Thomas Moore was the most popular Irish poet of his day. His famed “Irish Melodies,” with exquisite lyrics by Moore composed to traditional airs, were translated into many languages and won him international fame. He was particularly dear to the hearts of Irish Americans and a million and a half copies of the music for “The Last Rose of Summer” were sold in the United States … [Read more...] about Thomas Moore: The Minstrel of Ireland
Culture
Sláinte! The Great October Fair
The Ballinasloe October Fair is one of the oldest fairs in Ireland. While now predominantly associated with horses, in its heyday it served as a market for the sale of cattle and sheep by the farmers of the west to their counterparts in the east of Ireland. An Irish adage advises: Go East for a woman; go West for a horse. When I was a girl I had a … [Read more...] about Sláinte! The Great October Fair
Great Irish Song Stamps
U2 and The Cranberries are among notable Irish musicians featured on a new set of stamps celebrating great Irish songs. The Cranberries’ global smash hit “Dreams” is included along with U2’s “With or Without You,” “Danny Boy” by John McCormack, and “On Raglan Road” by Luke Kelly. Each of the songs have been chosen by An Post (the Irish postal administration) because of the way … [Read more...] about Great Irish Song Stamps
James Connolly Visitor Centre Opens in Belfast
At a ceremony on Friday, April 19, President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins officially opened Áras Uí Chonghaile, the new James Connolly Visitor Centre, providing a new space for discovery, education, study, work, meeting, and socializing on the Falls Road in West Belfast, only yards from where Connolly lived. Connolly, a labor leader, was executed for his part in the 1916 … [Read more...] about James Connolly Visitor Centre Opens in Belfast
Game of Thrones Set to be Turned into Tourist Attractions in Northern Ireland
"The world’s most popular show," Game of Thrones, may have wrapped up, but that doesn’t mean you’ve seen the last of Westeros. HBO plans to convert several of the series’ filming locations in Northern Ireland into tourist destinations in an attraction called Game of Thrones Legacy, with a target opening date sometime in 2019. Winterfell, Castle Black, … [Read more...] about Game of Thrones Set to be Turned into Tourist Attractions in Northern Ireland





