Michael Cusack takes a critical look at the many controversial issues facing Croagh Patrick Mountain today. There’s the continued erosion caused by ever-growing numbers of climbers on the Reek (its nickname) and the inherent dangers that that brings. He asks who is actually responsible for Croagh Patrick as it is not a national park, and what needs to […]
The beauty and peace of Inis Meáin
Where is it and how do you get there? Inis Meáin (meaning ‘Middle Island’), or Inishmaan in English, is indeed the middle Aran Island, and second largest in size of the three. Although the Aran Islands are closer to the Clare coast they in County Galway. We took the ferry from Doolin in Co. Clare, […]
Cape Clear, West Cork’s Gaelic Island Gem
Where is it and how do I get there? The island of Cape Clear (Oileán Chléire) lies eight miles south of Baltimore West Cork, and three miles east of the solitary Fastnet Rock and lighthouse. The Cape is a mere three miles long and one mile wide and is Ireland’s southernmost inhabited island, and part […]
Ceol agus some craic at Ennis Fleadh ’16
The Fleadh, back in Ennis… Ah, County Clare, Ennis and Irish music, a match made in Trad heaven. The 65th Fleadh kicked off in the town last week and expectations were high and bumper crowds expected, especially after the record-breaking attendance figures since Tullamore 2008, which crowned the event as Ireland’s largest festival. Last year’s […]
Hooked on Ballina…
The North Mayo town of Ballina (or Béal an Áth in Irish, meaning ‘mouth of the ford’) is the county’s second biggest town after Castlebar. In fact, Ballina is the second largest town in Connaught, with a population of over 10,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the river Moy, famous for its salmon fishing, and […]
Boyle, the jewel of North Roscommon
I am a big fan of the North Roscommon, South Sligo and West Leitrim region, it has a lot to offer visitors, and is packed full of real gems, hidden and not-so-hidden. Central to this region is the historic town of Boyle, more famous these days for actor Chris O’Dowd’s (a Boyle native) comedy series […]
Carrowkeel Sligo, a rich tapestry of ancient past and natural beauty…
In the south of Sligo, near the border with North Roscommon, lies the wonderful Neolithic-infused landscape of Carrowkeel, or An Cheathrú Chaol in Irish (meaning ‘the Narrow Quarter’), in the Bricklieve Mountains. Here among the hard limestone hills of the Bricklieves (derived from the Breac Sliabh, meaning ‘The Speckled Mountains’) you will find one of […]
Willie Clancy’s week of Ceol agus Craic in West Clare
What’s it all about? The Willie Clancy week, or Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy to give it its official title (as Gaeilge), is one of Ireland’s longest running Summer Schools (predated only by Scoil Acla, Achill 1910 and The Brian Merriman Summer School also in Clare, 1968) . The week-long Summer School and ‘festival’ of Irish traditional […]
The improntu trad session, a rare thing enough…
There was a time in Ireland, not that long ago… I’d say pre early 90’s, when coming across people happily playing music and singing in our pubs, heck, for the love of it, was fairly commonplace. Not so much these days, I find. Yes, there are many places, and pockets around the country, where this […]
Inishbofin adventure
A trip to Inis Bo Finne, the island of The White Cow This was my second visit to this wonderful island, seven years ago being my first, it was sunny and glorious then, I recall, this weekend was more a typical Irish summer, rain was forecasted, but I didn’t mind, I was just glad to […]