Ireland

Between 1156 and 1166 the struggle for political power in Ireland lay between Murtough MacLochalainn of Ailech in the north and Rory O'Connor, king of Connaught. Dermot MacMurrough allied with MacLochalinn while Tiernan O'Rourke of Breifne supported O'Connor. O'Rourke was determined to destroy MacMurrough because his wife Dervorgilla had been abducted by MacMurrough with Norman accounts stating that it was she who arranged the abduction. In 1166 O'Rourke had his opportunity, MacMurrough's supporters and allies were quickly fading and Mac Lochlainn was dead. O'Rourke's armies massed on his frontier and the Norsemen of Wexford were preparing to attack his rear, when Ferns was captured MacMurrough...

Are you bored with your gym workout? Does your walking program leave you yawning? Everyone needs variety to stay motivated, and you will burn more calories if you challenge muscles differently. Try these 10 Fun Ways to spice up your workouts. 1. Cross Train Instead of 45 minutes on one cardio machine, try 15 minutes on 3 different machines like the treadmill, elyptical, and stationary bike. 2. Hire a Trainer Maybe you can't afford a trainer all the time, but many are running specials now. Sign up for a few sessions and learn to use different equipment like kettelbells or free weights. 3. Train for a Race Whether its running, bicycling, or walking sign up for a race and track your progress toward...

A couple years ago I took a solo tour of Ireland. A scary idea at first, it ended up being one of the best possible travel experiences. Basically, I landed in Dublin, picked up my rental car, practiced driving it around the airport for an hour (right side drive) and hit the road. I soon found a safe place to park my car overnight, locked my belongings in the trunk and took off on foot. After visiting the Guinness brewery and taking a city bus tour, I stepped into the nearest pub for a two Euro ale and some local Irish craic (light hearted conversation). I enjoyed the company of locals all afternoon. I asked many people what they recommended I do, and was mostly told to visit Cork, Kerry and Galway...

Motorhome hire in Ireland (wohnmobil-verleih Irland) is the perfect type of holiday for a hiker, explains Celtic Campervans ( Ireland has a wealth of walks set in stunning scenery which attracts a large number of hikers and ramblers each year. A motorhome holiday allows hikers to explore far more of the natural beauty that the country has to offer, and the freedom and flexibility to map their own route and keep their own itinerary.   Ireland is one of the best locations in the worlds for hiking holidays. The awe-inspiring natural beauty varies from lush, green rolling hills and serene lakes to rugged mountains and amazing geology. The ever-changing weather provides blustery, bracing days along with...

Most of the Irish, who settled in Pennsylvania coal regions, prior to the great Irish famine (1845-1849), came from the counties of Kilkenny and Laois, in south-central Ireland. These Irish immigrants usually had experience working in coal mines and quickly assimilated into that working environment, progressing up the ladder of promotions at a steady pace. The coal regions of Pennsylvania consisted of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Columbia, Carbon, Schuylkill and Northumberland counties. The Kilkenny and Laois Irish generally were not financially struggling before they came to America, and ended up less poor than many of the later Irish immigrants. These south-central Irish tended to commingle with Welsh...

Ireland's capital city Dublin has fast become one of the most visited short break city destinations in Europe. It seems these days that anyone and everyone has been there, done it and seen it all in Dublin. Besides being home to Guinness, Trinity College, The Temple Bar and Grafton Street there is far more to Dublin that initially meets the eye. 1. Dublin is called Baile Atha Cliath in Gaelic and dates back to the 9th century. It was originally a Viking settlement. 2. At one stage O' Connell Street, the city's main street was regarded as the widest street in Europe. 3. Dublin is also a county as well as a city but is actually one of the smallest of the 32 Irish counties. 4. The head of the Irish...

Most of the Irish, who settled in Pennsylvania coal regions, prior to the great Irish famine (1845-1849), came from the counties of Kilkenny and Laois, in south-central Ireland. These Irish immigrants usually had experience working in coal mines and quickly assimilated into that working environment, progressing up the ladder of promotions at a steady pace. The coal regions of Pennsylvania consisted of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Columbia, Carbon, Schuylkill and Northumberland counties. The Kilkenny and Laois Irish generally were not financially struggling before they came to America, and ended up less poor than many of the later Irish immigrants. These south-central Irish tended to commingle with Welsh...

The Giant's Causeway is the spectacular section of coastline in Northern Ireland. If you ever have the chance to drive from Belfast to Londonderry along the Causeway Coastal Route, you will see the Giant's Causeway and experience one of the most scenic views in the world. When I was planning my first trip to Ireland, my friend Carol told me I had to see the Giant's Causeway. So I did. She was right; it was such a beautiful and unusual site. I've been back to visit again and hope to make another trip there soon. The Giant's Causeway has been visited since the eighteenth century. It is a group of huge geometric-shaped rocks projecting into the Atlantic Ocean and pillars of rocks making up the cliffs...

Ireland, known as the Emerald Isle, is popular among travel passionate individuals not only for its natural allure but also for its remarkable cuisine marked with the finest ingredients and a distinct Irish flavor. Dining out in Ireland is an experience as valuable as a visit to a national landmark. Experience this and more as you head your way to Ireland, one of Europe's well recommended gourmet center. Ireland has moved into a higher level of gourmet experience. This country has been flocked by tourists worldwide for its ground-breaking menus, solely Ireland can offer. Food expertise is mainly of sea food delights and excellently produced lamb, pork and beef meats plus the freshest and crispiest...

My husband and I shared a lovely dinner with a delightful couple we met recently. The four of us were around the same age but from very different backgrounds and parts of the country. We are from the East Coast. They are from America's Heartland. They started their family in their 20's. We started ours closer to our 40's. They are conservative; we are not quite as conservative. We had Chai after dinner. They had never heard of that before. We like rock n' roll, I'm not sure what kind of music they like; I'm willing to guess country. We all were genuine and gracious with each other; enjoying our differences as we searched for what we had in common. What we found we shared in common is a lifetime of...

Watch Canada vs Ireland Live Streaming ODI match internet broadcast cricket tv September 7, 2010 This match is played at Canada, and you can enjoy live streaming of it in the given links. Its in HD quality and never disrupted by any means. So watch it Online hasslefree internet tv. WATCH CRICKET MATCH LIVE HERE Match Info: Time: 10:00 local time (14:00 GMT) Teams: Ireland tour of Canada Game: 1st ODI Tournament: International ODI Source: Cricket Live Streaming Watch Live Match Coverage: Hours of play (local time): 10.00 start, First Session 10.00-13.30, Interval 13.30-14.15, Second Session 14.15-17.45 WATCH CRICKET MATCH LIVE HERE Canada squad A Bagai*, HS Baidwan, WD Balaji Rao, U Bhatti, H...

Will you stay in an Irish Bed & Breakfast on your trip? Bed & Breakfast lodging is an experience you won't want to miss. B & Bs are plentiful and inexpensive all around Ireland and well worth considering for all or part of your stay in the Emerald Isle. Will you stay in a Bed & Breakfast on your trip to Ireland? Are you worried that staying in an Irish Bed & Breakfast is like sleeping in a stranger's home? Are you asking yourself, "Why would I want to stay in someone else's house? And in a bedroom next to the owners' ? Do I want to eat with the family? Do I want to be that cozy with strangers?" I had some of the same concerns until my first stay in Ireland. My friend, Mary, and I stayed in Bed and...

u’re planning to visit Ireland for a tour or for some other reasons, then you might consider getting a car rental in order to have more control and ease in your travel pace. This country, being Europe’s third largest island, lies on the north- west portion of the continent. It is divided into several towns and one of these is Waterford. Dubbed as the “Crystal County” and “The Glass Factory”, it is located in the south east part of Ireland. Home of the famous Waterford Crystals, this county was established ever since the Viking times, thus making Waterford City the isle’s oldest city. Using car hire while traveling around allows you to see the sites and...

Ireland is a place of mystical beauty, with its amazing scenery and wonderful rural tradition. The west coast of Ireland has become a focus for the Irish tourist industry, with visitors being attracted by the rugged coastlines, pretty towns and typical Irish hospitality. Though Ireland is a relatively small country, you'll find that there is an enormous amount to see and do here. When planning a visit to the west coast, it's important that you allow plenty of time for your journey. This part of Ireland is tranquil and the pace of life is noticeably slower than that encountered in Dublin. The Irish don't like to rush things and you should follow suit - take your time to enjoy the beauty of this part...

If you wanted to take all the great attractions about Ireland and wrap them up in one place, then there can be nowhere better than the Shannon Region (Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Offaly). Easily reached from the ferry ports at Dublin, Dun Laoghaire and Rosslare, the countryside runs from rolling hills to rugged coast and offers a wealth of ideas and attractions. Whatever you might want to do on holiday - walking, fishing, golfing...or even just relaxing - the Shannon region has something to offer. Here's some insider information on some different places to visit while you're there... Under the Burren at Aillwee Caves The Burren is famous for its stark landscape and fascinating wildlife, but for...

The Irish House Party at the Lansdowne Hotel For a night of truly magnificent Irish music and dance, the Irish House Party is one not to be missed. The event takes place at the Lansdowne Hotel in Dublin 4, and consists of a sumptuous four-course dinner and fantastic entertainment by champion Irish dancers and musicians. The beauty of this event is that you can participate in it yourself - event goers are presented with a song book and can learn a song in the Irish language, and you can try your hand at some foot stomping Irish dancing! Participation is totally optional, you can sit back and relax and enjoy the show if you so wish! You will also learn a bit about Ireland's literary and music history...

Dublin -10 Things You Didn't Know Ireland's capital city Dublin has fast become one of the most visited short break city destinations in Europe. It seems these days that anyone and everyone has been there, done it and seen it all in Dublin. Besides being home to Guinness, Trinity College, The Temple Bar and Grafton Street there is far more to Dublin that initially meets the eye. 1. Dublin is called Baile Atha Cliath in Gaelic and dates back to the 9th century. It was originally a Viking settlement. 2. At one stage O' Connell Street, the city's main street was regarded as the widest street in Europe. 3. Dublin is also a county as well as a city but is actually one of the smallest of the 32 Irish...

Claddagh rings are rich in tradition, but they have also made the transition to the modern world and are popular with people from every walk and class of life. The traditions of Claddagh rings have elements that go back to Roman times, but they are best known for their connection to the tiny fishing village near Galway, Ireland. Some of the earliest rings from Ireland have designer initials from this area. Most prominent of these is Richard Joyce whom one tradition has as the originator of the design. Celebrations and notices in the area of Claddagh and Galway claim the ring as their own. Everything Irish Claddagh rings represent everything that is good about Ireland. The sense of long relationships...

Saint Patrick was a Christian missionary, and along with Saint Brigid of Kildare and Saint Columba, is one of the patron saints of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: "Lá 'le Pádraig" or "Lá Fhéile Pádraig"), which falls on March 17th, is an annual feast day marking the date on which the saint is held to have died. Nowadays the date is marked by Irish communities, and people of Irish descent, all over the world, including not only in Ireland itself, but also in countries such as the UK, Australia and Canada, as well as the United States of America, and has in fact become a celebration of all things Irish. Saint Patrick's Day can be (and is) celebrated in a variety...

Stay in 5-star Resort, Castle & Ritz-Carlton! Lynbrook, NY (July 26, 2010) - Affordable luxury has never been more achievable than with the new "6-Night Luxury Vacation + Car" now available from Sceptre Tours. Priced from $499 per person, this package includes 6 nights hotel accommodation at some of Ireland's finest properties in addition to a weekly rental car. Huge discounts on round-trip airfare are also available. The 6-Night Luxury Ireland Vacation + Car package includes: •2 nights at the five-star Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt in Co. Wicklow; •1 night at the five-star Ashford Castle in Co. Mayo; •2 nights at the five-star Lough Erne Resort in Fermanagh; •1 night at the Croke Park Hotel...

Ireland is one of the most diverse and beautiful places in the world. With rolling hills and unique architecture, the landscape of the country is truly distinctive and memorable. The Irish people are renowned for their hospitality and traditions and you will totally enjoy immersing yourself in their culture. Ireland has no shortage of beautiful scenery such as the Cliffs of Moher that rise nearly 600 feet from the Atlantic Ocean affording expansive views. People don't think about Ireland having pretty beaches but they do. All of the nicer ones are in the Southwest of the country. If you like beaches, try Barleycove in West Cork, it's a big beach with dunes and pretty water. Of course the Emerald...

high school history teacher, I have had the privilege of bringing my senior students on tours of Europe for the past fifteen years. I never imagined that I would get so many opportunities to travel when I went into the teaching profession, but I ended up working in a great district that made room in their budget for the senior class to travel to Europe and help make history come alive for them each year. I am so blessed to be a part of a district that is so committed to giving their students real life experiences. I have learned many things during my years of leading this trips, but one of the first things I learned was that you cannot go to Europe and return home with a clean conscience unless you...

About Phoenix Park Phoenix Park is one of the largest city parks in Europe, in fact, it is 5 times bigger than Hyde Park in London city and twice the size of Central Park in New York city - two of the most famous city parks in the world. It can be found 3km north west of Dublin city centre with the main entrance to the park on Parkgate Street (opposite Hueston Railway Station). The park comprises of 1,760 acres of grassland and parkland which are divided by the many tree lined avenues that run through the park. The total circumference of the park is 16km so if you want to explore it all, it would take a few days! Phoenix Park was at one time a Royal Hunting park with pheasants and deer so a wall was...

If you're visiting Ireland, you might as well enjoy the beautiful scenery of the country. Ireland is the fourth largest island in Europe, sprawling on a total land area of 84,421 kilometers. Aside for sight-seeing, you can also try doing one of the income-generating options that the locals have. The idea of making money in Ireland may actually sound simple if you consider the worldwide web as your resources. One of the few things you can try includes answering surveys in which you can get a compensation amounting to $4-$10 for every survey that you do. This helps you earn easy bucks but the earnings are minimal. If you want to earn bigger amounts, you can do affiliate marketing. There are many firms...

Have you been abroad for medical Treatment? Many foreign nationals working in Ireland travel back to their home EU country for any required medical treatments. And of course, medical tourism abroad for Irish people is a huge business. Medical Treatment abroad – the rules If you are outside Ireland and find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you need medical treatment, or alternatively, you may have travelled to obtain cheaper treatment, (laser eye surgery, dental treatment, etc.). Either way you may be entitled to tax relief on what you paid as long as: - The cost of qualifying treatment carried out by a practitioner (GP, consultant or dentist) provided such practitioner is entitled...

Oliver Cromwell led a Parliamentary invasion of Ireland in 1649, the parliament had disposed of Charles I and abolished the monarchy, it now wished to turn its attentions upon the Irish Confederate Catholics. Cromwell’s hostility was religious as well as political, he was passionately opposed to the Roman Catholic Church which he perceived as denying the primacy of the Bible in favour of papal and clerical authority and he blamed them for persecution of Protestants in Europe and indeed of Ulster planters in 1641. He was only nine months in Ireland but his campaign was very effective, before his arrival Parliament only possessed outposts at Dublin and Derry, at his departure they controlled most of...

Booking your Belfast car hire in advance will save you time and even some money - shop around for cheap Ireland car hire deals. If you're flying to Belfast you'll be touching down in one of two airports. These are Belfast International Airport and Belfast City (George Best) Airport. Belfast International Airport is Northern Ireland's main airport and operates daily flights to the UK, Europe and further afield and serves a number of airlines including Bmibaby, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Teleticket, Continental, Zoom and It's located about 18 miles from Belfast city centre and is really easy to get to via the M2 motorway. Although smaller, the George Best Airport, formerly known as Belfast City Airport, is...

Ireland is not famous for high mountains, and in fact the tallest mountain in Ireland stands just over 1000m high. Compared to other countries, this might seem a paltry figure, but Ireland has a lot to offer mountain walkers who visit Ireland. Below I look at the highest mountains in each of the four provinces in Ireland. Munster Carrauntoohil (Corran Tuathail in Irish), Co Kerry which forms part of MacGillycuddy's Reeks stands at 1039 meters high and is not just the tallest mountain in Munster, but also the tallest mountain in Ireland. The views from top of this mountain are spectacular, looking out over Hags Glen and Co. Kerry. This is not the safest mountain in Ireland to climb. Most people...

1. County Cork is the largest County in Ireland, and Cork City is Ireland's third largest city after Dublin and Belfast. The area of Cork City is 3,731 hectares. County Cork covers an area of 7,459 square kilometres or 2,880 square miles, which is 11% of the Irish State. 2. Saint Finbarr is the founder and Patron Saint of Cork City. It was he who followed the River Lee from it's beginning in Gougane Barra to Cork City where he founded a monastery in the 7th Century where Saint Finbarrs Cathedral now stands. 3. The population of Cork is 480,909, this was taken from the 2006 census. 4. Cork is known as the "Rebel County" due to the high level of rebel activity in the county during the War of...

On your next visit to Dublin, consider a day trip south to the popular seaside towns of Bray and Greystones. A great way to visit both places is to hike the beautiful coastal path between the two. The 6 mile (10 km) trip takes 4 or more hours at a slow pace and offers stunning views of the rugged coastline. I do have to warn you that periodically, the cliff walk is officially closed due to erosion and possible falling rocks. I have taken my children on the trail and also have gone alone. On two of the trips, there has been a sign at the start warning of possible danger near the path's edge. My hiking strategy is to be careful and stay a safe distance from the cliffs. This is always a good practice...

Living here in San Diego, California, for the last twenty-five years and visiting Ireland quite often, gives me, I suppose, a unique perspective on the merits and otherwise of each country. I come home to my mother and father (93 and 95 years old respectively and both, remarkably, in wonderful health) at least twice a year. I try to make the All-Ireland football final in September and if at all possible Christmas. There is nothing like an Irish Christmas. In many of those years, I have not been able to make it home for the Christmas and it breaks my heart when I cannot get away from San Diego for the warmth of an Irish Christmas. San Diego is a beautiful city with a wonderful climate and a great...

Trying to explain or describe this country in a blog post would be both impossible and pointless. One has to go there to feel what is all about. But what can be done is to summarize the best places that a tourist can direct its steps, provided that he wants to stay off the main cities. The Irish countryside holds many treasures hidden after the next hill or on the distant shore. Discovering each of them holds many symbols for the passionate traveler. Reaching the island is not so hard, since there are a lot of flights to and from Ireland, including low cost air connections. There are four tourist regions in Ireland and each has its own charm and distinct feel. Northern side of Ireland is maybe the...

Loads of Irish gifts are now on sale online and we don't just mean tourist-related merchandise, there is also a wide range of meticulously hand-crafted goods such as crystal, pottery, linen and glassware. Crystal is always popular on any list of Irish gifts and you can choose from some superb craftsmanship produced by the factories of Waterford Crystal, Tyrone Crystal, Galway Crystal and Cavan Crystal to name but a few. From decanters to chandeliers, Irish crystal remains one of the top gifts from this part of the world. Ireland has always been well known for its pottery crafts and ceramics. These have fulfilled the needs of anyone looking for Irish gifts at any time of the year. Obviously Belleek...

No matter where you go in Ireland you will never be too far from a quality golf course, and the south west of Ireland is no different. From top of the range championship golf courses costing EUR300 and upwards per round, to more economical 18 and nine hole courses costing about EUR30 per round, Counties Cork and Kerry have it all. In Cork, two of the best places to play are the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Course and Fota Island Golf Course. The Old Head of Kinsale is one of the most exclusive clubs in the country. Situated on a headland jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, this course is as challenging as it is beautiful. The course on Fota Island is more of a park lands course with plenty of water to...

The hill of Tara is a famous for the panoramic views it offers up over Ireland. Situated in County Meath, the hill of Tara is 155m above sea level and on a clear day you can see over nine Irish counties and as far north as Antrim. Tara or (Teamhair in Irish) means lofty height and the meeting place of darkness and light. The hill of Tara dates back to prehistoric times and was called the seat of the High Kings in old documents. From the hill of Tara an unbelievable twenty five other monuments can be seen and many more have since been discovered by modern technology using aerial photography and satellite images. Fires could be lit on the hill of Tara to signify important dates in the calendar or...

When learning a skill as complicated as acupuncture it's imperative to get the best instruction from top instructors. If you are looking for acupuncture courses Ireland you'll first notice that there are many different institutes that are vying for your attention. How can you tell that you have chosen the right school, and are getting the best education? Here are the major points to consider when looking into getting acupuncturist training: Longevity - You'll want to go with a school that has a long history of happy and successful graduates. If you really want to succeed as an acupuncturist, you'll want to align yourself with an organization that can provide everything you need for success. That...

Royal Portrush is laid out in a marvellous stretch of natural golfing country in Northern Ireland and is a must play course if you are planning an Ireland golf vacation. Through the sand hills the course threads its way, with the sweeping contours of dunes lending infinite variety and diversity to the game. Irish golf courses are plentiful; however The Royal Portrush Golf Club is on everyone's list of top golf courses in Ireland and is rightly included in lists of the world's top golf courses. As Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke recently said "Royal Portrush is now rated to be in the top 12 golf courses in the world and should, indeed, be number one". Royal Portrush is famous not only for its...

tive webmasters and online marketers are constantly searching for ways to improve their search engine rankings. The simple fact is that most websites get the majority of their traffic from search engines. So it is important to give the search engines what they are looking for. If you do, your site will do well in searches and the search engines will drive traffic to your site. There have been many changes over the last two or three years to the way search engines evaluate the importance of websites. Many of these changes have been spurred on by Google. But other engines such as Yahoo and MSN have followed suit. There is a general consensus among search engine optimization experts on many of the...

Without doubt the capital is the most popular as regards film locations in Ireland. Strange as it may seem the areas used in and around Dublin aren't always used to depict Irish scenes. For example, Kilmainham Gaol was used in the "Italian Job", Smithfield Market was used in "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" and Trinity College, Dublin was passed off as an English University in "Educating Rita". Wicklow is probably the next most popular with filmmakers. Classics such as "Braveheart", "Excalibur" and "Michael Collins" were shot on location in the Wicklow Mountains. Indeed the Wicklow Mountains don't look at all out of place doubling as the Scottish Highlands in "Braveheart". You can also tour the...

For a fairly small country, Ireland is jam packed with attractions. The scenery alone is a major draw card, offering beautiful natural wonders and amazing coast lines. If you're heading to Ireland for a sightseeing holiday, a stop you can't miss is Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone. Blarney Castle is located in County Cork and is a majestic historic castle and a famous tourist attraction. The castle was built by the MacCarthy dynasty, dating from 1446 and was sold and changed hands a number of times. Amongst the attractions of the castle is the Stone of Eloquence, also known as the Blarney Stone. If you hang upside down and kiss the stone, it is said that you will get the gift of the gab, or...

Brendan Tours Ireland The best way to see Ireland is on an escorted Brendan tour booked with You get an extra 10% off normal rates, and the advantages of traveling with a superior firm too. Getting There The best way to get to Ireland is with Brendan Tours. Their over forty years of experience means they know the best airplane flights to book, and the cruise ships that guarantee your perfect seamless voyage. Whether flying in to Belfast airport, or alighting from a ferry at Dun Laoghaire, you will soon realise that the Brendan promise of taking you personally is true whether you choose foreign independent travel or a fully escorted vacation in a luxurious Brendan coach. Their consumer protection...

nd is the perfect destination for a holiday property rental. The island, which consists of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, has a great selection of self catering accommodation to suit a variety of tastes and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a cottage in the country or a city apartment, you will find it in Ireland. With so much wonderful scenery, natural beauty, tourist attractions and a wealth of activities on offer, there is plenty to keep you occupied during your holiday. Not surprisingly, Ireland is a great place for those who enjoy the great outdoors, such as birdwatchers, hikers and cyclists. Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland and is ideal for a city break...

ignature rolling green pastures of Ireland's landscape is enough to resuscitate the weary traveler back to life with calming beauty and refreshing hospitality. From strange stone formations to thousand-year-old churches, Ireland's countryside is a patchwork of some of the most intriguing remnants of a unique but turbulent history, not to mention the sprinkling of jubilantly jolly pubs that will have you singing folk songs with a signature Irish dark ale in your hand in no time. Most fascinating of Irish travel is the evidence of ancient Celtic civilization and their Viking invaders in the form of stone circles, monoliths and mounds. Burial mounds, known as Court Cairns and Tumuli, can be found all...

In 2012, Belfast is set to celebrate the region’s most famous centenary- the 100th year since the launch of the White Star Liner, The Titanic. 35,000 people were employed in Harland and Wolff’s Shipyard in Belfast, the biggest in the world at the time of the Titanic’s launch. In place of the working shipyard, which has shrunk to a workforce of less than 1,000, the plan is to build a new community in its place, named The Titanic Quarter, with many different developments springing up, almost overnight, all over the once much-loved land. Everyone knows the tragic story of loss of life felt beyond doubt, both in Belfast, where the Titanic was built, and in Southampton, where it was launched in...

I started my consumer marketing career some 18 years ago doing "Focus Groups" or what is professionally called "Qualitative Research." Our research firm was headed up by a touchy-feely PhD in Psychology from Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey named Betty. Betty loved to find out how products made people feel, and she was legendary. She conducted focus groups for the likes of Johnson & Johnson, L'Oreal, General Foods, Kraft, Proctor-Silex, Kodak, Avon, The Irish Tourist Board, Purdue Chicken, and even Burger King. During my first few months on the job, I was convinced that these groups were just an excuse for the R&D folks to get out of the office and eat Cheez-It's in a dark room. But, as I sat...

Too often festivities are caught up in narrow, generic, commercial definitions. We tend to know what to expect from a music/arts/theatre festival, there is a pattern, a formula that's followed often led by the sponsors, the state funders, the tourist board. This makes events and festivals hard to navigate, you need to be flexible, continually moving, finding new ways of presenting work, selling work, presenting work without losing your sense of priority for ultimately a festival is a platform on which the audience and artist/concept meet not a space for advertisers to sell products. And so it was that yesterday, Sunday, made for a very refreshing change. My wife, daughter and I took off to work in...

Cork is certainly not going to be left behind this year when it comes to Christmas events. Christmas Pantomimes and Productions... The usual mixture of "panto mayhem" presides in Sleeping Beauty. The production will be staged at the Cork Opera House from the 5th of December to the 12th of January 2009. However, if you'd prefer Little Red Riding Hood, this show is at Everyman Palace Theatre from the 6th of December to the 11th of January. Not hit the spot yet? Maybe Babes in the Wood at the Firkin Crane from the 15th of December to the 30th of December, will suit. This how is billed as a "magical musical adventure for all the family" with Robin Hood, Maid Marian and the whole gang to boot! Christmas...

Directories were first published around the beginning of the eighteenth century. They primarily only covered cities and larger towns and were used primarily to acquaint visitors to the towns. Philadelphia had the first of these directories in 1785 written by Macpherson, the Directory for the City and Suburbs of Philadelphia, which created a numbering system to identify all dwellings and properties in the city. Other cities followed, including New York City in 1786, Detroit in 1837, and Chicago in 1844. Since these directories list the residents in alphabetical order for a particular locality and year, they are valuable for genealogists. By 1860 there were more than 70 regularly published city...

Cork is located in the South West of Ireland. It is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin. Cork which is one of the 32 counties of Ireland as well as a city covers almost one sixteenth of the entire island of Ireland. It has its' own airport and is also a busy ferry port. The main towns within County Cork are Cork City, Kinsale, Cobh, Bandon, Middleton and Youghal. In 2005 Cork was designated as the European Capital of Culture-an honour that led to numerous cultural and musical events being staged. It is home to Roy Keane the famous footballer, Murphy's stout, The River Lee and perhaps one of Europe's best known culinary towns Kinsale. Cork people are proud of their...