For Petrolheads from all over Ireland St Patricks weekend each year means it’s time to head south to this long established rally.
Events take place on the narrow, winding and very beautiful roads around the west-Cork town of Clonakilty – it can be hardy weather down there in March, so prepare for the worst!
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Some of the most popular old Irish Celtic and Gaelic names for boys, some in common use still, others more unusual.
Story of a Name: Brendan, an Irish saint who many people believe reached America some 1000 years before Columbus.
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Boys names from Dáithí, the Irish for Donald Duck, to Iarla, a name that has all but died out in its Irish form.
Story of a Name: Fionn, who gained all the knowledge in the world because he burnt his thumb.
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Boys names from the relatively well known such as Liam and Padraig, to less well known names like Odhran and Ultan.
Story of a Name: Lugh was a mythical godlike figure in Celtic mythology whose memory is still celebrated in Ireland today at the Feast of Lughnesa.
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Some of the most popular old Irish Celtic and Gaelic names for Girls, from Afric to Colleen, along with notes about their origin and history.
Story of a Name: Aoife and the Children of Lir, doomed to spend 900 years as swans.
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A list of mostly traditional Irish names and their stories, including relatively common ones like Grainne and less well known but lovely ones like Iseult.
Story of a name: Deirdre, a beautiful young woman who instead of marrying the king eloped with her true love, with tragic consequences.
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Traditional names starting with the letters from M to S – no later letters since these are largely unused in the Irish language so they don’t exist!
Story of a Name: Niamh, the beautiful goddess who took Oisin to the land of eternal youth, but in doing so caused his early death.
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What life is like at Christmas in Ireland, from the days and weeks of preparation, to Christmas day and the lead in to a New Year.
From office parties to pantomime, last minute shopping to the races – it’s a family occasion and one to enjoy with friends.
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A look at some of the traditions of an Irish Christmas, from a lit candle in the window on Christmas Eve – and why it has been revived as a tradition – to the sometimes odd finding of religious symbols in the middle of shopping malls and the visit from the Wren Boys on St Stephen’s day.
Read MoreBecause Ireland kind of stops dead over the Christmas period, it may not be the best time to travel. Most tourist attractions are closed, as are most Bed and Breakfasts and Guest Houses.
However there are special Christmas programs in many hotels and if it’s a quiet get away break you want, it may be just the place to come.
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It’s often said that people are Ireland’s most important export. Millions of people left their homes here to seek a better life in another country. For some it was a matter of choice, for most a matter of desperation.
Now their descendants are returning, keen to learn more about the stories of their grand parents and great grandparents. Genealogy has become big business.
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Many Irish soups are based on potatoes, this one combines them with leeks to make a very satisfying and tasty dish.
A big mug of this kind of hearty soup is particularly welcome after a day working, or walking, outdoors in an Irish winter, but the flavour is good enough that you can also add a few garnishes and serve it at dinner for friends too.
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