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Tee up the Ryder Cup and Long Island

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Now they’re the perfect pairing, a match made in heaven and the golf club is the perfect pitch for the biggest occasion, so read on as I tee up the Ryder Cup and Long Island.

As thoughts turn this week to Bethpage State Park in Long Island our own roll back.

To when the US Open was held here and we were in town and one Lucas Glover took home the trophy.

My Irish-American cousin Eddie got his hands on a prize far bigger though than any golf bauble then, his beautiful new wife Sandy.

Proud Americans that they are, Eddie, Sandy, and their two future little Solheim Golfers will, of course, be cheering on the Yanks, as they should.

Long Island gateway

Long Island for me was my gateway into America as a teenager visiting the Oo Es of Eh for the first time.

And being treated like a lord by Eddie and my Irish-American rellies.

For most visitors to New York, of course, the closest they will get to Long Island is when they touch down at JFK Airport in Queens.

But the Island, as it is affectionately known, has its own attractions.

Which, if you can, you should visit on your New York trip.

The well-heeled, of course, put the Hamptons, on the far end of the Island, on the map.

Long before F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby and the Golden Age and Donald ‘Jay Trump’.

And, of course, tourists still flock to the tip.

For a peak of how the rich and famous might live and visit the iconic Montauk Lighthouse.

Which many of us will associate with the Dominic West TV blockbuster The Affair.

The Island’s Fab Four

Beach life: The Affair was shot on the Island

Long Island boasts four regions.

The North Shore is known for its opulent estates and harbourside villages.

Then there is the South Shore where racegoers gather at Belmont Park.

And partygoers converge on the UBS Arena, Jones Beach boardwalk for their kicking concerts.

The North Fork’s farmland and vineyards are the destination for foodies.

While, cycling and swimming friendly South Fork – The Hamptons and Montauk is where you can bag those celebrity sightings as some trophy fishing of your own.

Now whatever your pleasure, beaches, vineyards, museums, waterparks for the kids.

Or shopping at Americana Manhasset’s Miracle Mile.

The Island is a New York 19th hole you need to hang around for.

And on the tee

And on the golfing theme, you’ll notice too that Bethpage being a State Park means that you can play it too.

So just a few tips on how to tee up the Ryder Cup and Long Island.

And you’ll just have to get out and see it all for yourself.

Which, if you’re like me and coming from the Old World.

Then avail of pre-clearance through Ireland with Aer Lingus.

With sample fares for next month which we found from €659.36.

America, Countries, Deals, Flying

Let’s hear it for National New York Day

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And it is a thing, which celebrates America’s Fab 50, so today let’s hear it for National New York Day.

New York State, which I don’t have to tell you, is the 11th state of the union, endorsed by Alexander Hamilton.

And this being the 11th week since Delaware, the first American state, is honoured, the focus is on the Empire State today.

For many of us the Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River and NY is our gateway to America.

And a year before Lady Liberty took her rightful place, one Frederick Trump, The Donald’s dad, arrived from Bremen.

Which means that this year, October 19, marks a very significant milestone, 150 years of the Trumps in the Oo Es of Eh.

NY’s Greatest Living Son

New York’s Greatest Living Son (sorry Jimmy Kimmel) will be delighted then that he got the endorsement, of sorts, of another NY great.

And one who is carved into the stone at Mount Rushmore, Teddy Roosevelt.

When promoting the Roosevelt Presidential Park in North Dakota at the American Travel Fare in Chicago.

And doffing his Raiders hat to the 47th President when saying that, yes, he is a New York City prez.

But he, Teddy, is the only Commander in Chief from Manhattan.

The famous five

Frankly Franklin: Franklin Delano Roosevelt

In all there have been five US Presidents from New York State.

And we should always remember that New York is a state, Teddy’s rellie Franklin, Martin Van Buren and Millard Fillmore.

Which, of course, is a gateway to the other great towns of New York State.

Which in Van Buren, the 8th President’s case, and the first to be born in the post-colonial USA, that means Albany.

For Fillmore, home is the lyrically named the Finger Lakes Area (Moravia).

While Hyde Park is synonymous with FDR.

All ways then to mark National New York Day by toasting all the Presidents then.

Tuck in to NY State food

Which brings us on to which NY food and drink you should take.

And our favourite would always be Buffalo Wings while for the healthier it might be a Waldorf Salad.

And maybe a Knickerbocker ice cream to follow.

While we suggest you go all out with a cocktail, say a Long Island Iced Tea.

So let’s hear it for National New York Day.

And we found an Aer Lingus each way flight through Dublin with pre-clearance from €614.08

America, Countries, Europe, Food & Wine, Sport

Long Island Iced Teas and Ryder Cup cocktails

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And back when I turned out my Jocktails I almost blinded the Scary One… and my Long Island Iced Teas and Ryder Cup cocktails will do the same for you.

Now the beauty of cocktails is their surprise element and the Iced Tea kicks like a mule.

Because it is devilishly misnamed as an innocent soft drink when it’s an excuse to knock your socks off.

A hole lot of fun

The famously raucous New York golf fans, of course, need no extra stimulant for next week’s biennial clash with Europe.

Golf tournaments have never been, nor would we want it to be, a booze-free haven.

With visitors to our own Open Golf Championship as likely to be seen in a Guinness tent or hospitality suites (guilty?)

All good when it doesn’t spill over to antisocial behaviour from the balconies, banks and grandstands.

We will, like many of you, be shouting at the television, glass in hand.

And not putting off any player.

Over to your bartender

Part of the team: On my travels in France

If you want to channel your own Long Islander then this is how to make Robert ‘Rosebud’ Butt’s Oak Beach Inn from 1972.l

Courtesy of our own go-to BBC site.

You will need 25ml of vodka, of tequila, of gin, of triple sec, of white rum, of lime juice and of lemon juice.

Fill with ice cubes and garnish with two lemon wedges and two mint sprigs.

Now with the Ryder Cup being played out and supported by dozens of nations, we can have even more fun with it.

And adapt a cocktail for all the different nationalities of players on show or the states from which they originate.

This year’s Ryder Cup cocktails

There is even an official Ryder Cup cocktail for this year’s Bethpage shoot-out.

Following on from the Elijah Craig Roma Old Fashioned from two years ago.

Check out the Elijah Craig bourbon and fix The Mulligan.

By pouring 2 oz. Green Tea Infused Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon.

With 4 oz lemonade, a splash of soda water and garnish with a mint and lemon wheel.

Just a little something to get your party started.

My Long Island Iced Teas and Ryder Cup cocktails.

And should the Ryder Cup whet your appetite for a visit to Long Island and it should.

The. we found a random Aer Lingus return flight to JFK from €603.81 from Dublin with pre-clearance.

Just don’t let me fly!

MEET YOU ON THE COURSE

America, Countries

The United Steins of America

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Guten tag und Prost to our German freundes everywhere but a focus today on the United Steins of America.

Where the German diaspora has since 1990 been ranked as the biggest, at 50 million, of all immigrant groups in America.

This time of year Germans and Germanophiles come together to clink steins wherever they are.

Oktoberfest for the senses

With Oktoberfests a fixture of Germanic communities across the country.

In towns and cities well served by airlines from the Old World.

Of course, all boozists should complete a pilgrimage to the Munich Mecca at least once in a lifetime.

And, trust me, you’ll want to go back the next year, and the one after that and that.

Until there are no more halls to get chucked out of.

And you’re searching for another country where there’s not a Wanted poster for you, like, say the United Steins of America.

Freundes across the water

Our freundes in the Oo Es of Eh point us to their biggest.

And Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in Ohio, The Denver Oktoberfest in Colorado, and the town of Leavenworth, Washington.

Or Frankenmuth, Michigan, Helen, Georgia, La Crosse, Wisconsin and Fredericksburg, Texas.

While we have alighted on another, and one with a Wiener race (behave!) and much more besides in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Rally to Raleigh

Which has the added advantage of a new direct route through Ireland, with pre-clearance, with Aer Lingus.

The 11th annual Triangle Oktoberfest at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary is a two-day affair.

With plenty of family-friendly activities including live music, storytelling and dancing,

And the beloved wiener dog races involving America’s favourite dog, the daschund.

And traditional Bavarian food and fare from local favorites that include The Butcher’s Market and Annelore’s German Bakery.

So that’ll be strudels, kuchen, bier pretzels, bratwurst, German chocolate and more.

Plus, of course, local and traditional German beers and all-day music from the King Guys Oktoberfest Brass Band.

Admission to the festival starts at $20 (buy online or at the door).

And food and drinks are purchased separately (a sampler pass for unlimited beer pours can be purchased at the venue).

North Carolina on my mind

And a word to the wise, if you can resist climbing onto the bandstand, grabbing the mic and singing My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean.

Then they might just let you hang around.

Aer Lingus have 26 direct routes to North America with pre-clearance out of Ireland.

The Irish national airline carrier offers Dublin to Raleigh from €1,011.

Countries, Ireland

Thinking outside the telephone box

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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.

America, Countries, Ireland, Sport

Gridiron’s Farmageddon… on a Dublin field

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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.

America, Countries, Deals

Swing by Las Vegas and Cancun on honeymoon

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It stands to reason that party people couple them which is why Trailfinders have organised for lovers to swing by Las Vegas and Cancun on honeymoon.

Only you wouldn’t if you’re a Vegas newbie.

And you’re throwing shapes with Cami from Utah, who comes to Vegas at weekends, well because they party differently there.

And you draw the attention of the middle-aged couple at the bar.

He in his golfing gear and she on her twinset and pearls.

Who ask how we’ve been enjoying Vegas.

And I smilingly reply that I’m loving it as a scantily-clad barmaid pours a shot into the mouth of the dude next to me.

Swinging into action

All-American couple suggest I might then like Cancun where they go to party every year.

And with shots on board myself, and energised by the burlesque beats of 70s covers house band The Whip-Its, I prick up my ears.

Only for my drinking companion and Vegas regular Martin to poke me in the ribs.

And ask me that surely I must know that they’re swingers, which wide-eyed wanderer that I am, I didn’t.

Hit the trail

Miss America meets Mr Scotland: In Vegas

No such awkward surprises, you’ll be glad to know, from Trailfinders.

The holiday providers are luring lovers with 12 nights from February 19-March 3 at €2,9999.

With direct Aer Lingus flights to Neon City and the new direct route back from Cancun!

From €2,999pp including economy class flights or r €4,199pp with business class flights.

And because it’s Vegas and Cancun baby, you deserve to go in style.

Go in style

Now you’ll spend five nights at the 4★+ Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton

Then fly from Vegas to the Mexican hotspot.

For seven nights at 5★ Secrets The Vine, Cancun on an all inclusive basis with private return transfers.

So if you’re setting out on a new life together then leave yourself in the hands of the experts, say the Irish Travel Agents Association.

And swing by Las Vegas and Cancun on honeymoon.

Countries, Flying

We do have our baggage

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We do have our baggage but sometimes that’s what makes the trip so interesting, which is why we won’t get fined for excess luggage.

The perennial problem of fines at the gate has been ramped up.

With revelations over EasyJet putting ground staff on commission.

For fining customers in the line for breaking the weight limit on their carry-on luggage.

Portable essentials

First things first the best answer to the EasyJetstapo (now I’ve done it) is to not give them the chance to fine you.

The £48 fee charged for oversized bags from which the staff get £1.20 each piece.

Now drilling down, easyJet’s free allowance is a generous 45x36x20cm which you must be able to put under your seat.

And that poses this question… why should that not be enough for your portable essentials?

Because isn’t everything available to be bought at whichever destination you and your family are headed?

The rulebreakers

The last resort: Say a little prayer for me

And the stress and cost of paying a fine is not restricted to those who don’t follow the rules.

As we all know from being held up at the gate.

When a traveller argues the toss with the ground crew over paying.

Which incidentally they always do as the alternative of having your boarding pass blocked sharpens the mind.

The follow-up

That lost time and further delays when passengers clog up the airplane aisles trying to cram in bags to overload lockers which you never get back.

As I found out to my cost on my recent linked flight with Aer Lingus from Edinburgh through Dublin to Chicago.

With our already delayed flight disrupted further because of a couple’s intransigence.

Yes, we do all have our baggage.

And credit here to the flight crew, who remained firm and fair.

Reminding everyone that the sooner bags were put in lockers the quicker we’d get there.

Hotfooting it to the gate

Now as a half-full sort I looked back on my experience with relief.

That I made my transatlantic flight at a, albeit with ten minutes to spare.

And pre-clearance completed, a great advantage of flying out of Dublin Airport.

But my luggage did not.

Understandable because humans on legs can get to the gate and on the plane quicker than luggage on wheels.

Good to go

Of course, every action has a reaction.

And so when I got to Chicago O’Hare Airport I did so without my suitcase.

Which turned up at my Palmer House a Hilton Hotel a full three full days later a day before I was due to leave.

Of course, looking back the support desk at the carousel were very helpful.

In helping me fill out the form and keep my reference number.

While I also got to know the bell hops at the hotel very well.

From checking constantly if my yellow suitcase had arrived.

And allowing me to use their phone to check of the luggage’s status.

While there was also a very accommodating mobile phone assistant who helped me top up my credit when that ran out.

As well as Ivan, my man on the inside at Aer Lingus, who smoothed the process and reunited suitcase with Scotsman.

Aye, we do have our baggage.

And it would help if we all considered each other and brought the right-sized bags to the gate.

America, Countries, Music, Sport

The L word in Chicago

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It’s its USP, the rickety elevated trains that run through the Downtown Loop and which everyone knows as the L word in Chicago.

For a wide-eyed Scottish adolescent with American cousins my entry point to Chicago was through The Blues Brothers.

And Elwood tossing and turning in his sleep above the Plymouth Restaurant.

The filmmakers depicted his room as being right next to the L tracks, named for the elevated position.

With the location now a small park in front of the restaurant.

Your inner Elwood

I channel my inner Elwood in the Palmer House Hotel these five days in Chicago.

Where I nod off every night to sleep, with the clanking train in my ears.

The L couldn’t be easier to navigate, no validating tickets here.

Just book your $2 trip (yes, you read that right) or $5 all-day ticket.

Which praise be, you can pay for too in old Earth money at the machine.

And if even that confuses those new in town there is help at hand at the information desk.

With Old Willie giving me a pass without the need for the machine.

And chewing the fat with me about Scottish white soul band The Average White Band.

An L of a ride

Let’s go round again… and that, of course, means a return to the scene of the crime from my first day here.

The Gaybourhood of North Halsted Street, Andersonville.

And it’s spiritual home the multi-bar Sidetrack where we gather on a hot and sweltering night to celebrate Pride.

In the company of Veronica Pop, Boy J and Tender Oni.

Tender, or Oni, they go by either nomenclature, is championing Drag Kings.

And wows us with an out-of-this world Bruno Mars.

While Boy J prides themself that they can survive and does a mean Bruno themself with Veronica’s Lady Gaga.

Partners in time

We watch it all from the intimate main bar with slushy cocktails in hand of course.

Before doing our own thang on the dance floor.

Where a 4ft tall pocket rocket owns the floor, announcing to everyone that it is her 30th birthday.

She has me at ‘you only look 35’ when I tell her I’m twice her age.

She only, of course, has eyes for her partner, who holds on to her protectively.

Looking out from under the peak of her Cubs baseball hat.

Halsted Street is just down the road from Wrigley Field and I join the wave of happy sports fans back to the Belmont train.

It’s cooling down, there is lightning in the sky and the Chicagoans have brought the thunder.

The L word in Chicago.

I am travelling with Aer Lingus from Edinburgh through Dublin and now back with my luggage and staying at the Palmer House Hotel.

America, Countries, Music

Sweet home ChicaGay

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If you want a break, have a Kit Kat the marketeers say so I did just that and came to the Windy City, sweet home ChicaGay.

I’ve taken a Spring Lover too although maybe not tell The Scary One back home.

We’re sat in the Kit Kat Lounge watching Kinley Preston stride the table.

As we tear into buffalo wings, onion rings and curly fries and sipping from a choice of the hundreds of cocktails.

And Miley Cyrus belts out Party in the USA on the big screens.

And we entice our entertainment in to pick us out for a teasing wink.

By flashing our dollars towards her.

But all too quickly they vanish although where scantily-clad Kinley put her George Washingtons only she knows.

Nothing as it seems

That’s magic: Justin at the Magic Lounge

But that’s the beauty of Halsted Street in the iconic Chicago of Andersonville where nothing is ever as it seems.

And so that if you need a laundromat in your travels, say if you’ve been waiting for your lost luggage to arrive from Dublin.

Then don’t be surprised, well actually be, when your host opens the wash to reveal a secret door to the Chicago Magic Lounge.

Joey Cranford’s speakeasy is a living tribute to the days of Victorian vaudeville with posters and ephemera adorning the walls and glass cases.

And he walks us through the history of magic as we sip How Houdini Died rum punches, a knowing nod to Harry’s demise.

Where the magic happens

The lounge is a living, breathing workspace and entertainment hub celebrating Chicago-style Magic.

With two theatres, eats, drinks and a card school.

We’re told Chicago-style Magic grew out of small card acts performed by the owner of a German-American restaurant.

Mine host Joey has given himself a day off today from picking our cards (well, he is the boss).

So Justin Purcell entertains our party with his sleight of hand.

Our hour flies by and alas our spin cycle is done and we are back out on Halsted Street.

Out on Halsted Street

But the gaybourhood fun doesn’t stop there as we are headed for the beating heart of Halsted Street, Sidetrack.

And meet Art, owner and protector of the Andersonville queer community for more than 40 years.

Having turned a small gay bar which he maintained through the worst days of homophobia.

To the international multi-bar buzzing venue it is today.

It is our good fortune that today is Sunday so it’s quieter and there’s no line snaking down Halsted to get in.

So we can enjoy our Frozé and Black Cherry Buzz fruity vodka slushy without having to be cheek by jowl with fellow customers.

Happy to get Sidetracked

Although that is much of the vibe of Sidetrack which we will discover on Tuesday’s Pride evening.

In truth, it hasn’t always been easy to be out on Halsted Street, although contrary to perceptions I am straight.

Which is fine in this inclusive district which straddles the Chicago Cubs’ ballpark, Wrigley Field, the second oldest in the States.

Our guide Victor Salvo walks us through his neighbourhood stopping off at the pillars of gay American and international history,

The legacy of the global community who suffered so the party I have joined for today’s tour can enjoy.

It truly is a Sweet Home ChicaGay. And anyone, straight, queer or somebody who just wants a Spring Liver can enjoy.

And as I’ve been saying all week, I’ve been travelling with Aer Lingus.

For the American Travel Fair, IPW, and staying at the iconic Palmer House Hilton Hotel.