Musings, ramblings and thought provoking articles from our team of talented writers - all views expressed are their own!
No nation or culture can be represented fairly by just one person. If any two men could between them manage to convey the essence of Irishness, it would be Oscar Wilde and Michael Collins. These vastly different men both shaped Irish history, culture and identity in very different ways – and they share a birthday. […]
His name is so merged with his product that we often forget it was a person’s name before it was a stout. His signature is right there on the logo, but what do we know about him? The name Guinness is as closely associated with Ireland as the name Patrick. But before there was Guinness […]
Most of Ireland is rural. Farming is a crucial part of the Irish economy, history and culture. One of the largest events in the country is all about farm life. Every September, when farming life calms down slightly, Irish farmers gather for a massive celebration of their vocation. The National Ploughing Championships are much more […]
HRH the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle’s turn as guest editor of British Vogue has garnered attention around the world for featuring women who she describes as ‘forces for change.’ Alongside high-profile leaders such as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, legendary actor and activist Jane Fonda and author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is Irish academic, […]
If you celebrate your birthday in August, you share a birthstone with one of Ireland’s most famous women. Maureen FitzSimons from the Ranelagh area in Dublin was a gifted athlete, marvelous singer, talented actress and stunning beauty born on August 17, 1920. That name might not ring a bell because she became one of the […]
Lughnasa was not actually that big a part of the play and subsequent film Dancing at Lughnasa. The story was so captivating, it’s easy to focus on that and forget all about the name. But Lughnasa was once a fairly important event in Ireland. It was the Celtic harvest festival, and it was named for […]
Centuries ago, the Vikings left their mark on Ireland. Dublin and Waterford particularly can boast of fascinating evidence of the influence of the Vikings who arrived in the 8th century. They began as invaders, but as fierce as they were, even the Vikings could not withstand the charm of the Irish. So they settled in […]
When we think of famous Irish people who have made profound contributions to society, we tend to think of the arts. Ireland does boast more than its share of writers, actors, musicians and artists. But this island can also be very proud of its contributions to science, particularly those of astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who […]
“Twinkle, twinkle little star/ how I wonder what you are/ up above the world so high/ like a diamond in the sky…” Countless parents have sung that classic song with their small children without too much thought to the words, but astronomers have discovered a star is not just like a diamond in the sky. […]
The Eiffel Tower is pretty, but is standing in line with a mob of other tourists really all that romantic? If your idea of romance involves seclusion, rugged natural beauty and a sense of history, Ireland offers a lot of spots that are perfect. Of course, we have plenty of places that draw crowds. Blarney […]
