Our tour, including tickets to the game where Notre Dame play Navy in Ireland’s Aviva Stadium on September 1st 2012 is filling up fast!
For American Football lovers worldwide this is a unique opportunity to see two of College Football’s giants play on Irish soil. The “Emerald Isle Classic” as it has been billed has attracted unprecedented interest.
To coincide with the game we put on a great tour of Ireland that allows those visiting us see the true character of Ireland. However this tour is filling up fast.
If you want to join us, I recommend booking soon!

Click here for more info: Notre Dame vs Ireland 2012 Tour

Irish people often mused when tasting the national drink overseas that it “doesn’t travel well”, referring to the fact that Guinness never seems to taste as good anywhere else as it does when at home in Ireland.

Yesterday in Moneygall, County Offaly that view was affirmed by none other than the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, as he sampled a pint of the black stuff in a pub in his ancestral home village.

The president shared some banter with the small crowd inside Ollie Hayes’ pub on the main street in the tiny midlands village.  “I’ve been told that it makes a difference who the person behind the bar is. People are very particular who is pouring your Guinness. I am right about that? You people can vouch for this guy?” he asked the crowd in the bar.

He later commented “I realised it tastes so much better here than it was in the States. What I realised was, that you guys, that you are keeping all the best stuff. I’m very impressed”

So, we always knew that Guinness “doesn’t travel well” but don’t take our word for it, ask the President of the USA….. and visit Ireland to taste the truth for yourself! Of course when you are here you should also taste Murphys or Beamish, both brewed in Cork, Ireland’s brewing capital.

Hotels in Ireland are the cheapest in Western Europe according to a new survey of rates across 44 countries by the world’s largest independent online booking company, expedia, owners of hotels.com.

The hotel price index, compiled from bookings made through Hotels.com at 130,000 hotels around the world, found Ireland had the sixth cheapest hotels out of a total of 44 countries surveyed with an average room rate of €79 (approx $107).

No other Western European country had lower rates. In Eastern Europe, only the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary were found to be slightly lower than Ireland making Ireland the 4th cheapest in the entire European continent.

Hotel prices in the capital, Dublin, were even lower than the national average at just €73 (approx $98), dropping 6% in 2010 versus 2009, making it one of the best value capital cities in the world in which to stay. Of 95 cities surveyed around the world, Dublin ranked 18th cheapest and cheapest in all of Europe.

Average hotel prices in Dublin in 2010 were significantly lower than in neighboring European capitals. In London, average hotel prices stood at €135 a night; Paris – €120; Amsterdam – €115; Rome – €113; Edinburgh – €109; and Lisbon – €83.

Kilkenny remained the most expensive place to stay in Ireland, despite a fall of almost 20 per cent in average room rates from €138 in 2009 to €112 in 2010. The southeast also had the second most expensive destination, with Wexford at €109. Third most expensive was Galway at €100, followed by hotels in Killarney at €96 and Tralee at €95. The lowest cost place to stay in Ireland, the survey found, was Waterford, with an average hotel price of just €56.

Seamus Mac Cormaic of Expedia Inc said: “Despite having a reputation as an expensive destination, Ireland is now one of the most affordable destinations in the world and Dublin one of the least expensive major cities.”

With only 1 day to go to before we celebrate our Patron Saint of Ireland, we are getting very excited about Saint Patrick’s Day and the many parades around the world to celebrate him.
Our new Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, will be in the White House with President Obama but where will you celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?
We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

See highlights of the last years Saint Patrick’s Day Festival in Dublin.

I think you will all enjoy it and get you a little excited about this year

More about Saint Patrick:

• A history of Saint Patrick
• A history of Saint Patrick’s Day

We have teamed up with GiftshopIreland.com, the world’s largest emporium of Irish Gifts online.

We get nearly as many inquiries about Irish Gifts as we do about Irish Vacations so this year we sought out the best Irish Gift Store online and are delighted to recommend GiftshopIreland.com

GiftshopIreland.com has a huge range of well known Irish gift brands like Waterford Crystal and Newbridge Silverware as well as contemporary designer brands such Orla Kiely, John Rocha and Nicholas Mosse.

Gift Shop Ireland have an amazing sale right now with EVERYTHING REDUCED
Visit Gift Shop Ireland for further details

Earagail Arts Festival

With the busy late spring and summer season fast approaching, in the next few weeks many summer events and festivals around the country will begin announcing details of their programme of events. One of the many festivals around the country during the summer that is worthy of mention is the two week Earagail Arts Festival in North Donegal, which has just announced it will run from July 9th to the 24th this year.

Now in its 23nd year, the Earagail Arts Festival celebrates and creates a high profile platform for the contemporary and the traditional arts scene in County Donegal along the Atlantic seaboard of North West Ireland. Set across the wide geographical area of North Donegal, the festival, through a range of diverse, high quality, bi-lingual programme of arts activities, aims to reflect the unique character, artistic heritage and demographic of the region.
This two week arts festival highlights a wide range of outdoor and indoor literary, music, theatre and comedy and visual arts events for all the family. Hosted in a range of towns and venues across the northern region of the county starting from the Inishowen Peninsula and Letterkenny, to the Border region of East Donegal and the Gaeltacht area of Gaoth Dobhair, Cloch Cheann Fhaola and Na Rosainn in the west across Sliabh an Earagail, there is much to take note of and view for visitors to Donegal and Ireland this july.

Further details on the Earagail Arts Festival can be found at its main address of Unit B6, Enterprise Fund Business Centre, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland or Tel: +353 (0) 7491 68800, Fax: +353 (0) 7491 68490, Email: marketing@eaf.ie / or at the official website www.eaf.ie

British/European airline, Flybe has announced a new route between Knock Airport and Edinburgh in Scotland. The new route will be operated three times a week starting on 19 April

FlyBe have the route on sale now with fares from UK£29.99 one way (including taxes & charges) at http://flybe.com

The new service provides the only air link between Scotland and Ireland’s West;
Apart from providing easy access to the scenic attractions of the West of Ireland, the nearby village of Knock is also world-renowned for its Marian Shrine that is visited by over 1.5-million pilgrims each year.

Of course the development has also been widely welcomed by those living in the West of Ireland giving easy access to Edinburgh and to holidays in Scotland in general.

More information about Ireland’s Airports: Flights to Ireland

What are the most romantic hotels in Ireland, well it depends on what one defines as romantic. To some people a romantic break is a luxurious modern hotel with all the trappings, to others it has more to do with the hotels location by romantic windswept and wild landscapes. What everyone can agree on is the overall experience of the stay and a feeling of pure extravagance and escapism whilst there. When staying at a hotel on a romantic break a couple should feel like they are on no other place on earth.

Ireland with its many 5 star hotels and beautifully restored Castles and Manors from bygone eras all set in amidst untamed and awe inspiring beautiful scenery is an ideal destination for a romantic break or honeymoon. With its rich history of kings and landed gentry many of its top hotels offer an escape to a world and a time that exists in legend.

We at myguideireland have an indepth knowledge from our years of experience on what creates the essential elements to an ideal romantic getaway. With that in mind we have composed a list of the top 10 most romantic hotels that we recommend when it comes to catering to honeymoons and romantic getaways. All of the hotels below offer the best that Ireland can offer in terms of quality, luxury and escapism in settings that combine old world regal charm with modern living.

Myguideirelands top 10 romantic Hotels

For those to wish to partake in the fairytale setting of a real Irish castle keep and fully experience what life was like in a real unadorned or ubermodernized small country castle in the wilds of Clare Ballyhannon Castle, a 15th century castle completely recreated for visitors could be the ideal setting. A small 9 bedroom castle on 2 acres of land it offers suburb views of the coastline of county Clare with the authentic feel of life in a centuries old country castle, built of old stone with wooden paneling, wooden furniture and a 4 poster beds, bearskin rugs and other castle memorabilia.

romantic candlelit dinners at mount juliet

Mount Juliet Estate in Co. Kilkenny: experience life to the manor born with world class horse riding, fishing and golfing facilities available, all set in a fabulous Georgian manor hotel in 1500 acres of land. Ideal for the couple who enjoy the countryside and the outdoors, this estate also offers top class spa, indoor leisure and dining opportunities.

Adare Manor in the village of Adare in county Limerick, is a 5 star internationally renowned hotel set in an 18th century manor on 840 acres of land. Adare manor has some outstanding mock gothic intricate designs both inside and out and the finishing and design of the building is a visual feast. Combining stunning old architecture and design with the more modern facilities of a top class hotel such as a spa and beauty rooms for indulgent bliss, fine dining options be it top class cosmopolitan or bistro along with traditional Irish entertainment for a lovely romantic atmosphere, Adare Manor is a great option for a high class romantic getaway.

SAMAS experience Park Hotel Kenmare

For the visitor wanting a more modern experience the Park Hotel in Kenmare is one of Ireland’s most exquisite hotels. A more modern and cosmopolitan hotel set in private woodland grounds overlooking Kenmare bay, the Park Hotel offers suburb views, with service and facilities that are second to none. For the visiting couple the unique facilities at the Park Hotel offer a number of interesting options for a romantic evening from fine dining overlooking the magnificent gardens and setting, to a starry-eyed night in watching Hollywood classical movies in the 12 seater Reel Room, to being pampered in ultimate lavishness and relaxation at the exclusive spa experience SAMAS whilst overlooking the vast wooded wilderness of the Hotel grounds.

Cahernane House is a Jacobean Manor House of the Victorian era set on private grounds in Killarney overlooking the famous Killarney National Park offers old world charm and award winning cuisines in amidst some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland, perfect for dining over candlelight dinners whilst taking in the wonderful views.

For a journey over 200 years back in time to 18th and 19th century Georgian Dublin try The Merrion hotel set in the Merrion Square at the centre of Dublin, the elegant Georgian hotel composed of 4 old Georgian buildings which with its elegant Georgian interior and fine restaurant and its pampering spa is an experience in elegant luxury in itself.

Ashford Castle overlooking Lough Corrib in Cong, County Mayo is one of Irelands best kept castles as well as a most luxurious hotel. Combining the centuries old feel of the original castle with the modern features of a top class hotel such as a heath and beauty centre it offers a visiting couple a pure fairytale setting where they can learn the art of falconry, view the vast grounds on horseback, go trout fishing by the lake, partake in leisurely golf at their leisure whilst at night relaxing in an exquisite candlelit dinner.

If relaxing in amidst the wild landscape of Ireland is romantic enough the Ballynahinch castle in the world famous wilderness of the Connemara is a dream. A centuries old castle full of legends, nestled in within 445 acres of woodland estate and overlooking the Ballynahinch river it gives visitors the chance to go back in time and take in the dreamy and untamed settings of the Connemara region in style.

ballynahinchcastle in wilds of Connemara

The ancestrial of the O’Brian clan descendants of Brian Boru and the high kings of Ireland and now the hotel of choice for internationals royalty, presidents and heads of state Dromoland Castle in county Clare is one of the worlds (not just Irelands) top luxury hotels. A hotel setting that time forgot, it offers dining rooms and libraries with a cosy wood fire, romantic candlelit dinners with award winning food all in an estate and setting that allows for some old world country manor activities whilst taking in the scenery.

Lastly Waterford Castle is a 16th century castle and hotel set on an island overlooking Waterford city that combines centuries old décor with all the modern luxuries of a top class hotel effortlessly. Its’ peaceful and beautiful surrounds, scenery and its award winning cuisine made from locally sourced produce make for some romantic dinners and relaxing royal treatment.

So for the best in romantic escapism in hotels of the finest class and opulence from a different time and setting Ireland is the place to visit.

I was delighted to hear another wonderful story of a myguideIreland Guest enjoying their Ireland vacation last week.

However I was even more thrilled when they enquired about our affiliate program and how they could work with myguideIreland to earn a little extra income for themselves from promoting our website.

Our Guest has create a lovely Irish blog about visiting Ireland and I was just delighted to share it with you all.

Anyone else who would like to promote their blogs or learn about our affiliate program – please be sure to contact us at ireland@myguideireland.com

In past blogs we have covered the list of 5 and 4 star hotels in Ireland and now we figure its time to come down to the list of Bord Failte and highlight the 3 star hotels which are available upon booking with myguideireland.

The following 3 star hotels are as follows.

Dublin city and suburbs
Camdon Court Hotel in Dublin 2 in the city centre
Grafton Capital Hotel in Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Mont Clare Hotel in Merrion Square in the city centre
Pembroke Townhouse in the city surburbs
Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin city centre

Meath
Headford Arms in Kells town in Meath

Wicklow
Lawless Hotel in Aughrim in Wicklow

Carlow
Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow countryside

Waterford
Granville Hotel in Waterford city centre

County Cork
Radisson SAS Cork Airport by Cork Airport in the city suburbs
Vienna Woods Hotel in Glanmire in the Cork city suburbs
Actions Hotel in Kinsale town
Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery town
West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen town
Casey’s of Baltimore in Baltimore town
Glengarriff Park Hotel in Glengarriff town
Gougane Barra Hotel in the Gougane Barra countryside

Kerry
Castlerosse Hotel in Killarney countryside
Dingle Benners Hotel in Dingle town
Lansdowne Arms Hotel in Kenmare town
Glencar Hotel in Glencar in Kerry

Limerick
Fitzgeralds Woodlands House in Adare in the towns outskirts
Lakeside Hotel in Killaloe town

Tipperary
Dundrum House Hotel in Dundrum in Cashel town

Clare
Armada Hotel in Milltown Malbay countryside
Bunratty Castle Hotel in Bunratty countryside
Hylands Burren Hotel in Ballyvaughan town
Old Ground Hotel in Ennis town
Park Inn Shannon Airport by Shannon airport

Galway
Ardagh Hotel in the Clifden countryside
Carna Bay Hotel in the Carna countryside
Claregalway Hotel in Claregalway in the city centre
Forster Court in Galway city centre
Arnolds Hotel in Dunfanaghy countryside in Clifton

Mayo
Cill Aodain Kiltimagh in Kitimagh town in Mayo
Clew Bay Hotel in Mayo town centre
Park Hotel Kitimagh in Kitimagh town in Mayo

Sligo
Mackree Castle in Collooney town in Sligo

Leitrim
Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon town

Armagh
Armagh City Hotel in Armagh city centre

Londonderry/ Derry
Brown Trout in Aghadowney, Coleraine
City Hotel Derry in Derry city

Antrim
Bushmills Inn in Bushmills town
Londonderry Arms Hotel in Carnlough Antrim
Ramada Portrush in Portrush town in Antrim

And that is the main list of 3 star hotels available throughout Ireland which offers hospitality at decent value rates.