Ireland Scotland Travel Blog

BEST IRELAND ITINERARY 2 WEEKS

Day 1 – CLIFFS OF MOHER/BURREN Arrive in Shannon and travel along the Cliffs of Moher to the Burren. The Burren is a special area with treasures to uncover for both the botanist and the explorer of historic ruins. With breathtaking views across Galway Bay, Gregans Castle Hotel is the ultimate hideaway. This is an oasis of comfort with Irish hospitality, good food, and peace and quiet.

Day 2 – GALWAY AND CONNEMARA Picture a deep quiet valley. A lake at your feet, a mountain behind you, a welcome ahead of you. The Lough Inagh Lodge is set snugly in the aptly named Recess of Connemara. If you would like to relax, in addition to fishing, activities include pony trekking, hill climbing and walking.

Day 3 – CONNEMARA/MAYO A visit to the west of Ireland is not complete without experiencing the beauty and tranquillity that is Kylemore Abbey and Garden, home of the Irish Benedictine Nuns. Enjoy a stroll to the restored Gothic Church; view Kylemore Abbey pottery. Continue through County Mayo to visit Ballintubber Abbey – called “the Abbey that refused to die” as it was used continuously for worship since its foundation in 1216. The Stella Maris Hotel has been both a coast guard station and a convent. Antiques are interspersed with comfortable leather furniture to create a tranquil setting with views of one of the most picturesque sea stacks in Europe.

Day 4 – SLIGO/DONEGAL The Céide Fields are over five and a half millennia old. The remains of stone field walls, houses, and megalithic tombs are preserved beneath a blanket of peat over several square miles. Then you are off to Sligo where Yeats, the prize-winning poet, based many poems on the delightful countryside. Drive along the picturesque shores of Lower Lough Erne to Belleek Pottery Factory to see how the craftspeople create the world-famous fine china. Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean overlooking miles of secluded coves and sandy beaches is the Sandhouse Hotel.

Day 5 – DONEGAL The rugged frontier of Donegal is yours to explore. You travel along the coast to Killybegs, a Victorian fishing port, and on to Glencolumbkille folk village, with cottages dating from 1700. Visit Ardara, renowned for its Triona designed Irish tweeds. See demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting and enjoy tea with scones. Feast your eyes on more scenery as you drive to Ballybofey and Barnesmore Gap to Donegal town.

Day 6 – DUBLIN Travel the midlands today to Dublin’s fair city. Located in the fashionable heart of Dublin City, three minutes stroll from Grafton St., Dublin Castle and Trinity College, Brooks is a designer/boutique hotel with high standards throughout, appealing to the discerning international traveler.

Day 7 – DUBLIN One of Europe’s busiest capital cities, Dublin dates back 1,000 years. Learn its “colorful” history by visiting Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. Then through Temple Bar, Dublin’s arty leftbank district to visit Dublin’s City Hall, now beautifully restored, which houses many of the city’s treasures including the Great Civic Sword and Mace. Last but not least, visit nearby Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in the 12th century and perhaps best known for its association with Jonathan Swift, Dean of the Cathedral between 1713 and 1745.

Day 8 – KILDARE The world famous Japanese Gardens are situated south of Dublin, in the 1,000 acre Irish National Stud, which is also home to some of Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds. Dating from 1180, Kilkea Castle is the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland. A swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room are available on the grounds as is an 18-hole golf course. Kilkea Castle is one of Ireland’s best kept secrets.

Day 9 – WHISKEY/BLARNEY/KILLARNEY A tour of the Old Middleton Distillery is a journey through the story of Irish whiskey – some of these buildings date back to 1795. Blarney Castle’s stone is set in the wall below the battlements, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards (grasping an iron railing). The grounds of the castle are a curious place of ancient trees and stones, by legend a garden of druidic origin. The place has an aura of magic and mystique with Wishing Steps, Witch’s Kitchen, Druid’s Cave and many other delights, telling a story of centuries past. Overnight in Killarney, where the Great Southern Hotel Killarney has been welcoming visitors since 1854.

Day 10 – RING OF KERRY The highest concentration of ancient sites are in County Kerry. From Killarney you can travel on the Ring of Kerry and see some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery. See the Lissyviggeen Stone Circle, Ross Castle, Muckross House, the 15th-century Muckross Abbey and Crag Caves. Optional activity: 3-hour horseback riding.

Day 11 – DINGLE PENINSULA/LIMERICK The Dingle Peninsula has been inhabited for almost 6,000 years and has more than 2,000 archaeological remains. Your destination is in Limerick where Dan Mullane’s famous restaurant, The Mustard Seed, continues to garner rave reviews. Stay overnight in one of the delightful bedrooms and enjoy the world-renowned cuisine of the restaurant. Wander through the flower garden in the afternoon sunshine to research your dinner in the organic kitchen garden with its unusual collection of herbs.

Day 12 – KILLALOE/BALLINA EXCURSION The majestically-arched bridge allows the River Shannon to pass gently seaward from the beautiful Lower Lough Derg, where Ireland’s most famous king, Brian Ború, held court just one millennium ago. Killaloe, on the left bank in County Clare, is a network of charming narrow streets, flanked by old shops and houses, that climb up the steep hillside and look down over the 13th-century cathedral. Just upstream, a new marina makes Killaloe/ Ballina one of the best centers for water activities. The old canal banks, disused railway line, and narrow streets and footpaths of the old town make the twin towns a most delightful place to wander through.

Day 13 – HOME FROM SHANNON Ellen McNulty is President of www.lynotttours.com>

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Irish Last Names

McAllister;McCallister 

McArdle;McCardle  (origin: Gaelic.)

McBain 

McCabe 

McCallen 

McCarthy 

McCoun  (origin: Gaelic.)

McCrackin;McCharraigin 

McCree  (origin: Gaelic.)

McCullough 

McDholl;McDowell  (origin: Gaelic.)

McDonald;McDonell 

McDonnough  (origin: Gaelic.)

McDougall 

McDuff  (origin: Gaelic.)

McFadden  (origin: Celtic.)

McFarland 

McGinnis  (origin: Gaelic.)

McGooken;McGucken  (origin: Gaelic and Celtic.)

McGowan  (origin: Gaelic.)

McGrath;McGraw  (origin: Celtic or Gaelic.)

McGregor 

McGuire 

McHard;McHarg  (origin: Welsh, Cor. Br., and Gaelic.)

McIldoey 

McIldouney  (origin: Gaelic.)

McIlroy  (origin: Gaelic.)

McIntosh 

McIntyre  (origin: Gaelic.)

McKensie  (origin: Gaelic.)

McKibben  (origin: Celtic.)

McKie  (origin: Celtic or Gaelic.)

McKinnon 

McKirnan 

McLaughlin 

McLean 

McLeod;McCleod 

McMurrough 

McNab 

McNamara  (origin: Celtic.)

McNaughton 

McNevin  (origin: Gaelic.)

McPherson 

McQuade 

McQuarie;McGuaire 

McQueen 

McWithy 

from http://www.last-names.net/letter.asp?s=M

The Kent Countryside

The Kent countryside unveils a series of ancient villages and picture perfect scenes, even in December. Surprisingly, there are more castles, gardens and historical houses open to the public concentrated in the Heart of Kent than in any other area of the UK.. Scores of narrow country lanes twist and turn among the gentle slopes leading us from Ashdown, in AA Milne "Winnie the Pooh" country to the half timbered village of Chiddingstone. The black and white buildings around the town square and the castle nearby offer a bucolic view, particularly so on a quiet Sunday morning. We hade our obligatory historic landmark stops (Hever, Leeds, and more) and had lunch in a quaint country pub. It was Saturday, and the place was packed. It was lucky that be booked in ahead of time, or we would have missed the extensive menu, which included everything from simple soup and sandwiches to elaborate full blown meals. We dined at a rough hewn wooden table, with views of the expansive countryside through the windows. I was delighted when we exited to the graveled parking lot to find in not full of cars, but horses, which were not there when we came in. It seemed a normal method of transport in this part of the Kent countryside. A true hidden gem. Charming!

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Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle dominates the viallge of Windsor, with its quaint shops and ample shopping opportunities. The queen’s standard flying above the castle indicated that the Queen was in residence on the day I visited. Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today.

We walked around the State Apartments, extensive suites of rooms at the heart of the working palace. We did not have time to see the Semi State rooms, which are some of the most splendid interiors in the castle. They are furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection including paintings by Holbein, Rubens, Van Dyck and Lawrence, fine tapestries and porcelain, sculpture and armour.

Within the Castle complex there are many additional attractions, including the Drawings Gallery, Queen Mary's dolls' house, and the fourteenth-century St. George's Chapel, the burial place of ten sovereigns and setting for many Royal weddings.

When I was there, there was an exhibition to mark the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, which added interest.

The town of Windsor was decorated for the Christmas holidays, whioch added to its charm. I stayed at the Castle Hotel, a Mercure Hotel, directly across from the Castle gates, and had a Sunday lunch at a nearby pub/restaurant. I found the food a bit pricey, which might have had something to do with the exchange rate. The meals (fish and chips) was excellent.

Ellen McNulty is President of www.lynotttours.com>

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Leeds Castle Frost Fair

I have always wanted to visit Leeds Castle. It has been called "the prettiest castle in the world". I have long admired the photographs of the castle, surrounded by a moat and green countryside, it really is a jewel.

On the day I visited in early December, I did have to use muy imagination. The weather had turned storm-like. We took the land train from the parking lot to the foot of the castle. The rain was so bad that we could not ride in the plastic wrapped train cars, by road up front with the driver in the jeep like engine compartment. We ran to the castle door, based the moat, now a dull grey reflection of the sky. We arrived five minutes before opening time, so we waited to tour the almost empty castle, now decorated in the style of the heiress who occupied it with her two daughters in the 1900's.

Some details:

Leeds Castle, set on two islands on the River Len in the heart of Kent, has been home to royalty, lords and ladies for over 1000 years. Visitors are transported through 900 years of the castle’s history; an eclectic mix of period architecture, sumptuous interiors and family treasures waiting to be discovered.

1st December to 1st January

A special mediaeval frost fair awaits visitors to the castle this winter (except Christmas Day).

Enjoy the magical experience of skating in an all-weather enclosed rink on the Pavilion Lawn with lights twinkling in the trees or visit Father Christmas in his Pavilion Grotto.

Be sure to visit the castle, this year decorated in classic country house style, and the castle shops filled with wonderful Christmas gift ideas.

Ellen McNulty is President of www.lynotttours.com>

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Irish Road Bowling

Irish Road Bowling

Irish Road Bowling is a sport mainly played in West Cork, although there are small pockets of enthusiasts all over Ireland and the game is also popular in Armagh. Usually referred to by participants simply as 'Bowls' - which rhymes with 'howls' - it is played on public roads, usually on a Sunday, all over the West Cork area gathering large and enthusiastic crowds of spectators. Road bowling is an old game, played for centuries.

How the Game is Played

The basic rules are simple. A bowl - a heavy cast iron ball - is thrown from a start point to a predetermined end point, usually 1-2 miles away, the winner being the person or team who reaches the end in the least number of throws.

The bowls themselves vary in weight, adults play with a 28oz bowl while youths use a 14 oz one. Taking part requires nothing in the way of specialised clothing or equipment - just a bowl and an available road. In spite of its simple rules the best players are truly skillful, their ability to deal with bends and undulations in the road and to keep the bowl rolling onward after it lands on different road surfaces is honed by years of experience.

Where and When to See Road Bowling

Large crowds gather to watch the matches and they are real family affairs. Visitors are welcome but don't expect any fancy facilities - dress warmly, be prepared to walk a few miles while following the matches and to keep yourself out of the way of flying bowls and road traffic!

Matches are not generally publicised in advance outside of the immediate local area. You will need to watch for notices while in the West Cork area or to ask in local shops or pubs whether there are matches scheduled.

http://www.dochara.com/tips/roadbowling.php

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Hever Castle in the heart of Kent

Hever Castle

The petite castle at Hever was the home of Anne Boelyn I visted the castle in advance of the release of the film, "The Other Boelyn", due to be released in 2008. Although I went to Hever in early December, the skies were clear and crisp. As you enter, you see the lake and fountains nearby. On my visit, the Christmas Faire was on, which featured many shopkeepers from France. Large wheels of Gruyere, pates, preserved meats and other gourmet treats competed for out attention. Along side where vendors with scarves, household crafts, wines and more. The choices seemed endless!

Ever mindful of my increasingly heavy luggage, I bough only a book, a gardens diary for the coming year, but the temptation to buy more was certainly there.

A short walk brought us to the house itself, a lovely small castle, surrounded by a moat, fanciful topiary and more. It was a perfect setting. The castle itself was decorated for Christmas in the tasteful medieval style. We toured the castle, marveled at the prayer books and we could not pass up the opportunity to take too many pictures of the outside, with a view from over the bridge. It was picture perfect.

Some facts about the castle:

There have been three main periods in the construction of this historic castle. The oldest part of the castle dates to 1270 and consisted of the gatehouse and a walled bailey. In the early 1500’s, the Bullen family bought the castle and added a Tudor dwelling within the walls and so it became the childhood home of its most famous inhabitant, Anne Boleyn. It later passed into the ownership of Henry’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. From 1557 onwards the Castle was owned by a number of families including the Waldegrave’s, the Humfreys’ and the Meade Waldo’s. Finally, in 1903, William Waldorf Astor invested time, money and imagination in restoring the Castle, building the ’Tudor Village’ and creating the gardens and lake.

The castle houses historic 16th century portraits, furniture and tapestries. Other artefacts include two magnificent Books of Hours (prayer books), both signed and inscribed by Anne Boleyn. A costumed figure exhibition in the Long Gallery adds to the atmosphere and is popular with the children The Council Chamber in the thirteenth century gatehouse contains recently acquired swords and armour which have been added to the existing collections of historic instruments of execution, torture and discipline.

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Reviews of PS I Love You

P.S. - I Love You

Romantic, excellent, different, with a brilliant acting cast.....enticing one to cherish the ones they love and Ireland here I come.....GO SEE IT...guaranteed you will love it!!

The film leaves one with utopian & euphoric feelings. Due to very fact of their selection of the topic of LOVE depicted in the example of a loving couple who discover true love between them. Sure its so simple ....but so brilliant! As in today’s modern world, many are losing site of the beauty and power of a loving relationship, we take each other for granted, get bored, fight, and complain and in the stress of figuring out ones life , we can loose sight of the best & most simplest great things that may be staring us in the face.

Two people, from two different countries, the US and Ireland, become undivided and become one in a spirited bond. Love, being so powerful to leave them indifferent to their surroundings. The scenery and characters were portrayed in popular, romantic and picturesque Ireland beckoning one to want to visit and discover Ireland. The movie evokes ones curiosity of Ireland and her people, as Gerard Butler cast as Gerry, has wishes to share himself with his partner. After his death, he leaves his heart and sole behind for Holly to truly encapsulate in her trip to his beloved homeland. The character of Gerry reflects the kindhearted, personable and friendly traits customary to his kindred Irish. Perhaps, if the script had showcased and included a bit more Irish diversified landscape scenery all the better. The mood was created effectively through the vehicle of applicable music content, evoking ones senses to tune into their emotions and stir feelings of happiness and sadness.

Not to missed! - Maureen Lydon

_________________________________________________________________________________

Warner Brothers "P.S. I Love You" opens this Friday, December 21, 2007, starring Hillary Swank (Holly) and Gerard Butler (Gerry). It is an excellent romantic comedy which will make you laugh as well as cry. The movie is based on a book that was written by Cecelia Ahern, who is the daughter of the Prim Minister of Ireland. The movie is about a young woman who lost her husband at an early age. Before he past away he had written her a series of letters with plans for what she should do in the first year after he was gone. The letters have her doing crazy things as well as with traveling to Ireland on a trip he planned for Holly and her two girlfriends. Holly follows his directions to the letter by the last letter she has it all figured out.

I saw the movie last night at a pre-screening given by Tourism Ireland and Warner Brothers. I was honored to be able to see this movie before it came out in the theaters. I thought this movie was great. I wanted to see this when I saw the coming attractions on television. It is warm, funny but yet has some sad parts. After seeing this movie it will make you want to go to Ireland. I know I do. I didn’t think there were any low parts to the movie sometimes it gets to point where you think it is okay to go to the restroom well I didn’t feel this way with this movie I didn’t want to miss a thing. You are going to want to see what Gerry has Holly doing next. This movie will make you think what your life would be like if you lost your significant other how would you cope without them being there every day.

Guys if you are looking for a movie to take your girl to this weekend I definitely recommend "P.S. I Love You." She will be impressed by your choice. If you are real gentlemen you will bring some tissues because this movie will make her cry.

The movie has a wonderful cast besides Hillary Swank and Gerard Butler. The others are Kathy Bates, Harry Conik Jr., Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon . I really enjoyed this movie and you will enjoy it as well. I think this movie is a must see so if you are into a movie this weekend go see "P.S. I Love You." Trust me. You won’t regret it.

-- Jennifer Russo

Jennifer & Maureen are reservationists at:

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ORDER OF THE GARTER

The Order of the Garter is the most senior and the oldest British Order of Chivalry and was founded by Edward III in 1348.

The Order, consisting of the King and twenty-five knights, honours those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally.

The patron saint of the Order is St George (patron saint of soldiers and also of England) and the spiritual home of the Order is St George's Chapel, Windsor.

Every knight is required to display a banner of his arms in the Chapel, together with a helmet, crest and sword and an enamelled stallplate.

These 'achievements' are taken down on the knight's death and the insignia are returned to the Sovereign. The stallplates remain as a memorial and these now form one of the finest collections of heraldry in the world.

The insignia of the Order have developed over the centuries, starting with a garter and badge depicting St George and the Dragon. A collar was added in the sixteenth century, and the star and broad riband in the seventeenth century.

Although the collar could not be decorated with precious stones (the statutes forbid it), the other insignia could be decorated according to taste and affordability. George IV, well-known for his vanity, left 55 different Garter badges of varying styles.

Over the years, a number of knights have been 'degraded' (for the crimes of heresy, treason or cowardice) or even executed - such as Lord Scrope of Masham (a childhood friend of Henry V), and the 3rd Duke of Buckingham in 1521. Charles I wore his Order (ornamented with over 400 diamonds) to his execution in 1649.

From the eighteenth century to 1946, appointments to the Order (and to the Order of the Thistle) were made on advice from government.

Motto: Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on him who thinks this evil)

Chapel: St. George's Chapel, Windsor

Ranks: Knight or Lady

Post-nominals: KG or LG

Founded: 1348

Today, the Order has returned to its original function as a mark of Royal favour; Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally.

The number of knights is limited to 24, plus Royal knights. For much of its history, the Garter was limited to the aristocracy, but today the knights are from varied backgrounds. If there are vacancies in the Order, appointments are announced on St George's Day (23 April).

Every June, the Knights of the Garter gather at Windsor Castle, where new knights take the oath and are invested with the insignia. A lunch is given in the Waterloo Chamber, after which the knights process to a service in St George's Chapel, wearing their blue velvet robes (with the badge of the Order - St George's Cross within the Garter surrounded by radiating silver beams - on the left shoulder) and black velvet hats with white plumes.

The Queen (whose father George VI appointed her and her husband to the Order in 1947) attends the service as Sovereign of the Order. Other members of the Royal Family in the Order also attend, including The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal.

During the Middle Ages ladies were associated with the Order, although unlike today they did not enjoy full membership. One of the last medieval ladies to be honoured was Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII and grandmother of Henry VIII.

After her death in 1509 the Order remained exclusively male, except for reigning queens as Sovereign of the Order, until 1901 when Edward VII made Queen Alexandra a lady of the Order.

In 1987, The Queen decided that women should be eligible for the Garter in the same way as men. Women are therefore included in this number and currently Lady Thatcher (formerly Margaret Thatcher, first female prime minister of Great Britain) and Lady Soames (the youngest daughter of Sir Winston Churchill, also a holder of the Order of the Garter) hold this honour.

Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major attends the annual Garter service at Windsor Castle

© Press Association

Since the early fourteenth century, foreign monarchs have been appointed to the Order, as a means of marking and securing alliances. One of the earliest such appointments was that of the Duke of Urbino by Edward IV in 1474.

Such appointments were and are occasionally made to non-Christian rulers (for example, the Shah of Persia in 1902), which prompted some debate over removing Christian imagery from the Order when it is given to non-Christian recipients. In the end, the design remained unchanged.

Foreign monarchs in the Order are known as 'Stranger Knights'. These knights are in addition to the number allowed by statute, and they include the kings of Spain and Sweden and the emperor of Japan.

The Order of the Garter was originally intended by Edward III to be reserved as the highest reward for loyalty and for military merit.

Like the Prince of Wales (the Black Prince), the other founder-knights had all served in the French campaigns of the time, including the battle of Crécy. Three were foreigners who had previously sworn allegiance to the English king; four of the knights were under the age of 20; and few were much over the age of 30.

The origin of the emblem of the Order is a blue garter. This is said to have been inspired by an incident which took place whilst the King danced with Joan, Countess of Salisbury.

The Countess's garter fell to the floor and after the King retrieved it he tied it to his own leg. The King told off the onlookers, saying, 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' (Shame on him who thinks this evil). This is the motto of the Order.

Modern scholars think it is more likely that the Order was inspired by the strap used to attach pieces of armour.

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Althorp Princess Diana's home

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Althorp is delighted to welcome visitors to explore the house, stroll through the park and relax in the beautiful gardens from, (dates to be confirmed), this year.

Start with a relaxing walk down a tree lined avenue to the house, enjoy the remodelled gardens and perhaps take the opportunity to reflect in the peaceful surroundings of the poignant Round Oval.

Explore nineteen rooms in the House, including some of the Spencer Family's private apartments. Discover magnificent interiors and one of Europe's finest private collections of furniture, pictures and ceramics - the result of one family's uninterrupted occupation for over 500 years.

Be touched by the award winning exhibition, Diana: A Celebration. Reflect on the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Picnic in glorious surroundings in the grounds or enjoy excellent food and drink at reasonable prices in Althorp's cafe. Finally, browse through the carefully chosen memorabilia in the Althorp visitor shop.

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