From 13th – 18th November, over 140 authors will take part in this year’s Dublin Book Festival, which will happen in and around Smock Alley Theatre, Temple Bar.
A celebration of Irish writing and publishing, the crammed programme of events includes readings, interviews, political debates, current affairs discussions, poetry, book-binding, children’s entertainment and much much more.
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From November 9th to November 11th 2012, the annual Sneem International Storytelling and Folklore Festival will take place yet again. As usual you will find the best traditional storytellers, singers and musicians from Ireland and beyond. The festival is fronted by Kerry’s own seanchaí Batt Burns who provides the perfect methods of capturing of old Irish traditions, tales and folklore. Continue reading
Credit to Eddie from Araltas
As promised we research another family name. The roots of the Lyons family are said to have been taken from the County Galway name of Ó Laighin which means ‘grey’.
It could also be a variant of the Irish Ó Liatháin name from County Cork.
Click here to learn about the Lyons familys involvement in the Crannford Mills restoration project.
Deasy’s Harbour Bar and Seafood Restaurant in Clonakilty has received the much sought after accolade and entry into the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide 2013, which recognises pubs in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for their food, character and setting.
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Bon Jovi announced his forthcoming gig at Slane Castle in style yesterday as he flew over the surrounding area and the castle in a helicopter!
The singer and his band will headline a concert at Slane Castle in County Meath on 15th June 2013, and as he posed with Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mountcharles yesterday, Bon Jovi remarked how he felt that there was something about Ireland that is more special to him than anywhere else.
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Halloween is arguably most celebrated in the United States every year but did you know Halloween is said to come from an Irish tradition?
Although, the origin of the word ‘Halloween’ is Christian, it is said to have pagan roots and linked to the Celtic festival known as ‘Samhain’ which was normally held around October 31st. The festival is based on the old Irish for “summer’s end” and marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. This is where the preparations for the harsh winter ahead began as cattle were brought back down from the unsheltered fields and livestock were slaughtered for some well needed Winter supplies. Continue reading
Last night, coinciding with the opening day of the Savour Kilkenny Festival of Food, which runs over the bank holiday weekend finishing on Monday 29th October, a Kilkenny Food Trail Guide was launched, which is aimed at bringing lovers of food on a journey around Kilkenny’s artisan producers and food outlets.
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It has been revealed that Ireland’s gender gap is now one of the lowest in the world! In fact Ireland is now in the top 5 countries to be a woman terms of education, health and politics according to the Gender Gap Index 2012. Ireland ranks in behind Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Education levels in particular amongst Irish women were also particularly high. Irish women are more likely to go on to secondary and third level education than anywhere else in the world. Continue reading
As mentioned earlier in the week, one of the many festivals happening over this forthcoming bank holiday weekend is the annual Virginia Pumpkin Festival in County Cavan.
With over 20,000 expected in Virginia, the festival promises a pack programme of events including; a boxing exhibition with Olympic Medal Boxer John Joe Nevin, Street entertainment, monster festival parade and fireworks, artisan food fair, haunted forest walk, fancy dress ball, monster bingo, children’s party and music from the Hothouse Flowers, who play the Pumpkin Dome on Saturday night.
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