Ireland - The Emerald Isle

It’s spring! St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and, once again, our hearts are turning to all things green. The wearing of the green, the three-leaf clover, the drinking of green beverages and the greenest of the green—Ireland--the emerald Isle and a true gem of a destination.

St. Patrick’s Day

Wherever you may be on March 17th, we want to wish you a happy St. Patrick’s Day, the festival celebrating Irish culture. St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish populace.  On this day we celebrate with the “wearing of the green”.  So, adorn yourself in “green”, think Irish thoughts and just think… in 6 ½ hours from New York you could be in Dublin.

Kinbane Castle

Small In Size But Big In Hospitality

Ireland, a special little island in the north Atlantic, is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea and St. George’s Channel.  Just about 300 miles long and 170 miles wide Ireland may be small in size, but it is big in hospitality. 

Friendly locals and lively pubs meet breathtaking landscapes and a dramatic coastline to create an unforgettable destination you’ll want to return to time and time again. Here you can learn to pour the perfect pint at the Guinness Storehouse in the vibrant capital city of Dublin, kiss the famous stone at Blarney Castle, discover hidden treasures along the Wild Atlantic Way or play a round of golf on some of the finest links courses in the world.

The Old Head Golf Links is one of the most remarkable developments ever conceived in the history of golf; an Atlantic promontory that will never be rivalled in terms of drama and beauty. It rises hundreds of feet high above dramatic cliffs, surrounded by the ocean on all sides and commanding the most spectacular views from virtually every part.

Food In Ireland

Ireland’s food traditions are undergoing an exciting revival right now, and many restaurants are adding traditional flavors to their menus. Combining high-quality local ingredients with the latest techniques, the result is dishes that taste fresh, modern, and delicious while still staying true to their heritage.

Irish Stew is an enduring favorite thanks to its hearty rustic combination of lamb, potatoes and carrots and Gleeson’s of Roscommon is reputed to serve one of the best.

The Wild Atlantic Way

All along the Wild Atlantic Way you’ll find that smoked fish platters combine the best of the sea and bring a contemporary edge to one of Ireland’s oldest food traditions.

Then there’s black pudding from Clonakilty, freshly baked soda bread, and great potato pancakes called boxty. And you definitely don’t want to miss an Irish cooked breakfast.

Ireland excels at producing local artisan cheese – all with different styles and a distinctive creamy taste. Look for Milleens, Kearney Blue, Cashel Blue and the first smoked brie in Europe, Ballyoak from Fivemiletown Creamery. Also, you don’t want to miss the award winning AJ apple juice, made from freshly pressed Armagh apples – simply delicious.

Did You Know

• It takes 40 pounds of green dye to turn the Chicago River green on St. Patrick's Day.

• The Shamrock isn’t just any old piece of clover: it’s three-leafed.  Tradition holds that Saint Patrick used the trefoil to teach the Trinity. He’d have no luck with the four-leaf clover on your leprechaun hat.

• IT'S PADDY NOT PATTY! Paddy is derived from the Irish, Pádraig: the source of those mysterious, emerald double-Ds. Patty is the diminutive of Patricia, or a burger, and just not something you call a fella.

OK, we’re getting overrun with leprechauns here wanting to grant us three wishes and we all know how that’s gonna work out. So, we conclude by wishing everyone happy vacation days and remember that “It’s Actually Easy to be Green”.

Give us a call and we’ll show you the way.

(561) 395-6670

800.248.8404 ~ www.reidtravel.com ~ mail@reidtravel.com