Your Irish Roots: The O’ Mahony Family

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu
omahony_ireland

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 →

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Ireland’s Shane Lowry wins Portugual Golf Masters

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

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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Ireland take on the mighty Germany in qualifying match for Rio in the Aviva

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

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 →

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Brazilian Landmark to wear Green on St Patrick’s Day 2013

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

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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Dublin Marathon 2012

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

Calling all runners! The Dublin Marathon 2012 will take place on Monday the 29th October. There will be three different start times: 9am, 9.10am and 9.20am. The entry cost for those who live outside of the EU is €90. Walkers are also welcome as the route is open for 7 hours.  Continue reading →

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Corona Cork Film Festival this November

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

The Corona Cork Film Festival was first established in 1956 and is one of Ireland’s premier cultural events. Year-on-year the festival has seen continued growth and success, attracting more and more interest from locals and visitors.

This festival is well thought of locally, nationally and internationally, and has a growing audience following of culture and film enthusiasts, which includes many well known and budding filmmakers.
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To Roam or to Pre-Pay in Ireland? That is the question!

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

Many of you have been wondering whether to switch on roaming or buy a pre-pay cell phone during Ireland vacations. We have decided to investigate and here is what we have found:

The Facts

Using our telephone and cell phone, internet or other telecommunications services is very easy. The Irish network is 100% digital, quite high tech and provides services similar to those found in any other part of Western Europe or North America.

We have many network providers here in Ireland but our largest are Vodafone, O2, Meteor and 3 Ireland and all apply to European standard GSM (2G) and UMTS (3G) standards. However whilst service is excellent when using cell phones or mobile devices be aware that roaming charges and the cost of making and receiving phones back home to the US on your Irish vacation can be costly. Continue reading →

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Cork Ladies win GAA Football Final

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

For the last time this year, Croke Park was awash with noise, colour and energy as fans from Armagh, Waterford, Antrim, Louth, Cork and Kerry filled the grounds for what would be the last games in the All-Ireland Finals.
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Cork Folk Festival – 3rd to 7th October

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

As we mentioned in a previous post about Traditional Irish Music,  the Cork Folk Festival is taking place this weekend (the 3rd to 7th of October). After 32 years the festival is still going strong with a host of incredible acts on the line up.

Festival goers will have Paul Brady, who last played the festival in 1985, to look forward to but the festival also features the ever impressive Kilfenora Céilí Band, accordionist Máirtín Ó ‘Connor, Liz Carroll – a fiddler from the USA, Declan O Rourke, Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick from the UK, Kan from the UK, The Guidewires, Session Americana, Pete Quinn & The London Lasses who hail from Ireland and the UK, The Outside Track who are travelling all the way from Canada, The Raw Bar Collective, and French act, Serge Desaunay. Continue reading →

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Guinness Cork Jazz Festival October

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

Taking place on the October bank holiday weekend, 26th – 29th October 2012, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festivals is one of Ireland’s major arts and culture events.

Attracting visitors from all over the world, many of whom stay for a longer Ireland Vacation to take in the sights and surrounding beautiful countryside of Cork, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is one of the best Jazz festivals in Europe.
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