Green trails and massive variety characterize Ireland's walking vacations

Amazing lush green views on Ireland's walking trails

If you fancy a walking holiday in Ireland you won’t do better than choosing a rural Irish bed and breakfast.

Ireland is littered with way marked trails with walks of various abilities covering all of the 32 counties of Ireland, which can be a tad overwhelming for visitors. And not everybody wants to be up at the crack of dawn and gone till dusk, although there are plenty of those kind of treks if that is what you after?

Many people, especially weekenders who perhaps have tired of their own walking haunts, want to experience some new trails and new vistas without having to drive miles there and back.

What is fantastic about rural bed and breakfasts is that the owners know their particular corner of Ireland like the back of their own hand and are more than happy to point you in the right direction or take you on a guided walk themselves. Many of the walks that you will have access to on an Irish bed and breakfast walking holiday are made up of old access routes to fields linked perhaps to higher sheep or goat trails on the mountains or if you really strike gold, former pilgrim routes or hidden passes between valleys and the seashore.

Remember it is not all that long ago that some rural parts of Ireland particularly in Donegal, Mayo and West Cork had no proper roads just donkey and cart tracks which tended to follow the natural roundabout lie of the land rather than the later straight as dye direct roads. So you will get to see some pretty spectacular scenery from angles that you would never get in a car.

In County Clare you can follow the ‘green roads’ which were built to provide family relief work in the 19th century that follow horizontal lines around the limestone hills from Ballyvaughan to Doolin where you will have only the birds and the butterflies for company.

In West Cork you can follow the smugglers routes along the cliff tops to the beaches were they off loaded illicit cargoes of brandy and tobacco and anything else they could get their hands on.

In the midlands you can follow the tow paths of the Grand Canal up as far as Dublin, while on the islands your paths will be lined by miles of stone walls.

The variety is endless and ever changing with seasons so there are no excuses! Coupled with the promise of a packed lunch and the promise of a hearty home cooked meal at the end of the day what are you waiting for?

Grab your boots and your jacket and book yourself an Irish walking holiday at one of Irelands many specialist bed and breakfasts.

Lough Bawn House a hidden gem beautifully catered in mystical Westmeath

Lough Bawn House, County Westmeath

Lough Bawn is an idyllic Irish country house tucked away at the bottom of a long tree-lined drive in the heart of the magical midlands of Ireland. Overlooking a shimmering lake where you can swim or take out their own private boat, peacocks strut their stuff on the front lawn.

Host Verity Butterfield, a caterer by profession, inherited the property from her mother a couple of years ago and returned from England to breathe life into Lough Bawn again by opening its handsome Georgian doors to paying guests. With just four newly decorated rooms, Lough Bawn is an intensely personal affair and perfect for couples wanting to get away from it all or small groups of friends, where you will feel more like friends of the family than merely just names on a register.

Guests are greeted and treated to delights such as homemade elderflower cordial and lemon drizzle cake or silver service tea on arrival either outside on the lawn or cosied up by the drawing room fire.

You will be very well looked after in Lough Bawn, the rooms are big and spacious, very individual and tastefully decorated with beautiful views out over the gardens and the lake.

Breakfast is a feast with homemade granola, fresh fruits from the garden stewed in a spicy compote, as well as the full Irish breakfast if required complete with homemade breads fresh from the oven, or as a fellow guest exclaimed delightfully when I passed the bread basket 'oh, they are hot' as in straight from the oven. What a treat, ditto the homemade jams and marmalades you can also buy to take home with you. Candlelit dinners with wine are also available to guests and include local organic meat and fresh fish from the many lakes and rivers surrounding the property.

While it is certainly off the beaten track and the perfect place to relax (you could easily never leave the estate) there really is a lot to see and do in this area such as Tullynally Castle and Gardens nearby in Castlepollard, Newgrange, and Trim Castle as well as the more intimate and soulful places such as Fore Abbey and Loughcrew Cairns. In fact, the owner, Butterfield, is thinking of putting a special weekly, all inclusive package together that will include all meals (plus wine!) picnics and lunches out and daily chauffeur driven tours of the area, as well as a courtesy service to Dublin Airport which I think is a wonderful idea.

I cannot tell you how many emails I get from people who are overwhelmed by Ireland and who just want someone to take care of it all for them, ensuring that they stay in a really nice place, with excellent food and get to see Ireland's Hidden Gems as well as a bit of interaction with the locals, sounds like a good plan to me, will keep you posted....in the meantime check out their website www.LoughBawnHouse.com.

By Susan Byron author of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

King John's Castle, Limerick City, revamped and ready for action

King John's Castle, Limerick City

King Johns Castle has just re-opened following a €5.7 million revamp which has turned it into a much more attractive, interesting and educational venue than it was, in the heart of Limerick City. 

You cannot fail to miss the huge stone curtain walls or stout round towers on the approach from Thomond Bridge, incidentally there is free parking for visitors just past the Bishop’s Palace on the left. Follow the signs then to the new entrance just left of the visitors center, a large glass building which now houses a bright, new café, gift shop and toilet facilities. Built in the 13th century by King Johns Castle has had a very long and turbulent history, as you can imagine, much of it filled with blood and gore, as you might expect....

What started as an island Viking settlement, you can still see the original ringed settlement walls underground, and the footprints of the wattle and daub medieval dwellings, as well as later additions and battlements which saw the castle develop into a major strategic stronghold between warring factions in the region. The new exhibition area tells the story of King John (brother of Richard the Lionheart) from those very first settlers to the Norman conquerors and the infamous siege of Limerick which led to the signing of the Treaty a year later in1642, through the medium of print and film with no less than three theaters. As well as interactive maps and ‘talking’ figures as well as lots of fun ideas for kids of all ages. A group of Italian students where busy with their smartphones taking photos of themselves dressing up while younger children were busy building stone arches, firing mock canons and opening discovery drawers to inspect medieval artifacts and treasures....

You could easily spend several couple of hours working your way through the new exhibition (a great rainy day alternative for visitors to the West of Ireland) but be sure to leave plenty of time to explore the actual castle itself which is pretty much as it would have looked in the 13th century, only cleaner and a lot safer then when it was built for King John, who never actually visited but that’s another story. Friendly, costumed guides continue the historical conversation with working displays of weaponry, carpentry, masonry and coinage. You can even walk through the ruins of the medieval banqueting hall, say a prayer in the newly constructed replica church or try on a helmet and brandish a sword in the campaign tent. But the best views are high up on the actual battlements themselves with a 360 panorama of the city and the River Shannon from where view a thousand years and more of history from St Mary’s Cathedral, to the Treaty Stone, to the new Thomond Park stadium which defends it’s (rugby) turf with as much blood and passion as it’s medieval ancestors defended the city at King John’s Castle all those years ago.

Open daily from 10am-5pm, Adults €9 Children €5.25 Families €20.60 concessions available for seniors and students.

For more information or to book tickets online visit King Johns Castle

For more Things To Do and See around Limerick please click here.

By Susan Byron author of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Irish jewelry designer creates a contemporary Ring of Kerry

Ring of Kerry ring by Paul F Kelly

No doubt you have all heard of the Ring of Kerry the that famous scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula on the West coast of Ireland. 

1000‘s of people ‘do’ the Ring of Kerry every year taking in its wonderful sights like the golden strand at Rossbeigh looking out over the Dingle Peninsula, the prehistoric stone forts at Cahirciveen and the picturesque little fishing village which is the gateway to Valentia Island where dinosaur footprints are etching in the mud flats or you can catch a boat out to to the dramatic Skelligs Islands. 

On then perhaps to Waterville and Derrynane House in Caherdaniel, home once upon a time to Daniel O’Connell the liberator and then on via Sneem to Kenmare where you will find master goldsmith Paul Kelly working away in his shop on Henry Street.

An enterprising jeweller by day and organic mussel farmer by night Paul Kelly lives with his young family of redheads on the beautiful Beara Peninsula. Originally from Kilkenny, he was apprenticed to Rudolf Hletzel, he has come up with the novel idea of a contemporary Ring of Kerry. Inspired by an Irish mythological tale of love and war recalled by the druid Amergin in the 15th century, it tells of the Princess Sceine whose people where the Milesians who crossed the oceans following a star to be the first inhabitants of Ireland. Intertwining Torc style bands of silver and gold finish with a brilliant cut diamond and a green emerald combine to symbolize the green, white and gold of Ireland in what I imagine will become a new classic similar to the Claddagh ring of Galway. 

Available in sterling silver, 9 or 18 carat gold this new Ring of Kerry is a stunning piece of jewelry that would make a fabulous gift, engagement ring or special anniversary present for anybody with a love of or connection with Ireland.

Paul F Kelly Goldsmith

You can tell Paul lives and breathes Ireland, Kerry in particular, each piece is lovingly hand made in his workshop behind the counter although he is more than happy to take a break and chat with customers who pop in while on holidays to browse or perhaps choose a very special momento of their trip. 2013 being the year of The Gathering he has created a special version of his Ring of Kerry to mark the occasion, incorporating red (ruby) and blue (sapphire) stones so that both American, English or French nationalities can be included, very clever and beautiful. 

And in case you are wondering how these rings feel, in the interests of research I tried each one on and of course I liked the18 carat gold and white gold version best and was delighted how well it sat on my finger, being solid gold it is quite chunky but the design is so good it sits very comfortably, hint, hint darling...... American buyers have the advantage of being able to purchase these rings tax free which represents a 23 percent saving on the retail price of $499 for the silver Ring of Kerry. For further information, pricing and availability visit Paul F Kelly's own website http://pfk.ie

Susan Byron author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Barron's Bakery, a family-run, Waterford staple baking the best bread in Ireland for over 125 years

Barron's Bakery, Cappoquin, Waterford

Apparently it is “impossible to go into a bakery and just come out with a loaf of bread” which is certainly the case with Barron's Bakery in Cappoquin, in County Waterford, a small, sleepy town on the river Blackwater, backed by the Knockmealdown mountains.

Serving Cappoquin and the wider community now for over 125 years, Barron’s Bakery is a much loved institution that has survived against all the odds. 

“The supermarkets ruined it for the small bakeries”, Esther Barron, tells me as we stand chatting in front of the oldest working Scotch Brick Ovens in Ireland, which are fired up daily to bake the hand molded loaves of bread on ‘a falling heat’ which is entirely regulated by experienced hands, to produce the finest bread in Ireland today.

There is simply no comparison between ‘factory made’ bread and Barron’s bread. Only the finest flour and yeast are used following an age old tried and trusted process that cannot be compared to cheap, additive laden, ingredients and mass produced products. In Italy and France small independent bakeries still dominate, with a 90 percent chunk of the bread market while in Ireland, it is sadly the other way around. But change is slowly on its way with a renewed interest in good quality food and an anti-recessionary spirit inspired to ‘shop local’ in an effort to support not only local businesses and jobs but to breathe life back into rural communities.

Barron's Bakery has been at the heart of Cappoquin since 1887 when John Barron started a small bakery there on the square, on completion of a five-year apprenticeship at Touraneena and a short stint in America in 1885. His son Joe took over the business in 1940, married to Joan the hardworking couple had five daughters, the youngest Esther is now at the helm with her husband Joe Prendergast. She is forever indebted to a beloved Aunt Hester whom she credits with the business acumen which led to its success, which definitely rubbed off on her niece.

But no one individual can take the credit, Esther is quick to point out how it was very much ‘a hands on’ family operation were every child and visiting cousin was expected to row in and lend a hand, whether it was counting eggs, loading the bread van or helping out with deliveries. A great employer many generations of Cappoquin people were and still are employed in the bakery alongside other non-nationals who filled a gap when emigration or lack of interest in hard graft, took its toll.

Barron's Bakery has certainly endured its fair share of ups and downs but with an extraordinary generosity of spirit led by its founder Joe, who Esther continues, received a tidy sum of conscience money (small bills owed) but never chased, after her father died in 1980. Reminiscing even further Esther remember the neighbors bringing in their turkeys to be roasted in the bread ovens on Christmas day, their own ovens being too small to fit turkeys at the time, God be with the days.

Sweltering in the (still) ambient heat of the cooling ovens a warm glow sweeps over you of similar small businesses from your own childhood that were the lifeblood of communities, sadly long gone, I wonder what is the secret? Family for sure, all pulling together when needed, with Mother keeping the kettle on or soup in the pot for hard working bakers, weary shop assistants and even delivery men. A tried and trusted process with no compromising on ingredients, knowing what the customer wants and responding to their requests, whether it's old fashioned (delicious) Chester cakes, scones, spotted dog (soda bread with fruit). But Esther insists and I will have to let her have the last word, that Barron's success is the directly result of the local people's loyal support. I wish I could have stayed there amongst them,  drinking tea or Cappoquino's and having the chat as they say.

Celebrating 125 years of home baking....

Barrons Bakery and Coffee Shop, the Square, Cappoquin is open Monday through Saturday. 

You can take a tour of the bakery and see those wonderful bread ovens with a combined ticket to Lismore Castle Gardens from the Heritage Centre in nearby Lismore. Or you can buy the book “Our Daily Bread" commissioned to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Barrons Bakery, which is beautifully written by Roz Crowley and photographed by Arna Run Runarsdottir, which is also available in the coffee shop.

Or do what one of the many lifelong customers who contributed to the book suggested when he comes on annual holiday from San Francisco every year, bring an empty suitcase and fill it up before you go home ! Esther and Joe also have a stall at the Dungarvan Farmers Marketevery thursday morning, so go and say Hello if you are in the area, I defy you to come away with just a loaf of bread!

By Susan Byron author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Step into a storybook garden with a fairytale castle at Lismore Castle and Gardens Arts Centre in County Waterford

Lismore Castle Gardens, Lismore, County Waterford

Lismore Castle Gardens are exactly how I imagined my storybook garden to be, complete with a fairytale castle and Prince Charming throwin for good measure. A place where I could wile away endless sunny afternoons in a floaty dress, playing Titania in "A Midsummer’s Night Dream". Or take afternoon tea in the shade of a gnarled old apple tree having painted yet another perfect botanical watercolor.

Neatly trimmed box hedges barely contain the flower filled borders with not a dead plant, bald spot or a weed to be seen anywhere. Thinking an invisible team of gardeners must work through the night to maintain such perfection, I smiled in lazy contentment at the line of wheelbarrows neatly parked outside the greenhouses and potting sheds.

Having long since given up the struggle to keep up with the famed gardens of Sissinghurst in Britain, I am perfectly happy to indulge my green fingered fantasies in wonderful gardens like this. Seeing a delicate plant I had struggled with for years, Clematis Tangutica, a climber with waxy lantern shaped yellow bells, running riot up the sunny, sheltered castle walls was confirmation if ever it was needed to leave it to the experts.

Speaking of which, it was Helen Dillon, one of Ireland’s leading garden designers who had recommended these gardens to me, saying it was her absolute favorite.

Unusually the entrance to the upper gardens laid out in the 17th century are via a fortified entrance tower and bridge which lead to a series of tiered gardens each more beautiful than the last with artfully placed sculptures and beautifully framed views of the castle and the church steeples beyond.

The lower gardens are more relaxed with mixed woodland, spring flowering bulbs and a riot of flowering azaleas and rhododendrons in late spring.

Lismore Castle, which is closed to the public belongs to the Duke of Devonshire, who also owns Chatsworth House in England, although the family spend a lot of time here. Most recently the Duke gave a talk on the art collections in both properties which was held in the medieval great hall at the castle. Tickets sold out in minutes with people coming from all over Ireland to attend and contrary to my expectations the Duke was surprisingly relaxed and witty advising would be collectors 'to buy what takes their fancy'. Even if like himself, his desk made from recycled materials came at a price ‘that would make Chippendale blush!’ A generous patron of Irish artists you can see samples of his collection as well as various temporary exhibitions at the Arts Centre, admission is included in the entrance fee to the gardens.

For more information about Lismore Castle Gardens and Arts Centre please click here.

For more Irish Gardens to visit please click here

By Susan Byron author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Colorado native has a eureka moment - sets up "Full Irish Whisky Tour of Ireland"

Brian Wess - Full Irish Whisky Heritage Tour

Here’s the answer to most guys prayers? A Full Irish Whisky Tour of Ireland, led by Brian Wess of Colorado, USA.

Now, what would an American know about Irish whisky you might ask? Well, Brian has spent the last 5 years training with whiskey experts & master distillers while also independently touring the whisky bars and distilleries of Ireland (nice work if you can get it) in an attempt to put together the best whisky tour of Ireland and I think he has succeeded. He has even managed to cajole private whiskey tours and tastings out of all the major Irish distilleries including Jamesons, Bushmills, Killbeggan and Tullamore Dew, which is no mean feat.

What this means for his customer/clients (limited to just 15 per tour) is that they do not have to queue for a ticket or follow the crowd and do the regular tour, which do not get me wrong are excellent in all of the above, but even I would like to have an audience and tasting with Jameson’s master distiller Barry Crocket, in the Master Distillers Cottage at the Old Midleton Distillery in Cork where he was actually born!

It sounds like a match made in heaven a small group of like minded folk doing what they love most, touring Ireland, drinking whisky and having the craic!.

Sounds like a good plan to me, especially seeing as Brian has managed to incorporate some of the best visitor attractions into his tour route around and about Ireland. Including the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin (of course) whisky drinkers are going to want to learn how to pull their own pint of Guinness and Waterford Crystal (it adds a little something extra drinking good Irish whisky out of a cut crystal glass) don’t you think? And there are plenty of cultural and archeological sites thrown in for good measure! the Rock of Cashel, in County Tipperary and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, in County Clare where no doubt they will have a little taste of Poitín, which was distilled illegally all over Ireland (some say it still is, but that is definitely classified information) Poitín is made from potatoes and proofs out at a strength that will ‘either kill or cure you’. The Cliffs of Moher and the Giants Causeway are also included as well as the Ulster Folk Park and the stunning new Titanic Museum in Belfast as well as plenty of time out to enjoy the sights in Dublin.

What is especially nice about this all inclusive tour is that Brian has chosen Bed & Breakfast accommodation for one night which is a really good idea and makes for a much more intimate and authentic experience of Ireland. Irish B&B’s are known the world over for their ‘full Irish’ breakfasts that set guests up for the day with rarely any need to eat before dinner (also included) except for the last night when Brian has planned a right ole shindig in Brian Boru’s Bar in Dublin, in the Power’s award winning snug of the year, that I imagine will go on into the wee small hours of the morning, before they are all poured back onto the plane home in the morning.

A word of warning (not about the perils of drink, sorry) Brian only does these tours, twice a year and they are limited to just 15 people in addition to himself who conducts the tour. He seems like a very nice fellow, with endless patience (God Bless him) who has given serious attention to the details so that you don’t have to....

For more information about Brian Wess Full Irish Whisky Heritage Tours of Ireland or to book a place on his next tour please click here

By Susan Byron author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Ireland's top ten tourist attractions in 2013 - Where to go and what to see in Ireland

Bantry House, Banty, County Cork

The Titanic Quarter in Belfast and in particular the new Titanic Museum stole the show in 2012. And while the 100^th anniversary of that ill-fated voyage has passed, I think this superb visitor attraction will be just as popular in 2013. And while you are in Belfast, I would highly recommend taking a Black Cab Tour of the city, as it will give you a great (and neutral) insight to and understanding of the ‘troubles’. 

My pick of the other Top 10 Visitor Attractions has to include a few timeless favourites like Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, County Clare and the Museum of Country Life, County Mayo, because they are both excellent pocket histories/introductions to Ireland’s culture and tradition, as well as being great days out for old and young alike.

In the wake of 2012’s dramatic final (and replay) of Galway V Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Hurling championship, a visit to Croke Park Museum and a tour of the holy ground, will be on a lot of people’s to-do list next year. And only a (head) stone’s throw away from there is the award winning Glasnevin Museum and graveyard tour is not to be missed. 

I loved Mizen Head Lighthouse when I visited last summer (on a fantastic day) ditto Bantry House, magnificent and Gairinish Island also in Cork. It was totally magical as was Castle Ward and Mount Stewart Gardens on the Ards Pennisula in Northern Ireland.

1. The Titanic Museum, Belfast which opened in 2012, on the 100^th anniversary of that tragic maiden voyage. The whole world is familiar with this event and this specially designed museum commemorates all of the above and more.

It really is excellent but please do book your tickets online as it is a very busy attraction and visitor numbers are limited per hour. Also, there can be long queues for the Shipyard Ride so don’t worry about skipping it and moving on, it’s good but short. 

Another tip, the Galley restaurant on the ground floor is chock-a-block, so book afternoon tea upstairs in the salon by the Grand Staircase, so you can enjoy it in peace and comfort at the end of your tour. Or else hop a cab downtown to the Crown Liquor Salon, for a beef in Guinness pie and a pint! 

2. Bunratty Castle & Folk Park Bunratty, County Clare 

If you have only time to ‘do’ one visitor attraction in Ireland this is it! Bunratty has everything, a grand castle with medieval banquets, Irish cottages, farmyards, whole streets with traditional pubs, shops, and even a school where you can take lessons or join in a bread-making session. 

It is a great value all-day out for couples and families, which you can combine with a trip to the Cliffs of Moher nearby for more savings.  

3. Museum of Country Life Castlebar, County Mayo is another visitor attraction, I cannot recommend highly enough and it’s free! Although it has been open now for 11 years, not many (Irish) people know about it, much less visit it. Which is amazing considering you could happily spend all day here finding out how people lived in rural Ireland not so very long ago. 

Until you have visited the Straw exhibition you could not imagine all the things that were made out of straw, everything from a babies cradle to a donkey’s saddle. There are displays depicting farming life, fishermen and even poachers and lots of original memorabilia, often made by school children associated with St Patrick's Day and Halloween and other great Irish traditions like ‘courting’ and ‘waking’ the dead. Check their own website for details of the many free events and workshops they hold throughout the year.

4. Croke Park Museum, Croke Park, Dublin is probably the best (and most passionate) tour in Ireland, especially if you know nothing at all about Gaelic Games. 

This museum and stadium tour will keep you occupied for several hours. Go behind the scenes into the only carbon neutral stadium in the world. Visit the player’s dressing rooms and rehearsal astro-turf-pitch and see where all the media-free after-match revelry goes on. Top of their game right now, with a momentous Dublin win in 2011 (which they will get over) it is highly recommended.

5. Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, Dublin 

It’s not often I would recommend a visit to a graveyard as a fun day out but this really is something else. The only recipient of a Thea award in Ireland, Glasnevin is an excellent modern museum with superb multi-media, as well as the personal touch, which is so important when dealing with a sensitive subject like this. 

Over a million people are buried here, including the great and the good and (the not so good) of Ireland. Guided graveyard tours take place daily with visits to the Daniel O’Connell tower and famous graves such as Michael Collins. It is a very interesting and quirky alternative, visitor attraction. 

6. Bantry House, Bantry, County Cork was my favorite Big House this year. It is absolutely stunning, the location on the shores of Bantry Bay and the history. 

How many houses do you know that where furnished with contents of a fire-sale in Versailles, following the beheading of the Dauphin of France? The blue dining-room is the most magnificent I have seen anywhere in the world. And the gardens (go in May when the wisteria is out) and don’t forget to climb those 100 steps for a view of heaven. 

7. Mizen Head Lighthouse, County Cork 

I am including this visitor attraction, more for the gangway walks and blowing the cobwebs away, rather than the actual museum, which is quite good and interesting as well. But it is all happening outdoors here (so pick a fine day if you can) it is so well done, there are different walks for various abilities, but they all have spectacular sea views, of course (and seats). And, you just have to cross the scary bridge to the old lighthouse for the thrill of it! Tip Hook Head Lighthouse in Wexford is also very good as an alternative. 

8. Lismore Castle Gardens Lismore, County Waterford 

What a dreamy garden, immaculate vegetable and flower gardens bursting at their neatly boxed seams while big blousy rambling roses run away with themselves over the mellow castle walls. It’s exactly how I would love my garden to be, if I had unlimited resources and a team of willing hefty types to dig, plant and weed it. 

Beyond beautiful, with a great variety of all kinds of plants, a riot of color too and with brightly painted wrought iron seats where you can sit out and enjoy a nice cup of tea or coffee and a slice of homemade lemon drizzle cake or a wander around the art gallery.

9. Limerick City Gallery of Art, Limerick has recently re-opened following a major revamp which include a new sculpture wing, a new curator and a wonderful new restaurant. 

While it has retained its excellent, permanent collection of Irish Art, in particular works by the celebrated Limerick native it is constantly staging new and exciting exhibitions. All of which are free!

The new restaurant Zest is first class, great confectionary, surprising salads, hearty innovative soups and the best value coffee and water I have found anywhere in the country. 

10. Swiss Cottage Cahir, County Tipperary is picture postcard lovely. This restored Cottage Orné, is one of only two in Europe. Designed as a pastoral idyll, similar to the Trianon of Versailles, it was built by Richard Butler of nearby Cahir Castle as a kind of summer house (although he never slept in it) to be enjoyed on family outings. No expense was spared, the wallpaper in the drawing-room having been the most expensive in Europe at the time when it was originally decorated. 

Having fallen into disrepair and almost lost to the nation, it has been completely and faithfully restored to its former glory, thanks to a kind American lady benefactor and the Office of Public Works, who now look after the property. You can reach it by road or by walking along the charming riverbank walk from Cahir Castle.

By Susan Byron author of Irelands-Hidden-Gems.com  and Irelands Hidden Gems - Things To Do

"Where to Eat, Sleep & Play in Ireland in 2013" during The Gathering

Where to Eat, Sleep & Play 2013 $4.99

2013 is going to be all about The Gathering which is basically an open invitation to anybody with Irish roots to come back to Ireland this year to reconnect with their relatives and celebrate what it means to them to be Irish.

There are all sorts of events being planned for what promises to be a year-long festival which kicked off on New Years Eve. But, even if that is not the main focus of your visit, there are plenty of other Things To Do and Places to See in Ireland and this guide contains all of what I consider to be the cream of the crop for 2013.

Where to Eat, Sleep and Play in Ireland in 2013 is designed to simplify planning your trip to Ireland. For example, when it comes to choosing accommodation, did you know that there are over 100,000 bed options available daily in Ireland. So, unless you fancy trawling through a maze of discount hotel sites, why not take the easy route and trust my advice gathered over four years of independent travel and research throughout Ireland and discover 10 Posh Places to stay for Peanuts, 10 Rooms with a Sea View or 10 Pubs with Snugs and Firesides plus many more. 

The lists are tight and limited to the Top 10 for 3 reasons? To narrow down the choice obviously but also to ensure that these establishments keep at the top of their game and that you, the visitor not only gets the most bang for your buck, but also the best possible experience of Ireland.

Similarly, we want you to ensure that you enjoy every meal or food experience you have in Ireland. Visitors assume that we have great food and yes we do, but it is certainly not to be found everywhere and it can be expensive, very expensive ! As anyone who follows my Facebook Page will know, I love and appreciate good food and I am a great champion of those restaurants, listed in my guide, that are making a serious and consistent effort at producing top class food at affordable prices e.g. 10 Gastro Pub Grubs, 10 Luscious Lunches or 10 Top Notch Noshes etc. As well as information on all the must see Visitor Attractions, festivals and tours this year. For a full list of contents or to sample a 'taster' of each category please click here

Where to Eat, Sleep & Play in Ireland 2013 - Price $4.99 is available as an Ebook or in Kindle format on Amazon (if you haven’t got a Kindle reader you can download a free Kindle App) and read it on your iPad or smartphone.

By Susan Byron  Author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Learning Irish has never been so easy - marrying culture and technology, learning Gaeilge online

Eoin, Sasa & Uisce (the dog)

Learning Irish, with Bitesize Irish Gaelic, has never been so easy even for me,  a born and bred Irish woman, I learned a few new things when I signed up for their  free 14 day trial. For example, did you know that there only 18 letters in the Irish Alphabet or that the Irish word for zero is (a náid), I didn’t!

This is great, because it is very trendy to be able to speak Irish or labhairt (talk) ás Gaelige (in Irish) these days in Ireland, we even have a dedicated Irish speaking television channel, TG4, which has some of best Irish made documentaries (with subtitles) you will see anywhere and yes you can watch it online.

The brain child of Limerick Eoin Ó Conchúir, a native Irish speaker and computer science graduate, Eoin, has successfully and playfully married culture and technology with the launch of this very easy and accessible online learning, Irish language course.

So, whether you would simply like to learn the basics ie the cúpla focal (a few words) before coming on holidays so as you can meet and greet people, order a drink and more properly ‘have the craic’ as they say in Ireland, this is the course for you. Sign up for the free 14 day trial with Bitesize Irish Gaelic and you will get access to 150 easy lessons instantly, which you can work through at your own pace, with good, clear audio recordings for you to listen and repeat as often as you like. It’s really simple and intuitive and great fun, in fact it will have you speaking Irish in a matter of minutes,  Each lesson is about 5 minutes long, leading up to your first full-on conservation in just Lesson 4.

Bitesize Irish Gaelic is really well written and presented and can be accessed from all devices which is very handy when you are travelling. Even the difficult topics like dialects and grammar are handled calmly and sensibly so you won’t get stuck on any unnecessary hurdles. Eoin and the team build your confidence quickly which is a sure fire recipe for success. Indeed many of his long term clients, that started out with a general  interest in the Irish language as result of tracing their Irish Heritage are staying with the program with a view to becoming fluent one day.

Go n’éirí an t-ádh leo - Good luck to them...

If you would like to watch a bitesize snippet please click here

For full details and to sign up for a 14 day free trial of Bitesize Irish Gaelic please click here.

By Susan Byron author of Irelands Hidden Gems.com

The changing face of Bed and Breakfast in Ireland

Beach Cove B&B, Ballinskellig, County Kerry

The idea for this style bed and breakfast holiday sprang up years ago when farmers’ wives or Mammy’s with extra rooms opened up their houses to paying guests during the summer holidays, which I am told put many sons and daughters through university, even if their own had to sleep in the attic! You could roll up of an evening wherever you saw a vacancy sign (you still can) and get a reasonable priced bed for the night and a hearty breakfast often in very wild and lovely places. Basically, you became one of the family, sharing home-cooked meals and sampling what life was like on the farm, that you would not ordinarily get to see if you were staying in an hotel, besides there were not too many hotels in remote locations 50 years ago.

But, gone are the days of shared bathrooms and revolving bedrooms, bed and breakfasts nowadays are Bord Failte approved (and inspected annually) and have the highest standards of hygiene and accommodation while remaining true to their roots of staying with an Irish family. This kind of holiday is not for everyone, many like the anonymity of staying in hotel but if you want an insight into what it is really like to live in a rural community than you should definitely try one or two. Indeed by the end of your stay you will probably feel like one of the family, often lifelong friendships are forged with generations revisiting time and time again.

Apart from a more authentic experience of Ireland, the main difference between bed and breakfasts and hotels is the personal touch and insider knowledge of a particular area. Forget Facebook and Facetime this is back to basics and a ‘real deal’. You will be assured of a genuine Cead Mile Failte an Irish welcome, with complimentary tea or coffee and homemade scones or cake on arrival. Bedrooms, single, double or twin have en-suite bathrooms and breakfast is included in the price which ranges from €29-€39 per person sharing, depending on the quality and location. The breakfasts in Irish bed and breakfasts are legendary (no luke-warm buffets, that have been cooked for hours) but freshly made especially for you with a choice of a ‘full Irish’ which usually includes rashers, sausages, pudding (black and white) tomatoes, mushrooms, toast and brown bread. Or, porridge with cream and honey or continental style cured meats, cheese and fruit. Either way you certainly will not go on your way hungry....

Speaking of which, a sight you will often see after breakfast is the hosts pouring over maps with their guests pointing out best sights to see, walks to go on, picnic stops, deserted beaches, pubs to have lunch in or where the best music is on that night? This kind of information is priceless, no paper guide or website could ever keep track or know what is happening this weekend in Ballydehob but your hosts will, for sure.
With over a 1000 properties nationwide, there is plenty of choice depending on your area of interest. A recent move has seen each bed and breakfast categorized to include specialist activities like walking, angling, golfing, cooking, Irish language, genealogy etc and much, much more which will add an extra dimension to what already is a fantastic and affordable opportunity to see and experience those parts of Ireland most tourists never get to see....

For more information visit BandB Ireland

By Susan Byron author of Irelands Hidden Gems.com