Ireland facts & Travel Tips

Top of the list of Ireland facts is that Ireland is a very easy country to get around, English speaking throughout, apart from a few Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas and the local time GMT. The unit of currency is Euro in the South or Republic of Ireland and Sterling in the North of Ireland A word of warning, Travellers Cheques are no longer accepted in Ireland so the best option is to use a credit card for all main purchases ie car hire, accommodation and food with perhaps a debit card for ATM cash withdrawals. You should carry a small amount of cash with you for snacks, drinks (tip 10% if the service is good, nothing obviously if it is not) admission tickets (even the likes of Blarney Castle do not accept credit cards). A good tip is to buy your tickets online for the bigger attractions. Apart from getting a discount, you won't have to queue and sometimes the likes of the Titanic Museum (which can only admit a limited amount of people per hour because of Health & Safety) gets sold out in advance on the day, so you don't want to be disappointed.

Public Transport is limited, to be honest, we have good mainline trains and buses but after that you really need to hire a car to get off the beaten track and explore deeper into the Irish countryside. And please don't be worried about driving on the opposite (there's no wrong) side of the road, take your time and once you get in the flow of traffic (there is very little of it in Ireland outside of Dublin) you will be grand.....And while rural routes maybe narrower than what you are used to back home, they are not as life threatening as they are made out to be by so called Irish Travel Experts? All of Ireland's main cities are well connected with fast, safe double sided motorways and the tolls are inexpensive. But, If you really don't think you can hack it, there are plenty of organised bus/coach tours from Dublin, Galway, Cork and Belfast. Ireland is very friendly and relatively safe, but not crime free by any means. Be careful if you are travelling in a hire car which can be spotted a mile off by the little yellow sticker in the back window, so don't leave anything valuable on view. This is especially important at remote sites, lock your stuff in the trunk and keep your passport with you or in the hotel safe at all times. By the way you don't need a visa for Ireland or any vaccinations (we have no nasties here) Use your common sense in cities late at night, don't wander off on your own. If you are at all worried go into anywhere that's open and ask them to ring the Gardaí (Irish police) for you. Mobile phones & tablets are easy targets for snatchers, the same as anywhere else in the world, so just be careful and try to avoid using them for internet access unless you are in a wi-fi zone (most cafés, bars and hotels worth their salt offer free access these days although you made have to ask for a code). And finally, keep an eye out for notices of events happening locally as these are often spontaneous, and Free !Weather wise come prepared, you could get all four seasons thrown at you in a day and no, it doesn't rain all the time.....And remember if in doubt just ask, we Irish love to talk, and you will find most people extremely helpful.
1 Where to Stay?2 What to Eat & Drink ?3 Places to see ?4 Things to Do ? 5 Getting about Ireland ?6 Sightseeing Tours ?7 What to buy ? 8 Free stuff in Ireland ?9 Fun stuff - quirky facts ? 10 Irish Weather, what to expect ? For more information on Ireland facts please click here.

Irish Weather

Ireland weather, what to expect?

"There's no place like Ireland when you get the weather" is practically a term of endearment here in Ireland which certainly held true last year, when we had the best summer in donkeys years in 2014. Work came to a halt with people flocking to the beaches, that at other times would give you frost bite in July! Ireland was at her best with clear blue sky back drops to our world famous scenery, it was heaven on earth...Highlights for me were reaching islands like Tory and the Great Blaskets and swimming on beaches like Ballymastocker in Donegal rated 2nd best (cheek) in the world. By the way, did you know that they have a beach for everday of the year up there....mind you you would be hard pressed to beat the likes of Keel, Keem or Dugort on Achill Island....

But please, DON'T COME TO IRELAND IN THE DEAD OF WINTER, or you will only have yourselves to blame. Regardless of ‘whether’ the airfares are at rock bottom, the ‘weather’ can be pure miserable which is downright depressing. Sure, you can be pure lucky and get what we call a pet day, a once off warm, bright, sunny day in the middle of winter but, they are as rare as hen’s teeth! 82% of visitors understandably, come to Ireland for the scenery but do you really want to see the black and white version through a haze of fog, rain and down to the decks cloud? Worse still, the best scenery is obviously in the remotest of places, where the majority of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and visitor attractions close down from the end of October to the middle of March, at least. My advice, postpone your trip till the Spring at least, when the days are longer, warmer and brighter and we are geared up to cater for you...

Ireland weather is generally very mild but changeable, to say the least, often on a daily or even an hourly basis! But the flip side is, we do not get extremes, it is never too hot or too cold. The average temperature is about 9 degrees celsius, with summer highs of 20+ and winter lows of -5 at night. The best months for sunshine are usually May, June and September, last year was exceptional so we will be hoping for a repeat this year in 2014 only then we will have the farmers complaining, because they love rain and besides we need the rain to retain our famous forty shades of green which wouldn't exist in a drought. We have even developed our own vocabulary or 'excuse' for it. A wet day is known as a soft day regardless of whether (lol) it is a light mist or the kind of horizontal stuff that batters us from the Atlantic with brief interludes such as? The occasional perfectly still, warm and sunny day we sometimes get in the middle of winter which is called a pet day when all is well with ourselves, our neighbours and the Universe in general....

Note it is called a pet day as in singular, as we seldom get two in a row, which is not the case with another favourite Ireland weather term it's a day for the high stool. Which means that the weather is going to be so cold, wet and miserable (and it could go on for weeks) that you have no choice but to head for the pub ! Which is where we could be all headed shortly if the rain does not let up? For a more optimistic outlook check out the Irish Weather Online Facebook page which is excellent, and where you will also find great photos posted daily from all over Ireland. Plus all the associated caint (chat) and up-to-the-minute Ireland weather reports for whatever part of Ireland you are in or intend visiting.Regardless of when you choose to come to Ireland, my advice is to pack a rainproof jacket and or lightweight fleece, you can always get wellies or flipflops while you are here! Or indeed, a nice traditional, hand knitted Aran jumper to look the part or get spotted as a tourist 10 miles off....

Visit Cork City

Cork City

Cork is the second largest city in Ireland and God Bless them, Corkonian’s (Cork people) consider it to be second (or real) capital, eh no chance! There has always been good natured rivalry between the two, a kind of ‘in’ Irish joke, but Cork is never going to upstage Dublin. In fairness, though it has really smartened up its act in recent years with the new Opera house and paved pedestrian areas all around the Crawford Art Gallery and the Butter Museum. With art installations and pop up coffee kiosks it is now more on a par with cosmopolitan European cities than Ireland. The city centre is on an island in the middle of the River Lee, St Patricks Street is the main shopping area but a few streets back is the English Market which Queen Elizabeth II famously visited and had ‘the chat’ with fishmonger Pat O’Connell doing no end of good for Cork Tourism around the world......

Not that the English Market needed much publicity as this is a permanent market (open mon-sat) that showcases the best of local artisan producers from fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, bread, cheeses and even indian spices procured by Indian, Arun Kapil, turned proud Corkonian. It is a buzzing place and certainly not to missed and if you are just in Cork on holidays you can always sample the culinary delights of the market upstairs in the galleried Farmgate Café. If that is booked up (and it often is) why not gather some goodies and head across to Bishop Lucey Park just opposite the back entrance to the market. You should stay a while in Cork as there is so much to see and do in the area.  The River Lee Hotel in the city centre is a good choice, upgrade to a room with a river view, if possible, it also has a pool and a spa and most importantly free guest parking. Or if you are looking for something a little more romantic why not treat yourself to a stay in the delightful Hayfield Manor on College Road, about 5 mins walk from the city centre.
Top 10 Things To Do and See in Cork are...
1 Blackrock Castle Observatory a little further out at the mouth of Cork Harbour, this relatively new observatory and science facility is beautiful situated in a stone promontory fort, there is a matching one on the opposite side of the river. (Tip) the castle café is run by Farmgate mentioned above.
2 Butter Museum in the city centre tells the story of our biggest export and most revered staple, that goes on everything from bread to potatoes, Kerrygold Butter! We Irish don’t do poor imitations.
3 Blarney Castle ‘kissing the Blarney Stone’ is on every tourists bucket list, the Irish have no need of it obviously, but the gardens are very nice and there is a large souvenir / craft shop, about 10km out on the Limerick Rd.
4 Crawford Art Gallery I adore this gallery, superb sculptures and a perfectly curated collection of Ireland’s best artists. More good food too, try the Clonakilty black pudding on toast for brunch.
 5 Cobh Maritime Museum Cobh, or Queenstown as it was known then, was the last departure point for Titanic on her ill fated maiden voyage. Eclipsed by the much larger Titanic expo in Belfast this is a more personal tribute to the 123 local Irish emigrants who were lost in the tragedy.
6 Charles Fort, Kinsale is a large star shaped fort which controlled the harbour of Cork with a garrison of 1000 men for over 400 years. Amazing views, excellent pints and seafood next door in the Bullman Pub. You will want to spend some time in Kinsale too where it’s all about Slow Food and Fast Sailing!
7 Fota Island Wildlife Park, popular family day out with lots of ‘wild’ animals freely wandering about giving children (and adults) a chance to get up close and personal with their furry or feathered friends. It’s expensive though €43 for a family plus €3 for parking.
8 Fota House and Walled Gardens separate entrance and entity, owned and managed by the Office of Public Works, a lovely period house, interesting larder and delightful nursery, wonderful gardens with restored glasshouses.
9 Jameson’s Midleton Experience take a guided tour of the original plant where every bottle of Jamesons, the largest selling Irish whiskey in the world is actually distilled. Find out how it was made in the original buildings and see the largest the copper pot still in the world.
10 St Anne’s Cathedral and Shandon Bells or the ‘four faced liar’ as the clock tower on this cathedral was known for telling a different time on each side. You can ring the bells yourself and climb to the top of the tower for a bird’s eye view of the city.

Belfast City 2016

NEW FOR 2016 - Bed & Breakfast Guide 

Belfast City

There is no escaping the fact that Belfast is a troubled city, it is evident in the architecture, the Europa Hotel’s famous claim to fame as the most bombed hotel in the world, yet there is a resilience in its people who have endured so much that is endearing. Recent troubles (again) for the raising of the Unionist flag have sparked minor conflicts which seemed to have settled down now and are no real cause for alarm in tourists. So, I would urge to go and see this wonderful city that is working hard to go about its business normally and build a thriving tourism industry. Belfast’s flagship is the magnificent new Titanic Museum above, opened in 2012 on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, that was built in the Harland and Wolf shipyards, that have been designated the Titanic Quarter......

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Followed by Mac, a new contemporary Arts space, WI5 an award winning children’s science museum. To get your bearings and a handle on the history of Belfast I strongly recommend you take a Black Cab Tour of the city which takes you around the infamous landmarks associated with the ‘troubles’ and explains the history behind them in a balanced and neutral way. Our driver was a Protestant married to a catholic which would have been a very difficult if not impossible situation 30 years ago. You can sense the tide has turned since the Good Friday Peace agreement in 1998 it is just going to take a long time for the wounds to heal on both sides. Benedict’s Hotel have an interesting Champagne Sunday Offer, buy a bottle of bubbly for £70 and you get your bed and breakfast free! (Tip) don’t forget you will need sterling up the North.
 Top 10 Things To Do and See in Belfast
1 Black Cab Tour this is my No 1 thing to do in Belfast especially if you don’t know or understand anything about ‘the troubles’ excellent for getting your bearings, you can book online or at any hotel, where they will also pick you up and drop you back.
2 Belfast City Hall beautiful Edwardian building and centre of administration for Belfast, in the middle of town. You take a guided tour or visit its own poignant memorial garden to those lost on the Titanic.
3 Belfast Castle visit the castle and cat themed gardens for free and enjoy the beautiful views out over Belfast City by day or night from its elevated site on Cave Hill in North Belfast..
4 Belfast Zoo another timeless, classic similar to Dublin Zoo, close to the above on the Antrim Road. My Belfast born and bred Facebook fans voted this their favourite visitor attraction. Very reasonable admission prices (50% cheaper than the South of Ireland) £8 adult, £4 child and £21.60 for a family with free car parking.
5 Crowne Liquour Saloon is a wonderful Victorian pub interior with original gas lighting, stained glass windows, painted mirror and plenty of snugs, good restaurant upstairs with an excellent beef pie with pastry topping, service could be a little more friendly?
6 Metropolitan Arts Centre is a brand new art/dance/ theatre space in Belfast, their current exhibition is a major Andy Warhol retrospective the first in Northern Ireland.
7 Stormont Castle will be instantly recognizable from all the TV coverage it is the seat of the British government in Northern Ireland and office of the First Minister, currently Peter Robinson. You can take a tour of the castle or a walk down the famous avenue.
8 Titanic Experience superb architecture, fantastic layout and exhibits, I liked the scrolling floor plan and the replica seabed theatre. Tip book your tickets online and afternoon tea beside the Grand Staircase.
9 Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on the way out to Bangor consists of a reconstructed street scape, cottages farms, houses, shops etc with costumed guides depicting how life used to be in Northern Ireland and the kind of trades that were popular and unique like the linen trade.
10 WI5 in the Odyssey Centre in Belfast is an award winning interactive children’s science museum designed to engage the 5 senses and answer the eternal who,what,where, why, when questions.


#cork #Ireland #discoverireland

About Taylor Made Horizon Ireland

Good morning all. This is the first of many blogs.

Taylor Made Horizon Ireland was set up by 2 former hotel workers back in 2014 who want to start their own company and offer outstanding service to  oversea clients coming to Ireland.

The idea of setting up a concierge company here in the heart of Dublin was an easy one.  Tom and Steve are from Dublin born and raised and love Dublin.

Tom has always worked in hotels throughout his whole career here in Ireland and around Europe.

Steve has  always worked in the travel industry for many years and hotels until he set up Taylor Made Horizon Ireland along with Tom.

What make us different to other companies like ourselves one reason we care about our clients, from the time you land in Ireland until you leave you will enjoy the comfort of 24h customer support no matter where in Ireland you are.

We have a wide range of bespoke services to suit your needs. Traveling alone no problem we would be delighted to advise you on places to visit. If you are traveling on a budget we can work with you to stick to your budget.

If you are a company looking for the perfect place to host a meeting or a restaurant to host a  dinner we can also help.

www.taylormadeireland.com

Our Services

• Meeting, event planning and management
• State of the are venues for meetings and events
• Expert speakers
• Venue sourcing and selection
• Complete administration management
• Accommodations at deluxe and luxury hotels
• Luxury castle and private manor options
• Full range of catering options
• Ground staff and supervision
• All ground transportation
• Evening programs and entertainment
• Excursion programs for companions
• Full technical support
• Pre and post event programs
• Professional guides and interpreters if needed
• Privileged access to private behind the scenes and exclusive venues
• Access to sporting and leisure events
• World class golf
• Professional Security

Contact us today at:
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Wicklow Mountains aka "Garden County

Wicklow Mountains aka "Garden County" 1

 

Wicklow Mountains aka “Garden County”

On the east coast of Ireland lies a vast mountainous area where you will find the county of Wicklow and the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which covers approximately 20,000 hectares of the mountain range. The key goal of the Wicklow Mountains National Park is to conserve and protect the local landscape, wildlife and the local ecosystems. Every year close to one million visitors pass through the Park and it is an extremely important source of recreation for both visitors and locals. Streams run freely into the deep calm lakes of the wood covered valleys and run into the adjoining lowlands. The forestry area and the meandering mountain roads are the only things to interrupt the gaping scenes. Heather and bog covered floors drape the round peaks and the top mountain slopes. The blanket bog areas include the Liffey Head Bog and the Lugnaquila complexes.

English: The Glendasan river in the Wicklow Mountains, County Wicklow, Ireland. In the background is Tonelagee, the third highest mountain in the range. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Glendalough is a remarkable place that will still your mind, inspire your heart and fill your soul. The stunning Glendalough Valley is one the most popular tourist areas in the Wicklow Mountains and it is here that you will discover the antiquated monastic settlement of St. Kevin. Exploring the uplands on foot requires proper equipment and a sense of adventure in a setting where you will readily find isolation and wilderness. People have been coming to the ‘valley of the two lakes’ for hundreds of years to soak up its intense history, archaeology, sumptuous scenery and its copious wildlife. The world famous Monastic site with its round tower is just one of its amazing attractions along with its luscious lakes and valleys. The selection of trails and walkways include The Wicklow Way and the area has a lot to offer every discerning visitor. Glendalough is an incredible place that will stir the heart, fulfil the soul and calm the mind.

English: Crossing the Glendasan River near the Monastic City of Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are some spectacular walking trails in the Wicklow Mountains and you will find the majority of these in the Glendalough valley. You can choose from a stroll that lasts half an hour to a vigorous hill walk that will take you about four hours. There are wide selections of exciting and impressive walks to choose from – the hardest part will be picking one that suits your mood and ability on the day! Some of the trails venture to the crumbling miners’ village, others to the Poulanass Waterfall, the cave of St. Kevin’s Bed while a visit to Reefert Church is also on the cards.
The visitor centre displays maps of the walks and the walking trails are all flagged with colour-coded arrows. Accompanying some of the walking trails are nature trails which highlight and explore bugs, birds, flora and trees that reside in and around the Wicklow Mountains which will delight both adults and children. For the more daring and experienced adventurer, you can partake in some rock climbing on the crags of Miners’ Road. The information centre will be able to offer you any help that you need on rock climbing. You will also find that angling is allowed in some of the rivers and lakes within the park. Brown trout are the most common fish caught, fishing is allowed from mid-March to the end of September.
Such is the special charm of the Wicklow Mountains nestled in the ‘Garden County’ that you will want to keep coming back. There’s always more to explore!

Top Five Scenic Drives in Ireland

Top Five Scenic Drives in Ireland 5 

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One of the best ways to see Ireland is by getting out of the cities and touring around the country. Listed below are the top five scenic drives in Ireland which are a must see during any tour of Ireland. Atlas Car Hire Ireland offer a wide range of car rentals which will meet your needs at a very competitive price if you are in need of a rental car.
Sheep’s Head Peninsula

Sheep’s Head Peninsula has long been a popular destination for hill walkers, the peninsula is also a stunning drive. The Sheep’s Head Way is a 88km trail which follows old roads and tracks around the peninsula from Bantry to the headland and back. The route combines low and rugged hills with coastline and cliffs. The walkway is very straightforward and can be walked during any time between April and October. The drive around Sheep’s Head Peninsula is just over 70km, but offers the same stunning views as the walk.

“A peaceful, unspoilt peninsula which as some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery.”

The start of the drive at Bantry’s south is generally devoid of villages, allowing you to see the magnificent cliffs along the Irish coastline. Drive around the hairpin bends on the road to Kilcrohane before heading off to Durrus. Stop by Good Things Café and Arundels pub, both in Ahakista. From the pub, you can view Dunmanus Bay, the pier, and a little farther off, a small beach. Also in Ahakista is Hillcrest House, a good place to spend the night.
Dingle Peninsula

Dingle is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Ireland. The town is a mix of authentic Ireland and nature set against a stunning backdrop. The drive around the Dingle Peninsula starts at Castlegregory at the Corca Dhuibhne Peninsula, go west into Cloghane, passed Conor Pass and Dingle, and head west to Slea Head. After Ballyferriter, continue to Murreagh and Kilmalkedar, and finally, back to Dingle. The route is approximately 75 km and highlights are guaranteed around every bend.
On the road, you will see the ancient buildings of Gallarus and the revered site at Kilmalkedar. The Dingle Peninsula itself is dotted with striking ogham stones. Eat in Waterside’s renowned restaurant, Out of the Blue, where the fresh seafood dishes are world-class. Also try Dunquin’s Krugers pub, which has a spectacular view of the sea. If night befalls, stay in the century-old The Captain’s House in Dingle.
Bantry to Killarney

The trip from Bantry to Killarney is approximately 80 km. This route can become very congested during peak tourist seasons as you will surely find a long trail of pilgrims and campers on the highway.
During the drive, you will see a number of quaint villages, such as Glengarriff; herds of farm animals, especially sheep; and both freshwater and saltwater lakes. Drop by the Eccles Hotel, and watch boats coming from and going to the Glengarriff Harbour. At the end of the drive is Kenmare, Ireland’s gourmet capital. Choose from any of the popular restaurants on Henry Street, such as Mulcahy’s and Packie’s.
If you happen to reach the area by nightfall, you may want to consider staying over. Various accommodations are available for tourists, ranging from four-star hotels to campsites.
Copper Coast
The 120 km-trip begins in Dungarvan, with its gorgeous coastline. Proceed to Stradbally and eventually head to Waterford. Continue to Clonmel, then to Ballymacarberry, and eventually head back to Dungarvan.
The Copper Coast in Waterford is the only geopark in the entire European continent. It was named as such because of the mines of copper that used to be present in the stretch. View the majestic Comeragh Mountains, the Nire Valley and Stradbally Cove. Make sure you try the Tannery in Dungarvan, which is an institution in itself, offering mouth-watering Irish dishes. You may want to stay the night in Hanora’s Cottage, which is right beside the Mahon River in Nire Valley.
Europcar offer a car rental location in Waterford should it be required.
Galway to Westport
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The long trip, which spans approximately 230 km, starts in Galway city. Driving along the N59, head over to Clifden, past Connemara National Park and then to the center of Westport. Finally, go back south via N84, and back to Galway, maybe taking in Castlebar along the way. The Sky Road in Clifden is a must see for the stunning views of the Atlantic coastline and Connemara.
Enjoy the view of Killary Harbour from Blackberry Café in Galway. Stop over at Kylemore Abbey in Galway, where you can check out the church and craft shop and eat at the restaurant afterwards. After the long drive, spend the night at Quay House, a former monastery in Clifden.
Europcar offer a car rental location in Galway City should it be required.
Related Stories
– The Sheep’s Head Way or Bog hopping in Ireland
– Ireland: Dingle Peninsula
– Kilarney National Park
– Copper Coast
– Ireland again part 3– The Ring of Kerry – 4 Personal Highlights