Tag Archives: Ireland

Get Your Green On

Everyone knows no one parties like the Irish do. That’s why it’s impossible to walk past any pub on March 17th without stumbling across a group of happy revellers celebrating whatever tiny claim they have to Irish ancestry.

But if you thought St. Patrick’s Day was becoming a global phenomenon before today, wait until you see what’s been cooked up for this year’s celebrations.

Knowing how to capitalize on a good thing when they see it, Tourism Ireland has launched a ‘global greening’ marketing campaign. The result? Some 70 global landmarks will be turned green this year in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

Some of the monuments and sites that have joined in on the fun include Niagara Falls, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Burj al Arab in Dubai, and the Las Vegas sign.

Here’s a shot of Sydney’s Opera House getting in on the celebrations: Continue reading →

Majestic is an Understatement

Have you heard the news? Pantone has declared emerald to be the colour of the year for 2013! I couldn’t love that colour more if I tried, and I think it’s high time I posted something related to Pantone’s decision. As St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, now seems like an appropriate time to post (another) tribute to the Emerald Isle with a photographic journey through the ever-so-emerald Cliffs of Moher.

Having spent a few hours at the Cliffs in the summer of 2010, I still can’t get over how massive and awe-inspiring they are. In fact, to say the Cliffs are massive is a major understatement. Majestic, humongous, and indescribable would be much better adjectives in this instance. And they are nothing if they aren’t cloaked in emerald.

But rather than trying to describe them with words, I’ll just let my photos do the talking for me.

Without further adieu, here are the Cliffs of Moher: Continue reading →

Irish Everyone Was That Straightforward

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If you’ve spent a decent amount of time with anyone from Ireland, you are likely well aware that they’re a straight-up bunch of lads and lassies. Unless there’s good craic to be had, or a bar stool to keep warm, the Irish just don’t have time to beat around the bush. Maybe it’s the ever-present threat of rain, or the need to get to the punchline before someone else comes out with a better joke. Who knows? Either way, the Irish get to the point and they do it quickly.

While it’s a little difficult to validate such a sweeping claim (and one that I make with love, to be clear), here are a few contrasting examples to clarify my point: Continue reading →

Lovely Day for a Guinness

Considering my ancestors are from Omagh (Co. Tyrone), and my husband is a born and bred Dubliner, I can’t really let St. Patrick’s Day pass without writing something. But debating the virtues of shots made with Baileys has been done, and there’s no point in offering tips to prevent your tongue from turning green at the bar tonight because it’s destined to happen. So to mix it up a bit I’ve decided to focus on Ireland’s #1 tourist destination by taking you on a photographic tour of the Guinness Storehouse.

Having visited the Guinness Storehouse in the summer of 2010, I can honestly say that it is one of the best planned and most interesting tourist traps I have ever visited. While the three Dubliners I was with might argue that the pint at the end was the best part of the day, this Canadian visitor loved every part of the tour.

Note: the photos below were all taken by yours truly, and explanations can be found by hovering over the image with your mouse.

Arriving at the birthplace of Guinness Continue reading →

Man Up and Chug that…Cider?!

Anyone that has ever ventured a few hundred/thousand kilometers from home knows that drinking patterns are culturally mediated. For instance, bourbon is huge in Australia and the Southern US, and a decent Caesar is nearly impossible to find outside of Canada.

If you take a close look at the hand a drink is in, you’ll also notice the gendered aspects of alcohol preferences. Like coolers and white wine spritzers, cider is one of those drinks that North American men tend to stay away from. It’s not that cider is a “girlie” drink, it’s just not really considered a “manly” drink.*

Mmmm...Bulmers! (Photographed on location in Dublin)

Continue reading →