The Dublin Theatre Festival is Europe's oldest specialized theatre festival. It was founded by theatre impresario Brendan Smith
in 1957 and has, with the exception of two years, produced a season of
international and Irish theatre each autumn. It is one of a number of
key post-World War II
events established to foster tolerance and cultural understanding
between nations. Over the past five decades, the festival has become a
crucial part of Ireland’s cultural landscape.
It has played a dual role as a window to world theatre, having
presented almost every great theatre artist of the late 20th century,
and as a champion of Irish writing on the world stage
The Festival is unique in its ability to stage major international
theatre of scale, and has hosted productions by the world's most highly
regarded artists, while also premiering work by Ireland's leading playwrights.
The National Gallery houses some 15,000 paintings, sculptures,
works on paper and objets d’art dating from the early thirteenth century
through to the mid-twentieth century.
The collection boasts an impressive range of masterpieces by
artists from the major European schools of art whilst also featuring the
world's most comprehensive collection of Irish art.
New Year is a big time for the natives of Ireland. Usually, New Year is considered to be a time in Ireland when people prefer to spend time with friends and family. People sit around a table on New Year’s Eve; have a special dinner for the evening, and count for the moment of the New Year to arrive. Everyone remember and pay homage to those who passed away in the Old year.
The tradition of first footing is followed in Ireland, as a part of which one expects a dark, tall, young, and a good looking man to arrive first on the threshold on the New Year’s Day. It is believed to be a symbol of good luck in the coming year. If who do that is a woman, a blonde, or a red haired female first arriving on the threshold is considered to be a sign of bad luck for the coming year. There is another tradition followed by young unmarried women of the house, who put a little bit of mistletoe under their pillow before they sleep on New Year’s Eve. This is done with a belief that they will be conferred with a true lover in the coming year.
Planning a
trip to Ireland can be a daunting task - what should I not miss? Everyone has
their own favorite sights and places. Yet there are a number of locations every
visitor to Ireland should see. Taking them all in will also showcase the
variety to be found on the comparatively small island. They are
definitely part of the best of Ireland.
Not a
single sight, but a historic landscape on the banks of the Boyne, dotted with
prehistoric monuments. The largest are Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Newgrange
and Knowth can only be visited by tour from the modern visitor centre. Be there
early and plan for a half day (at least) to take in the whole experience.
Wedged
between the rough beauty of the Aran Islands and the bustling university city
of Galway, the near featureless desolation of this limestone plateau has often
been likened to a moonscape. Ancient monuments and bizarre rock formations
abound. Some spectacular sights can be taken in by driving next to Galway Bay.
The ancient
seat of the High Kings of Ireland, now little more than immense earthworks
covered with grass. The excellent audiovisual show in the disused church will
help in understanding the importance of this site.
Best
explored on board of one of the numerous bus tours or on foot, Dublin is
relatively small. It is however rich in history as well as full of sights and museums.
Dublin can keep the tourist busy for a whole week! Avoid the city center on
Saturdays when half the population of Ireland seems to go shopping here!
Here you
will find one of the most important early Christian sights here. And its
setting is simply beautiful, in a valley beside tranquil lakes. Lovers of history
and/or architecture can indulge in two round towers, St Kevin's Kitchen
(actually a church) and a cathedral (ruin). Lovers of nature can simply enjoy
the walks along the lakes.
If you want
to experience spectacular coastal scenery, breathtaking mountain landscapes,
ancient monuments and the tranquil old-world-charm of Killarney's lakes,
castles and houses, this is the place to go. Bear in mind that thousands of
tourists will have the same idea - the best time here can be had both sides of
the summer months.
Northern
Ireland's top sight and accessible by car and shuttlebus (if the fairly steep
final mile seems too daunting). Strangely regular basalt columns point the way
towards Scotland, seen on the horizon on good days. Travellers with some time
on their hands are advised to take in the nearby Old Bushmills Distillery,
connected by steam train.
An
undulating landscape suddenly ends in a sheer drop of more than 650 feet,
straight down to the Atlantic. One of the most spectacular coastal areas in
Europe. The visitor center has been rebuilt on a grand scale - which explains
the high price of a visit.
The town of
Sligo itself is decidedly underwhelming, but the surroundings make more than up
for it. Knocknarea has the (reputed) grave of Queen Maeve on top and
spectacular sights to enjoy after a steep climb. Carrowmore is the largest
stone age cemetery in Ireland. Drumcliff sports a (truncated) round tower, a
medieval high cross and the grave of W.B.Yeats right next to the spectacular
table mountain of Ben Bulben.
The tower
house of Bunratty was built in 1467 by the O'Brien family and has been
renovated with no expenses spared. A medieval banquet is offered in the
evenings, complete with period entertainment. During the day the adjoining
Bunratty Folk Park allows a glimpse into Ireland's past.
Irish food is known for the
quality and freshness of its ingredients. Most cooking is done without herbs or
spices, except for salt and pepper. Foods are usually served without sauce or
gravy. The staples of the Irish
diet have traditionally been potatoes, grains (especially oats), and dairy
products. Potatoes still appear at most Irish meals, with potato scones,
similar to biscuits or muffins, a specialty in the north. The Irish have also
been accomplished cheesemakers for centuries. Ireland makes about fifty types
of homemade "farmhouse" cheeses, which are considered delicacies. Soups of all types,
seafood, and meats also play important roles in the Irish diet. Irish soups are
thick, hearty, and filling, with potatoes, seafood, and various meats being
common ingredients. Since their country is surrounded by water, the Irish enjoy
many types of seafood, including salmon, scallops, lobster, mussels, and
oysters. However, meat is eaten more frequently at Irish meals. The most common
meats are beef, lamb, and pork. A typical Irish dinner consists of potatoes
(cooked whole), cabbage, and meat. Irish stew has been
recognized as the national dish for at least two centuries. A poem from the
early 1800s praised Irish stew for satisfying the hunger of anyone who ate it: Then hurrah for an Irish
Stew That will stick to your belly like glue. Bread is an important part
of Irish culture. Fresh soda bread, a crusty brown bread made from whole-wheat
flour and buttermilk, is a national dish of Ireland. Irish bakers don't stop
with soda bread, however. They bake a wide variety of other hearty breads and
cakes. The most common everyday
beverage in Ireland is tea. Popular alcoholic beverages include whiskey, beer,
and ale. Coffee mixed with whiskey and whipped cream is known throughout the
world as "Irish coffee."
Traditional Irish Stew
Ingredients
4 potatoes, thinly sliced
4 medium onions, thinly
sliced
6 carrots, sliced
1 pound Canadian bacon,
chopped
3 pounds lamb chops, 1-inch thick,
trimmed, and cut into small pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
2½ cups water
4 potatoes, halved
Fresh parsley, finely
chopped
Procedure
To make Irish stew, all the ingredients
are assembled in layers in a large stew pot.
Begin with layers of sliced potatoes,
onions, and carrots.
Top with a layer of Canadian bacon and
lamb.
Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
Repeat these steps until all the
ingredients are used.
Add enough water to just cover the
ingredients.
Arrange the halved potatoes on top of the
stew, but not in contact with the water, so they can steam as the rest is
cooking.
Simmer over a very low heat for about 2
hours.
Sprinkle liberally with the chopped
parsley and serve in soup bowls.
Brilliant chemist who beat the superstitions of alchemy
Robert Boyle was born on January 25, 1627, at Lismore Castle in
Ireland. He was the fourteenth child of Sir Richard Boyle, the
wealthy Earl of Cork, and Lady Boyle. His parents ensured that he
received the best education available in seventeenth century
England. He attended Eton — the college founded by King Henry
VI almost 200 years earlier — and also had private tutors.
Sir Richard encouraged his son to continue his education in Europe.
So they sent Robert off to school in Geneva.
Robert did well in Europe. He had access to writings not
available to students in England, and his knowledge increased
markedly. He loved learning languages, and soon mastered six. But
his interests also leaned towards science.
The 16 year-old saw the world around him as a wonderful creation
of God. His brilliant mind constantly strove to learn more about
the Creator and the principles of His world. In Italy, Boyle had
the privilege of meeting the astronomer Galileo — whose work
led to a better understanding of the universe — shortly
before Galileo died. Galileo was under house arrest at the time for
having taught Copernican doctrine. Boyle cherished this meeting,
and it sparked in him an even stronger desire to discover more
about God's world.
Fighting alchemy
As his interest in science increased, Boyle faced heavy
disappointments. He had enormous difficulty overcoming people's
trust in alchemists. Alchemists were the medieval forerunners of
today's chemists. But they spent most of their time trying to turn
base metals such as lead into gold, or in trying to produce an
“elixir of life” that would keep them endlessly
youthful. Most alchemists wanted only to perform scientific
“magic” to increase their wealth and prestige. They
gave little time to anyone who tried to devalue the great
importance of their selfish objectives.
Boyle realized that if science was going to progress, he would
have to start raising its status himself. While only 18, he helped
to found the Philosophical College in London (later to become the
Royal Society of London). He specialized in chemistry, and believed
in the need for objective observation in research.
He returned home to Ireland at the age of 25 and took up
studying anatomy. Two years later he moved to Oxford, set up a
laboratory, and headed a small scientific society there.
Irelan won the Eurovison Song Contest seven times:
-In 1970 with Dana- "All Kinds of Everything" -In 1980 with Johnny Logan- "What's another year?" -In 1987 with Johnny Logan (Again)- "Hold me now" -In 1992 with Linda Martin- "Why me?" -In 1993 with Niam Kavanagh- "In your eyes" -In 1994 with Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan- "Roch 'n' Roll Kids" -In 1996 with Eimear Quinn- "The Voice"
Robert Boyle was born on January 25, 1627, at Lismore Castle in
Ireland. He was the fourteenth child of Sir Richard Boyle, the
wealthy Earl of Cork, and Lady Boyle. His parents ensured that he
received the best education available in seventeenth century
England. He attended Eton — the college founded by King Henry
VI almost 200 years earlier — and also had private tutors.
Sir Richard encouraged his son to continue his education in Europe.
So they sent Robert off to school in Geneva.