Ireland's Answer to the Gourmet Chef.

Irelands Answer to Celebrity Chefs--Paul and Jeanne Rankin. The Rankins, who ran a restaurant in Belfast called Roscoffs [now Cayenne] and a bakery and have at least two cookbooks: Gourmet Ireland and Gourmet Ireland 2. These chefs emphasize ´fresh local produce´.

Other popular cookbooks are: Those by Darina Allen Avoca Cafe.

Here's a link to some info on their cookbooks:
Global Gourmet

Irish Wedding Customs

There are many ancient beliefs surrounding Irish weddings. For example - Wednesday was believed to be the luckiest day to get married on while Saturday was seen as unlucky; Green was an unlucky colour to wear at a wedding (the ancient Irish believed that the faeries would ´get´ you if you wore green and steal you away to the underworld!); and, if the mother-in-law broke a piece of cake over the bride´s head as she entered the marriage home it was said that the 2 women would remain friends for life!

These are just some of the many Irish superstitions that surround getting married!

Irish Football Camps

If your kids fancy being the next Robbie Keane check out these football camps. For youngsters aged 7-18years. 1 week, 2-week, 3-week and weekend camps are held throughout the year in London, Ireland, Germany and Portugal with a Mobile Coaching Unit being used for other areas and countries. A whole new experience!

Football Camps

The Irish Connection with St. Valentine

St. Valentine was a third century Christian martyr who was beheaded in Rome around 269 AD. His remains are believed to be held at the Carmelite Church on Whitefriar Street in Dublin. Every year on Valentine´s Day the casket containing the Saint´s remains is carried in solemn procession to the high altar of the Carmelite Church for a special Mass dedicated to young people and those in love.

Getting the Most Ireland for Your Money.

There's a lot of green to cover when you visit Ireland. For a first time visitor, it's hard to know when to go, where to go, what to do and where to stay.

I highly recommend that *new* visitors to Ireland sign up for a carousel tour of the country. Many tour providers offer such a tour--however, a good one is Trafalgar Tours (www.trafalgartours.com). In such a tour you will get a broad overview of Ireland, see many, if not all of the most popular attractions, and do so in a safe, comfortable manner that will not weigh heavy on your pocketbook/purse.

Planning to find your Irish Roots.

Keep in mind a few things as you plan the research you wish to do† namely:

a.) That Irish surnames were very susceptible to change (in the last century most Irish people spoke Gaelic and the spelling and translation of their names in to English was vague at best). Thus your Irish ancestors may very well have spelt their name very differently to the way you spell it.
b.) Ages and dates of birth or death can be ´out' by up to 10 years because records were not always kept accurately.
c.) You may not be able to go back much further than 1850 – few people can get further than 1750 as records simply don't exist.
d.) It's always worth checking to see if anyone else is researching your family history – there is no point in reinventing the wheel! Plus, you could end up with someone to work with!

The Book of Kells.

The Book of Kells is an illuminated 8th century, Latin manuscript which contains the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. Its pages are displayed at Ireland's Trinity College - Tel 608 1462 (entrance via Nassau Street 2) - where two sets of pages are turned and displayed each day. After what is usually a long wait through a maze of exhibits containing historic facts surrounding the book, the cost to view this artifact (discovered, fully preserved, in a peat bog), is 4 pounds.

Introduction to Irish Literature.

For a brilliant introduction to Irish Literature I highly recommend this book.

Editor Colm Toibin introduces past and present Irish writers with skill. Despite the depth of coverage however, not all Irish writers are covered. This is just a selection to get you started. Enjoy!

Irish Literature

Tipsy Beef

Cooking the beef in Guinness makes it very tender. For the recipe click here:

Tipsy Beef

Renting a car in Dublin.

The best place to rent a car when flying into Dublin is at the airport. As the airport is outside the city it will give you time to get accustomed to the roads/driving on the left side of the road etc.

Family History vs Genealogy

The study of family history is perhaps more interesting than genealogy because it involves not only discovering who your ancestors were but in studying the historical circumstances in which they lived. At the very least Irish history will start to come alive for you while discovering the mysteries surrounding your family will never cease to fascinate.

Stay in an Irish Castle

To fully experience an Irish Castle i4s a good idea to stay in one. Many have been renovated and make a wonderful, unique alternative to staying in a hotel. Check out this site for a list of castles and country houses all over Ireland that offer accommodation:

Stay in Irish Castle

The Guinness Factory Tour

The Guinness Factory Tour in Dublin shows you all the stages in the making of the famous brew:

Guinness Brewery and Museum: Crane Street 8 Tel 453 6700

Taking presents home

Food sacks are ideal for wrapping small gifts that you plan to take on a journey. First take the gift, wrap in bubble wrap (if breakable) and then coloured Christmas paper. Place the lot into a sack and tie with coloured ribbon. Festive and fool proof – your prezzies will arrive in one piece and look the part!

Irish Americans of the Silver Screen.

Descendants of the Irish have left their mark in theatre and film. Lionel, Ethel (Grandmother of Drew Barrymore) and John Barrymore are one of the most famous stage families, and are kept good company by stars like James Cagney, John Wayne (Star of The Quiet Man, real name Marion Michael Morrison), Bing Crosby (White Christmas), Gene Kelly (Singing in the Rain), John Ford (Director of Grapes of Wrath/The Quiet Man, real name Sean O´Fearna), Helen Hayes, Maureen O´Hara (The Quiet Man), Grace Kelly (To Catch a Thief), Art Carney and Jackie Gleason (both of The Honeymooners)and Carrol O´Connor (All in the Family), are just a few of the "shining" Irish.

Ireland of the Silver Screen.

If you are running out to the video store and want to bring home a film about or set in Ireland, this website has an extensive list:

Irish Films


Also provides a list of Irish names.