Jessie J hits the Marquee in Cork this July

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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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Olympic battle between Northern Ireland’s top chefs

This week on the popular BBC Show Great British Menu it’s the turn of 3 top chefs from the North of Ireland to do battle for the chance to cook at a glittering Olympic banquet.

This summer, the Olympic Games will be hosted in London and it is expected that visitors and tourist from around the globe will choose to combine their vacations in Ireland and other close by European countries with the Olympics.
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Ireland’s richest keep getting richer

Ireland's richestThis news may surprise a lot of you given the current state of Ireland’s economy but the richest people in Ireland are getting even richer! The combined wealth of the nation now stands at €46.7bn (previously €43.6bn in 2011). Interestingly, this would be enough money to cancel out most of the debt the nation of Ireland has accrued over the years.

The rich list includes retailer Hilary Weston (owner of department stores including Brown Thomas) and her family are still Ireland’s richest residents for the fourth year running, despite racking up a personal loss. Continue reading →

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Irish President Michael D Higgins heads to US for first official visit.

Irish President Michael D Higgins will arrive in America today for his first official visit. Upon his arrival in New York, President Higgins will be met by Noel Kilkenny, the Consul General of Ireland to New York and Michael Collins, Ireland’s Ambassador to the US. Continue reading →

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