Specifically, one of my wheels virtually came unmounted from the rear axle of my car.
Ireland versus Wales
It was an epic match in one sense. Croke Park, the GAA's hallowed ground of Irish sport opened her doors to soccer for the first time in her history.
How to write a song
So I received an email a while ago in my role as organiser for www.songwriter.ie from an enthusiastic member of Ireland's teaching community.
Cheltenham Racing
So there I was, innocently minding my own beeswax at work when the deputy editor stuck his head in and asked if we wanted to go watch "the race." I must proclaim my ignorance at this point.