Travel & Tourism in Ireland
by Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Is it because this country is such a grand melting pot that so many of us are engaged in the search for our roots? There are, of course, a number of sensible reasons for learning about your past: ancient traditions that... Read more
In this digital age, it seems that everyone who picks up a camera is instantly a “photographer.”
And, true, many amateurs are pretty good, but the flip side of the coin is those gifted photographic artists like Tim Durham from Co. Westmeath, whose work... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Some people say that carefully choosing accommodation in Ireland isn’t all that important because, after all, you just sleep in those places.
For a lot of travelers, that seems to be all too true. They just slog from one... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Depending on the ages of your group, traveling the whiskey trail in Northern Ireland and the Republic is fun and a great learning experience, even if you aren’t a devoted whiskey drinker. Bushmills and Jameson are... Read more
Can you imagine raving about the cooking or food in Ireland? Have you ever used “gourmet” and “Ireland” together in the same sentence?
Well, times have changed radically over the years and Ireland is rapidly winning acclaim worldwide for outstanding chefs... Read more
BY JUDY ENRIGHT
SPECIAL TO THE BIR
Could there really be wildlife in Ireland? You bet and it’s not just confined to the pubs or city nightclubs.
If you are anywhere near Co. Cork in your Irish travels, visiting the Fota Wildlife Park and nearby... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Driving in Ireland might euphemistically be called a challenge for those of us accustomed to driving on the right.
But the Irish, good folks that they are, have accepted that not everyone driving the roads speaks English... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Ah, St. Patrick, that elusive, mystery man who surfaces once a year, on March 17, empowering everyone to flaunt their Irishness, whether or not they have even one drop of Irish blood.
Would you believe – and you can pull... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
One of Ireland’s most appealing attributes, as we’ve said in previous columns, is that no matter how many times you visit, you can always discover something new.
For instance, local friends recently toured Ireland and... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone says “Ireland?” Well, probably green fields, sheep, and magnificent vistas. Sure, there are all three in Ireland but there’s so, so, so much more. It’s truly a place... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
In this season of giving, I like to mention one of my favorite Irish charities, The Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll, Mallow, Co. Cork, and the wonderful work they do there.
Several years ago, I revisited the Sanctuary and... Read more
by Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
The ancestral home of Grace Kelly, Oscar-winning American actress, fashion icon and ultimately princess of Monaco, doesn’t look like much at first glance.
And, honestly, it’s really not much more now than the crumbling... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
Last month, we wrote about Irish bed and breakfasts and how many of the owners have elevated B&B accommodation in Ireland to an art form. Our favorites, as outlined then, include: Cahergal Farm in Newmarket-on-Fergus... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
How do you spell luxury in Co. Cork? C-a-s-t-l-e-m-a-r-t-y-r, that’s how!
We spent a recent Saturday night at Castlemartyr Resort and very highly recommend this wonderful place. While the resort is utterly luxurious, it... Read more
Times change and trends and fads come and go in Ireland as they do everywhere. With that in mind, I've found that when you visit the Emerald Isle, you really can't go wrong visiting some of the tried and true attractions and events.
Aillwee Cave -- Many... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
What a crazy month for travelers! If you had told someone prior to April that you couldn’t visit due to a volcanic ash cloud, they’d think you were joking.
And that’s exactly what I thought when a longtime friend called... Read more
By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR
If music is the heart of Ireland, then surely Doolin in Co. Clare is the soul of the country as evidenced by the huge annual turnout for the Russell Memorial Weekend.
This musical weekend -- in memory of brothers Micho,... Read more
At Christmastime, as the creche is unpacked and set up on the mantelpiece, I pause when I take out the old gray donkey and think about the wonderful work done by Paddy Barrett and his dedicated and caring staff at The Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll,... Read more
As a friend and I drove along a curvy stretch of the Atlantic Drive on Achill Island in Co. Mayo this spring, I spotted a sign on the side of the road that said: Aire Ailtreacha Arda.
Interesting, I thought, since it had no accompanying image and I don't... Read more
You can probably imagine that, over my years as a travel writer, I have had the opportunity to stay at countless lovely Irish inns, hotels, and manor houses.
Many of these properties have every amenity you could ever want from a place where you really... Read more
