Today we leave for Co. Clare, about an hour’s drive to Lisdoonvarna,

You will visit the magnificent Cliffs of Moher; take a walk on these unspoiled cliffs there since the dawn of time.

 Stop by the visitor’s center and learn the history of these cliffs see photos of them long ago,

 A suburb gift store, a restaurant for lunch.

 We will take you to Doolin a small village on the coast 

And you will visit the Doolin Cave.

From the moment you descend over…

Today we take a trip to the Aran Islands, from Doolin,

Aran is the birthplace of the sweater worn by many the world over.

Knitted by the women on spinning wheels, designing a pattern especially for the family, if the man died at sea they would be able to tell who it was by the sweater.

Aran is also a place time has forgotten the locals move at their pace not the rest of the world, some lovely walking biking or the best treat is a ride around the Island in a horse and…

By John Bruton

The rebellion of Easter Week 1916 was one of the formative events in Irish history.

It led towards the independence we now enjoy, along with the enactment of Home Rule in 1914, the meeting of the First Dail in 1919, the…

Anne Bonny

DOMHNAIGH -- On March 8, 1700, or perhaps a year or two earlier,…

SPRING awake.

"The dawn is awakened by the chourus of nature,

the fragrance of spring is in the air,

It may be hidden in a single bud,in gardens of blossoming flowers,

springtime has come and gladly recieved the embrace of the sun

one shall soon see thier love,

nature resimes her beauty,

The human soul will express Eros.

Madness in spring is a wholesome thing!...."

When European settlement of North America started pushing inland from the coast, transportation problems repeatedly occurred. The biggest problem was the Appalachian Mountains, 400 miles from the coast.  This made it difficult to transport goods as well as…

The game of 'Rings' is a traditional Irish game, brought to the four corners of the world by the emigration of the Irish during the famine years.  The other traditional Irish games of Bowls, Skittles and Horseshoes are played during the summer, while…

Fifteen days before Christmas 1988, "Aunt" Bridie Halpin died. At 85, she had lived a good life, but it was still sad for the Halpin family for their Bridie was the beloved matriarch of the clan in America. The first to come over, she had emigrated to New York in 1946. In turn, she…

Thomas Kent was born in Bawnard House Castleyons Co Cork 1865-1916 . He is one the very least know of the 1916 Easter RisngVolunteer’s  who shares the dubious honour of being one of two men executed for their part in the 1916 Easter Rising -although he did not take part in the Easter Rising. He and his family were very much a part of the Irish…

First printed in The Irish Times on February 24, 2015

Jillian Godsil found to have been ‘directly instrumental’ in bringing about a change in the law

A woman has been awarded the costs of her legal challenge which prompted legislation allowing undischarged bankrupts to run for Dáil and European elections.

Jillian…

Check out our past quizzes here.

Whether you’re studying Gaeilge as a native Irish person or as part of the Irish diaspora, the most important aspect to consider is staying motivated. It is true that there're several ways to achieve this goal, however, the best methodology to keep in mind is to maintain your…

Many people are familiar with the exploits of the Victorian explorer David Livingstone in Africa, his missionary work, anti-slavery agitation and his meeting with the journalist, Henry Morton Stanley on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, in November 1871 which gave rise to the now famous, and much parodied phrase, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

Few people are aware that when contact with Livingstone was again lost after he parted company with Stanley, concern about his safety and health…

Barbara Scharres, program director of The Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, and Irish American News columnist and radio personality Mike Houlihan announced today their plan to present the first annual “Irish American Movie Hooley” at the Siskel Film Center from September 25-27,…

Michael O'Hanrahan (Micheál Ó hAnnrachain, 1877 – 4 May 1916) is another one of the 1916 Leaders who is not universally  known.  He was born in New Ross, County Wexford to Richard and Mary O’Hanrahan (nee Williams).  He had a brother, Henry, and a sister, Eily.  His father was heavily involved in the 1867 Fenian Rising.  Michael's family moved to County Carlow when he was a young…

On 22 August 1798 a French force of about 1000 under General Jean Humbert (left) landed…

Read about the great woman from Cork, Mary Nagle Donohue, who was buried unknown and unmarked in a pauper's grave in Lackawanna, NY: www.billdonohue.ws. ;

Patricia Horne is an Irish medical doctor who worked in Nigeria during in the 1950s at one of several medical missionary hospitals managed by Irish Catholic religious orders.

Horne came from a medical family. Her grandfather, Andrew Horne, was a founder and first…

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