Ireland | Global-Trekker.net

Gaelic Football – An Introduction

6. September 2010

Forget Beckham (well, Fabio nearly has, anyway), forget the Superbowl … for any true-blooded Irishman football is nothing but Gaelic Football. Often compared to Association Football (or “soccer” to you and me) or to Rugby. But maybe the origin of both these sports. And of American Football as well. And played with a vengeance all [...]

Hurling and Camogie – An Introduction

5. September 2010

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Hurling is regarded as one of the fastest ball-games in the world – and to the uninitiated a first encounter may also beckon forth the attributes “chaotic” and “brutal”. Sometimes hurling is confused with hockey. This confusion only lasts until one realizes that charging players occasionally wield their hurleys like lethal weapons of messy destruction. [...]

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) – A Governing Body

4. September 2010

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Ever thought who made up the rules for hurling, camogie and football? Controlling body of all Gaelic Games is the GAA, the Gaelic Athletic Association, founded in 1884. Here it is decided who plays whom when and where according to what rules. Or who is not allowed to play – because sport for the GAA [...]

Facebook and Twitter – More Ireland Travel for You!

27. August 2010

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These days, being without a Facebook page or Twitter account seems to be … like being stuck in the dark ages. True, the Luddite in me says I don’t really need it (And who does?), but these are useful tools. It is a bit like DIY – yes, you can put the shelves onto the [...]

The Best Sights of Ulster – Your Choice When Traveling in the North?

26. August 2010

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So, heading for Ulster? Ireland’s northernmost province (not to be confused with Northern Ireland, which is part of it) has more on offer than most people think. Having been transformed by the peace process, it is now easily reached and traversed. Border crossings are no concern any more. Time to check up on the splendid [...]

Picking the Best of the West – Which Connacht Sights are Your Top Choices?

25. August 2010

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Craogh Patrick, the “holy mountain”? Kylemore Abbey, the picturesque nunnery in the middle of nowhere? The bodhrans hand-crafted by Malachy in Roundstone? What really are the sights that make Connacht a favourite place for tourists? Or is the hustle and bustle among the students in Galway City? Or the solitude of Achill Island? Tell us. [...]

Dublin’s Best Attractions – Your Opinion?

24. August 2010

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Even if you have just one day in Dublin, make sure not to miss any of the Top Ten Sights! Easier said than done, as different people might have different opinions on what Dublin attractions are really the best. My top three are Trinity College, O’Connell Street and the National Museums. Your choice too? So, [...]

The Best of the South-West – What Are Your Favourite Munster Sights?

23. August 2010

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Munster is all about nature – let’s be honest, nobody really heads into Ireland’s south-west to see the industrial areas of Cork or even Limerick. But what are the favourite sights then? If pressed for an opinion, I would rate the Burren, the Lakes of Killarney and (with some misgivings about the entry fees) the [...]

Leinster Attractions in Your Opinion – What Should be Top of the List?

22. August 2010

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Leinster tends to be dominated by Dublin, but just outside the capital, within easy commuting distance (if you have a car, that is), are many of the best sights in Ireland. Top attractions in Leinster for me would be the ancient monastic complex in Glendalough, the Hill of Tara and, first and foremost, the magnificent [...]

Amir’s Delights – A Moorish Café in Dublin

15. August 2010

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Amir’s Delights was created as an alternative to Dublin’s dominant coffee culture – vacillating between badly made instant and a Starbucks on every corner. Occupying a corner shop in Blooms Lane near Ormond Quay in the still new-ish (and definitely not organically grown) “Italian Quarter”, it adds some North African lustre to the multicultural area. [...]

Party Cake – Where the Polish Baker Plies His Trade in Dublin

14. August 2010

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Party Cake is a Polish bakery and café located at 158 Capel Street in Dublin’s inner city – not the nicest neighbourhood, but central and safe enough to be considered by shoppers and tourists alike. And with Party Cake there is a reason to head here – they are serving maybe the best cakes in [...]

Café Brasilia in Dublin – A Decent Bite at a Decent Price

13. August 2010

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Café Brasilia is somehow tucked away in the Irish Life Mall – which connects Dublin’s Abbey Street and Talbot Street. Unless you are using this mall as a short-cut (the …
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Half a Day in the USA … in Tyrone?

8. August 2010

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If you are Irish-American, there is a good chance that your ancestors actually came from Ulster – Ulstermen played an important role in the history of the United States. This park highlights the individual reasons for migration, from religious dissenters to the simply poor.
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Ireland Long, Long Ago

7. August 2010

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Unless you are prepared for a lot of travel and to conjure images from ruins you will get no better comprehensive glimpse into Ireland’s past than in the Irish National Heritage Park. The park aims to present a few thousand years of Irish history. And actually succeeds – the reconstructed buildings, arranged in chronological order [...]

Ulster As It Was

6. August 2010

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If you want to step roughly 100 years back in time, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra (near Belfast) is the place to do so. On the extensive grounds of Cultra Manor dozens of original relocated buildings combined with full-size reconstructions have created a unique experience.
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Lough Derg – Saint Patrick’s Purgatory

1. August 2010

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The ecclesiastical buildings of the island retreat in Lough Derg are usually visible from the southern shore. Here the R233 from Pettigo suddenly ends after taking the traveler northwards through the wilderness for a few miles. And for the occasional visitor this will also mark the end of the journey – unless you are going [...]

Inis Rath – The Hare Krishna Island

31. July 2010

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Inis Rath, also nicknamed (and signposted as) Hare Krishna Island, is a small island in Lough Erne. Where once rich landowners and their guests enjoyed shooting, these days pursuits are much more peaceful. Owned by ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (better known as the Hare Krishna movement to most people), it is a [...]

Nendrum – The Forgotten Island Community

30. July 2010

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Nendrum, a monastic settlement on Mahee Island, is so out-of-the-way that it was forgotten for centuries. If you head out from Comber today, you might imagine a straightforward drive to Nendrum. Far from it … though the distance is not great as the crow flies, you (unlike the proverbial) cannot disregard Strangford Lough. So your [...]

Cruising on Ireland’s Inland Waterways

25. July 2010

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See Ireland from a boat and have the most relaxing vacation possible – Ireland is not only surrounded by water, it also has an amazing 9,000 miles of waterways and around 800 sizeable lakes. As many of the lakes are interconnected by rivers and canals a veritable network of navigable waters exists. And several companies [...]

Erne Cruises on the MV Kestrel from Enniskillen

24. July 2010

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An Erne Cruise on the MV Kestrel (“Kestrel of Belfast”, to be precise) is a perfect and safe way to enjoy Ireland’s inland waterways – unless you want to hire a boat and navigate for yourself. The “waterbus”, designed for more than sixty passengers and with good views in mind, leaves the town center of [...]

Typical Boat Types Used on Ireland’s Inland Waterways

23. July 2010

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What boats are typically available for hire in Ireland and which ones are the right stuff for you? Good question if you want to experience Ireland’s inland waterways on a cabin cruiser. In a special image gallery you can have a glimpse at the range of boats normally on offer from hiring companies in Ireland. [...]

Govinda’s – Asian Cuisine in Dublin

19. July 2010

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The friendly guy at Govinda’s grabbed a platter the size of a wagon wheel and heaped the food on, his arm muscles bulging. “Holy cow,” I thought and staggered away with my tray. Sitting at one of the utilitarian tables I tucked in. And immediately thgought of Charles Dickens. “Please, Sir, can I ahve some [...]

Han Yang – Asian Cuisine in Dublin

18. July 2010

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Han Yang, just off the very Italian Millennium Walk, is a bustling supermarket-cum-restaurant and serves the Korean community of Dublin. And it serves it well, it seems: the restaurant is very basic, but busy. Lunchtime can be crowded, and it is a busy place at times. Which means that the menu is ever-changing as fresh [...]

Khyber Tandoori – Asian Cuisine in Dublin

17. July 2010

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We came upon the Khyber Tandoori by chance – tucked away this is not a place you will find immediately when strolling around Dublin. Nut you’ll notice a doorman in Pakistani dress, his white turban like a guiding beacon. And he provided a first taste of the unobtrusive service … though he could not [...]

Ming Court – Asian Cuisine in Dublin

16. July 2010

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Ming Court is one of several dozens of Chinese restaurants in the Dublin area. Situated next to the busy Blanchardstown Shopping Centre (one of Europe’s largest malls) it has ample parking space and good public transport connections. Positioned above a bookmaker and a video store it also surprises the visitor with its low-key décor. Here [...]