The symmetry isn’t lost on us as Scotland’s footballers go into battle tonight in the Euros and we conjure up the spirit of Bannockburn as we try, try, try again.
On this day 710 years ago Scottish leader Robert the Bruce rallied and defeated the English and won Scottish independence.
His victory represents, to this day, the high point of Scotland’s history.
And is a patriotic pilgrimage for Scots and their diaspora.
While to the outside world Bruce has become immortalised through a fable which underscored his resilience,
There was a time when my Champ aped my every move, which is Nature’s Way which you’ll see for yourself if Junior treats you to Free Dads Day at Dublin Zoo.
Boasting eight private suites, an intimate dining space and a fireside lounge that can be hired for exclusive use, The Stookan is inspired by myth and legend.
You want to know more?… thought so.
Well, this one is from 60 million years ago and involved an Irish giant and a Scots lass.
And it has been replicated across the ages only our family’s history involves a handsome Scotsman and an Irish maiden.
Finn and games
McCool kid: Finn McCool
Finn McCool is the man of myth who is said to have fallen for a Scots girl and tried to build a causeway across to Scotland.
Only to be kiboshed by his Granny..
And in truth Irish grannies or mammies haven’t changed much over 60 million years.
We’re told that when news reached Gran about how Finn had collapsed from the efforts.
Of building the causeway she kept ripping down, and crossing, she was devastated.
Lush: Dunluce annex
She climbed to the top of a hill to witness his death throes, and horrified turned to stone where she stands to this day.
When you visit the Giant’s Causeway, look to the West of Port Ganny (the bay before the Little Causeway).
There you can see the stooped figure of Granny heading up the Stookans headland frozen in stone.
Drams are made of this
Champion golfer: The Bandanaman
It all makes sense, and even more so on the way back from the world’s oldest distillery at Bushmills.
Although we’d recommend that you don’t take on the rickety Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge if you’ve had a Bushmills…
Maybe do the bridge first.
Being golfing country Dunluce also boasts an onsite putting green, designed by renowned golf architect, Martin Ebert.
Benchmark: With the Son and Heir, a Queen’s post-graduate
While more high-falutin, there are complimentary private transfer.
To the nearby helipad and clubhouses at Royal Portrush and Portstewart Golf Club.
And a small and intimate spa and fitness facility.
This zip will bring you towards the floor of the quarry.
Stars trekking
Show ’em the ropes: And it’s all child’s play
For the more adventurous then aerial trekking may be the way to go.
You’ll traverse a series of suspended obstacles and challenges on an elevated circuit course.
And an advanced Aerial Trekking zone is available featuring aerial obstacles such as ropes, swinging logs, net bridges, and ziplines that increase in difficulty.
While if you leap before you look then the Quarry’s Edge Leap offers a towering three-storey platform from which to throw yourself.
Sing when you’re swinging
Tree’s company: And we can let ourselves go
So you’re having a swinging old time then why not take on the Giant Swing on an eight-seater upside down ride.
You’ll be hoisted above the ground and released over the edge of the quarry’s cliff.
Now, while I may be a Fury on Falcon’s I doff my hat on climbing walls to the Son and Heir.
And the three-storey, 10-metre climbing wall here is him all over, and you too, I bet.
There are a variety of climbing lanes and walls with varying levels of difficulty.
And the heart of the Climbing Zone is a see-through, double-sided rock-climbing wall, perfect for duelling teams who want to push one another to the test.
So, there’s no excuse to you thrillseekers, or not, to Go West in Ireland and visit Westport House with the safety net of Ireland’s new adventure playground
In best gigging tradition today we’re greeting you with Hello, Belfast, Hello Dublin… with our deal of two Irish music cities and beyond.
Now the northern and southern powerhouses of Ireland have given us some of the most enduring acts of our lives.
Stiff Little Fingers, Rudy, Christy Moore, Gary Moore, and, of course, Van ‘The Man’ Morrison.
Dublin’s Fare City
Phil volume: With pal Marc in Dublin
While Dublin has boasted The Dubliners, Phil Lynott, U2, the Boomtown Rats, Aslan, Kodaline, The Script, Imelda May and Sinead O’Connor.
All of which have been a joy to see live and even better if they’re on your doorstep.
The same of which can be said for artists beyond Ireland who rave about playing for an Irish audience.
And I swear fellow Scots The Proclaimers were speaking right to me at Dublin’s best music venue Vicar Street.
But what of the musicgoers who part with their hard-earned to see their favourite stars?
Well, whisper it down in the Fair City but going to see your favourite musicians in Dublin is a considerably dearer night out than if you head north.
Even taking into account the cost of travel.
And even more galling for the Irish music fan, or those of a different blood, who live there but Britain is cheaper still.
If you stay out of London which we all know is its own country.
Our friends at luggage company Radical Storage, who regularly provide us with relevant travel insights, have compiled this information for you giggers out there.
With Nottingham (£58) in the English Midlands topping the list for concertgoers with Birmingham (£78) third.
And Antwerp (£76) sandwiched in between in second and Belfast (£81) fourth.
We had hoped that Continental concerts would be akin to European football prices but alas not.
With only Assago (£81) in Italy and Madrid (£81) featuring.
Milan is the most expensive city in Europe with (£322), ouch, Dublin (£143) in fifth.
All of which you’d think would mean that you would squeeze as much music out of your concert as you can.
And not as is the way of the concertgoers I literally bumped into at anyone from The Killers in Marlay Park to Paul Simon at the RDS turn your back on the artist.
And push past you with rounds of drinks while shouting at each other through the lyrics.
The Ring of Kerry honed into view this week for me as it will for you.
If God is good and isn’t covering it in mist when you visit.
‘Avin’ AVOCA
Top shelf: AVOCA
The announcement that high-end retailers and old favourites of ours, AVOCA, are resetting up shop on the Molls Gap will see the cash registers ringing.
With the sound of American Euro clinking in tills on every available piece of Irish merch they can lay their hands on.
Set high on a rocky ridge, the store overlooks mountains and lush countryside with Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohill, to one side, and the Gap of Dunloe to the other.
There is a food market on the ground floor with those artisanal, Irish ingredients.
Blinkin’ ‘eck: Colin Farrell
The freshly baked breads and scones, homemade jams and chutneys, sauces, spices and lots more.
There is a curated selection of Irish cheeses and fine wines, hand-prepared meals and a mouth-watering range of sweet treats and tray bakes.
You’ll also find a hand-picked range of fashion, homeware, books and more.
And brand soaps, mugs, scarves and throws, woven in Ireland’s oldest weaving Mill in Avoca, Co. Wicklow.
And yes, it’s where Colin Farrell made his name in the town that was transformed into TV’s Ballykissangel.
Bally good
Power of good: Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow
Now we come in here too from our 13 years in Greystones, just down the road.
