Travel & Tourism in Ireland
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
January, the window into 2017, invites a review of some of our favorite places, accommodations, and attractions in Ireland for travelers who might visit this year.
The island offers every kind of activity an active... Read more
By Judy Enright. Special to the BIR
Lovely stained glass window in St. Patrick’s Church, Lahardane, Co. Mayo, by the late, great Harry Clarke. The season of peace and tranquility is thankfully upon us after a tumultuous, wild, and wooly year. No matter... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Patricia Daly handpaints decorative items at Celtic Weave China in Cloghore, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.
How does a traveler to Ireland take the pulse of this foreign land? Some visitors like to get the scoop from... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
There’s a lot to love about Ireland in October – and every other month, too, of course.
By October, most tourists have been and gone, their vacations often dictated by children’s school schedules. But don’t worry:... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
You spot Black Donkey, 9 White Deer, and a Black Boar. Are you at an Irish farmhouse, tourist attraction, or nature park? Not at all. You are in a pub on the West Coast of Ireland sampling some of the many varieties of... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the Reporter
Some travelers claim that it doesn’t really matter what type of accommodation you choose when you’re on a trip because “it’s just a place to sleep.” We heartily disagree. Securing interesting places to stay in... Read more
By JUDY ENRIGHT
Special to the BIR
Not every hotel has a book written about it, but the Bush Hotel in lovely Leitrim is not just any hotel.
A friend and I stayed there this spring and were delighted by the sincere and warm welcome extended by the staff of... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Color is the operative word in Ireland these days – brilliant color from the greenest of fields and occasional blue skies to flowering plants, trees, and bushes whose colors pop when sunshine hits them in gardens,... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
It’s all about food and creative menus in Ireland these days. If someone tells you the food in Ireland isn’t good, they have either not been here for about 30 years or they have made some horribly poor choices in... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
As we’ve said many times in the past, Ireland’s tourism staff are absolutely tops at promoting their favorite country. Hats off to Tourism Ireland here – called Failte Ireland there - for consistently outstanding work to... Read more
By Judy Enright, Special to the BIR
It’s March and Ireland is alive and lively after a cold and stormy winter. It is, of course, St. Patrick’s time to shine and a month when everyone is Irish, regardless of heritage.
ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
From March... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
What? Orchids grow wild in Ireland? Well, sure. In fact, there are about 27 native orchid species that grow in Ireland and more than 20 of those are found in the Burren in Co. Clare, on the Wild Atlantic Way on the West... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
A Co. Mayo ram is a handsome specimen of his breed.
Well, why so many sheep photos with this month’s column you might wonder?
When I am asked what I like best about Ireland, I have to admit that I love the West Coast,... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Christmas seems like a perfect time to remind future visitors to Ireland about the wondrous works of the stained glass artist Harry Clarke. His magnificent windows can be found in numerous places around the country, and... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Nothing enhances an Irish experience like having a wonderful place to stay – and no one knows that better than the owners of assorted types of accommodation whether hotels or bed and breakfast homes.
Temple House: Temple... Read more
by Judy Enright
Planning to book a tour of Ireland? As you probably know already, tours are a really great way to see the country through the eyes and dialogue of trained guides in the many all-around tour companies. There are so many things to see across... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Wow!
There simply isn’t any other word to adequately describe Ashford Castle’s new look.
Red Carnation Hotels, a South African company that owns Ashford Castle in Cong, Co. Mayo, has spent the last two years completing... Read more
By Judy Enright
It’s not exactly Ireland, but Milwaukee’s Henry W. Maier Festival Park will be more Irish than Ireland over the third weekend in August when the 35th annual “Irish Fest” comes to town.
The mission of Milwaukee’s annual Irish Fest is “to... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Let’s have a show of hands, please, from all readers who have visited County Monaghan.
Where are all those hands? Hate to admit it, but I wouldn’t have been raising my hand, either – until this spring. Apparently, I’m... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
It’s an island country, so it should be no surprise that in Ireland there is a great focus on fish and its many excellent restaurants.
According to the Irish Sea Fisheries Board (Bord Iascaigh Mhara or BIM) there were 11... Read more
