Ireland Archives - Page 3 of 47 - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Thinking outside the telephone box

14th September 2025 funtime65

It has always been a sign that they do things differently in Ireland to Britain and they’re still thinking outside the telephone box.

A retro young Seventies woman occupies the green Telefón box opposite our Parkview Hotel in Newtownmountkennedy in Co. Wicklow.

Where once she would be scrambling for her pennies to put into the slot to make her call (ask your parents).

She is now a mannequin curio.

Nor would she look out of place in the time capsule that is Johnnie Fox’s in Glencullen just up the road.

And billed as the highest pub in Ireland and where we sup Guinnesses and house stout, with pilots and new pals, local and afar.

Step back in time

Old Woman: And mine at their grand estate front

We are on a whistlestop three-nighter back in my Dear Old Mum’s Irish heartland.

Retracing our own steps from 13 years living in Greystones and working in rugby central Ballsbridge in Dublin 4.

And will mark her today in what would have been her 97th birthday.

Although, of course, she walks with us every day.

And danced with us, Teasy’s Baby, and Daddy’s Daughterie last night.

As the house singer belted out Van Morrison’s Brown-Eyed Girl.

And we worked off our bangers and mash and Murphy’s stout.

The Garden of Ireland

Today, we breakfast at the gardens which give this bordering county to Dublin its reputation.

And old friends, the Slazengers, at their grand estate and exclusive hotel, shopping Mecca and wedding venue.

In Powerscourt, near Bray.

Before taking over the Grand Hotel, Malahide in northern Co. Dublin.

Home from home for my parents on family get-together.

With my mum’s doppelgänger sister, Nance, matriarch of the McNultys and the greater brood.

Malahide and Mums

We will eat, drink, be merry and the craic will pass 90.

And we will toast the Teasy on her birthday, loud enough for them all to hear it up above, or down below.

Where they’ll either be jigging with St Peter or laying down the best beats with Beelzebub.

For best rates at the Parkview and the Grand Hotel Malahide and attractions mentioned here visit their sites.

And, of course, Ireland is served by Aer Lingus. Ryanair, all major airlines and ferries.

Countries, Ireland, UK

Only barbers where you can get a short, track and sides

2nd September 20252nd September 2025 funtime65

It’s why Fermanagh is a cut above the rest, it’s because it’s the only barbers where you can get a short, track and sides.

Headhunters Barber Shop & Railway Museum does exactly what it says on the hair cream, or gel, tin.

By giving its customers a railway enthusiasts experience on top.

Which clearly gave Gordon and Nigel Johnston’s business the edge.

In the public vote for the inaugural Love Your High Street Award 2025.

Now while it’s common for holidaymakers to get in a hairdo before they go away on holiday.

Even better to visit the hairdressers when you’re abroad and become part of the ritual and furniture of a foreign barbers.

Turkish trims

Hair we go: A proper Turkish cut and shave

And where better to get crimped than a Turkish barbers?

Back in pre-beardie days and on a family vacation in Bodrum I went full local and went for a Turkish cut and shave.

While The Scary One and Daughterie enjoyed the hamam.

And, of course, after getting all foamed up (the barbers, not the hamam) and getting my ear and nose hair singed off with a flame I was all in.

So that I sought out my nearest Turkish barber as soon as it was time again back home in Edinburgh.

While I was also keen to try out the Moroccan version when I alighted on Marrakech.

Only to discover that all Turkish barbers aren’t like my Bodrum buddy or my stylist and confidante here in my current billet of North Berwick.

Moroccan close shave

When the ‘guide’ who had pressured me in Jemaa el-Fna square to follow him (schoolboy error, be warned).

And said that he knew a Turkish barber.

Of course, when the lira dropped and I realised him and the barber who was charging an extortionate price were in on a scam it was almost too late.

And the false guide pinned me down on the chair in the barbers in the mall and told me to pay up.

Not even running out and snaking around the shops got me away and a fast run back to said square and safety through a tropical storm followed.

A Moroccan close shave all right.

Caribbean coiffeurs

Better then to stick to the safe side of the tracks.

And there are few more casual parts of the Caribbean than Tobago.

Where the islanders will tell you that everything is ‘just around the corner’ including the airport.

And where the West Indian barber is a central part of the community and knows everybody and everything.

As anyone who grew up watching Caribbean-British sitcom Desmond’s will tell you.

We expect that in another equally loquacious and sociable island, Ireland, that the hairdressing experience is just the same.

And we know the only barbers where you can get a short, track and sides.

Which you can tell everybody about when you get back off your holiday to the north of the country.

Countries, Ireland, UK

Van up on Cyprus Avenue in Belfast at 80

31st August 202531st August 2025 funtime65

He’s been a grumpy old man all his life but today we celebrate Van up on Cyprus Avenue in Belfast at 80.

Few singers form the soundtrack of their city more than Ivan Morrison has for 60 years.

Perhaps The Beatles and Liverpool, The Proclaimers and Edinburgh or Simon and Garfunkel and New York.

As the BBC does on such occasions, it dug into its archives.

For a special concert from the Belfast boy for his 70th birthday in the street where he grew up.

Europa Birthday Van

It is a rare privilege to share a birthday with a superstar singer in concert.

But that was afforded we few, we lucky few, who were treated to cabaret dinner at the iconic Europa Hotel.

When Van exercised his jazz chops with Joey Defrancesco, as well as his Celtic Soul trademark.

As with everything with Van the Man there is always a mystery wrapped up in a riddle with his songs and his life.

Cyprus Avenue, of course, is more, much more, than just a street.

It’s a symbolic sliding doors moment in Van’s life as he sits in a car in his home town, planning his next move.

Which Belfastians, never short of a word, will be happy to explain to you on your Van Morrison tour of East Belfast.

In a Heartbeat

All courtesy of Irish Heartbeat Tours’ Van Morrison Walking Tour.

And follow in the footsteps of the Great Man in his childhood home on Hyndford Street.

The Hollow, made famous in Brown Eyed Girl. and, of course, Cyprus Avenue.

For its size of half a million people the great old port on the Lagan boasts world beaters in the world of the arts and entertainment.

Tours de force

And Irish Heartbeat Tour have you covered with a George Best House Tour and CS Lewis Garden Tour and Square Garden Tours.

Of course, you can go on your own 3.5km self-guided Van tour.

By visiting EastSide Visitor Centre.

Or by downloading the Van Morrison Trail Interactive Map to receive a map and access QR codes at various locations

Now we can’t guarantee that you’ll find Van up on Cyprus Avenue in Belfast at 80, although he does live back in now in Northern Ireland.

But we all of us whether we’ve been to Van’s town or not feel we know it from his Astral Weeks masterpiece.

Countries, Europe, Ireland

Bucking Fastard… this is the most incredible cave in the world

27th August 202527th August 2025 funtime65

And as our own Scottish story is said to have been formed in a cavern with a future king and a spiky spider you’d think we have the claim, but Bucking Fastard… this is the most incredible cave in the world.

No, not our way of getting around the censors but citing acclaimed Hollywood director Werner Herzog.

Who we’d hope has been to Rathlin Island, off the coast of the North of Ireland, or King’s Cave in Arran in the west of Scotland.

Where a defeated Robert the Bruce is said to have been inspired by a spider weaving their web.

To try, try and try again and eventually defeat England and gain Scotland’s independence.

The bold Werner though passed over the Bruce locations though when choosing his location for his fantasy film.

Which stars Rooney and Kate Mara and Orlando Bloom and Domnhall Gleeson, and plumped instead for Slovenia.

Slovenia’s slithering dragons

And the Postojna Cave whose magic we have flagged up here before.

And which has had a house of dragons long before Game of Thrones was ever being hatched.

As well as extraordinary formations and fauna, which you might expect, but also an underground train.

And the only still-operating underground post office anywhere.

And a dash of Irish

Rooney, Rooney: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

If the stunning setting of a Slovenian set isn’t enough for you, then Bucking Fastard also accessed the magical properties Ireland also has to offer.

Including Dublin’s Pigeon House film studios and on location in Capel Street and in Naas, County Kildare.

Werner shared with us that Bucking Fastard explores the search for the meaning of life.

And that: ‘We cannot see the world as Jean and Joan Holbrooke (Kate and Rooney) see it, but we do see how the world reacts to them.

‘Through the courts and the press, through those that want to help and those who want to use them.

‘Through the eyes of beasts both tame and wild, and even through their own echoes in the core of the earth.’

We are still awaiting release dates for the movie but keep your eyes peeled.

Going underground

But, of course, we can see Postojna for ourselves.

And perhaps, just like Werner and no doubt the Mara sisters, exclaim: Bucking Fastard… this is the most incredible cave in the world.

We’re told that there are eight airlines that fly from Ireland to Slovenia.

And the flight takes 5 hours 29 minutes one-way and costs £436 round-trip.

Countries, Deals, Ireland, Music

25 years of cabaret at Harvey’s Point in Donegal

23rd August 202523rd August 2025 funtime65

Do you want your old lobby washed down Con Shine… it’s 25 years of cabaret at Harvey’s Point in Donegal.

Not that the swish Harvey’s Point in the north-west of Ireland would ever need their lobby washed down.

Of course, Irish Country legend Brendan Shine’s standard has less to do with lobbies, or pantries.

And more to do with offering amorous invitations and often in return for financial debts.

Irish Country and the Diaspora

Shine on: Brendan Shine. Picture: Newbridge Silverware.

The strains of Irish Country stars is a familiar and nostalgic theme for an Irish Diaspora returning to the Old Sod.

Although the young lad being kept awake in his rented Harkin’s holiday home next door to the bar was blissfully unaware of its meaning.

Now with Country ruling the airwaves just now, down in no small part to Cowboy Carter it is worth acknowledging its Irish offshoot.

Because long before Thin Lizzy, U2 and the Boomtown Rats put Irish pop on the map Irish Country was the music of the masses.

And with international acts bypassing Ireland for Britain, Johnny Cash apart, then Irish singers and bands covered their tunes.

And became superstars on their own island.

Bands of gold

The 78-year-old crooner and other stellar names from the world of Irish Country have become a fixture.

At the institution that is lakeside luxury Harvey’s Point just €15 taxi ride from Donegal Town.

Eamonn Gillespie is the man with the mic every Wednesday introducing the acts, running from September 3 to November 5.

And as well as the Bould Brendan guests can enjoy the likes of Sandy Kelly, Michael English, Dominic Kirwin, Sean Costello and Keith & Lorraine McDonald.

As well as Darly Simpson, Patrick Feeney, Declan Nearney, Simon Casey, Sean Cuddy, Realta Dance of Ireland, Eugene Ginty, Grainne Gavigan.

The Ennis Brothers, The Murphy’s, Jessica Mc Kean and house band, Four Masters Quintet.

Deal us in

You will, of course, sit down for a sumptuous 5-course dinner in the Ballroom.

Before immersing yourself in the captivating two-and-a-half-hours entertainment, and all for just €75.

While as you’ll likely want to turn in there for the night then check out the Cabaret Accommodation Package from €349pps.

For a two-night stay in their executive suites with breakfast by Lough Eske.

A five-course dinner and shoe,

Homemade cookies in your room, a wine tasting and cooking demo on Tuesday and Thursday

And a guided walk every Wednesday morning.

Lie back and think of Ireland: Your Donegal rest

We can’t guarantee that you’ll get your lobby washed down but Brendan Shine will put a smile on your face.

And a host of Irish Country stars making it a very special 25 years of cabaret at Harvey’s Point in Donegal.

America, Countries, Ireland, Sport

Gridiron’s Farmageddon… on a Dublin field

22nd August 202522nd August 2025 funtime65

Scotland has its Old Firm derby, England’s East Anglia their Old Farm version and for College Football it’s Gridiron’s Farmageddon… on a Dublin field.

Yes, it’s that time of year again when tailgaters come over in their tens of thousands to Ireland.

For the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic which this year features one of college football’s fiercest rivalries.

College footie fans need no explanation but maybe the rest of us do.

It is, of course, Kansas State University’s ‘Wildcats’ face-off with Iowa State University’s ‘Cyclones’.

Mascots touchdown

The latest iteration of which will take place at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow, August 23.

And with a uniquely Irish flavour with a commercial on the EPSN feed of mascots Willie the Wildcat and Cy the Cardinal.

Swapping the gridiron for a lively Irish pub session.

Now putting on any American Football game is akin to a military exercise and the Aer Lingus game just gets bigger every year.

Aer force Lingus

Flying high: Wildcats in town with Aer Lingus.Photographer: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Aer Lingus operated special charter flights to Ireland, transporting players, coaches, cheerleaders and band members to Ireland.

While hundreds more supporters and friends have travelled on scheduled transatlantic services from cities across the US.

Aer Lingus also transported 947 pieces of baggage to Dublin.

Including 268 pieces of sports gear and 136 band instruments – 84 from Kansas State and 52 from Iowa State.

On top of that 16 tonnes of cargo made the journey from the colleges to Ireland via Aer Lingus’s scheduled cargo services.

Have a craicing time

Only here for the cheerleaders: Aer Lingus packing the fun Pic: Naoise Culhane.

All worth it though with the game alone projected to generate over €130 million for the Irish economy.

Dublin will be transformed into a festival of American football, with pep rallies, tailgates, live broadcasts, and immersive cultural experiences.

Blending the best of Irish and American traditions.

A full schedule of events as well as updates and key timings can be found on the Official Game Week App.

Following last year’s record-breaking audience of 5 million viewers, ESPN will once again broadcast the game live across the U.S.

Which this year will have a new twist.

Gridiron’s Farmageddon… on a Dublin field.

And it’s just half-time

And will be mega in its own right and a teaser.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers v Minnesota Vikings’ historic first NFL game on September 28.

Countries, Ireland

Wednesday Addams in the Garden of Ireland

6th August 20256th August 2025 funtime65

It’s enough to put a smile on the face of any goth teenager… Wednesday Addams in the Garden of Ireland.

Whoever persuaded the world’s sassiest adolescent to exchange Creepy Towers for verdant Wicklow deserves a pay rise.

The second series of Wednesday, the Addams Family spin-off, drops on Netflix today.

And Wicklow film and TV fans, long used to seeing movie stars in their midst, have been spotting Jenna Ortega out and about.

At my old go-to afternoon out for tourist visitors, Powerscourt Demesne in Enniskerry.

Wednesday’s words

Wicked Wednesday: Jenna in Ireland. Cr. Jonathan Hession/Netflix © 2025

Jenna let her Wednesday mask slip when stopped and asked about her Wicklow getaway.

‘My favourite thing is just how kind the people were.’

While Daddy Gomez was equally effusive, saying: ‘The landscape here is sensational, so beautiful, so nostalgic.’

And to view them in character click here and here.

Now because we are always pleased to drive the whole of the country we should say that the Addams went on an all-Ireland adventure.

And took in Charleville Castle in County Offaly and Dublin’s atmospheric Deansgrange Cemetery.

Powerscourt’s power pals

They’re kooky: The Addams family. Cr. Helen Sloan/Netflix © 2025

Tourism Ireland’s behind the scenes films add to a panoply of great shoots in Ireland’s Hollywood.

For our old friends the Slazengers at Powerscourt they count these stellar visitors as friends.

Tom Cruise, Ryan O’Neal, Rock Hudson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Sally Field and Anne Hathaway.

Ireland’s film industry centres around its movie studios in Ardmore near the county’s biggest town Bray.

And another Thing: Addams family fave. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025

And like Jenna, Hollywood’s finest love the informality of the locals and just shooting the breeze in the seaside town.

With Britney Spears, no less, checking in to a tattoo parlour in the town on a flying visit.

While the great Sinead O’Connor made Bray hers and her children’s friends, including Daughterie, her home.

Another Hollywood in Wicklow

With all this pixie dust just an hour south of Dublin the good folk of Wickla have been quick to promote their Hollywood links.

Of course, it helps when you’ve got a ready-made village called Hollywood in the Wicklow foothills.

The story goes that in 1850 Wicklow native Matthew Guirke fled the Famine for America and named his homestead after his village.

While we’d never suggest you miss the opportunity to visit the American Hollywood the Irish version has one big advantage.

Across the water: Bandanaman at the Hollwyood sign

You will be allowed up to the letters without fear of a fine and being shouted down on a loudspeaker by LA cops.

A new pathway enables people to visit the upgraded aluminum sign in Wicklow for the first time.

And permits them to visit a site which they could only photographed previously.

Now we can’t vouch if our favourite Goth teen got her selfie there.

But we’d say Wednesday Addams in the Garden of Ireland was an adventure she’ll never forget.

Countries, Ireland, UK

Coronation Street where you never retire

23rd July 202523rd July 2025 funtime65

For everyone else born in 1960 they’d be preparing for their bus pass now, but not on Coronation Street where you never retire.

In old money the world’s oldest continuous TV soap opera would be putting on the slippers and filling the smoking pipe in December.

That was until the powers that be decided to get us all to work longer, and they’re at it again with a new review.

Corrie will have to wait until December next year to pick up its pension at 66.

But there is, and always will be, life in the old cobbles yet.

Friends across the water

The everyday joys and travails of the residents of Coronation Street are, of course, followed by the peoples of the world.

And few more so than those just across the water in Ireland.

Possibly since the neighbours did an uber house swap of sorts with the amount of Irish who relocated to Lancashire.

All of whom are catered for on Celtic Horizon Tours’ two-nighter visiting the Corrie and Emmerdale village sets.

Which again we’ve been steered to by our friends at the Irish Travel Agents Association.

Super soaps

You’ll travel by coach and ferry nights and stay B&B at Bolton Stadium Hotel.

No visit to Emmerdale would be complete without taking in The Woolpack, Café Mainstreet, Davids’s shop.

With a half day visit to Cheshire Oaks.

And a guided tour of the external sets Coronation Street and Emmerdale village.

With a (and get this) meet and greet with a current cast member from Coronation Street.

And you’ll be able to immerse yourself in all those iconic destinations.

Tour de force

Your guides will share secrets from the shows.

And you’ll get to channel your favourite characters in the crafted replica sets.

So have your camera at the ready to strike a pose behind the Rovers Return bar.

And have a Lancashire bacon butty at Roy’s Rolls.

All this from €445pp with dates until September 19.

And what’s best of all is that you’ll be travelling with your soap fan family and friends’ nuts.

Because it is based on ten adults travelling.

Extra special

There are extras too with a single room supplement at €112.

Travel Insurance at €26 per adult/€13 per child.

And an €18 supplement per person if picking the coach up outside Dublin.

And so because we’ll never give up on our favourite soaps.

Pencil in a date for your trip to Coronation Street where you never retire.

Countries, Ireland, Pilgrimage, UK

Bruce, the Scottish and Irish Lions and a united Celtland

18th July 2025 funtime65

And for the weekend that’s in it an opportunity to mark Bruce, the Scottish and Irish Lions and a united Celtland.

Because what we don’t get taught in school is that Scotland and Ireland were indeed united for what must have been three glorious years.

Under the banner of Edward Bruce from 1315-1318.

And you might be familiar with his brother Robert, the King of the Scots, aka Chris Pine,

An alternative future

Edward Bruce’s reign may have been short lived but it offered a tantalising look into an alternative future.

For these Celtic peoples and indeed the Norman Anglo-Irish and their descendants.

Of course, for these weeks in this the year of the Lord 2015.

On sporting fields a thousand miles away in a different colony, Australis, we are all one team.

A British and Irish Lions rugby union select.

And woe betide anyone who abbreviates that to British Lions.

Or worse as in the case of passport pilferer Tony Cascarino who miscalled the elite combo England despite representing Ireland.

My noble bloodline

Now thanks to the excellent Sky History Channel and your favourite blogger’s obsessive interest in the past.

We can relive the days After Braveheart when Scotland and Ireland mastered perfidious Albion.

While the might of the English (and entrapped Welsh) armies and the British Empire colonised Ireland for 700 years.

The Irish and the Scots have managed to stay close through bloodlines.

With this descendant of Irish and Scots stock.

As a Murty, a direct descendant of the High King Muirchertach of Brian Boru’s blood.

And I’m not making this up!

And say an Ave there for me

And so if Edward Bruce’s name was not writ large in English-told history it does not mean we cannot honour him here.

Or point historians, patriots or those who just like a good story to his plot.

At Faughart Cemetery, near Dundalk in County Louth.

Near the modern lines of a border between the North and South of the island of Ireland.

We’re sure his spirit will welcome any of a Scots and Irish set who pays a pilgrimage and says a prayer.

And celebrates Bruce, the Scottish and Irish Lions and a united Celtland.

Countries, Ireland

Ireland a Dinky stay for you and your pet

8th July 20258th July 2025 funtime65

There’s an animal-lover in us all as my Dear Old Dad discovered in Ireland a Dinky stay for you and your pet.

Not that we were allowed one, unless you count the few months when I pestered my parents into bringing Benjie the Budgie into the house.

Or sneaked Jeemy the Mouse into the house despite my Mum’s pathological fright of mice.

So when we visited her homeland of Donegal and Portnoo in north-west Ireland.

We never expected the Man and Best Friend friendship that developed.

With Dinky the Welsh Corgi dog of the owners of the guest where we stayed.

Celtic the Cat’s Whiskers

Of course, as is the way with us all when we set up home for ourselves we get to choose who lives there.

And that meant Celtic, our ‘first-born’, our tabby.

Now pets quickly become part of the family but with that comes problems around holidays.

And Celtic being ushered out to catteries while we flew and flopped or explored new cities.

So, imagine what a Godsend MindMyHome.ie pet sitting service would have been.

Which, of course, gives you savings in pet care, and no kennel stress for furry friends.

Swap shop

Homeowners registered with MindMyHome.ie can also connect with other trusted homeowners for house swaps across Ireland.

And, with dog boarding costing anything up to €65 a night, home owners can avoid paying more for their pet’s holiday than their own.

Registering on the site costs €59 for homeowners, for 12 months access.

The site, which launched in January, already has trusted ‘frequent fliers’ that have cared for half a dozen properties this year.

And housesitters pay the same annual fee for the opportunity to stay in homes, without the typical expenses.

Out of the host’s mouth

Site owner Tom Gilligan said: ‘Sitters build trust with homeowners, show genuine care for pets, and personalise their posts, quickly building a good reputation.

‘It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement where homeowners have peace of mind and cost-savings.

‘While sitters have unique new living experiences in different local communities, in the comfort of a home environment, they have completely to themselves.’