For most of us football’s winter World Cup was our introduction to this Gulf state so if that whetted your appetite why not Qatar va voom out for the motor racing?
The desert, where you can drive without checking for speed cameras and it’s camel humps rather than speed bumps.
Fly high; With Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways Holidays are offering a package for the petrolheads’ festival from October 5-14.
Rev it up: The Qatar Grand Prix
Including the golden ticket of the Grand Prix on October 8.
And all for €2,121 for three nights from October 5-8 for two at the Al Liwan Suites.
Classics fan
Old meets new: Classic cars in Doha
Now it won’t have escaped your notice that this is Geneva in Qatar and Experience and the most influential motor show is premiering outside Switzerland for the first time.
Where you’ll get to witness 32 of the world’s most renowned marquees showcasing a ground-breaking array of new cars.
And classic automobiles… the classics.
Cream of the crop: Vintage cars
Running from 2pm-10pm daily and 10am-10pm on Saturday.
The first by an Irish side and a touch point for a future rugby hero Ronan O’Gara.
O’Gara, whose drop goal kick in Cardiff won Ireland their first Grand Slam in 61 years in 2009, is better placed than most.
To promote further links between Cork and World Cup hosts France.
With O’Gara, a perfect No.10 by any gauge, having gone on to forge a stellar coaching career in France.
And masterminding the development of one Jonny Sexton there.
Way to Ro
House of O’Gara: Ronan and friends at Charles Fort in Kinsale. PIc: John Allan
House of O’Gara: Ronan and friends at Charles Fort in Kinsale. PIc: John Allan
It makes sense then that Tourism Ireland approached Ronan, manager of La Rochelle, to front a new campaign to promote Cork in France this autumn.
With the campaign going live next month to coincide with the Rugby World Cup.
The campaign will include a new video featuring O’Gara.
Visiting various locations in Kinsale and Cork city that ‘fill his heart with Ireland’.
As well as showcasing some of the many great things to see and do on a holiday in Kinsale and Cork.
The aim of the campaign is to encourage French holidaymakers to fly or sail direct to Cork during the off-season months.
It will run on Tourism Ireland’s social channels in France from early September.
A word from the sponsors
Touch of the Blarney: The Blarney Stone
Monica MacLaverty, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Southern Europe, said: ‘We are delighted to partner with Ronan O’Gara for our upcoming campaign in France.
‘It’s a great opportunity to capitalise on the excitement in the run-up to, and during, the Rugby World Cup.
‘Our aim is to highlight the many great experiences and attractions in Cork city and county.
‘As well as the ease of access from France to Cork and the warm welcome that awaits our French visitors.’
Amis across the water
Nice to meet you: The English Market
Of course, the French are no strangers to Cork and Munster, and happily helped out the Irish in their fight for freedom over the centuries.
Although any accords will naturally be put to one side should they meet in the World Cup.
Filming for the campaign took place at various locations, including Charles Fort and The Bulman in Kinsale.
As well as in Cork city at The English Market where the Queen mingled among the stallholders.
The Farmgate Café, Crawford Art Gallery, Patrick Street and Market Lane are also featured on the movie.
While the crew also captured footage of musicians from the Cork Jazz Festival and of an oyster experience in Goldie.
And all that jazz: The Cork Jazz Festival
Now the Corkonians, as well as being famous for their rugby acumen, are also known for their singy-songy voices.
And addressing all men as ‘Boy’, pronounced ‘Bahai’.
And while it can’t be absolutely verified if you do want to go truly native and talk like a Corkonian.
Then you’ll want to get dangled by your feet upside down to kiss the Blarney Stone too.
While you’ll never go wrong by greeting a Corkonian with Viva La Republique of Cork.
It’s a rite of passage if you relocate to Ireland… to dip your toe in Dublin’s Forty Foot.
Take it from me, the Sandycove bay is all part of the odyssey, like it was for James Joyce’s great creation Leopold Bloom.
The Irish as we all know are a hardy bunch and think nothing of swimming in the sea, no matter the weather.
And no matter the weather, even on the hottest day of the year, the Irish Sea is challenging.
But they’ll expect that you dip your toe in Dublin’s Forty Foot.
Better then to make an experience of it from the Anantara Marker Hotel, one of the Leading Hotels of the World, overlooking the Waterfront on Grand Canal Square.
Swim on the wild side
Making a splash: At the Forty Foot
Wild Swimming is part of the ‘Dublin Like Never Before’ menu of experiences.
They bill it as an unbeatable mix of adrenaline and tranquility.
With potential spottings of wild seals and dolphins, although in my one and only swim in the Forty Foot I only saw budgie… smugglers.
They promise too seals popping their heads up above the Craggy Rocks in Vico Bathing Place down the coast.
Where you may also catch sight of Vico’s most famous resident, the black-eyed Bono.
And we top off the adventure with a delicious breakfast or beach picnic for all to enjoy for €295 per person.
Spoon playing
Toothy smile: Dolphins in the bay
If culinary is your thing, and it should be as this is Ireland, then the Marker offers a Spice Spoons package in Howth.
With a sail around Dublin Bay on a fishing boat, seal and dolphin-spotting.
Before you stop off at Kish Fish, home to one of Ireland’s most prestigious salmon smokehouses.
And then return to the hotel to try your hand at baking Irish soda bread. €
From €1150 for two, €75 per person for additions. €150 for the cooking class alone.
One more cuppa coffee
Creme de la creme: Irish coffee
For the road… and when in Ireland learn to make an Irish coffee.
A coffee master and mixologist will talk and drink you through an immersive lesson with this Crafting an Irish Coffee class. €50 pp for Discovery Members – join here.
And there’s more
irish legend: Bono
Now, we’ve been here before back in Bono’s backyard in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel where we were regaled by a seanachai, or Gaelic storyteller.
In this case Derek Brennan who will introduce us to Ireland’s hidden secrets and legends in his Docklands Walking Tour €75 per person.
An Irish stud
Thoroughbreds: The Irish Stud
And no we’re not reverting back to Bono here, we’re talking pure thoroughbred racing stock at the Irish National Stud and Gardens in Co. Kildare.
You’ll see the wonder horses in their stables or out in their paddocks and learn about their breeding and pedigrees with the help of a private guide.
Go one step further with ‘The Irish Racehorse Experience’ and become the owner, trainer and jockey in an immersive experience which offers the chance to partake in an interactive, virtual race. €250 per person.
You’ll be chauffeured to the club and then hook up (sorry) with a professional at Ireland’s second oldest golf club, located on Bull Island in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
A whiskey tasting awaits post-game on the hotel’s picturesque 360-degree rooftop. €210 per person.