Shindig Festival in Kerry 20-22nd April at Carlton Hotel

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

Ireland vacations are not complete without some Irish dancing! For fans of traditional Irish dancing and live Irish music, Tralee is the place to be this weekend. This upcoming weekend sees the shindig festival, a weekend of traditional music and set dancing takes place in the Charlton hotel in Tralee (scene of the Rose of Tralee).

Run on the 20-22nd April, the ‘Shindig’ is a fun packed weekend of great Irish music, singing, set dancing, Sean-Nos dancing, storytelling and the occasional pint of Guinness.
Throughout the weekend there are workshops on all aspects and styles of traditional Irish dancing, with classes to suit everyone from complete beginners to more experienced dancers wishing to improve their footwork and specialise in certain dances. Continue reading →

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West Cork for Walkers

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

There is no escaping the fact that walking vacations are becoming increasingly popular, with some 366,000 international visitors taking walking holidays each year.

Not surprisingly due to the beautiful scenery and varied landscapes of Ireland, it is a top destination for walking holidays and currently throughout Ireland there are now 43 National Waymarked Trails, which includes 120 looped walks.  21 of these walks are in County Cork, and in particular one area of the county that is often frequented by walkers on their vacation in Ireland is the wonderful region of West Cork.
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Increase in the number of Irish people holidaying in Ireland

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

ireland vacations and honeymoonRecently it has been reported that the number of Irish people spending their vacations in Ireland has increased. This comes as no surprise to most as the state of the economy in recent years has forced people to re-consider their extravagant holidays abroad as well as the amount of holidays per year.

On average most people took more than two vacations per year abroad during the Celtic Tiger years. However, those days are long gone now as more and more people are forced to holiday in their home country. Continue reading →

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5,000 gather in Cobh to remember the 123 passengers who boarded Titanic

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

Ireland Vacations Cobh“Of the 123 Irish passengers who boarded the Titanic only 44 of them survived.”

Yesterday, 5,000 people gathered in Cobh as the relatives of the poor Irish passengers who perished when the Titanic sank for a commemoration service. The services was led by Irish President  Michael D. Higgins and took place at the exact spot where the 123 passengers left in a small boat to board Titanic.

In his speech Mr. Higgins said: “We remember with respect all those who died on the Titanic and the thousands more whose lives were devastated by the loss of their loved ones in the Atlantic. We reflect on what it teaches us about the inherent fragility of human life in the face of nature”

One of the relatives in the crowd was Mary Woods, whose uncle Jeremiah Burke (19) boarded the Titanic. Mr. Burke from Glanmire, Co Cork was travelling as a third-class passenger along with his cousin Nora Hegarty (18) from Whitechurch, Co Cork. Both cousins tragically died on the ship. Continue reading →

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Cork Monopoly! Cork is first Irish county to be monopolised!

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

Following a nationwide poll, Cork came out tops and is set to be the first Irish county to get its very own version of the legendary game Monopoly.

The popular family board game made by Winning Moves under the game license from Hasbro will custom-make a Cork version of the game to include some of the much loved landmark and tourist attractions from around the county and often frequented by locals and the many visitors attracted to Cork on their vacation in Ireland.
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100 Years Ago….

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

100 Years ago, on her ill fated maiden voyage, Titanic left Cobh, her last port of call, on this very day – the 11th April. 100 years on and the MS Balmoral cruise liner, which is retracing the voyage of Titanic, and left the Port of Cobh on Monday evening, has also been surrounded with drama.

Upon leaving Cobh and some 135 miles off the Coast of Valentia, Co Kerry, the cruise liner declared a medical emergency, when one of the on board passengers became unwell with a non threatening heart condition. The cruise liner made contact with the Irish Coast Guard, immediately about-turned and sailed to within 113 miles of the Irish coast to meet the rescue helicopter, which was sent from Shannon. The passenger was then air lifted to hospital in Tralee and the cruise liner resumed its journey.
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Figures show that 700,000 people are now living in poverty

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

ireland vacationsNew figures announced today by Social Justice Ireland shows that one sixth of the Irish population are living in poverty. The shocking statistics claim that one third of the figure applies to women and children. In addition to this, an employed person doesn’t necessarily live poverty free in Ireland.

The study explained that the poorest 10% of households have an average disposable income of just €210 a week.  Compared this to the average of €2,276 a week for the richest 10% of households and it is easy to see why the figures are so one sided. Continue reading →

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TV Industry thrives in Ireland

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

Ireland vacations in DublinAs most sectors of the economy are dwindling, the TV industry here in Ireland is continuing to thrive. The increase in the size of the industry is coming not from domestic productions but from overseas ones and the big driver is the ‘drama’ genre of television. It is not simply because we have ideal locations or a peaceful country with little to no media/paparazzi attention, but due to our tax breaks which are attractive to producers and film crews from the UK and America in particular.

In 2010, the spending on the drama genre of television alone (in Ireland) was €241 million. This is more than twice that of film. ‘Camelot’ and ‘The Tudors’ have been two globally notable successes. In 2007, total expenditure on the Irish film and television industry was €182 million. By 2010 it was €358 million. The 2011 figures are still not published but are said to be in excess of the 2010 figure. Interestingly, television dramas can recover up to 22 per cent of the costs of their spend in Ireland. It is not hard to see why Ireland has become so popular. Continue reading →

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A Titanic Easter Weekend!!!

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

It is a fantastic time to be on your vacation in Ireland this Easter Weekend, as we embark upon our Titanic centurial celebrations!

In the South, in Cobh, County Cork – made famous as Titanic’s last port of call to the North, in Belfast, County Antrim – where Titanic was built, the country is commemorating her devastating maiden voyage.
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Easter Celebrations in Ireland

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Seamus O'Murchu

An important date on the Calendar – Easter is far more important the Christmas from a religious standpoint and has been celebrated in Ireland for centuries. Not unlike Christmas, Easter has also collected a great many traditions, some religious, some originating from folk customs.

This weekend and all next week, families all over the world will be celebrating Easter’s old and new traditions, as well as attending Easter celebrations and events, and in Ireland this will be no different.
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