Ireland Archives - Travelgirl

New Sites to Visit on Ireland’s Atlantic Way

travelgirlinc — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 17:40:50 +0000

Ireland’s rugged Atlantic Way, which stretches from the headlands of County Donegal to the foodie town of Kinsale in County Cork, offers an endless array of experiences. Recently new places to go, see and experiences have been added for tourists to enjoy.
   In County Donegal, which is the perfect place to start a Wild Atlantic Way trip, 10 new viewing points have been added to a looped drive which circles the scenic Mulroy Bay. Offering a journey into remarkable unspoiled beauty, the drive connects Fanad Head Lighthouse, stunning Ballymastocker Bay and the Rosguill Peninsula, a classic example of the rocky Donegal coastline.
   Neighboring County Sligo is home to the Yeats Society, an appreciation society that celebrates the life and work of legendary Irish poet W.B. Yeats and his talented family, along with hosting the world’s longest-running annual literary summer school.
   The society just launched a free mobile app, ‘Yeats Unwrapped’, which can be used to follow in the footsteps of W.B. Yeats through a series of experiential nature trails. It also links the many beautiful locations throughout Sligo which the poet famously described as “the land of the heart’s desire”. The Discover Drumcliffe app offers an audio tour of Drumcliffe Churchyard in County Sligo where Yeats is buried.
   An authentic new Wild Atlantic Way experience also awaits at Blacksod Lighthouse in County Mayo. Built in 1864, the lighthouse played an important role at the end of World War II, when its keepers’ weather observations in June 1944 resulted in the D-Day Landings in Normandy being postponed.
   Another addition to the delights of Mayo is Ballinglen Museum of Art in Ballycastle, the first museum devoted to contemporary art in the west of Ireland. The state-of-the-art, two-story gallery showcases artwork from the Ballinglen Permanent Collection, a record of 30 years of visits by Irish and international artists that reflect the beauty, heritage, community and soul of this part of north Mayo.
   The owners of the highly regarded Inis Meálin Restaurant and Suites on Inishmaan, one of the trio of Aran Islands off the coast of County Galway, are introducing new farm stays on the island.
tourismireland.com

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New must-see attractions when visiting Ireland

travelgirlinc — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 21:33:29 +0000

We certainly don’t need a reason to visit Ireland. It’s enchanting, friendly and offers new delights around every corner. Speaking of new delights, here are several new attractions to see.
We all know that Games of Thrones was shot in Ireland and the first official Game of Thrones Studio Tour just opened in Northern Ireland. This stunning new attraction is located at the acclaimed series’ original filming location of Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, County Down.
   The interactive experience allows fans to explore a vast array of original sets, costumes, props and set pieces, with the aim of bringing visitors closer to the Seven Kingdoms than ever before.
   Make sure to go to Ireland’s Ancient East Maze opened at Skypark, an exciting adventure park in Carlingford, County Louth. As well as having to find your way out of the maze, it will also take you on a whirlwind tour of some of the main attractions situated in Ireland’s Ancient East, including Glendalough, Blarney Castle and Brú na Bóinne.
   Suitable for all ages and abilities, the wooden maze is built from sustainable wood. Watch out, the escape route can be altered via movable gates so there are lots of different solutions.
   Meanwhile in the south of the island, Youghal in County Cork is now the home of Ireland’s longest seafront boardwalk. Opened last year, the boardwalk is wheelchair-friendly and provides a scenic link between Youghal town centre, a popular holiday destination for centuries, and Redbarn Beach, a breath-taking wide-open strand.
   Those who look to the heavens for inspiration will not want to miss Our Place in Space, a new immersive solar system sculpture trail set to open in Derry-Londonderry in April. The immersive sculpture trail will feature various sculptures, including scale models of the sun and each of the planets in our solar system. It will take you on a journey through the solar system without leaving the ground.
www.ireland.com

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Love is in the air at these Irish romantic getaways

travelgirlinc — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:09:07 +0000

St. Patrick’s Day may be the national holiday in Ireland, but Valentine’s Day is always a favorite, one as well. There are now six new and refurbished places to make sure that love will be in the air.

While planning a Valentine’s Day trip to Ireland, consider these six places to stay.

The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat is a 15 minute ride from Belfast in the charming village of Templepatrick. Enjoy a date night for two, relax at the Relaxation Burrow spa facilities, and delight in the rose petal turndown.
Causeway Country Pods are near the Old Bushmills Distillery and feature floor-to- ceiling windows. Relax in the outdoor hot tub, warm yourself by the fire pit and look up at the night sky while walking through the countryside.
Arthur Street Cottage No. 3 is a recently renovated 200-year-old listed cottage in the heart of the Georgian village of Hillsborough in County Down. The cosy one-bedroom self-catering cottage is packed with everything you need for a romantic stay. You also will be round the corner from Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen in Northern Ireland. A guided tour through the palace and gardens will make you feel like royalty.
Avoca hotel is a family-run hotel overlooking Dundrum Bay in Newcastle, which is near the Irish Sea. This cozy hotel is within walking distance of bars and restaurants for a romantic night out.
Strand Hotel is a five-star self-catering pile overlooking the golden Portstewart Strand, a prized position on the dramatic Causeway Coast. There are uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean from every window and many romantic sites, myths and legends to explore both around the town and on the stunning Causeway Coastline.
Kilbroney River Cottage will rekindle the romance.The four-star self-catering cottage dates make more than 150 years and was lovingly and sympathetically restored.

www.ireland.com #greenbutton

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Irish Open Tournament heads to County Kilkenny

travelgirlinc — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 20:34:12 +0000

For the second straight year the Irish Open will take place at Mount Juliet In County Kilkenny. Local favorites Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell all played in the 2021 competition, which was won by Australian Lucas Herbert.
   The tournament will take place on the Jack Nicklaus-designed signature parkland course, set across 180 acres of rolling Irish countryside, completed by a stunning five-star Georgian manor house. Magnificent specimen trees, miles of rushing river and verdant pastures all play their part, bringing sensational natural beauty to a course that is ranked among the world’s finest parkland courses.
   The venue was also recently voted Ireland’s Best Parkland Golf Course by the Golfer’s Guide to Ireland.
   Those who want to witness the best golfers in the world compete in Ireland’s largest golfing tournament can register their interest with the European Tour for news and ticket updates.
   With its megalithic tombs and medieval castles, Ireland’s Ancient East is most famous for its history and culture, however, discerning golfers also know it as a golfing paradise.
   Mount Juliet is situated in Thomastown, between Kilkenny and Waterford, both treasure troves of Irish history, while in the northern part of the region, the highly regarded links of County Louth Golf Club, known as ‘Baltray’, is a short drive from the megalithic sites at Newgrange and Knowth.
   Further links gems in the region include Rosslare in County Wexford, while the mature parkland courses at Powerscourt and Druids Glen Golf Resort in County Wicklow are also not to be missed.
www.ireland.com #greenbutton

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Ireland to Offer 4 Best-in-Class New Experiences

Mary Welch — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 15:38:10 +0000

Visitors to Ireland will be thrilled with four new best-in-class experiences planned for counties Cavan, Donegal, Dublin and Mayo. Located in the country’s Hidden Heartlands, the Shannon Pot Discovery Centre will showcase the waterway’s rich heritage, culture and influence on Irish life from the earliest settlers to the modern day and allow visitors to begin a journey of the mighty Shannon at its source. Cavan Burren Park, located under the shadow of Cuilcagh Mountain, is widely recognized as one of the finest prehistoric relict landscapes in Ireland. Among the enhancement plans is the installation of an elevated forest viewing walkway.
   Fort Dunree and Head in County Donegal will feature Ireland’s first funicular cable railway. The one-of-a-kind attraction will offer travelers a thrilling ascent to the high fort amid incredible 360-degree vistas of the Wild Atlantic Way. A dramatic glass walkway at the site will jut over the waters of Lough Swilly, providing spectacular views of the natural environment.
   ‘This Is Ireland’ in Dublin will be an immersive experience consisting of multiple shows, with its principal feature being a simulated flight experience based on similar attractions in Amsterdam and Vancouver. The ‘edutainment’ attraction will feature a breathtaking and engaging experience of Irish history, the Ireland of today, and the ultimate finale – a flight using state-of-the-art flight simulation and audio-visual technology.
   The new attraction at the 300-acre Westport House and Gardens Estate in County Mayo, will allow visitors to explore ancient Irish rituals and Ireland’s connections to the land as told through a series of accessible wild and natural spaces.
   The Westport House and Gardens will also be restored. Visitors will be able to enjoy the enhanced experience of the grand house with its formal gardens while learning about the trail-blazing pirate queen and chieftain Grace O’Malley and the Browne family who have lived there for centuries.
   These experiences are the most significant investment in tourist attractions ever undertaken by the Irish government and cost more than $86 million (€ 73 million).

www.ireland.com #loveireland @tourismireland

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Halloween history traditions in Ireland

travelgirlinc — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:06:57 +0000

Even though many of us may not be celebrating Halloween in the usual way, we should take a minute and be thankful for all the candy, outlandish costumes and overall fun we’ve had on Halloween — both as a child and an adult. And, while we are feeling a sense of gratitude for the holiday, we should tip our hat across the pond to Ireland, where many of our Halloween traditions began.
Halloween’s origins can be traced back more than 3,000 years to Ireland’s Ancient East and the Celtic festival of Samhain, a celebration featuring fire and feasting to mark the end of the season of light and starting the dark days of winter.
The Celts believed there was contact between the living and the dead, and in order not to be pulled into the world of the dead prematurely, they would disguise themselves in customers to confuse and scare off any ghosts, fairies and demons.
The morphing of Samhain into Halloween started in the 7th century when Christianity declared All Saints’ Day or All-Hallows for November 1, making the night before “All-Hallows Eve.

Celtic Festival
Photo courtesy of Tourism Ireland Media

   Another Irish Halloween tradition is lighting bonfires on hilltops where clans and communities would gather to light the huge ceremonial Samhain fires. One of the biggest festivals was at the Hill of Tlachtga or the Hill of Ward in County Meath. Excavations suggest the hill was used for celebrations more than 2,700 years ago. Tlachtga was a powerful druidress in Irish mythology.
   The Hill of Ward and nearby Hill of Tara, where the High Kings of Ireland ruled, remain two of the biggest centers of Irish Halloween traditions. The Púca Festival, a modern-day version of the Samhain celebration is held in County Meath and County Louth every year.
   Another 18th century Irish tradition that was brought to the United States was carving vegetables. In Ireland, they carved turnips and large potatoes, and the jack-o-latern’s name came from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack who played a trick on the Devil. As a punishment, the devil doom Jack to wander eternity with only a burning ember from the fires of hell inside a turnip to light his way. It was believed that putting a lighted vegetable in the window helped keep the roaming spirits away.
www.ireland.com

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