Alive Alive-O’ in Dublin’s fair city

1916, The Premier League, Margaret Thatcher, World War One are not the stereotypical themes you might expect from the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, but that’s exactly what the 11th programme promises in city centre venues from May 5th to 18th next. With a separate programme each week, themes like the 1980s, Marriage Equality, Oscar Wilde, Jean Genet, Divorce, music and stand-up comedy also pepper this diverse programme of drama, comedy and music, designed to appeal to all ages and straight and gay people alike.

Patrick Scott was an Irish artist, born in Kilbrittain, County Cork, in 1921 who died on the 14th of Februray 2014.He had his first exhibition in 1944. He trained as an architect and did not become a full-time artist until 1960. Unfortunately he died just two days before a major retrospective on his life was due to concurrently open at the Garden Galleries(IMMA)in Dublin and the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art in Carlow. Scott was born in Kilbrittain, Co Cork, in 1921. He went to school at St Columba’s, Rathfarnham and studied architecture at University College Dublin. After graduating, he worked under architect Michael Scott.

Nestling in the heart of the Westmeath countryside the town of Kilbeggan and its world famous whiskey distillery awaits the visitor who likes to partake of the nectar of the gods. Kilbeggan Distillery is the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland, dating back to 1757 and a visit today lets you discover real artisanal Irish whiskey distilling at its finest.

The Irish National Stud is owned by the Irish Government and based in County Kildare just 45 minutes from Dublin, one hour from Waterford and two hours from Cork and Galway. It is a unique attraction of outstanding natural beauty that is home to some of the most magnificent horses and sumptuous gardens to be found anywhere in the world. The original farm was purchased by Colonel William Hall Walker at the turn of the 20th century, but is now owned by the Irish people and is run as a commercial entity. Its management are working hard to maintain its competitiveness in a major global industry in which Ireland has long played a leading role alongside Britain, France, the USA and Australia.

Music, Castles, City of Culture, Rose of Tralee and Waterford Crystal

It takes four and a half hours of driving from Dublin, but well worth every minute as the scenery is spectacular. The first thing that spreads across the horizon is the sheer gargantuan of beauty that is the Magillacuddy Reeks, a mountain range that stretches into the Kerry terrain like a swan stretching out its wings upon a sleepy landscape. Every bend in the road.

Wild, Wonderful and Magical

The city of Limerick has been chosen by the Irish Government to become the country’s first ‘City of Culture’ and it is all happening this year. This ancient walled city which can trace its roots back to the Viking invasion has already begun to show its finest colours in previous months and with an entertainment programme which is designed to reflect its past present and future, there is still lots more yet to come. The programme aims to unlock and reveal Limerick’s cultural potential, to turn the city into a year- long national stage hosting acts, arts and events from the intensely local and community based to international acts which will perform for the first time ever in Ireland.

Whereas Ireland was once known as ‘The Land of Saints and Scholars’ Mayo could rightly be called ‘The County of Pilgrims and the Wonders of Nature.’ This westerly county bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on its western seaboard has unspoilt beauty unlike anywhere else in the country.Mayo is the home of two pilgrim sites with Knock Shrine where The Virgin Mary is reputed to have appeared to fifteen people in 1879. Since that time the shrine at the little church has become a world renowned pilgrimage site. The Ireland West International Airport nearby was opened in 1985 originally to cater for the many hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visiting the shrine every year. Many miracles have been acclaimed at shrine over the years.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s biggest traditional Irish music festival, takes place in Sligo, Ireland, from August 10th to 17th August 2014.

Hop into the car and follow the Wild Atlantic Way touring route to Donegal’s hidden gems of amazing holiday experiences, colourful people and outstanding natural beauty. Nestling as it does on the most north westerly point of the island of Ireland this county is rich in beaches, glens and mountains not to mention a people whose friendliness and Cead mile Failte (one hundred thousand welcomes) is legendary. Here are some of the outstanding attractions that make this county unique.

County Monaghan lies one and a half hours from Dublin and is one of Ireland’s best kept secrets!