Actually, I’m so impressed that I’m going to book a luxury weekend break with my hubby for my birthday in July! Wohooo. Not sure where exactly we are going to go yet, as there is so much to choose from, but I will let you know once I made up my mind. It is time to treat yourselves girls!

Anyway, back to what I was meant to talk about – Luxury Hotels in Ireland! Here on the Emerald Isle there are more 5 star hotels then you might think and nearly all of them are simply brilliant. I mean, they must have earned their star rating somehow, right?! I have picked 4 of my favourite Irish luxury hotels and here is my list (in no particular order!):

1. Aghadoe Heights Hotel
Location: Killarney, Co. Kerry
Go there for: a very quiet and relaxing (spa) break
Best Feature(s): breathtaking views of the Killarney lakes, the spa is one of the finest in Ireland

Beautiful View!

Relaxing Spa Treatment

2. Kilronan Castle Hotel
Location: Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon
Go there for: a true castle experience; to feel like a real princess
Best features: castle style furniture in the rooms; the 40 acre estate that is surrounding the hotel; gorgeous fine restaurants.

Real Castle Bedroom

Romantic Dinner for 2

3. Hayfield Manor Hotel
Location: Cork City, Co. Cork
Go there for: a luxurious city break
Best features: dog friendly hotel, so you can spoil you pooch to true 5 star treatment, too; short distance to Cork City Centre; lovely spa & leisure facilities

Yummy Food!

An unforgettable Spa Treatment....

Hayfield Manor Hotel Exterior

4. Ritz Carlton Powerscourt Hotel
Location: Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow
Go there for: fine dining, Golf and outdoor activities
Best features: Golf Course, Gordon Ramsey Restaurant, Children’s Activities, right next to Powerscourt House & Gardens

The outside of the Hotel

Pure Luxury

Powerscourt Golf Course

…and, are you ready for a weekend (or more) of pure luxury?! Book it now and let me know what your Irish luxury hotel experience was like! I can’t wait to hear all about it!

Check out Ireland’s most popular pubs (in no particular order!) – all of them should be on your bucketlist!

Durty Nelly’s

The good old Durty Nellies is located in the picturesque village of Bunratty directly next to, you might have guessed it by now, Bunratty Castle!

Durty Nellie’s truly is one of Ireland’s most famous pubs and chances are, that you’ve either heard off it or that you’ve been there already! Once you enter this cozy place, you will be brought back to the “old” Ireland…after all Durty Nellie’s dates back to 1620 and is a piece of Irish heritage. Enjoy a perfect pint of Guinness and live traditional music 7 nights a week. Oh, and the traditional Irish Bar Menu there is amazing, too!

The history of Durty Nelly’s is an intriguing one indeed. The Durty Nelly whom the venue is named after was once the keeper of a toll-bridge over the river Owengarney. The full history involves an Irish Wolfhound, a miracle cure, a thieving rogue from Kilrush and a whole host of other twists and turns…a bit too long to tell now, but you can always google it!

And there is even a “Nelly’s Blessing” – check it out below:

Nelly’s Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

_____________________________________________________________

The Brazen Head

The Brazen Head is a true Dublin institution. Every visitor of Ireland’s capital city will sooner or later end up there. After all, it is Ireland’s oldest pub – dating back to 1198!

The pub is only a short walk from Christchurch Cathedral and the Guinness Brewery and has a reputation as one of Dublin’s best Irish music venues. You should come here on Sundays for lunch (if you don’t have a hangover that is!): there is live music and gorgeous food… and not to forget – the best Irish Coffee in Dublin (says my colleague Andrea).

What is exciting as well are the Brazen Head’s past regular patrons, who have included such literacies as James Joyce, Brendan Behan and Jonathan Swift as well as such revolutionaries as Robert Emmet, Wolfe Tone, Daniel O’Connell and Michael Collins.

The Brazen Head is officially Ireland’s oldest pub, dating back to 1198. While it is unclear how much of the original 11th century coach house is still intact, there is a palpable sense of history within these timeworn walls. If you are looking for the true Irish pub experience then the Brazen Head Pub should be your first port of call. Today the patrons still include some famous faces, including some very famous musicians like Van Morrison, Hothouse Flowers, Mary Black and Garth Brooks. Take some time to absorb the pictures and scrolls covering the walls. There is a palpable sense of history within these timeworn walls.

Check out this video of Brazen Head

_______________________________________________________________

Johnnie Fox’s

Hidden in the Dublin Mountains is another iconic Irish Pub – Johnny Fox’s. This is Ireland’s highest pub… and the absolute favourite of my colleague Emer! Johnny Fox’s is only a 25min drive from Dublin City centre. They even provide shuttle busses from Dublin City to their pub. Check out their website for more info on that.

The interior of the pub is stuffed with old Irish memorabilia, so much fun to have walk around to look at everything. And there are obviously in true Irish pub tradition wooden chairs and tables and many fireplaces to make it a warm and cozy place (that always smells like turf). When the weather is nice, you need to check out their beer garden. Lovely wooden, hand carved banks and tables with a nice view of the Wicklow Mountains….oh, and they have and old-timer bus in their parking lot – so cool!

One thing you really need to check out when you are there and have the time, is their famous ‘Hooley Night’ – dinner plus Irish dancing and music show. It is brilliant and usually crowded, so make sure to book in advance!

You don’t have to watch the show to have a good time at Johnny Fox’s! They are famous for their fresh sea food, but also the rest of the dishes on the menu are simply brilliant. So it is worth to come up here for lunch or dinner. But it is even worth to come here for a couple of drinks – just to soak up the atmosphere.

______________________________________________________________

The Crown Bar

If you find yourself in Belfast (Titanic Belfast anyone? Should be on your bucketlist, too!), make sure to check out The Crown Bar, undeniably, the Belfast’s best known pub!

The Crown Bar, is unbelievably rich in colour and design that each time you go in you’ll find something new to catch your eye that you had missed before.

This pub, which is located on Great Victoria Street, in the centre of Belfast, was perhaps the greatest of Victorian Gin Palaces which once flourished in the industrial cities of Britain. Today wonderfully preserved, the Crown is cherished and still well used by the people of Belfast. It is owned by the National Trust and managed by Six Continents Retail Limited. The National Trust made the decision to purchase this exotic property in 1978 ( Sir John Betjeman, the late Poet Laureate, played a crucial role in the Trust’s decision.) In 1981 the Trust carried out a sympathetic restoration, and it took the sum of approximately £400,000 to restore the bar to its full Victorian splendour.

What makes a good Belfast pub? It’s more than just bricks and mortar. Like a pint itself, it is something that settles over time.

No visit to Belfast would be complete without calling in for a pint or two as it still retains an indelible flavour of yesteryear, for in the Crown Liquor Saloon there are no strangers, only friends who have yet to meet. (I will certainly go when I visit Belfast at the end of the month)

The food menu has over the years been extended to suit all our guests, and has come a long way in years past from Pork Pies and Pickled eggs. So reserve a Snug for lunch and enjoy the Craic.

______________________________________________________________

Nestled at the entrance to the world famous Gap of Dunloe lies Kate Kearney’s Cottage, a 150 year old family-run establishment. At “Kate’s” you will enjoy the tradition of hospitality made famous by the legendary Kate herself.

After a day’s sightseeing, why not stop in for a taste of Kate Kearney’s famous pub grub, washed down with the finest pint in the Kingdom! Relax in the newly refurbished lounge bar with its welcoming fire, and enjoy the atmosphere which attracts both locals and visitors alike. Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night during the season the cottage is host to an “Irish Night” featuring local traditional musicians and dancers.(Awesome night, I promise!!)

Kate was a well known beauty in Ireland in the years before the Great Famine (1845-1849). The legend of Kate has captured the imagination of people far and wide down through the years.

So… listed above are some of the most famous pubs in Ireland that I would definitely recommend so If you’re ever in Ireland, be sure to sample a pint of the black stuff, listen to some traditional music and live a great Irish Night.

To finish here are some crazy Stats: In Dublin, there is one pub for every 1119 adults, while in County Leitrim the ratio is one pub per 148 adults. Yet alcohol consumption per capita is roughly the same. The conclusion is inescapable – Leitrim folks are lonely drinkers, while Dubliners schmooze when they booze. County Waterford is average at 1 pub per 316 people.

Last year we told you to visit a Festival, to go to the Zoo, or to go Walking, but what if it rains? All of the above are outdoor activities! So I decided to have a look at what there was to do indoors, too and I picked out some really cool things.

But let’s start off like last year:  Yes you should go to a Festival! There are so many going on all around the country this Bank Holiday Weekend. Here are some of my favourites:

Connemara Mussel Festival on the Renvyle Peninsula – Food Festival

A celebration of Killary Mussels harvested from “One of the Forty Places to See Before you Die” takes place from the 4th-6th May 2012, on the glorious Renvyle Peninsula in North Connemara.

This is the sixth year of the festival and promises that more mussels will be eaten here this weekend than in any other part of the country. Last year, over a ton of mussels were eaten and organisers are set to harvest three tonnes of Killary Mussels for this year’s celebrations, which include music, fun, mussel cooking competitions, children’s treasure hunts and set dancing, to name but a few.

In the evenings, there will be a variety of music available in the local pubs. The Connemara National Park is close by, as well as beautiful beaches and majestic mountains.

E: connemaramusselfest@gmail.com | W: www.connemaramusselfestival.com

Accommodation nearby: Renvyle House Hotel

Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival – Music Festival

04 – 07 May 2012 @ Various venues around Kilkenny City

Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival, now in its 15th year, represents all forms of what we like to call Americana. From midday to midnight audiences wind their way through the medieval streets sampling the huge range of music in over 30 venues, hosting over 30 acts from Ireland, USA, Canada and UK, with over 30 ticketed and 50 free shows.

There’s a mixture of old and new acts on the free pub gig trail and all styles will be catered for, from swing to bluegrass, rockabilly to Cajun, folk & blues, at what the Irish Times describes as ‘Ireland’s most compact and hospitable music festival, where virtually everything is low-key but high grade’.”

E: info@kilkennyroots.com | W: http://www.rootsmusic.info

Accommodation: http://kilkenny.hotelsireland.com 

Féile na Bealtaine Arts Festival – Arts Festivals

The 18th year of this multi-disciplinary festival of arts and cultural activities. The central theme of the 2012 festival is Tom Crean’s Antarctic Explorations – an event that promises to broaden and extend your horizons.

03 May 2012 To 07 May 2012 @ Dingle, Co. Kerry

Guesthouse nearby: An Bóthar Pub & Guesthouse 

Ok, now let’s talk indoors in case it is raining (like today):

Imaginosity @ Dublin

Childrens Museum: With 12 hands on exhibits to explore Imaginosity has everything you need to entertain toddlers and their older siblings up to the age of 9 in one trip.

More information: www.imaginosity.ie

Here are some Hotels in Dublin City

National Art Gallery @ Dublin

Sat 1st May

Family Programme: Range of free Gallery based activities exploring storytelling, music art poetry and drama for age 4-10 years 3-4 pm

Mon 3rd May

Art Workshop: Bank Holiday art workshop in the National Gallery, Merrion Square in the Atrium Workspace. Drawing equipment provided 3-4pm

More information: www.nationalgallery.ie

This one is Outdoors but I found it really cute, so I put it on my list anyway:

May Day – A celebration of Bealtaine

Sunday 2nd May @ Airfield House, Dundrum

The celebration features traditional horse ploughing and the time honoured tradition of decorating their Fairy Tree. It’s also Airfield’s special day to celebrate Grandparents – Senior citizens so they have free entry. 12-4pm.

More information: www.airfield.ie

Here is something to do for the sport lovers:

Heineken Kinsale Rugby Sevens by the Sea

04 – 06 May 2012 @ Kinsale Rugby Club, Kinsale

7 aside rugby event played across 5 pitches. The main pitch is central to all facilities & there is a main marquee where music and fun will be going all day!

Friday is a fun day for teams arriving early who want to give the prop forward a run.

Saturday starts at 10am, with over 150 matches scheduled across the two days in senior men’s, ladies and junior men’s categories and the vets 10′s matches will also be played this day. The bar opens from noon to 8pm with music, food and fun all day.

Sunday kicks off at 10am hosting the main competitions with the biggest prizes – the senior men’s competition & the ladies and junior men’s finals. Play ends at 6pm and that night there is a festival in Kinsale town. Some come to Kinsale in May for fun on and off the pitches!

Accommodation in Kinsale: http://kinsale.hotelsireland.com

This one is for the curious:

Sligo Myths & Legends – Beltaine 2012  

05 – 06 May 2012 @ Strandhill, Co. Sligo

“Learn about myths and legends through guided tours and theatrical storytelling in Sligo’s sacred landscape: Carrowmore, Knock na Rae, Fairy Glen, Lough Gill, Holy Well, Carn’s Hill, Maigh Tuireadh, Hill of Kesh and Carrowkeel.

E: info@lughzone.com | W: www.lughzone.com

For the courageous:

The Long Walk Home – Grand Canal Walk    

Friday 04 May 2012 @ Shannon Harbour to Dublin

Join in on 4th May 2012 (bank holiday weekend) for a “stretch of the legs” on an exciting new 4 day Irish challenge – The Long Walk Home Grand Canal Walk (Shannon Harbour to Dublin – 130km)

• Beautiful scenery & tranquil settings
• Get away from the hustle & bustle of daily lives
• Soothe your soul, refresh your energies
• Put a spring back in your step
• Get fit & make new friends
• Explore unseen Ireland
• Take pride in walking across Ireland (approx 30k per day)
• Raise funds for young homeless people

E: fundraising@pmvtrust.ie | W: www.pmvtrust.ie

And last but not least for the geeks:

Invasion Dublin

Star Wars fan event @ Citywest Hotel Dublin  on May the 4th-7th.

May the 4th be with you!

“An amazing adventure into the world of Star Wars” – James Arnold Taylor

Invasion Dublin is just an amazing adventure into the world of Star Wars. It is something that is totally family friendly and I personally am looking forward to seeing the amazing pieces that will be set up there to walk through and experience!

Friday May 4th: 12-8pm | Saturday May 5th: 10am-6pm | Sunday May 6th: 10am-6pm | Monday May 7th: 10am-6pm

More information: www.invasion.ie

Guess where I’ll be going?

Oh, and also don’t forget to check out our May Bank Weekend Package Deals,  too.

No surprise that a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery was one of the first things on my to-do—list when I arrived here in Dublin almost 3 months ago! And it definitely is a Dublin attraction that’s not to be missed!

The Old Jameson Distillery is located in Smithfield, Dublin City. It is easily accessible by foot (Dublin is really not that big) or you can take the Red Luas Line (the Dublin Tram) and get off at the Smithfield stop. From here you might have some trouble finding it (I surely did!) as it isn’t well signposted. The sign shaped in an arrow that shows you the way is kind of confusing. You will end up going down a small pedestrian street and then you’ll see an arch on your left. Go through this arch and you will come into some sort of inside courtyard with a big barrel, a wooden barrel shaped bench, and a huge metal scale (which doesn’t work by the way, I tested it).

The entrance hall to the Distillery is very big, with a bar on your right and the gift shop on your left (toilets are next to the gift shop for those who wonder), parts of the floor are made of thick glass which gives you a view of the remains of the old distillery. The staff are very friendly and they don’t have too much of an Irish accent, and some speak several languages, so if you’re lucky like me you might find someone who speaks French fluently. They even offer tours in French and German for those that are interested.

The tour itself is not very long: First of all, you enter in a small cinema room with a big flat screen through two huge wooden doors. Take your seat and get ready for a bumpy ride, no just kidding. Your tour guide will introduce himself (or herself) and the distillery, then talk about what you are going to experience on your tour. The guide might talk pretty fast because there is a lot of info to be given in very little time, but if you don’t understand everything, you can always ask! After the presentation, you will see a nice little movie about Jameson and his Whiskey. Very informative indeed – and easy to understand, even for non-native English speakers!

Oh, I almost forgot, before the guide put on the movie, he asked for 8 volunteers. My suggestion: Don’t be afraid, raise your hand! They normally try to pick out 4 boys and 4 girls, but the day I went there, he was so surprised that there were so many girls volunteering that he only chose girls. Yippee. The chosen 8 will get an empty green tube made out of cardboard. Very mysterious… just don’t lose it!

After the movie you will start the main part of the tour, which will lead you through the different steps of the whiskey making process, with one room dedicated to each step. Our guide was really funny and very interested in where everybody was from. We all had a great time.

The tour finishes with a complimentary Jameson drink. You can choose between pure Whiskey and a Jameson mix, like Jameson with Cranberry (or Ginger ale, or Lemonade, or… I loooved the cranberry one!)  Obviously, there are also soft drinks available.

This is also the time for the absolute fun part: The lucky ones that were chosen at the beginning of the tour get to be whiskey tasters! We got to try three different kinds of whiskeys: Jameson (Irish), Scotch and American Whiskey (it was Jack Daniels when I went there) and you will learn all about how to tell them apart just by tasting them. Pretty cool, right?! Even better is that each of the volunteers receives a Irish Whiskey Taster Certificate. Yeah! … And now you know what the empty cardboard green tube is for, too. It’s to keep your Whiskey Taster Certificate safe.

Another little tip: After the tour, make your way back downstairs to the bar and try their Irish Coffee. It’s fabulous!

So, the next time you are coming to Dublin, make sure to visit the Old Jameson’s Distillery! You can get tickets online here: http://jamesontickets.visrez.com/ticket_booking

And if you are looking for a nice place to stay while you are in Dublin, I can recommend the Ashling Hotel which is only 5 minutes away from the Jameson Distillery!

My absolute favourite stop at this trip has to be Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens: Kylemore, in the heart of Connemara, is an ideal day-trip destination. The lakeside abbey is set against a backdrop of lush green slopes and is surrounded by the sloping mountains of the Twelve Bens. Originally a castle, built in 1867 as a romantic gift, Kylemore is steeped in history and tales of romance, tragedy and success. Home to Ireland’s only community of Benedictine nuns since 1920, this 1,000-acre estate has much to offer visitors.
Experience the Victorian atmosphere of the restored rooms of the Abbey, miniature Gothic church and Head Gardener’s House. There are numerous nature trails, woodland and lakeshore walks. For the more adventurous, guided mountain hikes are available.
Explore the magical 6 acre Victorian Walled Garden where only Victorian varieties of flowers and vegetables are grown. Vegetables and herbs from the garden are used in the café where they offer home cooked food made to the recipes of the Benedictine nuns. The tea house by the walled garden is the perfect place to relax and enjoy breathtaking views over Connemara National Park. The craft shop offers the very best of Irish products including Kylemore pottery from the onsite pottery studio and handmade chocolates and soaps made by the Benedictine nuns.

I can also very much recommend the Renvyle Hotel which is located only 20mins by car from Kylemore Abbey, directly at the beach.

The only disappointment in Connemara was that we didn’t get to visit Dan O’Hara’s Homestead & Connemara Heritage Centre. We just didn’t have time, so we only drove by it.
This award winning heritage centre is situated on the N59 approximately 5 miles from Clifden-the capital of Connemara. It offers a unique insight into the history and heritage of this most beautiful part of the West of Ireland.
• History presentation ”Connemara through the ages” in Irish and English.
• Audio visual available in English, Irish, German and French.
• Reconstructions of a crannóg, a ring fort and a clochaun
• Dan O’Hara Homestead & Pre famine farm
• Guided tours for groups with turf cutting and other demonstrations on request
• Craft shop with a large selection of knitwear, marble, jewellery and other gifts to choose from.
• Restaurant serving teas, coffee, cakes, scones, lunches. Special deals available for groups
• Farmhouse accommodation available with information about activities and amenities in the area.
It is opened from April to October. Off season on request. 7 days a week from 10 am to 6pm.

We also stoped in Clifden, a small but extremely charming town. This year they are celebrating their 200th anniversary from May 25th to June 4th 2012, a great reason to come and visit the Connemara region – and the best reason for me to go back there. Yippeeee
To learn more about Clifden 2012, click here.

That’s all for now folks. I hope I could give you some useful ideas for a cool trip to Connemara. I definitely loved it!

Oh, and if you need a place to stay, you can find Connemara Hotels here!

Northern Ireland
Traditional Easter Fun at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island, Lurgan, County Armagh.

The popular Easter fun craft sessions return with two sessions available. There will be an opportunity to make some great Easter goodies which you can take home; which would make great presents for your family! You can also take part in the Easter Trail at Oxford Island; collect a trail from reception, follow the clues around the Reserve, then collect your Easter treat and enter the prize draw.

Saturday 7th April 2012 – 10:30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm

£4.00 per child (for the craft sessions). Booking is essential for this event. Parental supervision required for under 8’s. Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Republic of Ireland
Easter Fun Weekend at Newgrange Farm, Slane, County Meath.

A special fun filled Easter weekend is planned with prizes and plenty of activities, from 2.00pm-5.00pm. Farmer Bill promises that “You’ll laugh, You’ll Learn, You’ll Love it!” Saturday 07 to Monday 09 April 2012:

10am to 5pm All the Fun on the Farm. See, Hold, feed the farm animals and poultry, hold a chick, pet a rabbit, feed the ducks, bottle feed a Lamb, milk a cow, play in play areas and so much more.

2pm to 4pm Games for Easter Eggs and Prizes, colouring – 5 age groups – Under 3, 3 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 to 9 and 10 and over, Family Quiz, Target Frog, Splat the Rat, Guess the Number of Eggs in the Jar, Pick a Lolly Game, What Time Will I Wake Up Game, Guess Where I Live Game.

2pm to 4pm Egg Hunting – A small number of plastic eggs are hidden around the farm at various times during the afternoon to exchange at the gift shop for small Easter eggs or chocolate rabbits.

2.30pm Painted Egg Judging – 5 age groups – Under 3, 3 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 to 9 and 10 and over

3.30pm Easter Bonnet/Hat Judging – 5 age groups – Under 3, 3 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 to 9 and 10 and over Children should bring their Painted Eggs and Bonnets/Hats with them to the farm. All entrants for these two competitions are guaranteed a small prize.

4pm Newgrange Farm Sheep Stakes – Sheep Race with Teddy Jockeys, weather permitting.

4.30 pm Prize Giving for Family Quiz, Guess the Number of Eggs in the Jar, What Time Will I Wake Game, Guess Where I Live Game, and Colouring Competition.

5pm Calf Feeding.

On site facilities include Coffee Shop, Gift Shop, Car and Bus Park, Outdoor and Indoor Picnic Areas, Toilets.

Yes it is tomorrow, and all I hear today is:  Titanic here, Belfast there, Titanic Belfast Festival everywhere.

But what is this “Titanic Belfast” you’re asking me? Well, you probably know that the Titanic is the most famous ship of all times, which sunk nearly exactly 100 years ago, and in this tragedy many, many people were killed… oh and it is also a great movie.

Here is what it’s all about:

Born in Belfast, built by Belfast and imagined by Belfast – there’s only one place the Titanic could really celebrate its 100-year anniversary. The Titanic’s footprint runs pretty deep in the city; from the shipyard’s hulking gantry cranes Samson and Goliath, to the slipway where MTV will play a rollicking one-off concert and a poignant memorial by the side of Belfast City Hall. The shiny cherry on top will be Titanic Belfast when it opens its doors on March 31st. Add theatre, insight-loaded tours and a raft of family-friendlyevents and you have yourself the most all-encompassing Titanic Festival, well, anywhere.

Want to know more? One hundred years after the birth of the world’s most famous ship, Titanic Belfast has become a major new tourist attraction for Northern Ireland. The Titanic Signature Building, now known as Titanic Belfast, was identified in Northern Ireland Tourism Board’s Strategic Framework for Action 2004-2007 as one of five key tourism signature projects to enhance Northern Ireland’s tourism offering.

The 14,000 sq.m.(150,700 sq.ft.) venue accommodates nine galleries of interactive exhibition space, including a dark ride, underwater exploration theatre, recreations of the ship’s decks and cabins and a luxurious conference and banqueting suite with capacity for up to 1000 people.

The unique architectural design was influenced by several maritime themes, including ice crystals, ships’ hulls and the insignia of the White Star Line. Construction of this massive project began in May 2009 and is finally finished now, in March 2012.

But what is really interesting is what is going on from tomorrow: the Launch Festival, the official opening of Titanic Belfast!

Immerse yourself in the amazing story of Belfast in the 1900s, take a spin in the Shipyard Ride, experience life on board and learn about Titanic’s maiden voyage, her tragic sinking, the many stories of human endeavour, and the technology and science that finally found her, and helped to solve some of the many mysteries surrounding that fateful night in 1912.

Titanic Belfast is a ‘must do’ interactive visitor experience engaging all the senses.

Remind me why I can’t go? Oh yeah London. Arrrrgg…

Anyways, the celebrations are lasting until the 22nd of April, plenty of time to go check it out.

Peace.

I read a lot of things about pouring beer, a lot of things matter: the beer type, the glass, the temperature and the glass angle.

Here is the way of pulling two different beers: Lager and Stout.

• Lager
Use a clean glass. A dirty glass, containing oils, dirt or residuals from a previous beer, may inhibit head creation and flavours.
Hold your glass at a 45° angle. Pour the beer, targeting the middle of the slope of the glass. Don’t be afraid to pour hard or add some air between the bottle and glass.
At the half-way point bring the glass at a 90° angle and continue to pour in the middle of the glass. This will induce the perfect foam head. And remember, having a head on a beer is a good thing. It releases the beer’s aromatics and adds to the overall presentation. You may also want to gradually add distance between the bottle and glass as you pour, to also inspire a good head. An ideal head should be 1″ to 1-1/2″.

• Stout
The first requirement is an imperial pint (20oz) glass. The glass should be clean, dry, and room temperature. In no circumstances use a chilled glass, or one that has not been cleaned properly. NOTE: a properly prepared glass will exhibit excellent ring-sustaining features.
Hold the glass at a 45 degree angle close to the spout to prevent large bubbles from forming in the head. Pull the tap fully open and fill the glass 75 percent full.
Allow the stout to settle completely before filling the rest of the glass. The creamy head will separate from the dark body.
To top off the pint, push the tap forward slightly until the head rises just proud of the rim. Never allow the stout to overflow or run down the glass.

Hope that helps! ☺

Guinness is said to be the easiest beer to pour. Tried and Approved.

Look at this mouth-watering video of pouring a Guinness. ♥

But first, here is a little surprise:

Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
and he came from decent people,

In Dublin town he built a church,
and on it put a steeple;
His father was a Gallagher,
his mother was a Brady,
His aunt was an O’Shaugnessy,
and his uncle was a Grady.
Then success to bold Saint Patrick’s fist,
He was a saint so clever,
He gave the snakes and toads a twist,
and banished them forever!
By Henry Bennet

How great to start with a poem about St Patrick. ☺

Number One: Jameson’s Distillery is having a Party: The countdown is on to the 2012 Jameson St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and this year’s festivities are proving to be the biggest yet.
The Jameson Global Party has its biggest line-up to date with well known rock band Razorlight and international DJ MYLO taking to the stage at the Dublin party. Along with the Dublin party 10 other parties will be taking place around the world and streamed live on our Digital platforms:
To check out the Dublin Jameson Global Party log on at 8pmGMT March 17th

Number Two: Guinness Storehouse St. Patrick’s festival 2012 from March 16th to March 18th
Opened from: 9:30am – Last admission: 7pm

In the friendliest city in the world on the friendliest Day of the year, where would you be but the home of Guinness. And because that’s too much friendly to squeeze into just one day, the Guinness Storehouse is celebrating all weekend long. This three-day festival includes live music and entertainment, tasty food to try and, of course, a perfect pint to wash it down. You will also have the chance to take part in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record: If your name is Patrick, Patricia, Patrice… or a variation, you get to be a very “Important Patrick”, with free entry on Paddy’s weekend.

See www.guinness-storehouse.com for more.

Number Three: St Patrick’s Festival
It takes place in Dublin from the 16th to the 19th.
There are a lot of things to do and see… Like music, culture, craic, fun things, family activities, films, comedy, sports…etc.
To know more and see the event calendar go here.

& Last but not least:
Some friendly tips to stay alive this weekend:

• Get the whole gang involved. You know you don’t see each other as often as you should.

• Water breaks. Have water regularly.

• Host like your mum would. Think about your guests and make sure there’s enough food and soft drinks to go round.

• Pace yourself. Grab a soft drink between drinks. Maybe when it’s your round.

• Eat something. It could be a long day, so eat before you head out and eat regularly. Keep up your energy for a day of celebrations.

• Have a getting home strategy. Know how you’re going to get home before you leave it. Have a cab number at the ready or pre-booked.

Have fun, be safe, and see ya. ♥

Talking about all those French things here in Ireland, I found a pretty cool even down in Cork City: The Cork French Film Festival which is starting next week.
The festival is under the patronage of Frederic Mitterrand, the French minister for culture, and is organised by the Alliance Franҫaise de Cork from the 4th to the 11th of March.  This year is the 23rd year of the festival; the goal is to bring the best of French cinema to Irish audiences.
The festival will officially be launched at the Cork Vision Centre by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan T.D., and will continue throughout the week at the Gate Cinema, Triskel Christchurch, English Market, Ballymaloe, UCC, CIT and other venues.
This year’s programme reflects yet again the artistic director Paul Callanan’s exceptional capacity in exploring the best of French Cinema. He has prepared an exciting and magical week-long programme that reveals the unpredictable vitality of the 7th Art, bringing you a selection of superb screenings, cine-concerts, educational programmes, masterclasses, installations, conferences, speakers and competitions.
The Festival is honoured to welcome to Cork this year’s star guest the renowned French comic film-maker Pierre Étaix, one of the kings of French comic cinema: Oscar-winning film-maker, whose achingly funny films were known from Paris to New York in the 1960s. A complete retrospective of his films will feature in this year’s Festival.

And while you vist Cork City for the French Film Festival, why not stay at the luxurious 4* Ambassador Hotel. The rates here are great and you can enjoy comfy rooms, a nice bar and lounge to relax and they have a dinner offer too.