ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL

St. Patrick is one of the best known people in Ireland. There's a lot of churches and cathedrals dedicated to him. Also in Dublin and that's the one we wanted to visit - St. Patrick's Cathedral.

I came with my friend Tomaz. We waited for one more friend from Extreme Ireland, Dewald. When we entered the Cathedral we were nicely accepted by our guide Shaun. He's very friendly and very educated and informed about the Cathedral. Of course he told us about the history of cathedral first and then he took us around. He explained the history of each interesting artefact and it's history behind. We could see that he really enjoys in his work. He was explaining with such an enthusiasm that was fun to listening him. One of the funniest stories was about Jonathan Swift who was a dean in this cathedral. He wrote a book "A sermon upon sleeping in Church" and you can imagine to whom was it dedicated to.

He also showed us his grave and after that were accepted by the person who took us to the cathedral tower. We felt really important because lots of people don't have a chance to go there. We were walking in narrow corridors where Jonathan Swift used to walk. We saw all the places under the roof and finally also the tower, from where you have a great view to all the city.

I would like to thank Shaun for a great guiding. St. Patrick's Cathedral is one you have to visit.

Andrej

CORK AND BLARNEY

Our journey to Cork started at 6:50 when we met on the cosy bus. Our driver Joey amused us all the time with Irish songs, stories and different comments. Maybe a leprechaun was tickling him all the time?

After a short coffee break we stopped at The Rock of Cashel where we had 40 minutes to discover it. It is really breathtaking building, where you can see St. Patrick's cross, Hall of Vicars, Cormac’s chapel, Celtic Cathedral and the round tower.

At 12:30 we came to Blarney castle which is surrounded with beautiful gardens. Castle is very big and it gives you good opportunity to discover it. It has many rooms and of course famous stone. I kissed it and received Gift of the Gab. I also didn't forget about the caves under it. After 1hour and 40 minutes we went to Cork.

In Cork we spent an hour and a half. I visited The English Market where I bought something to eat and went to Saint Finbar's Gothic Cathedral. I decided to enter although I don't like to pay entrance fee for churches. I wanted to visit also St. Anne's Church but I didn't have time anymore. I'll visit it next time. It's good to leave a reason to come back again.

                                     

It was 7pm and we came back in Dublin - right on time. I'll remember this day for the castles and singing Joey :)  www.irishdaytours.ie

BELFAST

At 8am, not so early in the morning, we met on the bus for Belfast. Around two hours later we came in Belfast where we stopped to see "The Peace Wall". We made some nice pictures of graffiti where each tells its own story. Of course we had to sign our own name on it as well. Then we continued our way to the Republican Museum. After all the stories we heard on the way to Belfast this was the strongest one, because we could also see prison artefacts and prisoner’s handy craft.

We went to visit Harland and Wolf shipyard where is also the museum dedicated to famous Titanic. Then we had an hour and a half to visit city centre, City Hall and Belfast Christmas Market where we could see and buy various things.

Our next stop was Downpatrick where we visited St. Patrick's grave, Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick Centre where we saw a short film about his life. We stopped also in Dundrum, where an amazing Norman Castle from 13th century is located. We climbed on its tower and enjoyed the really great view.

Last stop was at The Mourne Mountains where our guide showed us gravity hill, which is a very perplexing thing to see.

Tired from a long and interesting day we came back at 7pm, where we all went our own direction.

www.irishdaytours.ie

GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

This tour started already at 6:30 am, so we all came still quite sleepy. Our driver introduced himself and told us the itinerary for the day. After a long drive we came in Northern-  Ireland, where we had our first coffee break.

 Next stop was at Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which was unfortunately closed because of too strong wind. We decided to go to take a look at it anyway and we didn’t regret it. The bridge is magnificent. I still wanted to go over it, even though the wind was too strong!

Then we finally arrived to Giant’s Causeway, where I spent all the time we had to take pictures. I know that nature is amazing, but it still amazes me.

On the way to Belfast we had a quick stop at Dunluce Castle for pictures. When we arrived we had an hour to explore Belfast city. Most of us visited Belfast Christmas Market and tried out some goodies.

After two hours of driving we came back in Dublin at 7:45 pm. A trip was amazing, even though it was a long day with strong wind. I would say this is one of the “must see” tours.

CELTIC TOUR BLOG: Hill of Tara, Trim Castle, Loughcrew tombs, Drogheda

After a nice chilly bike ride from Clontarf we arrived at St. Andrews church a bit before 8 am. Our tour guide Jim welcomed us and shortly there-after we departed from Dublin for our first stop at the Hill of Tara, where the Irish High Kings have had their ritual gatherings. Just next to the place one can see a tree with decorations which point out a still living superstition among the Irish people, called a fairy tree.

At Trim Castle we got to know that cleaning your masters ass after… wasn’t hardest job in medieval times. Our tour guide at the castle welcomed us in the full metal jacket of a medieval soldier!  Only his chain mail weighs 22 kg already!

From the site of the ancient passage tombs of Loughcrew we have enjoyed a beautiful view on abandoned potato fields which lied on neighbouring hills.

On the way to Drogheda we stopped at Slane Castle for a picture. Within the castle there is a place where since the early 80’s famous rock concerts are being held. 

Our last stop was Drogheda where we got to know more about Oliver Plunkett and the infamous Crommwell’s Irish campaign of 1649.

It was a short day out, but full of historical sites. 

Cork-Blarney-Cashel Tour

This past weekend I went on a tour with Extreme Ireland to Cork, Blarney & Cashel. Instead of going during the week like I will be in the upcoming months, I took this trip with my group. Usually we go in the order that the title states but because of a cruise ship coming in, we switched things up a bit to have less traffic.

First, we went to Blarney Castle to enjoy the view and kiss the Blarney Stone. In Ireland, it is rumoured that if you kiss the Blarney Stone you will be given the gift of gab! Anyone who knows me is already certain I have the gift, but it couldn’t hurt to try, right? Besides, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that I wouldn’t pass up! We got to wander through the castle and up the very small staircase to get to the stone, so we made sure to make use of the time by taking lots of pictures of the surrounding landscape. After finally kissing the stone and getting my picture taken, we exited the building and went to the gardens to see all of the pretty flowers. In this garden, they also had several dangerous plants, but we were careful to stay away. All in all, we stayed at Blarney Castle for about two hours and it was a wonderful experience 

                

Next up was Cork! We stayed there for a couple hours and had lunch at the lovely English Market. For those of you who are not familiar with the English Market, it is a lovely airy market. There are several stalls throughout the old building with different delicacies and wonderful foods. At the top, there is a little cafe, which is where we had lunch. Even though the food was quite simple, it was absolutely divine and refuelled us for the next leg of our journey.

Our last stop of the day included a visit to the Rock of Cashel, or St. Patrick’s Rock. It is said that St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave and the rock landed in Cashel. The cathedral, chapel, and high crosses there were absolutely lovely and we enjoyed the short time we were there. The weather was not as agreeable though so we were glad to be on our way home and back to the city centre. We had a wonderful day with Extreme Ireland and absolutely loved our driver!

         

Belfast Tour

This past Thursday I visited Belfast with Extreme Ireland. That’s right. Instead of going to our office, which by the way is next to the Guinness Storehouse, I got to go on one of our trips through Ireland. I get to take pictures and wander around these wonderful places we visit and I get to call it work.

First we travelled to Belfast City and drove through some of the city to see The Peace Wall, which shows the famous murals, and learn more about the history and rift between the two sides. We also went to the Republican Museum and learned about the struggles and people involved throughout Belfast’s history. After, we drove through the city and saw the birth of The Titanic, the “unsinkable” ship, which is located in the Belfast dockyards, had lunch in the city, and had some time to meander through the pretty streets. It was an interesting city and I loved learning more it.

      

                         

Next we visited Downpatrick, which is the burial grounds of St. Patrick. In the old days, people used to take a handful of dirt from his grave when they were moving to America because they thought it would bring them luck. But after a while, so much of what covered him disappeared, they had to put a rock on top and add a tombstone. We also went to the Downpatrick Visitors’ Centre, which is the only visitors centre that is open year-round.

                         

After leaving Downpatrick, we travelled along the Mourn Mountains and visited the beautiful Dundrum Castle. The views were gorgeous and it was surreal to imagine how the people used to live back then. I’m not sure I could handle it! We had wonderful weather when travelling to several of the places on our tour and  it was tons of fun to learn about the history of each special place we visited. I would definitely go back!

                      

                         

Off to Namibia

Off to Namibia

Well, although I hate saying goodbye to my family and Ireland, I have to admit been a little excited about travelling to Namibia for the World Adventure Summit tomorrow. It’ll be my first time in Namibia and by all accounts, it looks like an amazing country. Representing first and foremost Ireland, My agenda is to try and get our country on the world map for what adventurous things and people we have to offer! Meeting with some of the world’s most successful adventure companies and tourist boards, this can only lead to great things.

Dublin is more …

Dublin is more than a city-It is the heart of Ireland-It has made me who I am today and only judged me a few times….

My 10 favourite things to do in Dublin on a Saturday afternoon:

-Walk through the bushes to get to the top of Three Rock Mountain from Lamb Doyles Pub and drink a tea sitting on Fairy Castle

-Go for a swim in Forty Foot hoping I don’t bump into an old naked man

-Have the best toasted sandwich in Dublin in The Palace Bar

-Read the new articles on the toilet wall in Ryan’s pub

-Climb on the granite walls of Dalkey Quarry

-Go to the market in Dublin Industrial Estate and get my fresh fish

-Kayak down the canal from Clondalkin and see a much quieter part of the city

-Read a newspaper in the Queen of Tarts

-Meeting up with friends in the foggy dew, reminiscing about pubs like Charlies Rock Bar or Fibbers

-Getting my hair cut by John, the barber on Bride Street.

World Adventure Summit 2014 to be held in Ireland

Why did Ireland get awarded the adventure summit in 2014? Our people, our scenery, our adventurous spirit, our entrepreneurial spirit and relentless pursuit in bettering ourselves. This is an amazing achievement for Ireland, there is no selling ourselves short here. A lot of hard work, much of it unseen has resulted in Ireland been awarded the adventure summit in 2014. Over 650 of the world’s top adventure businesses and decision makers will arrive and get to experience Ireland and what we have to offer. We will see the benefits of this for years to come. We need to get ready and come together and show these people how good Ireland really is.

Kaizen Adventures

This is our new venture-A full international adventure travel website to cater for all adventurers from all over the world. Kaizen is our philosophy for our travel!

Keem Strand Achill Island

One of the nicest beaches in Ireland

Northern Lights Adventure February 2014

Husky Sledding to our wild camp with the wilderness surrounding us. This place is like no other on Mother Earth. We are arranging our 5th international tour to the Arctic Circle in 2014. Contact me for more details!

The slow life on a midland lake

This is what I get up to when I need a little r&r…the slow boat on a midland lake…sure why not

Stone Circle-Belmullet

I stumbled upon this a few weeks ago on a little road trip to the west of Ireland..I was very impressed but wasn’t entirely sure if this was an original stone circle or one of the ones built in the last few years and pretends to be thousand of years old of which I am sure there are lots around the country…Saying that, does it really matter? The views from here over Achill Island were outstanding. This is the far end of the Belmullet peninsula by the way

Supping in Sligo-New Adventure tour for Ireland in 2014-The Wild Atlantic Way

Supping with the great Longer Vacations on Lough Gill and the Lake isle of Inishfree

Extreme in Suits!

This is what we look like when not in climbing gear or driving trousers…Bit like reservoir dogs…..

Lough Ine Night Kayaking

Great weekend with Jim Kennedy from Atlantic Sea Kayaking taking us out on a night kayak. Contact him through http://www.atlanticseakayaking.com/
Tell him I sent you and he may give you a discount:-)

Abseil with Minister Varadkar off the Marker Hotel Sunday 8th September

Launch of Ireland’s successful award of the 2014 ATTA Adventure Summit

Devinish Island

A private tour group to Devinish Island-Wonderful hidden island on Lough Erne