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This Christy World

14th June 202314th June 2023 funtime65

Why could we not protect him in this Christy World, farewell North Dublin’s finest, Christy Dignam?

Christy and Aslan, whom Bono, no less, credited as a big inspiration, lived in his own crazy world.

Sing our praises: With the Scary One at the Temple Bar

And that legacy is marked every weekend in the Temple Bar in his native Dublin… and yes, we have joined in full gusto at the Bar.

When a tribute act will be asked, or instinctively just know, to belt out the Crazy World anthem.

North side splitters

I heard many of Christy’s antics and his lightfooted love life from Northside People editor Paul ‘Feathers’ Featherson.

All of which passed the time on our Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul.

Aslan, for many the hardest-working band in Ireland, have a tour taking in the whole of the island.

Next stop was Derry’s Millennium Forum, now cancelled out of respect.

Flying high: With North Dub Feathers and the gang in Istanbul

While other upcoming July dates included Wexford and the National Opera House and Kerry’s Gleneagle INEC arena.

Aslan have carried on, and who knows if they can continue without their charismatic frontman, the rich legacy of Irish touring musicians.

Who take the music to the people in small towns and townlands across the island.

And remember Christy said it himself that he had ‘travelled through so many towns.”

Touring musicians

And they and their fellow strummers and singers, fiddlers and folksters add a huge ingredient to your Irish holiday.

Because for as long as I can remember there has been a musical backdrop to my Irish vacations.

From the Irish country keeping me awake in Harkin’s Bar next door on annual Easter trips with my Dear Old Mum in Brockagh, Co. Donegal.

Through the draw of Joe Dolan on a Ring of Kerry tour.

And a Van Morrison jazz cabaret at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.

It’s all right

And there will be more, all of which helps us cope.

It is a tough enough world and one North Dublin singer just helped us forget it about for a little while.

So let’s just continue to take solace from his calming message…

In this Christy world… it’s all right.

America, Countries, Ireland, Sport

Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland

11th June 2023 funtime65

They spun it around to say it is a football town with a working-class problem and the Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland.

Who says so? Well, only the NFL who have awarded the Steelers rights to expand their brand and activities for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

As part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program.

And so what does that mean?

Well, as an active NFL marquee franchise, the Steelers can host exclusive events, such as fan and youth football activities throughout Ireland.

And the Global Markets Program licence also allows them to engage corporate sponsors, merchandise sales and marketing relationships.

Best of all is the news coming out of friend of Ireland and former US Ambassador to Dublin Daniel Rooney is what all gridiron fans want to hear.

Touchdown

“Our aspirations long term are to play a game in Ireland,” said Daniel, the team’s director of business development and strategy.

To date, Ireland has never hosted a regular-season NFL game.

But the Steelers beat the Chicago Bears 30-17 in a pre-season match-up at Dublin’s Croke Park in 1997.

And we’ve enjoyed the biennial college football at the Aviva.

Back to Croke Park and it holds 82,300 and would likely be the site of any future Steelers game.

Of course, the best way to get on board the Steelers is to get out there for yourself… and grab yourself your 15 minutes of fame.

Either down the Steelers stadium or maybe even take in the Andy Warhol Museum

All with Aer Lingus with a round trip from here in Edinburgh from £1,224.

In the family

During his time in Ireland, Rooney helped establish the Ireland Funds programme.

Founded to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development across Ireland and among Irish communities around the world.

Daniel also worked to further the knowledge gridiron throughout Ireland, efforts that included an annual flag football contest.

The Steelers have launched dedicated Irish social media accounts and are planning a fan watch party.

“My family has deep roots throughout Ireland and being able to connect with our fans across the Island is something special to our organisation,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II.

Clearly, as a Rooney, and his grandfather, Art Rooney Sr., was the founding owner of the NFL franchise.

According to the Pew Research Center, Pittsburgh ranked first among large U.S. cities with 17 percent of its population claiming Irish ancestry.

Piling up the teams

Bridge of highs: Pittsburgh

A confession here, your favourite blogger favours Boston and New England in all things American sport.

But now Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland I might be persuaded.

Heck, who am I kidding? I adopt extra teams every time I tick off a new American city.

And so after my trip to San Antonio the Spurs are now on the roster.

Now I have two horses in the NBA final between Denver and Miami.

And the Stanley Cup with Florida and Las Vegas.

Countries, Ireland, Music

Harry FreeStyles in Dublin

9th June 20239th June 2023 funtime65

I’ve forgiven him for holding up my last leg back from San Antonio as it comes to my attention that Harry FreeStyles in Dublin.

Hip he may be but Harry Styles, these days as big a singing superstars as there is, doesn’t mind getting in with the Great Unwashed.

Harry, you see, did that most South Dublin of things on his travels, the last time he was in the Irish capital.

He jumped into the Forty Foot at Sandycove with the masses.

Bloomin’ cold

And in so doing joined such luminaries as James Joyce, his great creation, Leopold Bloom and the landlubber that is your Bandanaman.

In my case I was out as quickly as I got in, Dublin Bay being bracing despite it being the sunniest day of the year on shore.

I had resisted the temptation to join my new compatriots for a few years in my 13 years an Irishman.

Memories of swimming off Spital in Co. Galway as a kid acting as a warning.

Trunk call

Well, Harry’s back in Ireland after the UK leg of his world tour.

And his old friends, and ours, at Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, has marked the moment.

They have only commissioned a bespoke pair of swimming shorts for Harry.

So he is primed and ready to take the plunge in style.

And they have even suggested some prime swimming spots for him to have a dip.

Ooh Bettystown

Bettystown Beach, Co. Meath: Now a favourite of my Dear Old Dad who loved a sea swim on holuday

The water here gradually gets deeper, and swimmers can wade in until they find the depth that suits them.

Take a peaceful stroll to the River Boyne at Mornington Beach and watch as ships sail into Drogheda Port.

Best of Brittas

Brittas Bay South Beach, Co. Wicklow: And if Harry likes Sandymount he’ll love Co. Wicklow, maybe as much as we do.

With 5km of powdery white sand dunes, the beach has won and maintained its Blue Flag status for many years.

Carling larger

Carlingford Lough, Louth: Billed as the adventure capital of Louth up the coast from Dublin and Wicklow.

Carlingford is known for its outdoor pursuits and locals love swimming in Carlingford Lough.

At the lake, visitors can take in epic views of Carlingford Castle and Slieve Foye before heading to Sweet Sundaes for their crepes.

Fáilte have flagged up helpful tips to follow before, during and after your swim at www.watersafety.ie which we’re sure Harry will check out.

While for more information, please visit www.discoverireland.ie.

And so keep your eyes peeled.

We know Harry FreeStyles in Dublin and now we could see him in Wicklow and Louth too.

Countries, Ireland, Sport

Kilruddery Thrillruddery in Wicklow

17th May 202317th May 2023 funtime65

A haven from our everyday toils we tagged Kilruddery Thrillruddery in Co. Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland.

And in the fullest traditions of the best gardens Kilruddery, near my old homestead of Greystones, knows outdoor spaces are for playing in.

Kilruddery Estate has launched a summer of fun… Weekends@AliveOutside.

And it is backed up by the evidence of our eyes.

Which is home to both RTE’s ‘Irelands Fittest Family’ and Hell & Back, Ireland’s toughest mental and physical endurance challenge.

The estate also boasts a newly developed outdoor escape room, Escape from Killruddery.

Day camps for the kids, laser tag and splash zone activities such as water jumps, splashdown slide and pontoon mania!

There is endless fun to be had for all ages and group sizes.

And helpfully, as always, Kilruddery are doing the heavy lifting here by putting flesh on the bones of their summer activities.

Camp summit

1 Day Kids Adventure Camps (Only €35pp)

The Alive Outside One Day Adventure Camps are for 7-13-year-olds each Saturday and Sunday throughout July and August.

And they’re sure to tire out your kids with obstacle run, bushcraft and splash zone activities.

Great Escape

Escape from Killruddery (Only €25pp)

Of course, you won’t want to, but let’s play the game anyway.’

Set under the canopy of Killruddery Forest, you’ll be racing against the clock to solve challenges and uncover clues.

Laser focus

Laser Tag (Only €25pp)

Of course parents would want to get in on this too but we’ll have to leave it to the kids.

Don your combat overalls and face off against your opponent with numerous shelters, huts, cubbyholes and outhouses to stake out in!

Make a splash

Splash Zone (Only €20pp)

Cool down and enjoy our Water Jump, Splashdown Slide and Pontoon Mania or just chill lakeside.

They recommend that it is a great way to enjoy a hot summer’s day and also try out kayaking.

Overcome the obstacle

Family Obstacle Challenge (Only €22pp)

If you were transfixed by RTE’s hit show, Ireland’s Fittest Family then you can try it yourself.

And take on challenges such as Hang Tough, Backs Against the Wall, Tyre Relay and the gruelling Eliminator!

Sports scene

Sports Club Packages

And remember those team building experiences of your early working days.

Then try the HELL & BACK endurance trial with obstacles including Satan’s Pit, Heartbreak Ridge and finishing on the notorious Finishing Ramp.

All part of the Kilruddery Thrillruddery in Wicklow.

And that will lead you to explore further and take in the wondrous neighbouring Powerscourt.

Countries, Ireland, Sport

Rugby Men of Munster

4th May 20234th May 2023 funtime65

Now you know those historic moments where everybody says they were there, well add to them the Rugby Men of Munster.

The Irish province who defeated Graeme Mourie’s all-conquering All Blacks team of 1978 which beat England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

But not the 15 rugby men of Munster losing 15-0 on a fevered afternoon in Thomond Park, Limerick.

All of which propelled that stadium and Munster rugby onto the international conscience.

And which they have built on in the professional era with multiple European competition successes.

Limerick Roar

The Great and Good of rugby were all there for the launch of the six-storey International Rugby Experience.

Including the Sex God himself Johnny Sexton and other Irish greats Paul O’Connell, Rory Best, Keith Wood and Peter Stringer.

And from the women’s game, Joy Neville and Ciara Griffin.

The legendary AB Sean Fitzpatrick (really an Irishman in black), Francois Pienaar, and even greats from the Old Enemy were there…

Martin Johnson, Jeremy Guscott and Matt Dawson.

Tickets are priced at just €10 for children (under 18) and €15 for adults.

Gallery of Ledges

Individuals and families can discover what it takes to Become a Legend.

Others will have been following how cult hero Ross O’Carroll-Kelly has been doing it… although for him this is enemy territory.

Visitors will move through six, awe-inspiring stages inside the state-of-the-art building.

Jock Peggie, Head of Education, Laws and Compliance at World Rugby (must be one of ours) is in charge of the interactive experience.

And being six floors there are 360-degree views of Limerick city centre from the sixth floor Legends Gallery.

As is the way with everything in Limerick, multi-millionaire JP McManus’s largesse has played a big part in the project.

The not-for-profit venture was initially funded via a €30 million investment by the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.

The International Rugby Experience tours, gift store and cafe will be open seven days a week; 9.30am to 6pm, with the last tour starting at 4.30pm.

And remember Munster men and women will tell you Real Ireland is out here.

And you can find out for yourself by flying into nearby Shannon Airport… give it a try.

Countries, Ireland

Zipping through Dublin Mountains

24th April 202324th April 2023 funtime65

You need a good run at it which is why thrill-seekers will love zipping through the Dublin Mountains.

For me my past zipping experience has been so fleeting it’s been over shortly after it’s begun.

The zip lining (behave yourself)!

We’d been promised a ride through the Swiss Alps.

Only for time and sense on the part of our hosts to push on to the next activity… scootering.

But did get around to it in varied backdrops above the promenade of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

On a right royal party in the English Channel… to Old Las Vegas.

And I never tire of retelling how a Travel colleague got stuck above Fremont Street.

Because he was too light and had to be rescued, a la a dangling Boris Johnson, from his harness.

Trail of the lonesome pines

All of which meanderings came back to mind as news reaches us of the opening.

Of the Zip Trail at Coillte’s Tibradden Wood in the Dublin Mountains.

Zip Trail consists of 18 treetop elements including 12 ziplines totalling over 500 metres in length.

They say it is suitable for anyone aged 12 or older and, of course, the pre-teens will whizz by you.

Zip Trail can also be booked as an add-on for just €10 per person when purchasing a session on the high ropes course.

Walk the line

The history lesson is free.

The concept of ziplining was originally a mode of transport in alpine and jungle regions.

Yet it was only in the 1970s that the experience caught on with adventurer Donald Perry’s inventive way of exploring the Costa Rican Jungle.

The first commercial zip line opened in Costa Rica in 1995.

And now ziplining has become part of experiential tourism worldwide.

And to this great collective we can add Cool Running Events.

A Cork-based event management company which specialises in recreation experiences in Ireland.

Cool Running Events have been creating unique experiences in Ireland since 2007.

And they have already given us Ireland’s largest ice rinks with IceSkating.ie Cool Running Events.

In August 2021, Cool Running Events acquired Zipit Forest Adventures – Ireland’s biggest high ropes course company.

With courses located in Tibradden Wood, Dublin (that’ll be the zipping through the Dublin mountains) as well as Cork and Roscommon.

Countries, Culture, Europe, Food & Wine, Ireland

Joyce lived la vita bella in Trieste

21st April 202321st April 2023 funtime65

James Joyce lived la vita bella in Trieste and began charting Leopold Bloom’s course there.

Probably eating crispy frico lollipops, Toc’ in braid, Spring asparagus orzotto and soft frico bites on a roasted polenta tartlet.

While he put Dublin fare and choice words in the mouth of Leopold.

The inner organs of beasts and fowls, thick giblet soup, nutty gizzards, a stuffed roast heart, liverslices fried with crustcrumbs and fried hencods’ roes.

While most of all Joyce tells us ‘he liked grilled mutton kidneys.’

Pinocchio’s by a nose

Thankfully the good folk of Trieste had the senza to showcase their city in an Italian setting at Pinocchio’s in Temple Bar with best Italian fare.

With Friuli Venezia Giulia chef Manuel Marchetti creating pizzas especially for the occasion.

With toppings consisting of San Daniele Prosciutto and alpine smoked ricotta.

And for dessert, creamy tiramisù, a dessert born in Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Strucchi (no us neither but was gorgeous).

Grazie Ryanair

Using Joyce as an entry point Trieste presented the new Ryanair seasonal route.

Available twice weekly until 28 October, with one-way fares start from €19.99pp.

And how Giacomo Joyce as he styled himself in Trieste could have done with a low-fare airlines then.

Portrait of Trieste

Joyce had taken a circuitous route to Trieste where he penned A Portrait Of An Artist As A Young Man.

To take up a job as a tutor to a young girl Letitza, daughter of Jewish writer Ettore Schmitz.

Whom it is said he based Leopold Bloom around.

With Joyce also so smitten with Ettore’s wife Livia that he remodelled her as Anna Livia a representation of the River Liffey.

Alongside which today’s tourist hub and stag and hen central Temple Bar flows.

Vino de vici

As indeed did the Italian wine. No Leopold Bloom glass of Burgundy ecco grazie on Pudding Row.

No, Ireland’s greatest author. Si, si… it was how Joyce lived la bella vita in Italy.

Countries, Ireland

Easter Reprising

10th April 202310th April 2023 funtime65

Perhaps it’s testimony to how Modern Ireland has moved on that a fellow exec on the Irish paper I worked on didn’t know the rebels’ names… so for him here’s the Easter Reprising.

Another who worked for me thought that King Billy had won the Battle of the Boyne and passed that off jokingly as a lack of interest in history.

Ireland’s history, of course, would have been very different had its people and those of its neighbours left history where it was.

But then God did give his greatest creation a rewind button and the Irish (most of them) use it more than the pause or fast forward.

A new age

This time of year, Easter, is particularly poignant in the Land of Saints and Scholars.

With holy observance and the end of 40-day Lenten fast with family fun, beer and chocolaty children.

And remembrance of those who made a symbolic (and real) sacrifice by laying down their lives for the holy grail of Irish freedom.

Now the whys and wherefores of those six days from Easter Monday, 1916 have been addressed ever since that day.

With many considering Ireland’s unofficial poet laureate WB Yeats encapsulating it best in his retrospective piece Easter 1916.

Tour de force

Of course the Irish being the loquacious and oratory people they are.

It will surprise nobody that there is an Easter 1916 tour in Dublin for you.

Well, a number, but we’re picking out one just for you when you visit the Fair City.

Like all the best Irish tours it starts in a pub, the International Bar on Wicklow Street.

Where Scots-born James Connolly was shot dead by a British firing squad.

And you’ll finish where the heroic rebels ended their days., Kilmainham Gaol.

Tied to a chair on account of his gangrenous leg.

Walk through Dublin on any given day and you will find plaques of the fallen from those six days.

Lorcan good

And tour leader and writer on the Rising Lorcan Collins will walk you through it all.

It’s all an Easter Reprising for visitors who want to learn about the birth of the Modern Nation.

History nuts, and locals who should have listened at school and appreciate the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for the Republic.

America, Countries, Europe, Ireland, UK

Dragging up the statue debate

9th April 20239th April 2023 funtime65

News that 70,000 fans have signed a petition to have an erection of Paul O’Grady (he’d appreciate that) put up in his hometown Birkenhead sees us dragging up the statue debate again.

Whether the proposed O’Grady statue over the Mersey from Liverpool would be of pets’ pal Paul with a beloved pooch.

Or his beloved alter ego, Lily Savage, a celebration of this towering figure would be most welcome.

We make no apologies for dredging up this contentious subject again because simply put statues are a fixture of every tourist’s city break trip.

And it is our mission to redress the balance.

By putting up more cultural figures on pedestals to match, replace or overtake the mystery military statues that look down on us.

Who’s a hero?

A horse, a horse: Stonewall Jackson at Manassas

Statues was all the talk in of all places Barbados a few years ago.

When the Ski Club of Virginia made their annual pilgrimage down to the Caribbean.

And our new friends from the Deep South were alerting us to the gathering storm.

Over the statues of the Confederate leaders proliferating there.

Which I saw for myself when I went out to Virginia.

And visited Manassas, site of the first fighting in the Civil War, and home to Stonewall Jackson.

And alas the fighting was to resume not long after on the streets again.

I was fortunate to illicit the opinions of those on both sides of the divide through further adventures in the Deep South.

And meet the likes of Dr Martin Luther King and his unfinished statue in Washington DC.

And Fannie Lou Hamer, the little big woman who got tired of being tired in Mississippi.

The extraordinary ordinary

In the name of dog: Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh

Of course for every celebrated soldier, conceited king or quaffed queen there are real heroes and heroines who have rightly been placed in marble and stone.

Such as Anne Frank in Amsterdam, Workers’ champion Jim Larkin in Dublin or devoted doggie Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh.

Ah yes, you’ll see the message we’re sending out here, more children, women, working-class heroes and animals.

Gay giants

And LGBTQ+ champions and more drag queens.

Our trawl of statues turns up unexpectedly and disappointingly precious few of either.

Again our beloved Ireland leads the way somewhat and in spite of its repressive Catholic past.

With the louche and lounging statue of Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square.

While he is lauded and lipsticked in his gravestone in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, his last resting place.

Where Wilde led, the likes of Harvey Milk, the ‘Mayor of Castro Street’ in San Francisco.

Whose bust smiles at us from its plinth in City Hall, followed.

And Greenwich Village in New York, spiritual home for the Gay Liberation Movement, made a statement with a bust to Marsha P Johnson.

All of which makes the case for more statues which truly represent the people who live among them and represent them.

Redressing the balance

Alas, here in the UK as in most places representation is in short supply.

With only Alan Turing, the decoder who helped defeat Hitler, represented long after he was vilified and criminalised for his homosexuality.

So let’s hear it for the real heroes and heroines of our society.

Those we can identify with and look up to.

And that’s who I want to be looking at it on my city breaks.

And why I’m dragging up the statue debate again.

Countries, Flying, Ireland, UK

Prayer Lingus

27th March 202327th March 2023 funtime65

You’ll know when you’ve been on a pilgrimage flight aboard Ireland’s national airline carrier Prayer Lingus.

Because of the clatter of the rosary beads and chatter of the Angeluses.

And I heard it too for myself on my way out.

To Santiago de Compostella with Camino Ways for the Camino, Lourdes and Fatima.

And which was the backdrop for every car journey I took with my Donegal mammy from Glasgow back to God’s Own County.

It worked too as we surely had divine intervention to keep us safe with my Mum’s driving.

And how distracted she was as she passed by every town and pointed them out to me.

Knock on Heaven’s Door

Saint that a plane: With my Aer Lingus pals

All of which rubbing away at rosary beads and penitent pilgrims will be in rich supply.

On the back of Aer Lingus‘s new route from London Heathrow to Knock-Irl West.

Back in the day you could only get to Knock in Co. Mayo in the East of Ireland by road.

Unless, of course, you were Our Lady, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Evangelist, angels and Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God.

Who, of course, had their own transport at hand.

Spending my summer holidays as I did with my Dublin cousins out in Galway

Days were also set aside to visit Knock which set me off on a lifelong interest in pilgrim sites.

Now as much as Ireland changed with the Celtic Tiger the ‘saints’ part of the moniker The Land of Saints and Scholars is still upheld.

Flights of angels

Not least at Aer Lingus who give every plane a saint’s name and christen it before it takes flight.

All of which will ensure you double protection.

The inaugural Aer Lingus flight EI916, operated by an Airbus A320, departed from Ireland West Airport at Knock for Heathrow at 1.05pm yesterday afternoon.

Welcoming the new route, Judith Cassidy of Tourism Ireland said: “This means that GB visitors can travel directly from London to Ireland’s dramatic Wild Atlantic Way coastline in less than two hours.

“Here they can experience and enjoy the rugged beauty of the west coast of Ireland.

“As seen in the Oscar nominated Banshees of Inisherin.”

And it’ll be well worth the €253.03 sample return fare we found on the website.

Particularly when you factor in the priceless blessings you’ll garner at Knock…

We don’t call them Prayer Lingus for nothing.