Susans Ireland Travel Blog

WESTCLARE RAILWAY

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:00:11 GMT

The westclare railway is a living museum, hop aboard for one of the best days out in Ireland.

THE BURREN

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 10:35:44 GMT

The Burren is the last most natural, beautiful and unspoiled landscape in Ireland.

IRISH FOOD

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 10:05:10 GMT

Good value Irish food available at lunchtime in pubs.

RYANAIR

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 09:01:50 GMT

Welcome to the official Michael O'Leary fan club of 1.

IRISH TEA

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:04:51 GMT

Irish tea is the national drink of Ireland not Guinness as previously suspected?

IRISH SODA BREAD

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:42:33 GMT

Enjoy irish soda bread, scones, apple pie with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

FINE DINING

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:50:45 GMT

Fine dining in Ireland can be a hit or miss affair?

FOYNES FLYINGBOAT MUSEUM

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:44:17 GMT

Foynes Flyingboat Museum captures perfectly the romantic era of transatlantic air travel.

IRISH STEW

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:31:57 GMT

Irish stew is a very famous and popular dish in Ireland.

IRISH SEAFOOD

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:39:51 GMT

Irish seafood platter with a pint of Guinness and a sea view.

EBOOK

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:25:54 GMT

Irelands Top 10 Hidden Gems free ebook travel guide to Ireland.

Ireland Travel Guide

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:23:09 GMT

Ireland travel guide the inside track by Susan Byron.

SUSAN BYRON

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:51:30 GMT

Susan Byron is the woman behind Irelands new travel website www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

CONTACT

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:34:19 GMT

Contact Susan Byron creator of Irelands Hidden Gems here

Time out in a Coole Park

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:01:09 GMT

I had forgotten what a real treasure Coole Park, former home of Lady Augusta Gregory, is right here on our doorstep in Galway. Not only in historical terms, check out the famous signature tree where lots of famous playwrights, artists and authors carved their names once upon a time but as a very green, pleasant and peaceful place to be even on a bank holiday sunday afternoon. Plenty of families were enjoying picnics there today in the walled garden. Its so easy to forget the simple pleasures like a picnic eaten outside, although the cafe is excellent too (for lazy types like me who hadnt even thought of it) and reasonably priced. All of the food homemade on the premises, a former coach house beside the excellent visitor centre. Great big bowlfuls of homemade soup, their chowder has to be one of best I have tasted this year and it comes with plenty of brown bread and butter or hot garlic bread? The chocolate cake and rhubarb pie looked delicious but to be honest we were stuffed, the portions are very generous and a carafe of free spring water piped directly from a well in Coole, is offered spontaneously which is so refreshing these days.....(not just the water, not being ripped off !) I noticed too that they have a great line up of events over the next few weeks to coincide with Heritage week (another great freebie bonanza I am a big fan of) including guided nature walks including a bat walk and historical walks and art workshops for children, all free of course, so if you are looking for ideas to entertain the kids during the holidays or just fancy a bit of a laze in the walled garden Cpole Park is the place to do it. Susan Byron

HARVEYS POINT

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:09:40 GMT

Harveys Point Hotels, chocolate box view, lakeside setting, Swiss perfection

BURREN OUTDOOR CENTRE

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:00:22 GMT

Experience a bird's or fishes eye view of Ireland at the Burren Outdoor Centre.

BURREN SMOKEHOUSE

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:28:10 GMT

The Burren Smokehouse produces the best smoked salmon and cheeses in the west of Ireland.

It's a small world......

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:14:12 GMT

Its not often, thankfully, that you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, albeit one of the most beautiful roads in the world according to Conde Nast Traveller 2008, with a puncture! Not quite so glamorously standing there, staring at the jack wondering which end of it to shove where? Along came two Yanks (God Bless them) the Lovelaces from Massachusetts and very kindly offered to help me.

While himself, did the necessary, apparently I had the jack upside down, (no surprises there) I was chatting away to his Mrs.... well stating the obvious really .....ie on foot walking down Fisher Street in Doolin, which also happens to be an underwater cave complex (dont ask) they hardly walked here from America?

So you are on holidays so..... Yup, doing Ireland in 5 days (standard answer) Its small yes but hardly a stepping stone, a lifetime wouldnt be enough to explore the Burren alone. But nevermind, seeing as they had an iPhone I said, you should download my app Irelands Hidden Gems so, might come in handy being the pint size version of Ireland you are looking for .

Himself, in between wielding the spanner/wrench thing and his iphone, deftly skimmed across the screen to display bold as brass my little icecream girls logo-ed app. Well if that didnt beat all......Who'd of thought? In the middle of nowhere? Technology meets country....

Ps Have a great holiday you two and thanks, I owe you a pint! Susan Byron

Cliffs of Moher

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 10:39:01 GMT

Irelands premier visitor attraction & surf destination, the Cliffs of Moher.

COUNTRY HOUSE HOTELS

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 07:39:15 GMT

Country house hotels in Ireland tick all the boxes of touring fantasy.

BALLINALACKEN CASTLE

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 07:29:42 GMT

Ballinalacken Castle Hotel is at the end of one of the most beautiful drives in the world.

BALLINAMORE COTTAGE

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:33:06 GMT

Ballinamore Cottage is a delightful hideaway in a fishermans paradise.

SELF CATERING GEMS

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:37:32 GMT

Self catering gems include converted lighthouses, stables, gate lodges and even castles

COIS LINN BED & BREAKFAST

Mon, 31 May 2010 10:31:51 GMT

Cois Linn is a traditional bed &breakfast beside the sea in the Burren, County Clare.

CAMPING CARAVANS MOTORHOMES

Mon, 31 May 2010 10:30:42 GMT

Camping caravans motorhomes can be pitched up pretty much anywhere in Ireland.

BED AND BREAKFAST

Mon, 31 May 2010 10:29:53 GMT

Bed and breakfast is a great way to experience the real Ireland.

BUDGET HOTELS

Mon, 31 May 2010 10:25:44 GMT

Budget hotels offer great Supervalu breaks for families,

Budget Accomodation

Mon, 31 May 2010 10:17:14 GMT

Budget accomodation in Ireland from country cottages to hostels, camping and great city centre b&b's.

DOONBEG

Mon, 31 May 2010 07:02:03 GMT

Doonbeg Golf Resort is one of the finest in Ireland in an unrivalled coastal location.

Sex in the city 2

Sat, 29 May 2010 06:35:05 GMT

What is it with Hollywood and bad oirish accents? In this sequel, which according to the general cocktail-fuelled consensus in the G Hotel last night, is not half bad as sequels go.....apart from Charlottes new nanny who is supposedly Irish? We have no problem with the corny storyline which concentrates on the guys obsession with her enormous mammary glands even though shes not actually breastfeeding the brats, the accent is appalling and so over..... with the likes of Derby OGill and the little people. Nobody, but nobody in Ireland actually speaks like that, never has and never will so please..... ENOUGH ! We have better things to be doing, like following Samanthas Sexploits, all in agreement there, shes the best character in the movie, by far. Sarah Jessica Parker, while an adopted Irish sister, she holidays in Donegal, comes across all whingey, whiney, its all about little ole self obsessed married me..... Jeez shes been trying to bag Mr Big-eejit forever and now she has him, shes still not happy? Oh yeah and where else would you get it? she snogs Aidan on the sly, fesses up and guess what? he buys her a great big black diamond ring? About as believable as Liza Minellis All the single ladies routine, that lady must be in her 70s? it takes digital enhancing to a whole new level, give me singing Bernie Walsh any day of the week !

But do go and see it, it's great, really. Susan Byron

Summer has come to Ireland!

Sun, 23 May 2010 06:03:18 GMT

Well for the weekend at least? We are a nation of optimists when it comes to the sun, out come the rusty barbecues, the mildewed deck chairs and the skimpy shorts.....there is not a minute to be wasted if we want to be pink as lobsters, sitting at our desks on Monday morning. I told you, sense goes out the window along with any fiscal frugality. There will be a rush to the DIY stores lets face it the rusty barbecues are a potential health hazard, cheaper and easier to buy a new one (to go rusty again) rather then clean the old one. And while we are at it, we will by a wagon load of those really colourful bedding plants to cheer up the garden conveniently forgetting the wilted mess they turned in to after last summers deluge.

Never mind, last stop the supermarket for a whizz around the salads counter, its all healthy outdoor eating from now on? While stocking up on enough red meat to slap on the barbecue that would otherwise fill your quota for a year! Oh and a slab of beer we even adopt the Aussie lingo when the sun is shining thinking we will morph into Californian beachboys or St Tropez babes in a weekend? Ehh.... not in a lifetime but since when did that stop us? You see we are different people once the sun comes out, we dont give a toss about the recession sure the country never looked better, more beautiful or inviting. So we pile into our cars and head for the beach, check out my guide to Irelands 10 Best Beaches http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/irelands-best-beaches.html to make the most of it knowing this could be it, our Irish summer. See you there, Susan Byron

Irish Movie Locations

Sun, 16 May 2010 11:44:47 GMT

I went to see the new Robin Hood movie epic yesterday with Russell Crowe (that lad could come and rescue me any day of the week) and was struck by the what the movie will do for English tourism? Probably lots, considering it wasnt a bit 'twee' thankfully with France being portrayed as wet and muddy? and Sherwood forest all leafy and lovely with fresh green leaves on gnarled centuries old (what looked like beech trees to me) Typical me paying more attention to the scenery then the actual story line. In fairness the National Trust does a great job of caretaking and preserving the English countryside and built heritage, they even have a very good iPhone app directory of all their sites covering the UK and Northern Ireland. The OPW, Office of Public Works, does the same job here in Ireland, and alot of the heritage sites I recommend on the website are owned and managed by them, including Trim Castle. Which was used (with a few minor alterations) in another epic movie Braveheart, this time with Mel Gibson and several 100 other bare bottomed male extras drafted in from the Irish army, again putting Ireland firmly on the map in terms of a location to visit. Trim Castle is well worth the trip and very popular now thanks to Braveheart, its open all year round with raised walkways 100's of feet off the ground, tours are guided of course for safety reasons, so get there early in the summer. And there are dozens more castles and historic sites all around the country, dating back to medieval times, including Dublin Castle itself which is also well worth a visit and will occupy you all day, there is so much history. The Tudors series has had an impact too on promoting the Irish countryside as has old timers like the Quiet Man and Ryans Daughter, The Field and Into the WEst. Looks like I will have to put a page together soon of the 10 best movie locations in Ireland, will keep you posted. Cheers Susan Byron

HUNT MUSEUM

Fri, 14 May 2010 11:46:08 GMT

The Hunt Museum is the best museum in Ireland.

5 STAR HOTELS

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:46:24 GMT

5 Star hotels in Ireland are way above and beyond others throughout the world.

GOLF

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:28:01 GMT

Irealnd is a mecca for golf players from all over the world.

PICTURES OF IRELAND

Sat, 08 May 2010 10:51:28 GMT

Pictures of Ireland is a gallery of photos, views and images of Ireland for you to enjoy.

May Madness

Sat, 08 May 2010 08:08:52 GMT

It really is, I havent had a minute since last weekend at the Festival of Fires in Uisneach which was something else altogether. Even the drive there was spectacular. I have a soft spot for the midlands at the best of times but right now it is like the countryside is on 'acid'! Lime green leaves are bursting into leaf, mad yellow broom (gorse bushes)top whole hills, and the weather is all over the place (perhaps its that volcano in Iceland) freezing torrential rain and hailstones one minute and then balmy summer sunshine the next, weird? But apparently this isnt all that strange, May 1st is associated with all kinds of devil-ment in Ireland as it is throughout the world, when bonfires where lit to ward off evil spirits. Bold fairies who could cause crops to fail (nothing but eggs would be found in the drills where potatoes had been planted) cows would go dry or (the milk would have no fat in it to turn into butter). And chatting to some lovely Romanian girls (Hi Dana & Michaela) around the bonfire told me their grandmothers did the same on May 1st night. Well there is no need to worry about the 'demons' anymore! We saw them off last Saturday night as the Gods favoured us weather wise. No sooner had the massive bonfire been lit on the Hill of Uisneach in the centre of Ireland, then the corresponding fires on twenty other hills around the country blazed into the night. Several of which could be seen from where we were. Re-enacting an ancient Irish ceremony that hadnt taken place in 1400 years. Perhaps is will spark a change in our psyche, banish the economic doom and gloom? We have a lot to proud of and positive about, an extraordinarily beautiful country, powerful and friendly people. Sure we could rule the world if we put our minds to it! Susan Byron

May Day

Sat, 01 May 2010 07:12:38 GMT

May Day or Bealtaine as it is called here in Ireland is officially the start of summer and the festival season. We have lots of great festivals, many of which are extremely localised and born out of ancient traditions like the Festival of Fires. It began 1000s of years ago in the exact centre of Ireland, in County Westmeath where the small hill of Uisneach rises above the flat central plain to a height of just 600 ft above sea level yet amazingly 20 of the 32 counties of Ireland can be seen from its summit. Hence, it became a hugely important strategic and sacred site, the first ceremonial fire lit here signalled the igniting of dozens more on the surrounding hills and the start of the Bealtaine celebrations marking the start of summer. Like all good festivals then as now there was plenty of feasting, music and dancing, so I am hugely looking forwards to it and will report back on the spectacle next week in the meantime have a great weekend. PS I have a huge soft spot for the Magical Midlands which are often forgotten as people pass through on their way east or west so take a look here you will be surprised how much else there is to and see in the midlands. http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/irelands-midlands.html Cheers Susan Byron

I am a sucker for bling!

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:19:20 GMT

I am a sucker for bling or anything sparkly really.... What girl isnt? diamonds being the preferred choice obviously, but happy to settle for Swarovski crystals in these recessionary times and thankfully they are everywhere darling! Embedded in the pool at the Espa in the Ritz Carlton at Powerscourt. Or secretly encased in the glass tables at the G Hotel, Galway shining provocatively up at you while you sip a cocktail or three while catching up with the girls.

Guys call it bitching we call it research checking out the latest designer details, fixtures & fittings, colour schemes and decor and then moving on to the hotel itself...... Only joking but we are there to see and be seen! Boutique Hotels are just perfect for that, nicely edgey like ourselves, clad in designer gear each trying to outdo the other. The G Hotel started the trend with Philip Treacey, hat designer to royalty and BF of Kate Moss and co, been given free rein and presumably an enormous blank cheque to design the decor which is quite fabulous and very Sex-in-the-City. It was mobbed when the first movie was released and no doubt will be again when the sequel comes out at the end of May. But there are some great new kids on the block, check out my Top Ten Boutique Hotels at http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/boutique-hotels.html or download my free iphone app Ireland 50 Top Hotels 2010 http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/ireland-50-top-hotels-2010/id368434824?mt=8 and go see for yourselves. Cheers Susan Byron

BOUTIQUE HOTELS

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:03:06 GMT

Boutique Hotels perfect for girly cocktail dates or shopping weekends.

IPHONE APP

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 09:30:58 GMT

iphone app free lite version of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Would you believe?

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:21:22 GMT

Would you believe that Dublin Tourism's official website http://www.visitdublin.com/ has a blog about Dublin written by a Canadian? It kind of defies belief doesnt it? I have nothing against Canada, great place and our most 'frequent flyers' the Brent Geese choose Ireland and only Ireland out of all of Europe, for their winter vacation every year. But why choose a blog written by a stranger rather than a native? We have a national history of producing some of the best writers in the world, think James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw, W B Yeats to name but a few? and we have a sense of humour.... Couldnt you just imagine Oscar Wilde as having been the best serial blogger ever !

Perhaps it is necessary to view Dublin with fresh eyes? to portray a contemporary unbiased view? But is that what anyone google-ing Dublin really wants to know. Our history is what makes us, the stories and tall tales we can tell, it's in our blood and while we may not know it all we certainly know what's what! Take Temple Bar for example, cited in many guidebooks as 'extremely popular with tourists and local alike' Eh NO! normally avoided like the plague, did you know the we had the Black Plague here in Dublin, in medieval times? Of course you didnt which is why it is obvious that the people who write these guides are not Irish. And have probably never even stood foot in this country, most likely having cut and pasted dodgey statements like the above from some dubious source. Dont believe a word of it.... Cheers Susan Byron

Dublin

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:38:25 GMT

Dublin an insiders guide to the capital of Ireland.

COLLINS BARRACKS

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:35:42 GMT

Collins Barracks is where you will find Irelands Museum of Decortative Arts.

What is an iphone app?

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 09:02:55 GMT

Okay back to basics lets start with the iPhone itself which is basically a phone ie you can make and receive calls, take photos and videos. Its produced by Apple who have sold some 50 million around the world. In Ireland they are being distributed by O2 and Vodafone, there are currently some 250,000 users here and growing daily. Why? Because your iphone is actually a miniature version of your laptop (you can actually synchronize the two) reduced to pocket size, and available to use on the move (but try and do it in a wi-fi area otherwise you could be hit for expensive roaming charges). Almost anything you can do on your computer at home you can now do on an iphone. You can send and receive emails, surf the net, post stuff on facebook, watch videos on Youtube, download and listen to music. But there is more, much, much more and this is the clever exciting stuff that is revolutionising mobile phone technology iPhone applications.

Which are (for the most part) clever little programs that can do practically anything some of which are inbuilt on your iPhone like Google Maps which uses satellite technology to direct you from A-B or find a location which is blowing satellite navigation devices out of the water with its accuracy. Others are developed externally to Apple, although they have to be vetted by Apple and sold through itunes, there are now some 100,000 to choose from in every category you can imagine from games, to utilities, entertainment, travel and lifestyle to name just a few. Some of the coolest include Red Laser which reads barcodes and gives you product details and comparison prices worldwide. Shazam can listen to music and tell the details of each track being played. Sleep Cycle Alarm can even alter your sleep patterns or Ageing Booth which shows what you will look like when you are old, which for some strange reason is proving extremely popular? The iPhone apps that I have developed for and about Ireland are much less scary and designed to be fun and informative with the majority of the detail on the website. For more details of Irelands Hidden Gems iPhone applications please click on the link below. Susan Byron

Irish Hospitality - Why cant all hotels be this good?

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:02:42 GMT

This was the headline of an article in last saturdays Go travel supplement in the Irish Times and I am afraid I would have to agree with John McKenna, editor of the Bridgestone Guide, good manners never mind proper hospitality is a rare enough thing in Ireland nowadays. Now I dont often put much store in awards preferring like John to simply turn up on the day and see how I get on? Often establishments rely more on the award itself then the actual qualities of service etc that won it for them in the first place. Besides there is a whole lot more that makes up a great experience like the weather, location, company and even your humour on the day. And we can all have bad days so I applaud those who seem to constantly get it right because it is certainly not easy in these tough economic times especially when the goalposts are being moved unfairly just to keep some white elephants open for the tax breaks as John quite rightly says.

Solis Castle at Lough Eske in Donegal seems to have the formula just right. I stayed there for Easter and heart warming is how I would describe it and thats not a term I have ever used before regarding an hotel. They were voted Best Country Hotel in the World in 2009 and they deserve every bit of it, you can read all about it in the link below. Perfect and all as you would expect a 5 star castle to be it was the people who work there (you couldnt call them staff because they felt like friends by the time you were going home) that made it. We actually felt like valued and welcomed guests rather than just 'bed night' or 'paying customers' for the first time in a long time. Whether its Donegal genetics or that lovely soft accent or some secret school of charm they all attend, the rest of the country could do with taking lessons from them! Solis Castle people take a bow....

SOLIS CASTLE

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:44:24 GMT

Solis Castle on lovely Lough Eske in Donegal winner of best hotel in the world 2009

CASTLE HOTELS

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:36:51 GMT

Castle hotels in Ireland are steeped in legends and history.

Francis Brennan, The Park Hotel, Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland - TV interview

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 07:45:52 GMT

Francis Brennan was on television last night being interviewed by Craig Doyle you can watch it on RTE player (will post url as soon as it is loaded) in case you missed it! Francis and his brother John have been visiting run down or failing B&Bs and Hotels throughout Ireland to offer advice on revamping them and improving the business. Some of the situations they have come across seemed beyond help yet the clever brothers managed to turn them around.

They have a great rapport between themselves and their potential clients. John is the money man and Francis the guy with years of experience in the hotel industry, some of which he recounted last night including the story of the Dublin Hotel which was riddled with mice one floor and wild cats on another, who unfortunately never met! These two brothers are doing more for Irish Tourism then all the government agencies put together. They are a breath of fresh air, always positive and upbeat and the real face of hospitality here in Ireland. Check out their luxury 5 Star Hotel, in gorgeous Kenmare in County Kerry, they have a great value 'Spendless Sring' offer at the moment. http://www.parkkenmare.com/ Slainte Susan