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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For something a bit different why not head to Galway this upcoming bank holiday weekend for a fun filled six days of great comedy with the Bulmers Galway Comedy Festival. Throughout the 6 days and 50 comedy shows running from Wednesday October 24th to October 29th Bank Holiday Monday expect to see such headlining acts of the calibre of Tommy Tiernan, Des Bishop, Pat Shortt, Ardal O’Hanlon of Fr Ted fame, Jason Byrne, Andrew Maxwell, and the Rubberbandits. Other guests to take note will well known international acts Rich Hall and Reginald D. Hunger of the US and Britains Phil Jupitus who will bring their international talent to the festival alongside many lesser known local acts including Danny Dowling and John Donnellan. Whilst long-term Galway resident Tommy Tiernan is planning an extra special comedy showing this year playing in six shows at six different venues on what’s described as a Six and The City tour. Continue reading
This forthcoming bank holiday weekend there is so much to do up and down the country that wherever you may be on your Ireland vacation you are sure to find some festival or Halloween themed entertainment to enjoy.
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As promised the Cork edition of Monopoly hit the shelves this morning at 9am. There were no disappointments as many of the well known local landmarks feature on the board.
So who made the board? Shandon steeple and Blarney Castle make up the most expensive slots on the board followed by Fota House Arboretum and Gardens. Other landmarks include the City Hall, English Market, Opera house, UCC, Cork City Goal, Cork Racecourse, Kinsale Golf Club, Cork Racecourse, Opera Lane, Merchant’s Quay and last but not least, Patrick’s Street. Munster Rugby, the famous newspaper the Irish Examiner and Cork’s number one radio station Red FM are also mentioned on the board. Continue reading
Finally it’s here! The Cork edition of Monopoly arrived under lock and key at Cork Airport on Tuesday 16th October ahead of its official launch this Friday 19th October.
It’s thought that the newest edition of the popular family game that arrived from a regional flight from the UK into Cork Airport will be venturing around the world in time for Christmas and will be played at dining tables all over the world as family reunite over the Christmas period.
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Credit to Eddie from Araltas
O’Mahony is a well known family name in Ireland. One of the first records of the family come from Co. Cork where in ancient times, the family held a seat.The majority of Ireland‘s O’ Mahony births are still registered in Co. Cork to this day.
The O’ Mahony chieftains were powerful, often described as princes and for a period were kings of Munster and Desmond. The name derives from Mathgamain, son of Cian who was the son of Máel Muad mac Brain. From approximately 960 to 978, Máel Muad mac Brain was the King of Munster on and off. Continue reading
Ireland’s very own golfer Shane Lowry arrived into Dublin Airport to be welcomed by well wishers and fans in the wake of his fantastic win at the Portugal Masters by one stroke on Sunday that sealed his professional status and saw him jump 54 places in the world rankings to number 74.
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Whilst we are guaranteed Rio is set to go green for next years St Patricks Day, on the international soccer front it remains to be seen whether it will be awash with green in two years time for the World Cup as Irelands world cup ambitions had a setback this weekend. Last Friday night at 7:45pm all eyes were on Dublins Aviva stadium as the boys in green took on Germany in their second world cup qualifier match on the road to Rio 2014. Having opened up their world cup qualifier campaign with a win away to Kazakhstan they faced stiff competition in one of soccers superpowers Germany who were on a 12 match unbeaten streak in qualifying matches dating back to October 2007. Continue reading
The famous Christ Redeemer state in Rio De Janerio, Brazil will be wearing Green on St Patrick’s Day 2013 joining other world renowned landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and the Empire State Building in New York, USA.
The announcement of the Christ Redeemer’s impending choice of colour was made by Rio’s archbishop, during the visit to the world famous landmark by our President Michael D Higgins who is currently on an official visit to three countries within South America.
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