Heineken Cup will be coming to Ireland

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

This Saturday is the Heineken Cup final, which takes place this year in Twickenham Stadium in London and will see two Irish Rugby Team’s battle it out for the honour to be Heineken Cup Final Winners.

Kick off is at 5pm and all eyes from the world of rugby will be on Ireland’s teams: Leinster and Ulster. The final is a match that all players want to compete in, including Ireland and Leinster Centre Brian O’Driscoll who is adamant following recent injury he will take the field this Saturday.
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Ireland to host Euro 2020?

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

It has been said that Scotland and Wales are considering putting in a bid to host Euro 2020. If it passes, this bid will involve the Republic of Ireland as well.

At this point only Turkey has come forward to confirm they are bidding. UEFA’s official deadline is midnight at the end of Tuesday. UEFA president Michel Platini has stated that he would support Turkey’s bid but only if Istanbul failed in its bid to host the Olympics in the same year which is understandable. Continue reading →

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Live at the 02 Dublin: Barry Manilow

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

On May 23rd 2012, Barry Manilow will play live at the 02, Dublin. This will be the first time Manilow has played in Ireland since 1996. Manilow who is well respected amongst critics and fans alike, has sold more than 80 million records and has more than a staggering 40 Top 40 Hits to his name as well as many awards and career defining accolades.

Arguably some of his greats hits include “Mandy,” “It’s A Miracle,” “Could It Be Magic,” “I Write the Songs,” “Tryin’ To Get the Feeling Again,” “This One’s For You,” “Weekend In New England,” “Looks Like We Made It,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” “Even Now,” and the Grammy Award-winning “Copacabana (At the Copa).” Continue reading →

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Jessie J hits the Marquee in Cork this July

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

Ireland will welcome Jessie J this summer as she will be performing at the Marquee in Cork for two sold out nights. She added the second date following the high demand for tickets. She will be performing on Sunday, July 1st and Tuesday, July 3rd.

Jessie is currently a judge on the very popular UK show ‘The Voice’.  Sir Tom Jones, Will.i.am and The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue join her on the panel in which they judge the contestants voice solely. Continue reading →

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Ireland Sausages and Puddings are Top of the Table!

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

This week a team of French food experts from Commanderie des Fins Goustiers du Duché d’Alencon based in Normandy are travelling to Ireland to knight 5 people for their services to the sausage and pudding industry.

The group are dedicated to the recognising and promoting the highest meat products in Europe, and will this week recognise Ireland’s very own as top sausage producers in Europe. Those Irish producers to be celebrated include: Diarmuid McGettigan of McGettigan’s of Donegal, craft butcher Des Doyle from Greystones and well known Irish Chef Neven Maguire, of MacNean’s Bistro in Cavan who will be knighted for his support of local produce.
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Republic of Ireland Footballer Recieves Online Death Threats

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

An anonymous Twitter user from Belfast has used the social networking site to issue death threats to Sunderland star James McClean. Understandably, McClean took the decision to delete his twitter account to halt any further abuse. The abuse occurred after it was revealed that McClean was named as part of the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2012. Under the Good Friday Agreement, McClean is entitled to play for the Republic.

The Football Association of Ireland issued a statement which read: “It’s a pity it has come to this, but it is maybe in his best interests in the short term,” a spokesman said. Continue reading →

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Record Breaking Weekend in Belfast!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

Despite the conditions, 20,000 people from all over Ireland and indeed the rest of the world took part in yesterday’s Belfast Marathon.

It certainly was the place to be on Bank Holiday Monday despite the bad weather, as almost 3,800 runners competed in the full marathon, which is a new record for Belfast and thousands more competed in other events like the relay and the walk.
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Connemara Mussel Festival

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

This is the sixth year of the Connemara Mussel Festival on the Renvyle Peninsula and it will take places from the 4th-6th May 2012. Astonginsly, over a ton of mussels were eaten and organisers are set to harvest just over three tonnes of Killary Mussels to ensure they are enough supplies to go around this weekend. Professional chefs will be on hand to demonstrate the cooking of mussels and other local produce.

There will also be lots of music and fun to be enjoyed by all the family at the event.

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Big numbers expected for Great Limerick Run

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

As mentioned previously, there is much happening this May bank holiday weekend, including the Limerick Riverfest, which takes place in Limerick City and includes the Great Limerick International BBQ. The Riverfest has something for everyone with fashion shows, live music, street performances, headline bands in the Big Top and art workshops, and coincides with The Great Limerick Run, which is expected to attract over 8,000 competitors from around the world!
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History of Killarney, Co. Kerry

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

killarney historyKillarney is based in Co. Kerry and is steeped with local folklore and history. Religious settlements in particular have been influential and one of the first recorded pieces of history in the area. The monastery on Innisfallen Island in 640 by St. Finian the Leper. It was said to have been occupied for approximately 850 years.

It is said that the townland of Aghadoe began as a pagan religious site.  ‘Ogham stones’ mark the first seventh century which is clear evidence of Aghadoe being used as a important religious pagan site. If forklore is to believed, St. Finian founded the monastery at Aghadoe in the sixth or perhaps seventh century. In 939 AD the first written record of a monastery dates from the Annals of Innisfallen where the Aghadoe monastery is referred to as the “Old Abbey.” Continue reading →

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