Castle Leslie accommodation

• 20 unique bedrooms, each in a different character.
• a choice of elegant rooms to relax and socialize in: private cinema, billiard, the Gallery or drawing room with its own grand piano.

Activities

• Equestrian Centre on its own 1,000 acres of private estate
• Cookery School
• Magnificent fishing
  
• Victorian Spa complete with Victorian steamboxes

Festival of World Cultures, Dublin

Today is the first day of the 2-day DLR Festival of World Cultures in Dublin.

Festival of World Cultures

The festival is an annual event full of colorful stages with performers from all over the world. There are always many interesting performances, both free and available for a small fee, and every day there is a lot more going on – you can learn more by attending a storytelling session or pick up some unusual art like African hair braiding or drum making or some form of dance.

Particularly popular are fairs and markets set up for the duration of the festival – a great chance to explore the art and food from many countries.

DLR Festival of World Cultures programme

There’s an extensive section of the official festival website,  which is probably the best way to learn more about the festival’s events: DLR Festival of World Cultures Programme 2009.

In addition to it, there’s a downloadable PDF of the festival pocket guide (I’m sure you can also get one once you arrive to the festival). A special events newspaper, Festival Times, is also available for both download (PDF here) and pick up at the location.

If you’re in Dublin this weekend – this is the place to be! And if you’re not – stay tuned for photos!

Russian Dolls by Gabriela Kiss

It’s been a wonderful sunny day in Dublin, and we had spent it enjoying a great arts event at Kilruddery House and Gardens – The Enchanted Garden.

The Enchanted Garden 2009

The Enchanted Garden is a Kilruddery Arts two-day event curated by Fionnuala Aston-Ardee and Rosie Lynch, taking place on the weekend of June 27th and 28th 2009.

This arts event celebrates creative play and attracts visitors of all ages for the second year in a row. Family oriented, The Enchanted Garden event hosts interactive installations and artist led workshops on the grounds of Kilruddery Gardens.

Food (it was BBQ today) and  drinks (natural juices and tea/coffee)  are available at the new Garden Cafe, and  picnics are also welcome.

Artists at The Enchanted Garden 2009

The following artists have provided installations for this year’s event:

• Bernardine Carroll
• Sinead Conlon
• Roisin Coyle
• “Culturstruction” (Jo Anne Butler, Tara Kennedy)
• Fiona Hallinan
• George Higgs
• Gabriella Kiss
• Ruth Lyons
• Jennie Moran
• Nina Tanis
• Kate Warner
• Jana Zitzmann

The series of interactive installations and participatory activities includes a family of life size Russian dolls, by Hungarian artist Gabriella Kiss; a musical tree by composer George Higgs; and a miniature child’s size version of Killruddery House, designed by visual art/architecture duo “Culturstruction”.

Tickets and opening times for The Enchanted Garden event

Tickets are sold on entrance. You can either get €7 individual one or get a family pass (2 adults and 3 children) for €25.

Opening Time: 12.30 – 5.00 pm

See also:

• Kilruddery House and Gardens
• The Enchanted Garden – Flyer (PDF)

Oxegen'09

See also:

• Oxegen 2009
• Official website for Oxegen’09

Oxegen Festival 2009

Just two weeks from now, Ireland will host the most exciting rock & roll weekend in Europe – Oxegen 2009!

Oxegen music festival

Oxegen is a top class music festival, held every summer in Puncherstown (Naas, County Kildare) since 2004. Although a very young event compared to some other festivals, Oxegen is already one of the most popular and eagerly awaited performance for rock fans all over Europe.

Oxegen 2009 festival will take place during the weekend of July 10th through July 12th.

Oxegen camping

Oxegen‘s campsites willl open at 12 noon on Thursday 9th July 2009 to providing various camping facilities to all the fans until the end of the festival. Camping areas will stay open 24 hours every day until 6pm on Monday 13th July.

Campsites correspond to different car parks, so if you plan on camping it probably makes sense to stay in a campsite closer to your car park. The car park pass does not guarantee the camping site preference though, so be sure to arrive early or you will be placed to the camping site available at the time of your arrival, and not necessarily the one closest to your car park.

Oxegen 2009 line up

This year will see some of the greatest bands play at Oxegen, here are just some of the names:

• Blur
• Snow Patrol
• Kings of Leon
• Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
• Nine Inch Nails
• Lily Allen
• Katy Perry
  and MANY, MANY more – please click here to look at the current Oxegen 2009 line up.

See also:

• Oxegen 2009 – official website
• Oxegen 2009 line up

Dublinia and The Viking World

Dublinia & The Viking World is a heritage centre located in central Dublin, adjacent to the Christ Church Cathedral. Housed in The Synod Hall, this exhibition had been one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Ireland since its opening in 1993. In 2005 the heritage centre saw an addition of The Viking World exhibition, and in 2009 there are plans to renovate both Dublinia exhibitions and expand the centre with another, archaeology based exhibition.

Dublinia

The first of two exhibitions, Dublinia is an interactive world which captures almost 400 years of Dublin’s history – from the Strongbow and his knights in 1170 up to the burning of the monasteries under Henvy VIII in 1540.

Full-scale medieval street and a merchant’s house are the highlights of the exhibition, along with a complete scale model of the medieval town.

The Viking World exhibition

The Viking World explores the Viking era and depicts how vikings first arrived and settled in Ireland.

Many cities of Ireland – Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Cork and Wexford – were once major trading posts for the early settlers. Thanks to the audio and visual presentation, the Viking World allows you to fully immerse in the imagery and every day life of the early vikings in Ireland.

Dublinia & The Viking World attract tends of thousands of visitors every year, and thanks to the central location of the exhibitions it’s very hard to miss it if you’re staying in Dublin.

The gift shop at Dublinia stocks a wide range of thematic gifts and souvenirs inspired by medieval period.

See also:

• Dublinia – official website
• Heritage Centres in Ireland

The Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort is a luxury five star hotel located in the Village of Adare, County Limerick, Ireland. The Hotel complex includes the Adare Golf Club, an equestrian centre and a large area of parkland. The Manor was voted Ireland’s Leading Hotel in the 2006 World Travel Award. Adare Manor is home to the Irish Open for 2007, 2008 and 2009.

If you’re looking for a great holiday break in one of the most luxurious destinations in Europe, Adare Manor can well be the one!

Adare Manor 21st birthday special

2009 sees Adare Manor celebrating its 21st birthday, and to mark this occasion the castle hotel offers you a great way to join the celebration: book two of consecutive nights in Adare Manor and you will get a third night absolutely free. The total package price is only €550.00 FOR THREE NIGHTS (based on two people sharing). You can book your Adare Manor stay here.

Main attractions

• The Cliffs of Moher
• Ailwee Cave
• Bunratty Castle
• Desmond Castle

See also:

• Adare Manor at Castle Hotel Ireland
• Adare Manor photos
• Official website: Adare Manor Hotel

Ashford Castle brochures: Ashford Castle brochures.

Getting there

• Shannon Airport to Ashford Castle
• Galway Airport to Ashford Castle

Activities

• Fishing
• Ashford Castle Falconry
• Golf
• Archery
• Clay shooting
• Lake cruising
• Main attractions

Powerscourt Waterfall

Powerscourt Waterfall is the highest waterfall in Ireland. Located near Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, it is one of the most thrilling natural attractions found in Ireland today.

The waterfall itself is 130m (425ft) high and is quite magnificent when the weather is right.

Powerscourt Waterfall had been attracting visitors for the past few hundred years, and still stays one of the most popular destinations for anyone visiting Dublin.

A beautiful Dargle Valley surrounding the waterfall is great for walking with plenty of picturesque views and a nature trails, while the base area of the waterfall  is a much loved place for BBQ.

Thanks to the kid’s playground area and refreshments kiosk, Powerscourt Waterfall is a great way for the whole family to enjoy a day out.