Over 
the past two years, we’ve visited most of the distinct regions of Ireland. Our most significant omission was part of the south-west region of Ireland, mostly County Cork. This weekend, we rectified that exception. (more…)
30 March 2009
Out and About: The Rebel County
24 March 2009
Last Dark Grill of the Year
In 2007, the United States extended daylight savings time by three weeks. Europe did not. We will change our clocks this coming weekend.
So tonight should be the last night that I must grill in the dark. (more…)
22 March 2009
Ireland win Grand Slam in Six Nations
The year was 1948 when Ireland last won the Grand Slam of the Six Nations Championship. At this time yesterday, the frustrating era of not fulfilling Ireland’s hopes was almost as long as the Chicago Cubs’s absence from the World Series (i.e. baseball’s Two-Nations championship).
Yesterday, we were privileged to witness Ireland’s moment of rugby glory in our local pub, which was full of Irish fans who lived and died with every change of possession. (more…)
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16 March 2009
St Patrick’s Anticipation
Tomorrow is March 17th, 2009 — Saint Patrick’s Day! It’s a national holiday for the Republic of Ireland, and the city centres of Dublin and most other towns will be devoted to massive parades.
On last year’s Saint Patrick’s Day, we watched part of the parade. We were meant to fly to Venice that evening, so we could not spend the whole day in Dublin. It was a cold day that threatened rain, but the crowds along Dame Street were enormous nonetheless. (more…)
9 March 2009
Dental Disaster
As some of you know, my teeth are not my strongest feature. I’ve been working with our wonderful dentist, Dr. Z, for nearly 20 years. I have had tons of work done – basically the entire menu of dental services. Root canals, various abscesses, braces, multiple crowns…. I was pretty sure that I had managed to have every dental procedure possible, except dentures.
That is, until Saturday….. (more…)
4 March 2009
Windscreen Frost: a demonstration
More than a month ago, Anita wrote about the shocking revelation that mere water would remove frost from her windscreen.
At least one person expressed skepticism, and we understand the incredulity that might come from the northern latitudes of other continents. So, today, we offer you a video demonstration of this distinctive method. (more…)
2 March 2009
In the papers: Major Irish political parties stumbling
The falling popularity of two major political parties in Ireland would be no surprise to anyone who regularly reads the Irish daily newspapers. A recent poll covered by the Irish Independent gives the gist of the situation nicely, so I’ll link to four of the relevant articles here — along with some key quotes for those who want the shorter story.
First, a tiny bit of background information. (more…)
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24 February 2009
Pancake Tuesday!
Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Malasada Day, or Pączki Day — whatever you call it, today is the last day before Lent begins. In Ireland, it is Pancake Tuesday!
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20 February 2009
Wexford coast: first the Bakkers, now peril from the seas
Last weekend, Anita and I drove through one of the few regions of Ireland we had not yet visited: the Sunny Southeast. In February, County Wexford is not so sunny, but it was a worthwhile trip nonetheless. Naturally, we posted a photoset of our trip for you.
I rushed this set of photos to the blog because some of the places we visited are under threat from a large oil slick in the Irish Sea. (more…)
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16 February 2009
First Signs of Spring in Dublin
Sunday was gorgeous: warm and partly sunny. Today was almost as nice. It feels like spring!
In some places, robins are a sign of spring. In others, the heavens are the guide.
Here in Dublin, we know it’s spring when the flocks of tour buses take to the streets. (more…)
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