Baltimore Walking Weekend – September 29th and 30th

Ireland is arguably one of the best places in the world for walking trails due to the wonderful scenery to be found up and down the country. The Baltimore Walking Weekend is coming up on the 29th and 30th of September and will be held in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation to celebrate World Heart Day. The twist in this is that the walk will be led by historians who will guide and inform you of Baltimore’s long and varied history. Continue reading

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An Irish Gathering 2013 Reminder

The Irish Gathering 2013 will be a fantastic yearlong celebration of all things Irish, an opportunity for Ireland to open its arms to its thousands of friends and family from all over the world and invite them home to the Emerald Isle to the many gatherings happening in villages, towns and cities.
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The Traditional Music Scene in Ireland

Traditional music in IrelandBodhráns, Fiddles, Uileann Pipes, Tin Whistles and the Accordion are just some of the most popular instruments used in traditional Irish music. The soothing sounds of these instruments are what help to make the genre so popular with young and old. It is not surprising that the unique sound continues to soar in popularity even in today’s modern society.

The enchanting atmosphere that comes with traditional Irish music has long made it a favourite with locals and tourists alike. The setting of the traditional Irish pub has long been associated with the sights and sounds of a traditional band playing the well known and best loved Irish folk favourites to a well receiving crowd. With a vibrant mix of culture and song entwined in both traditional music and dance, an Irish musical experience is not to be missed while visiting our emerald isle. Continue reading

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Waterford Breaks World Biggest Bowl of Porridge Record

The Waterford Harvest Festival took place 10th – 16th September 2012 to celebrate the food heritage and culture in Waterford. A festival for food lovers everywhere, it was a modern twist on the traditional harvest celebrations and feasting period, with family events, cookery demonstrations, food tours, tastings, taste workshops, restaurants trails, markets, barbeques, street entertainment, live music and the world record attempt to make the biggest bowl of porridge!
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7.9% Increase in Tourists to Ireland

Ireland truly is the only place to be! The number of tourists visiting Ireland grew by 7.9% last year. The figures also revealed that fewer Irish people traveled abroad to holiday choosing to stay and vacation in Ireland.  In 2011, a grand total of just over 6.6 million visits to Ireland by overseas residents were recorded. This an increase of 500,000 on the previous year. Continue reading

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Festival honours Hollywood silent movie director from Ireland

Irish born film director William Desmond Taylor, will be remembered and celebrating during a festival in Carlow on the 21st – 23rd September, coinciding with the 140th anniversary of his birth.
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We Remember 9/11

Yesterday marked the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took place in America.  Almost 3,000 lost their lives that day. Many paused for a moment of silence at the time of the attacks yesterday with various memorial services taking place. Two passenger jets hit the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Another hit the Pentagon outside Washington and a fourth crash occurred in a field in Pennsylvania.

In a moving speech, American President Barack Obama reminded the world that the victims of September 11 will be remembered “no matter how many years pass” during one of the ceremonies marking the anniversary. Continue reading

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International Oyster and Seafood Festival in Galway

At the end of this month, between Friday 28th and Sunday 30th September, Galway celebrates its International Oyster and Seafood Festival.

An annual event, this is possibly one of the most international recognised food festivals in Ireland and the world’s longest running oyster festival.
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Ireland’s soccer team beats Kazakhstan in first World Cup Qualifying Match

In what has been described as a ‘fortunate win’ by many, the Irish Soccer Team beat Kazakhstan in Astana last Friday night (7th of September 2012). However, one could argue that every nation is desperate to qualify for the 2014 World Cup tournament and as such, there is no such thing as an ‘easy’ win.

Kazakhstan led by Beranek were the leaders for the first 52 minutes of the game. The first goal came on the 37th minute with Nurdauletov of Kazakhstan scoring the first girl. The second half brought with it many changes from the Irish team. Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle were Ireland’s goal scorers. Keane hit the target on the 89th minute before Doyle secured the win on the 90th minute giving Ireland a second goal. Continue reading

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Tralee honour late great astronaut Armstrong

In a rare public appearance in 1997, Neil Alden Armstrong, most famously known as the American astronaut who was the first person to walk on the Moon, spent four days in Kerry on a visit to open an exhibition on space exploration at the town’s county museum.
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