Ah, fermentation. And distilling. Where would the world be without them? Yes, the Irish might have taken over the world had God not invented whisky, but what about rum, gin, vodka, beer and wine? We’ll likely never know the answer to that question, but we can find out exactly how the drinks that rule that the world are made. [Read more...]
Best Places For Solo Adventure
Traveling on your own can be invigorating. While roaming solo, your senses will thrill at unfamiliar sights, sounds, and tastes; interesting strangers will upend your preconceived notions; exciting adventures will lie at every turn. But you need to know the places to go. U.S. News Travel has compiled a list of the best places to explore solo.
Austin
One of the Texas capital’s more interesting slogans is “Keep Austin Weird.” When a city touts its weirdness as one of its most admirable qualities, you know it’s going to show you a good time. This quirky city is also the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World.” This sunny city is also pretty cheap: Forbes listed it as the 12th most affordable place to live in the United States this year. [Read more...]
Ireland’s Most Unusual ‘Hotels’
Ireland’s colourful history has led to a rich tapestry of architectural styles, with Norman castles and neo-classical mansions sitting side by side with cosy farmhouses and contemporary wonders. In the spirit of turning your Ireland trip into a real journey, here are some of the most memorable places to stay along the way:
Cullintra House, Inistiogue, County Kilkenny
This is a cozy, 19th-century home where cats are kings, and the owner’s feline friends quite literally have the run of the place. You will find cat memorabilia galore and little furries in the bedrooms, in the dining room where guests eat communally and rambling the gorgeous grounds, like they – quite rightly – own the place.
Grouse Lodge, Roesmount, County Westmeath
The rambling stone farmhouse and beautiful outbuildings act as a residential recording studio for Irish and visiting bands. REM, Shirley Bassey, Manic Street Preachers and Sinead O’Connor have all recorded in this reasonably-priced midlands village property, complete with an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, nine double bedrooms and an on-site organic chef.
Number 25 Eustace Street, Dublin
The 18th-century merchant’s house sleeps seven, was carefully restored using authentic materials and furnishings, and is available to rent on a nightly basis. Climb the creaky stairs to the drawing room where you can play the Bechstein boudoir piano, or lounge in the rolltop free-standing bath and imagine what life was like as a Georgian city slicker.
The Schoolhouse, Annaghmore, County Sligo
This atmospheric little schoolhouse, built in the 1860s on the wooded banks of the Owenmore river, now sleeps four but was once the schoolroom and two-bedroom house of the schoolmaster. It still has the original school fireplace, chalk boards and coat hooks, and legend has it that the last owner buried all of his money in a tin on the school grounds.
Gyreum, Castlebaldwin, County Sligo
Gyreum is a wind- and solar-powered eco retreat in a colossal yurt-like timber temple with a living wildflower roof, sunk into the hills of Sligo. Many come for its Pilgrim’s Progress six-county walking tour that culminates in a full moon-lit hot tub soak, but either way, it is an inspirational space to take part in a range of creative and eco-centred events.
Source: BBC Travel
Image: Gyreum
Hitting the Greens in Dublin, Ohio
One city in Ohio is spread out over three different counties. The counties are Franklin, Delaware, and Union, all located near Columbus, and the city is Dublin. You would think that splitting governments three times would make things confusing, but apparently not if Wendy’s (of hamburger fame) uses Dublin for its headquarters and NFL quarterback Brady Quinn and golf legend Jack Nicklaus choose to live there! There are also plenty of Dublin, Ohio apartments available.
Speaking of golfing guru Jack Nicklaus, Dublin is known for golf. Nicklaus even designed the golf course at Muirfield Village Golf Club, which hosts the PGA Memorial Tournament every year in late May or early June. Muirfield Village consistently ranks in the Top 20 best courses in the United States and Top 50 in the world since it opened in 1974. It’s voted the #1 course in Ohio.
Dublin’s golf legacy doesn’t stop there. The American-Italian Golf Association calls the Riviera Golf Club its home. Wendy’s sponsored the LPGA’s Wendy’s Championship for Children at Tartan Fields Golf Club from 2002 through 2006. Dublin also has a public golf course financed by the city. There are over 60 other courses in the area—not including miniature golf.
Another thing Dublin is known for is its annual Irish Festival, which is one of America’s largest, held in Coffman Park. It’s held the first weekend in August. Up to 75,000 leprechaun lovers descend upon the area, eager to partake in Irish whiskey, beer, music and arts. There are seven stages, housing around 65 acts, for a grand total of over 240 performances. Famous acts like Gaelic Storm from the movie Titanic bring crowds to their feet. You may remember them as the band the got Jack and Rose to dance feverishly in the steerage area of Third Class passengers.
Unique ribald toasts riddle the whiskey tasting event, but you’ll have to register early to ensure your entry—it sells out quickly. You can learn many Celtic games and stories, partake in dance competitions (don’t forget to watch Riverdance before showing off your stuff!) and watch Irish history reenacted as you step back in time to a recreation of a settlement in Ireland from the 10th century. Sunday religious services range the gamut from Druid to Gaelic Catholic Mass to nondenominational for the less adventurous.
And, of course, there’s always plenty of food.
Perhaps reviewer Katlin M. describes the Irish Festival best when she writes: “Where else in Ohio can you watch a rugby tournament, eat a traditional Reuben and hash, attend an Irish wake, watch Richens & Timms dancers, buy Irish jewelry and souvenirs, eat some Irish soda bread, all while sitting next to an Irish Wolfhound and a man in a kilt?”
