BABY NEWS!

आ बब्य अपडेट! - Daughter Kathleen of Dallas फ हस आ लिटिल गर्ल रेडी तो मके हेर देबुत इन लेट देसम्बेर!
एवेर्योने डींग वेल्ल!
Thanks, Lee

CHECK OUT IRELAND TRAVEL PACKAGES

Ireland Travel Packages

By Seth Miller

Ireland travel packages are a wonderful and easily-attained way of seeing the beauty of Ireland. You can take advantage of all kinds of discounts when you buy the airfare, room and board, dining, activities, and other travel excursions all at the same time. Many people do this year round, but especially in the summer, when the weather is fine.

The opulence of Ireland is magnificent. It is easy to see why this country has been an inspiration for music, art, literature, theater and poetry for centuries. To capture the magical beauty of Ireland, you can take advantage of travel packages with which you can experience the tremendous beauty of Ireland.

The packages are varied in features. There are walking and biking tours, river cruises or self-guided walking tours or tours taken in rental cars. Walking and biking tours give you a close-up view of Ireland, and meandering through its narrow village streets helps you in understanding the local culture and region, and allows you to meet new people.

River tour packages also are special and enjoyable in their own special manner, allowing you to cruise through the country?s waterways. Cruise ships are big enough to carry a good number of passengers in comfort. The interesting self-drive tours let you drive through Ireland and appreciate its beauty and cultural richness. The packages can easily be customized according to the individual?s needs. The packages include lodging, food and sightseeing. The packages suit your interests and budget, and make your traveling experience affordable and pleasurable. [http://www.e-IrelandTravel.com]Ireland Travel provides detailed information on Ireland Travel, Ireland Budget Travel, Ireland Travel Deals, Ireland Travel Packages and more.

Ireland Travel is affiliated with [http://www.e-LastMinuteTravel.com]Very Last Minute Travel Deals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Seth_Miller http://EzineArticles.com/?Ireland-Travel-Packages&id=276966

Guinness: A Dublin Legacy

By Ronan Menton

Guinness is an Irish institution , and if you visit any pub in Ireland you will see Guinness has pride of place at the bar. Often referred to as ‘the black stuff,’ Guinness is a stout beer which is typically a malt beer with a caramel flavour and bitterness in the finish. Guinness is made with four natural ingredients (water, barley, hops, yeast) and with the addition of isinglass during the filtration process.

Guinness was first brewed in 1759, but it was not until 1769 that the beer was exported. Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease for an unused brewery - St. James Gate brewery in 1959, a lease that cost only £45 per year. Today St. James Gate is the second largest brewery in the world and amazingly 10 million glasses of Guinness are drunk every day across the world.

In Ireland the way Guinness is poured is always a talking point. If you are in an Irish bar you are sure to hear people comment on the quality of their pint, which would be strange anywhere else but in Ireland. The Irish are obsessive about their Guinness, and go as far as only buying pints from barmen they trust or send back pints because there are bubbles in the head. It is a theory in Ireland that the closer the keg is to the tap, the better the Guinness.

Guinness is world-famous for the unique way it is poured. Best served cool, Guinness should be poured slowly into a glass at an angle so bubbles do not form. Once filled three quarters of the way, the Guinness is left to stand and settle. Once settled, the pint should be ‘topped up’ by holding the Guinness under the tap, and by pushing the tap forwards. A pint pulled in such a manner will have a creamy head that will last till the end. As stated in one of Guinness’s adverts, the perfect pint of Guinness takes 1:20.5 seconds.

If you are planning to visit Dublin, be sure to enjoy at least one pint of Guinness in a traditional bar, preferably with Irish stew and brown bread.

Ronan Menton is the webmaster for a number of travel related websites and has been for some time in Ireland, associated with search engine optimisation in the Irish travel industry. He spends two months a year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and now sees it as his second home.

Among the many sites he is currently working on are the following: [http://www.e-car-rental-ireland.com/]Car Rental in Ireland and [http://www.international-car-rentals.com/]International Car Rentals.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronan_Menton http://EzineArticles.com/?Guinness:-A-Dublin-Legacy&id=187247

You Need An Ireland Golf Vacation!

By Jason Powers

You need an Ireland golf vacation, heck, I need an Ireland golf vacation, who doesn’t? There is simply nothing more relaxing and soothing on earth than a wonderful Ireland golf vacation. Ireland is one of the most gorgeous places to see, it is so green and so lush. It is full of a vibrancy that is just not felt here And if you love golf you will be in heaven on an Ireland golf vacation.

The golf in Ireland is world renowned for its amazing wonder. The courses are fabulous to play on and just as fabulous to look at. You have not seen green until you have gone on an Ireland golf vacation.

When you do take your Ireland golf vacation you need to make the most of it. This means not just sticking to the golf courses. Of course you are going to spend a lot of time on them but you need to take some time out to see what else Ireland has to offer you. There is so much to see and do in Ireland and it might get hard to fit it all into your Ireland golf vacation so plan out the sites you want to hit. This will help you to manage your time in the best way.

Since you are going to be spending a significant amount of time on the links on your Ireland golf vacation you need to try to plan your other excursions around your tee times. Look at the schedule and see what works best for you. Once you have your times on your Ireland golf vacation you will then be able to plan your other sight-seeing around your golf games. This is efficient and effective and it will keep you from feeling like you are missing something on your Ireland golf vacation and that is the most important thing. You need to be able to relax and enjoy what you are doing on your Ireland golf vacation.

You will want to find out what time other sites open and close in order to be able to plan in the best way. You may want to shift a tee time here or there on your Ireland golf vacation to make room for another thing to see if the times do not seem to jive. Don’t worry, there is plenty of time to do it all on your next Ireland golf vacation.

Jason Powers, a devoted golf fan, offers more golf tips on his personal website ===> http://www.golfsites.info/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Powers [http://ezinearticles.com/?YouNeed-An-Ireland-Golf-Vacation!&id=97819 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?YouNeed-An-Ireland-Golf-Vacation!&id=97819

A Haunted Irish Holiday

By Kelly Damien

There are many, many holiday homes available in Ireland, and if you would take the time to browse the Internet for websites specializing in Irish travel tours, you will not find it hard to snag the perfect holiday home for your vacation in Ireland. But if you want to experience something special that will make your trip to Ireland truly memorable, why not go and book a stay in a haunted home?

Ireland has a long history, with some periods of it graced with warfare among clans and within clans, not to mention warfare between the Irish natives and the invaders from Normandy who came with William the Conqueror in 1066. Much of these periods of violence were witnessed by the stone castles that dot the Irish landscape; more often than not, the owners or former owners of these stone castles took part in them. But not all hauntings were of lost soldiers who died in fighting; there were some hauntings with stories have a more personal note.

One of these haunted homes is Renvyle House Hotel in County Galway. Although it was completely rebuilt after being burned down by the Irish Republican Army, Renvyle House Hotel itself has a history that spans 120 years. This property was once a favorite abode of the Irish poet William Butler Yeats. Yeats had dabbled in the occult and was said to have witnessed apparitions and heard unearthly sounds. Nowadays, it is said that Yeats himself has joined the ghosts that haunt Renvyle House Hotel.

Ballygally Castle Hotel in County Antrim is another castle reputed to have an otherworldly resident. Stories are afloat that there was a Madame Nixon who lived and died in Ballygally Castle Hotel and whose wandering spirit now likes to tease guests by knocking randomly on their doors.

Another story is that of a Lady Isabella Shaw, who threw herself and her baby daughter to their deaths after failing to deliver a baby boy. It is said that her sobbing and her daughter’s cries can be heard in the castle.

These are just two of the famous haunted castles in Ireland. So, if you want a uniquely otherworldly stay in a holiday home in Ireland, search the Internet for some haunted castle hotels and stay for the night.

"Travel in Ireland" is the tourism guide for Ireland. "Travel in Ireland" specializes in holiday homes in Ireland. "Ireland Tours" has the largest selection of accommodations in Cork.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Damienhttp://EzineArticles.com/?A-Haunted-Irish-Holiday&id=566474

Favorite Irish Recipes

(HELPFUL HINT: 1 ounce = 28.35 grams, or "grammes;" thus your 250 grammes of ham or bacon is 8.8 ounces - little over half a pound! To convert grams to ounces, multiply grams by 0.0353. And we all should know that 750 ml is the familiar "fifth" of a gallon. Oh, and rillette means "plank" in French.)

By Dara Ward

Are you sick of the same old food? Want to try that something different? Perhaps you want to impress the lady or man in your life with your culinary skills. Below are some of the best Irish recipes around.

Bacon and Cabbage Soup

Ingredients:
1 Medium Onion sliced
Butter-5-60 Grammes
4 medium potatoes peeled and sliced
1 Cabbage-use Savoy or Spring cabbage
Chicken Stock-750ml
Salt and Pepper
Bay Leaves-5 for flavour
250 Grammes Ham or Bacon
Toss the butter onto the pan as add the sliced onions as it begins to melt. Add your potatoes nicely sliced and the cabbage. Cook for about 3 minutes. Add the stock, continue to cook. Throw in the bay leaves and bring to the boil. Turn heat down and cook until potatoes are soft. Add the ham or bacon and simmer for 30 minutes. Season as required with salt and pepper.

Rillettes of Fresh and Smoked Salmon

This is a great little snack for those hot summer days.
Ingredients:
225 Gramme Poached Salmon Flaked
175 Gramme Smoked Salmon cut into small pieces
3 Spoons Fresh Cream
I spoon of Horseradish Sauce
Some chopped Dill
Chopped Chives
Salt and Pepper
I pinch of Cayenne Pepper
1 good squeeze of fresh lemon
Throw all the ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Serve as a chilled salad or in a sandwich. Its that simple. Delicious!

Dara Ward is an expert on all things Irish. He even cooks for his wife at home. He operates over 20 Irish travel websites which offer instant bookings for 120 Hotels in Dublin He also runs Self Catering Cottages in Ireland.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dara_Wardhttp://EzineArticles.com/?Favourite-Irish-Recipes&id=185106

Great News on Monday!

Well, I got some great news today! My youngest daughter, an hyphenated Kelly-, is pregnant and the baby is due December 24! Don't know the gender yet, but it's time to celebrate my third grandchild!

Mom, Dad, and Baby, who live in Dallas, are all doing well!

More news as we receive it!

Thanks, Lee

Blackcock's Feather - Irish Swashbucklers

Reviewed by Hilary Williamson
www.bookloons.com

This is the 'plain cloak-and-sword story rendered from the Scots and Gaelic' of a man who became known as Blackcock's Feather for the distinctive decoration that adorned his 'fine Highland bonnet'. We first meet David Gordon, fresh from his father's burial and weary of the futility of years spent with that 'wandering man' in European exile. For Iain Gordon 'had two loves in all his life': David's mother Fionuala, daughter of an Irish chieftain; and Mary Queen of Scots. Iain hated Elizabeth, who ordered Mary's execution and his principles kept him from fighting on the side of the English or against the underdog.

Unfortunately, given the political situation at that time, these scruples left him unable to sell his sword and he ended up teaching fencing and wrestling in small towns on the fringes of armies.Hearing that the Irish chiefs were finally uniting to wage war against Elizabeth, Iain and his twenty-eight year old son travelled to Ireland by way of Bristol. There Iain fell ill and died, leaving his son at loose ends. The story opens as David shows his mettle wrestling with the Cornish shipowner who tries to deny him a refund of his father's fare. This is when he first encounters a gallant enemy, Sir Francis Vaughan, who is impressed by his demeanour and attempts to win him to the English side. Gordon has not yet decided when a brutal encounter in Dublin makes up his mind for him - Captain Cosby, 'a man you would say at first glance was handsome and merry - and be only a good judge of looks', viciously slaughters an unarmed Irish chieftain, whom David has befriended.

After a comical encounter with Vaughan's servant, Trooper Tom Pybus, and taking the 'wine of advice' from his friend Cathal, Gordon rides by back roads to Ulster and to Dungannon where he meets the O'Neill and learns that the cousin he had hoped to find is a truce hostage in Galway. Nevertheless he heads on to Dungiven; his cousin Donal is there after all and welcomes David as close kin. There is also the priest, Father Senan, who loves David for his dead mother's sake.

David describes himself as 'a dangerous, sullen fellow to outward seeming, though, in truth, I was, even then, of mild and reasonable habit.' He finds a fellowship in Dungiven that he had never known ... 'On my first coming we talked for three days back-and-fore, and after that, as they say, we began talking.'

Blackcock's Feather is a wonderful tale of war, action and, of course, romance. While hostage, Donal met and fell for Amy Burc, whose father is about to send her out of reach to England. A raid is planned and succeeds, but the party is separated and David and Father Senan have their own adventure. They cross swords with Cosby and David meets his match in Eithne O'Flaherty in 'an experience that had shaken the roots of my life'. She hides them from the English, who are her mother's allies. There are many more encounters with old friends and enemies, brutality side by side with gallantry.

As in The Quiet Man, Walsh gives an idealized and sentimental perspective of the Gael, imbedded in a rousing tale of historical adventure. David Gordon is an excellent hero; dour and always ready to decry his own abilities, yet a true friend, a brave fighter, and a man of principles like his father. He does defeat the villain in a final confrontation and wins what he deserves, though, in true Irish fashion, his future mother-in-law has the last word. It is a shame that Walsh wrote so few historical novels, but they are all worth reading, especially this one.Notes: This book is out of print but is still available from rare book stores. Thanks to Violet Books for giving permission to show the dustwrapper illustration above. Have a look at their Gallery of Rare Dustwrappers and vintage Illustrations.

Maurice Walsh: The Romance of The Gael

If this is your introduction to the Irish novelist Maurice Walsh, we hope you enjoy his work as much as we do. If you're a fan, let us know what your favorite Walsh novel is.

Walsh was born in 1879 in Lisselton, near Listowel, County Kerry. He's most famous for "The Quiet Man," a short story celebrated in the John Ford-John Wayne-Maureen O'Hara film. Personally, I find the movie cloying and pretty superficial. But that's John Ford for you. Walsh could be overly dramatic, but I think he comes close to capturing the Gaelic spirit - full of elation, wonder, superstition - and depression and despair on a cosmic level.

His works include "The Key Above The Door," "While Rivers Run," "The Small Dark Man," "And No Quarter", my personal favorite, known as "The Dark Rose"in the U.S. I'll review this one soon. I lent my copy (now out of print) to my favorite redhead (an O'Sullivan) , and she still has it.

Others are "The Hill is Mine," "The Spanish Lady," "Castle Gilliam," "Trouble in the Glen," "Blackcock's Feather," and "The Road to Nowhere." See the review of "Blackcock's Feather," by Hilary Williamson of www.bookloons.com , above.

Walsh died in 1964. For more information, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Walsh

A Trip To Western Ireland

After my daughter and her family moved to Ireland in 2005, they visited the West, touring Dunguaire Castle and taking in the medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle. When I saw this photo, my first thought was: "Wow! The place has really grown up." It seemed I'd been there before when the ivy was not nearly as extensive. Deja vu? I wonder.