All Things Irish this Month at Travel Squire!

Direct Flights from Charlotte to Dublin by Roselyn Sebastian
All Roads Lead to Ireland Direct Flights from Charlotte to Dublin Are you living or working in North Carolina’s largest city and thinking of visiting the Emerald Isle? The Squire’s got some great news. Your days of trying to make time-consuming connections from Charlotte enroute to Dublin are over. US Airways is continuing to prove their smarts by expanding on their existing direct service to Dublin from Philadelphia by adding service out of Charlotte. Beginning May 7, the Charlotte to Dublin non-stop service will be in effect for the duration of the summer. Every day Flight #724 will depart from…
Seven Days, Seven Ways by Lauren Reilly
The Irish Countryside at Your Leisure Dublin has made a name for itself as a hot spot, with hip nightlife and new restaurants, but many of us still wonder about Ireland beyond the city limits. After catching the buzz of city life and spending big, a road-trip through the countryside is an ideal getaway for budget minded travelers in search of getting on par with the locals. Plus, all that gorgeous scenery you missed on your first trip to Ireland will be right in front of you. The Squire’s got a deal for March that’s hard to pass up. With…
Awe-inspiring photos by noted Irish photographer Niall Fennessy. by Niall Fennessy
Awe-inspiring photos by noted Irish photographer Niall Fennessy. This photo essay shows all of what Ireland has to offer from breathtaking landscapes and castle ruins to Dublin’s dramatic cityscape. Get a glimpse of rolling hills, lakes and rivers, Aran Islands’ ponies, and sheep roaming in lush countryside. The endless skies and cloud covered vistas show how expansive Mother Nature can be in such a spectacular setting. In this impressive photo essay, the jaw dropping power of Ireland’s natural wonders is shown both in lucid color and striking black and white. Midmonth we will post a second photo essay on Northern…
Ireland Starter Kit by Thom Meintel
You’ve read just a wee bit of the Squire’s coverage of the fabulous country of Ireland and now you’ve got the bug. You’ve heard of the luck of the Irish, haven’t ya? Well, you don’t need to be Irish to give in to the temptation. Get going, man! The history and culture of Dublin (along with all the wonderful food and nightlife) is yours to sample and without digging too deep in your pockets either. Why it’s an electric city with something for everyone so have a look here at the package that Dooley Vacations is offering. From now through…
Ireland Firsts by Thom Meintel
Pre-Clearance at Dublin Airport We know … it’s hard to say good-bye to a vacation that’s given you everything your heart desired. After getting through Dublin security at T2 and easing the pain with a look around duty free, reality sets in. You’re actually leaving Ireland. Guess what? You actually do have something to look forward to and we don’t mean your next trip back. Now, travelers headed back to the U.S. from Dublin can enjoy the new and improved facilities in T2 by clearing both passport control and customs & excise prior to boarding their flight. The border pre-clearance…
Destination Ireland Spa by Anya Clowers
Life is busy. With smart phones, laptops and iPads – quiet moments are rare. It’s common to feel stress all around us and hear people complaining about lack of time not to mention a to-do list that’s too long.When we finally do take “time off”, the stressful flight process, busy itinerary and constant need to communicate with work or friends can fatigue our already taxed bodies and minds. It’s time to “reboot”. Like a computer bogged down and running slow, our minds and bodies can always use a good virus scan and restart. Imagine the clarity and efficiency of operating…
Belfast, Northern Ireland by Mike Fleming and Jaime Steele
City of Hidden Giants By Mike Flemming and Jaime Steele of Belfast Creative Agency Say Belfast to most people English speaking or not, and perhaps an image of war-torn strife springs to mind. But say it to anyone who’s been to the city in the past few years and they’ll paint you a different picture, one of a cool vibe, friendly folk and plenty to see and do. Not to mention some of the world’s most stunning scenery just an hour’s drive in any direction. Far from being the angry old man of yesteryear, Belfast today is a craggy-faced hipster,…
Foxford, Ireland by Thom Meintel, Waldy Acosta
Shop In Ireland as if You Were There Trying to stay warm this winter? Here in the Big Apple we’ve been hunkering down for months but if that’s not the case for you, then the Squire is green with envy. And speaking of green and staying warm, we think we’re on to something. From the greener than green shores of Ireland and the heart of the Irish countryside, we think we may have found gold and we don’t mean a lucky charm either. Hint – it’s snuggly. But leave it to the internet to have made our quest easier. Enter…
County Galway, Ireland by Jill Fergus
Galway and the Aran Islands Several years ago I had one of the best vacations of my life when I traveled around the West of Ireland, particularly in counties Galway and Mayo, taking in its dramatic scenery and catching up with family—my father was born in Mayo and I still have cousins there. Perhaps the most memorable day was the one I spent at the Galway Races, the annual one-week horseracing event that takes place in late July and is basically a big party with festivities going on all over Galway, one of Ireland’s most picturesque and lively cities. While…
Bushmills, Northern Ireland by Karen Tina Harrison
Ireland’s Pot o’ Gold - Bushmills Irish Whiskey To experience the spectacular northeast corner of the Emerald Isle is to be enthralled with Gaelic passion. The nation of Northern Ireland is expecting you and you should come expecting the max. You’ll be charmed by County Antrim’s bucolic village of Bushmills and riveted by its two world renowned marvels. The first is the natural wonder known as Giant’s Causeway, 40,000 hexagon shaped volcanic stone pillars that form a totally outer space valley of rock. The second is the national wonder known as Bushmiils Irish Whiskey, six different, delectable whiskey blends and…
Mayo & The Midlands,Ireland by Anne Craig
The Best of the West Most visitors to Ireland follow the path of their travel agents and see some of the most incredible sights imaginable - The Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, the wonderful town of Killarney. They’ll even take a jaunting car ride (pony and cart) into the Gap of Dunloe and love every minute of it. My husband and I did just that and so much more on our first trip to the “land of saints and scholars." This time it would be different as we wanted to spend time with the Irish people so we decided…
Tracing Irish Ancestry by Anne Craig
Let’s face it, every March 17 we all want to be Irish. My husband and I argue over who’s more Irish. He tells me my maiden name is pure Scottish but I know from family stories that my Grandfather was Irish. My mother was a McCormick and knew every Irish ditty, was full of Irish folklore and superstitions and had an Irish saying for everything that happened in life. My husband’s mother was Irish with the surnames Hagan and McAleer but his father was German so my husband could only claim to be half Irish on his mother’s side. Not…
County Westmeath, Ireland by Anne Craig
The Glasson Hotel and Golf Resort Only ninety minutes by car from Dublin lies a part of Ireland that some call “hidden Ireland”, the Midlands. As the name implies, it’s the center of Ireland, so expect to see a thousand shades of green and feel a real peacefulness that’s hard to find in the touristy spots. You definitely won’t see the usual souvenir shops and will experience what I felt was the “real Ireland.” The village of Glasson in County Westmeath is known as the “village of the roses” and there were roses everywhere when we arrived even though…
Dingle Peninsula, Ireland by Billie Frank
Trad Music on the Dingle Peninsula There’s something in traditional Irish music that speaks to the soul. Whether it’s a jig, a reel or a haunting fiddle tune, it calls to you. It made sense for it to speak to my husband; his great-great-grandfather arrived from Cork during the famine. I’ve always yearned for the Ireland experience and I don’t have an Irish bone in my body. The minute I arrived there though, I felt I’d come home. No Ireland trip would be complete without going to a pub to hear the local musicians. One of the reasons we chose…
Dublin, Ireland by Katy Ball
{niftybox background=#014c85, width=600} A Legendary day in Dublin: Celtic Legends itinerary Excerpted from the DK Eyewitness Dublin guidebook A trip to Dublin, with its vibrant, historic city centre and the dramatic landscapes of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains in close proximity, appeals to both urbanites and wilderness lovers. What makes the Irish capital unique is its culture- a lively mix of traditional Gaelic games, music and dance and the refined pleasures of art, literature and drama, not to mention a fascinating history. This itinerary is intended to give you a taste of what Dublin has to offer along Celtic…
A Day in Dublin, Ireland by Anne Craig
A Legendary day in Dublin: Celtic Legends itinerary Excerpted from the DK Eyewitness Dublin guidebook A trip to Dublin, with its vibrant, historic city centre and the dramatic landscapes of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains in close proximity, appeals to both urbanites and wilderness lovers. What makes the Irish capital unique is its culture- a lively mix of traditional Gaelic games, music and dance and the refined pleasures of art, literature and drama, not to mention a fascinating history. This itinerary is intended to give you a taste of what Dublin has to offer along Celtic lines, and to…
Gay, Proud & Irish by Thom Meintel
We’ve heard the story one too many times about how your dear old mum made you sing Mother Machree every year at the St. Patrick’s Day recital. Imagine your poor brothers and sisters having to listen to you trying to hit those high notes at the end ... “and God bless you and keep you, Mother Machree eeeeeee, ow!!” Frankly we’ve had enough of your madness, but can you blame her, man? She was just trying to make you connect with your roots and that she did, eh? But what a thought, now, why haven’t you connected with them in…
5 Stars Over Dublin by Thom Meintel
The Merrion Hotel Are you keen on luxury with a capital “L” and looking to sink deep into its clutches while you’re in the fair city of Dublin? Here, at TravelSquire we don’t blame you. There’s nothing quite like gracious Irish living and The Merrion offers exactly that (and more) to all its guests. Step into the world of Dublin’s most sumptious 5 star retreat, the epitome of relaxed grandeur, and just a short walk from the “golden mile” of lively pubs, shops and restaurants dotting St. Stephens Green. With exquisite services and one of the best restaurants in Dublin…
Ireland's Country Houses by Kristen Caggiano
After reading the Squire’s Inside Scoop on the Irish Castle Hotels tours, I admit I became taken with all things “castle” in Ireland. I might go so far as to say that I morphed into a bit of a Castle Queen, but please don’t dare try to compare me to Ms. Bonham Carter, an outlandish character in a fantasy book. True, I did begin to obsess over which estates could take me away to my own fantasy space and after a quick glance at Wiki, I was shocked to find that Ireland was home to hundreds of castles, over fifty…
Ireland Sampler Tour by Lauren Reilly
4 Ways to Spend the Night Planning a trip to Ireland this spring, but can’t decide where you’d prefer to stay in terms of accommodations? With decisions to be made between modern hotels and medieval castles, why not try a bit of everything? The King and Kinsmen Package from European Destinations begins at $1139 per person and offers four different overnight experiences during an 8 day, self-drive trip. Travel to Dublin, Galway, Killarney, and Limerick and alternate between nightly stays in a hotel, an 11th century castle, a farmhouse and a bed and breakfast. This time around you can have…

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