Savour Famous Irish Whiskeys And Beers In Ireland

Since the 7th or 8th century, Ireland has been distilling whiskey. The first recorded drop of whiskey was produced by Irish monks in the Middle Ages. It is perhaps this history that makes world famous Irish whiskey and beer sought after drink around the world.

Irish whiskey differs from Scotch whiskey in that it no peat is used in the distillation process, and it is distilled three times rather than twice. This results in a smoother taste, preferred by many whiskey drinkers around the world. Derived from the ancient Gaelic ‘usice beatha’, meaning water of life, whiskey is far more than just a beverage in Ireland. Available as single malt, single grain, blended or pure pot still, whiskey in Ireland is taken seriously.

The oldest whiskey distillery is the Old Bushmills distillery. Their licence to distill spirits is dated April 1608, hence one of their brands being named 1608. They also produce Old Bushmills and Black Bush whiskey, both of which are well known internationally. One of the famous Irish whiskeys most people will recognise is Jamesons. Produced by New Midleton Distillery, Jamesons is one of several brands of whiskey such as Midleton, Redbreast and Powers that are produced at this distillery, which dates back to 1825. New Midleton also produce the oldest continuously-made pot still Irish whiskey, considered a valuable rarity, Green Spot. Kilbeggan distillery has recently been re-opened as well. Cooley Distillery is the only wholly Irish-owned distillery, producing brands like Connemara and Michael Collins whiskeys.

Without doubt the most famous Irish beer is Guinness. First brewed in Dublin in 1759, this dark ale, or stout, has been popular outside of Ireland since it was first exported in 1859. Outside of Ireland, other dark ales are not as well known, but brands such as Beamish and Murphy’s are making their way beyond Ireland’s shores. Smithwick’s Irish ale, Kilkenny Draft, Murphy’s and Harp are other Irish beers gaining a name for themselves internationally.

Visitors to Ireland will be delighted to hear that they can tour the whiskey distilleries and sample the wares. The Guinness Centre in Dublin takes you back in time to the early days of Guinness stout, providing an insight into the history of brewing, as well as a tour of modern brewing facilities. And yes, you will be able to finish off with a Guinness.

If you are looking for famous Irish whiskey and beer, Ireland would be the logical place to start. Steeped in history, surrounded by glorious countryside, you’ll find they taste even better on home soil.

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A Visit To Ireland Must Include Irish Museums And Historical Places

Ireland’s rich history makes it the ideal tourist destination for those interested in the heritage of this beautiful country. No matter what part of Ireland you visit, you will find a wealth of historical places, buildings and sites to visit, some with fascinating legends behind them. In each county you will find Irish museums and historical places filled with fascinating artefacts and information about the history of the area.

Your first stop should be the National Museum of Ireland, offering insight into the archaeology, natural history and heritage of Ireland. The museum was opened in 1877, and houses 4 million historical artefacts. Divided into 4 separate locations, each part of the museum covers a different area. The decorative arts department is housed in the Art and Industry Building in Collins Barracks which includes exhibitions of artistic crafts through the ages, including glasswork, metalwork, lace and ceramic works. This and two other departments, natural history and archaeology and history, are housed nearby in Dublin city as well. The fourth exhibit of the museum covers the history of country life in Ireland, and is in County Mayo, some 240 kms away.

Dublin is also home to a Toy Museum, a Transport Museum and a Historic Science Centre which appeal to children as well as adults. Make sure you visit the Viking and medieval museum, Dublinia, for a fun and interesting look at medieval history in Dublin. As you travel through the rest of Ireland, you will find that most cities and towns have a museum exhibiting artefacts found in that county. The Cork Museum, the Galway Museum and the Ulster Museum are a few that you will encounter on your travels through Ireland. The Hunt Museum in Munster features artefacts dating from the Neolithic Age through to the 20th century.

As you travel around Ireland, perhaps the most prominent historical places will be the many castles found here - about 83 in total, most built between the 13th and 16th centuries. Dublin Castle, which is now the Irish Government’s home, was the site of King John of England’s fortress, built around 1230. Limerick Castle is the site of the famous Blarney Stone, said to endow those who kiss it with the ‘gift of the gab’. Kilkenny Castle, Rathfarnham and Drimnagh are all worth a visit, as is Grange Castle in County Kildare with its 15th century tower house.

Of particular interest to historians are the many cathedrals and other religious sites dating back centuries that are found throughout Ireland. Glendalough is the site of a sixth century monastery. Ennis Friary, St Colman’s Cathedral and many other large and small religious buildings are not only magnificent in appearance, but are fascinating in terms of their history as well. St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin is possibly the best known cathedral in Ireland, dating back to 1220. If architectural history interests you, don’t miss Belfast City Hall, built in 1898 with its magnificent green domes.

There are some ancient sites to visit in Ireland too, most notably the megalithic passage tombs at Fourknocks and Newgrange, the former dating back about 5000 years. The tourist wanting to visit all the Irish museums and historical places may find they need a six month trip! If you are interested in history, Ireland has more attractions than most.

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Experience The Diverse Ethnic Minorities In Ireland And Their Cultural Celebrations

Visitors to Ireland, as well as the native Irish residents, are embracing the diverse ethnic minorities and their cultural celebrations. The arrival of immigrants from many different countries has not always been welcomed, but their arrival certainly adds flavour and color to local festivals. Government and community initiatives to promote intercultural exchange and minimise racism are paying off, with locals and visitors able to experience a taste of foreign cultures around the country.

Aristka is an organisation formed to promote ethnic arts. They organize the multi-cultural festival, Mela, in Northern Ireland each year, which now coincides with the St Patrick’s Day celebrations to present the community with an intercultural festival enjoyed by all. They also support Indian cultural celebrations such as the Festival of Lights, teaching the community about the celebration and inviting participation and enjoyment for all members of society. This organisation also promotes ethnic art with exhibitions, theatrical and dance performances as well as festivals celebrating various holidays and events related to different cultures.

In Limerick, the nationwide Africa Day festival is celebrated with an African Bazaar displaying the art, craft, clothing, food and music of 20 different African countries. Cultural costumes and the various customs and traditions are showcased for all to experience and enjoy. Africa Day is celebrated throughout Ireland with similar exhibits and festivals in an effort to promote community interaction and understanding.

The National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism was formed to promote harmony between the Irish and the many ethnic minorities that have landed on their shores in recent years. The Committee promotes arts and culture, with exhibitions, competitions and workshops. Another initiative from SARI, Sports Against Racism Ireland, organizes sporting events between various groups, using sport as a way to eradicate racism between the various ethnic groups.

Chinese culture in Ireland maintains its traditional festivals and celebrations such as the Chinese Lunar New Year, Lantern and Moon Festivals, held in towns throughout Ireland. The Indian community celebrates their holy days and festivals as well, embracing the local community regardless of their cultural beliefs. Art exhibitions, musical concerts and theatrical performances are used to showcase not only the culture but also the talent of many immigrants to Ireland, providing entertainment and education to the larger community.

Visitors to Ireland are sure to find some entertaining and enlightening cultural celebrations going on at various times of the year. To experience the diverse ethnic minorities in Ireland and their cultural celebrations, time your visit to coincide with Mela or Africa Day. There are some 65 nationalities represented in Ireland today, each with a rich and fascinating cultural heritage to share with you.

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Is There Any Wildlife In Ireland?

Although you won’t find any big game or large predators in Ireland, except in a zoo, there are many interesting animals to be seen in Ireland’s five national parks. Only 30 species of land animals are native to Ireland, but there is a wealth of birdlife to more than make up for this.

The biggest naturally occurring mammal you will find in Ireland is the Red Deer. Unique to Ireland, these magnificent animals can be seen in Killarney National Park, Glenveagh, Ballycroy and the Wicklow Mountains parks. Other mammals seen regularly include hare, badgers, the red fox, pine martens, the Irish stoat, mink, otter and fallow deer. Connemara National Park features the Connemara Ponies. Although considered a domestic animal, they wander the countryside in herds in Connemara, making a distinct impression on visitors to the park.

Most of the national parks as well as the untouched and uninhabited regions of Ireland boast a number of raptors, including peregrine, owls and falcon. The Golden Eagle, extinct in Ireland since 1912, has recently been reintroduced in Glenveagh National Park, with considerable success. Golden plover, ravens and many other bird species make Ireland a popular destination for birdwatchers.

There are of course zoos and aquariums that offer visitors and residents the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife. Dublin Zoo is home to Siberian tigers, rhinoceros, wolves, gorillas, orang-utans, chimpanzees, snow leopards, hippo and lion. Belfast Zoo showcases a similar variety of animals, including Asian elephants, white tigers and spectacled bears and more.

Belfast also has the Exploris Aquarium with interactive discovery pools and a deep water open sea tank featuring the interesting creatures of the deep. Many of the sea creatures seen here can be found off Ireland’s coast, where whale and dolphin are spotted at various times of the year. The Seal Sanctuary, also in Belfast, offers a fascinating insight into these clever creatures as well.

An innovative wildlife park can be found on Fota Island in Cork Harbour. Here, visitors can explore 70 acres of wildlife, most of it roaming freely between visitors. Almost all the animals in Fota Wildlife Park are endangered or threatened. Some, like the Rothschilds Giraffe and European Bison, will only be seen in captivity. The wildlife park features unusual species like red panda, lemur, emu, kangaroos and many more animals from around the world. They also have cheetah - but they do not roam freely through the park!

While the zoos may offer visitors the opportunity to see unusual, exotic and dangerous animals, the national parks of Ireland provide an opportunity to explore the habitat of its native wildlife on foot or by bicycle without fear of attack by large predators. The ability to experience any wildlife in close proximity, in their natural habitat, should not be passed up.

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Do Ireland’s Presidents Have A Role In Cultural Life?

Ireland’s presidents, both present and past, have traditionally played an active role in the cultural life of the country. Ireland’s political leaders rely on their local political support a lot more than in other countries, making their roles in local society far more important in terms of their election and re-election. This means that the president of Ireland has to be involved in the everyday life of the citizens of Ireland.

The current president of Ireland, Mary McAleese, is a fine example of the role of Irish presidents in cultural life. Her support of local cultural events, patronage of various cultural organizations and involvement in the day-to-day activities in Ireland encompasses all aspects of culture. From encouraging school children to participate in cultural activities, through to supporting Irish artists, President McAleese plays an active role in the cultural life of Ireland. She attends art gallery openings, cultural festivals, school activities and competitions and actively encourages participation in the arts and culture of Ireland.

President McAleese receives visitors from all walks of life, including school and charity groups, as well as cultural organisations from around the country. Supporting the cultural life of Ireland means not only showing a face at an event, but actively engaging with the people contributing to the culture of Ireland, and the Irish presidents have been very good at this. Although some may feel that the role of the President in this regard is more of a figurehead, her participation in local events and enthusiastic support for arts and culture in Ireland certainly motivate many to continue their efforts in this area.

On an official level, President McAleese has shown her support for arts and culture with international visits to showcase Ireland’s talent and make inroads into the international market. In 2008 she accompanied Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Film Board on a visit to Hollywood to promote Ireland’s talent in the industry, as well as the country as filmmaking location. The president also attended the European Cultural Foundation National Conference, representing Irish interests and culture. President McAleese presents numerous awards throughout the year, many of them based on cultural activities and achievements, such as Ireland’s Laureate for Children’s Literature.

Previous presidents have been equally involved in the cultural life or Ireland, including Mary Robinson who was instrumental in the formation of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. This government department, along with the government Arts Council, supports the graphic and visual arts as well as the culture and heritage of Ireland. They are actively involved in various cultural events around the country.

The preservation and continued thriving of a country’s culture depends very much on its youth, for it is they who must carry the torch from one generation to the next. The Irish Presidents and their role in cultural life help to encourage children and the youth to support their cultural background, participate in the cultural activities of their birthplace, and preserve their history.

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