Do you ever hang an Irish calendar on your wall? If so, then this is the giveaway for you.
The holidays are just around the corner, so it's time for our annual Irish calendar giveaway for 2023.
Images of Doneraile Park in County Cork feature in this gorgeous wall calendar by Maureen O'Hanlon. Each month features a spectacular photograph, highlighting the magnificent scenery and wildlife of Doneraile Park.
Maureen O'Hanlon, a photographer from Doneraile, captures heartwarming images of this beautiful park in County Cork throughout the year.
Table of Contents
The Beauty of County Cork
Maureen lives in the village of Doneraile in County Cork. This village is home to a magnificent wildlife park on the grounds of Doneraile Court.
A friendly robin greets Maureen on her daily walks around the park.
Carrying her camera with her, Maureen is always at the ready to snap a few photos of the amazing scenery and wildlife of Doneraile Park.
Once again this year, Maureen has graciously sponsored a giveaway for readers of Irish American Mom. Two lucky readers will win a copy of her 2023 calendar.
Before I share details of the giveaway, let's first take a look at the glories of Doneraile Park over the past year.
Doneraile Park in County Cork
I love Doneraile Park and I often visit there. It's located near Kildorrery, County Cork where my father was born.
Doneraile Park is beautiful, and well worth a visit if you ever find yourself in North Cork.
Doneraile Court, the family home of the St Leger family, has been thoughtfully restored by the Office of Public Works and is open to the public for tours.
First created in the 18th century, this park is situated around the banks of the Awbeg river, which features in many of Maureen's photos.
With 400 acres of land dedicated to wildlife and nature, this park is a walker's paradise.
Irish Nature Calendar
Once again this year, Maureen has compiled a superb collection of her photographs for her 2023 Doneraile Park Calendar.
Each month features a photograph of the season, captured by Maureen with her keen eye for nature and the natural beauty of her surroundings.
Make Time For Nature is a Facebook Page curated by Maureen, where she shares her lovely photos and videos of Doneraile Park with all her fans.
Maureen truly enjoys nature photography, and her calendar is thoughtfully composed each year..
The animals and wildlife know Maureen well, and seem to pose for her on her travels.
Maureen's photos of Doneraile Park in snow featured in a previous blog post, which is well worth checking out.
Doneraile Park Calendars 2023
Maureen's has created another lovely calendar featuring Doneraile Park's finest scenery and wildlife, especially for 2023.
Maureen shared her 2022 calendar with us last year, plus you can take a look back at her 2021 calendar and 2020 calendar too.
Each month in this year's calendar showcases the park and all that it offers to visitors.
Doneraile Wildlife Park is open year round. With acres of rolling fields, meadows, and woodland trails, it's a lovely place to stop for a stroll and a cuppa tea in the café.
You'll also find a beautiful walled garden from years gone by.
Maureen's photographs capture the beauty of this little known treasure in Ireland.
With a copy of Maureen's 2023 Doneraile Park calendar hanging on your wall, you can celebrate Ireland throughout the coming year.
The Giveaway
Maureen has graciously offered two calendars for Irish American Mom readers to win.
To enter simply leave a comment on this blog post by noon Eastern Time on Saturday, December 10th, 2022.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration why not tell us if you have a favorite park in Ireland.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won't be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Saturday, December 10th, 2022, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom's complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes' entries by clicking here.
If you live in Canada or Ireland please answer this question in your comment.
Where in Ireland is Doneraile Park?
A. County Wicklow
B. County Carlow
C. County Cork
Many thanks to everyone for stopping by to check out Maureen's lovely photos and calendars, and a big thank you to Maureen for sharing them with us and for sponsoring this Irish American Mom giveaway.
If you're interested in these calendars you can reach Maureen through her Facebook Page, Make Time for Nature.
Update Winners Chosen
Our winner has been randomly chosen using the Pick Giveaway Winner Plug-in for WordPress.
And the lucky reader is ….
Margaret Ann Belanger
Shawn Marie Strait
I'll send an email to arrange mailing of their prizes. A big thank you to everyone for supporting this giveaway by leaving comments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every comment.
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Disclosure: Irish American Mom LLC does not have a business relationship with Maureen O'Hanlon and did not receive any payment for this guest post. I simply like to help small Irish and Irish American businesses and entrepreneurs spread the word about their work
Maureen Treacy
Up the Rebels!
Irish American Mom
Hi Maureen - Absolutely! County Cork all the way.
All the best,
Mairéad
Emma
I like the heron photo! It reminds me of where I grew up along the Chesapeake bay.
Irish American Mom
Hi Emma - The water behind the heron looks magical. So glad you like this photo.
All the best,
Mairéad
Melissa Grady
I would love to visit Ireland someday. My husband's family on his dad's side immigrated from county Claire.
Irish American Mom
Hi Melissa - County Clare is amazing. I hope you make it to Ireland someday soon.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jen Davis
Wonderful bird pictures
Irish American Mom
Hi Jen - So glad you like them. Thanks for supporting our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Cindy Scroggins
County Cork
Admittedly, I haven't been in any parks except Killarney National Park. I think I spend too much time on the road!
Irish American Mom
Hi Cindy - Sometimes it's great to explore the smaller highways and byways. There are many hidden treasures all over Ireland.
Thanks for stopping by this week.
All the best,
Mairéad
Shawn Marie Strait
I would love to win one of these calendars. This will be the first Christmas since my husband passed and it would make the holidays a little less dreary this year.
Irish American Mom
Hi Shawn Marie - This calendar would be perfect for you, and a lovely pick me up every day to gaze on a beautiful scene from Ireland. So sorry to hear your husband recently passed away and that this will be your first Christmas without him by your side. I hope you will find strength from precious memories of holidays past. Thinking of you.
With every good wish and blessings,
Mairéad
Susan
The photos are lovely.
Irish American Mom
Hi Susan - So glad you like this year's photo selection. Thanks for taking the time to enter our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Betty Magennis
The answer is C, County Cork.
What a beautiful calendar to have as a giveaway! The pictures are amazing and would be a great addition to any home. Thank you Maureen O’Hanlon for such a generous donation and thank you Mairead for always having the greatest giveaways! Love your blogs as they have so much informative information!
Irish American Mom
Hi Betty - So glad you appreciate our raffles and ramblings in this little corner of the internet.
All the best,
Mairéad
Susan Rasmussen
What a beautiful park!
Irish American Mom
Hi Susan - Thanks for supporting our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Pamela
Love the calendar
Irish American Mom
Hi Pamela - So glad you like it. Thanks for joining in our giveaway this week.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sandy
Ireland is all my dreams come true. I'm Irish on both sides. Your artwork warms my heart and feeds my soul.
Sandy
Irish American Mom
Hi Sandy - Beautifully said - I'm so happy you find these images so inspiring. This calendar would be perfect for you.
All the best,
Mairéad
Beth
I visited County Cork during my trip to Ireland in 2018. If it's God's will,🙏 I will return someday.
Ireland is the most beautiful place I've ever seen....
Irish American Mom
Hi Beth - I'm biased but I agree with you that Ireland is the most beautiful place. The variety of the scenery for such a small island always amazes me. Lovely to hear you have visited County Cork. I hope you make it back there someday soon.
All the best,
Mairéad
Alvin Moore
My gram used to make those short bread cookies for my brothers and I…brings back memories.
Irish American Mom
Hi Alvin - Lovely to hear you enjoyed your gram's star cookies - so glad this week's recipe stirred some good memories for you. Thanks for joining in our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Patrick Murphy
Some absolutely beautiful photos. This calendar will be a beautiful addition to any home
Irish American Mom
Hi Patrick - So glad you like Maureen's photos. She does a wonderful job compiling this calendar each year. Thanks for joining in our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Susan Hoelzer
I spend all of my time in Ireland in the city of Galway. As for a park I only know of a grassy area with trees downtown. It is where they have the Christmas Market that I love to go to. It's so beautiful, they decorate everything with lovely lights and Christmas decorations. I love Galway because that was where I was to live when I married my Irish fiance as he lived there. Unfortunately I lost him in 2020 to covid, but as soon as I retire from my job in 2 years I plan to move over to Galway to be close to him. I love to look at pictures of Ireland and would enjoy a calendar by this talented woman. Thank you for reading my comments.
Irish American Mom
Hi Susan - The area with the Christmas market in Galway city is usually Eyre Square. It's right in the hearth of Galway, which is such a lovely city by the ocean. I'm so sorry you lost your Irish fiancé to Covid, but I hope you will get to return to Galway when you retire in a few years. I think this calendar would be perfect for you. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story.
All the best,
Mairéad
Ray A Baxter
My mother traced her family back to John Luttrell of Luttrellville. Her name was Donea Juanita Luttrell & her family was made up of Luttrell's & Honea's. I have her geneology book & wish I could have went with her when she went to Ireland to see where her ancestors (and mine) were from. Love all things Irish! I am 72 yoa so do not believe I will ever make that trip to the Emerald Isle.
Irish American Mom
Hi Ray - Lttrellstown Castle in County Dublin is quite impressive. It's probably linked to your family. Sorry to learn you never got to visit. However, I hope my recipes and ramblings can bring a little bit of Ireland to you each week.
All the best,
Mairéad
Margaret
How beautiful!!
Irish American Mom
Hi Margaret - Thanks for supporting our little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Bobbe
I have never been to Ireland but I learned a lot at my Mamo's knee. Ireland is in my heart. These photos are amazing and touch my heart.
Irish American Mom
Hi Bobbe - Lovely to hear you called your grandmother by the Irish term, Mamo, and that she shared stories of Ireland with you to instill a lifelong love of your ancestral home. So glad you appreciate these photos.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sally
Maureen’s photos are stunning. If I am lucky enough to win one of her calendars, the first thing I will do is mark the dates I’ll be visiting Ireland in September of 2023!
Irish American Mom
Hi Sally - Fantastic news - so glad you've planned a trip to Ireland for next September. I hope you'll have a wonderful time. This calendar would be perfect on your wall as a reminder of your pending trip.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sean
In my room, I have a copy of an old Irish Tourist Association poster that reads "Travel round the globe--but first see Ireland." I lived for many years in Asia and have traveled far and wide, but Ireland ended up being the last (most recent) country I visited.
I wish I had come across that tourism poster sooner, because I would never have had to look any further than Ireland to find where I truly belong. As my uncle said, "it just feels like home." I suspect there are many Americans who feel this way. Thank you, Mairéad, for helping all of us feel just a little bit closer to home!
Irish American Mom
Hi Sean - Lovely to hear you experienced that feeling of coming home when you traveled to Ireland. It's such a beautiful island, and I think our ancestors call out to us when we're there. It does not matter how many generations back your heritage might be, Ireland just feels like home, as your uncle so accurately observed. Thanks so much for stopping by this week and supporting our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Donna
These picture are just wonderful. How kind of Maureen O’Hanlon to donate 2 calendars as prizes and share her talent.
Irish American Mom
Hi Donna - Maureen is ever so generous. Thanks for supporting her little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Ella
Thanks for entering me in this giveaway.
Irish American Mom
Hi Ella - So glad you like this prize. Best of luck in our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Denise Clemente
Merry Christmas!
Irish American Mom
Hi Denise - Have a lovely Christmas too.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sue E
I have purchased a yearly calendar with Irish scenes since my visit to Ireland in 2019. I would love to win one of Maureen’s calendars and enjoy it all year long. Thanks.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sue - Lovely to hear you hang an Irish calendar on your wall each year. So glad you like Maureen's work. Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mellen Kennedy
Hello,
Oh, the calendar is lovely! I find the calendar particularly appealing because my maternal grandmother's family is from Cork Thanks for the give-away contest! Fun idea.
Irish American Mom
Hi Mellen - It sounds like this calendar would be perfect for you. Lovely to hear that your heritage is in County Cork too.
All the best,
Mairéad
Coleen
We haven't made it to Ireland yet. Came close once… but it's definitely on our I wan to see it in person list so having 'real' photos in a calendar on the wall is special.
Thank you!
Irish American Mom
Hi Coleen - I hope you make it to Ireland someday soon. It's a spectacular country. Thanks for checking out our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Joanne Wilson
I love receiving your email. Great recipes and stories. I would love the calendar as cork is a favourite place.
Irish American Mom
Hi Joanne - Lovely to hear you love County Cork. Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Judie McLaughlin Williams
Ok, so I have many Irish relatives living still in Ireland, although my grandparents came and met in San Francisco after arriving to the USA during the potato famine. I thoroughly enjoy your "sharing and ramblings and recipes" and have shared them with my friends and relatives here, also. The Calendar being offered is beautiful and a reminder of the county my grandparents came from. I have my grandfathers writings in which he speaks of missing Ireland, always. Some is in Gaelic, which I know little of, but my grandmother used occasionally..She played for us her concertina during holiday celebrations at her home. I have not visited Ireland, as I have a fear of flying, but a few of my cousins have and shared that it would be a must to visit as we have so many family there to meet and enjoy,..Maybe, someday..but, today I am content to read , share and know all that I can about the place my grandparents came from...and I thank you so very much for sharing...Blessings always. Judie McLaughlin/Williams
Irish American Mom
Hi Judie - Thank you so much for sharing your family connections with Ireland and your wonderful memories of your grandparents. It's lovely to hear they brought their love of music with them to America.
All the best,
Mairéad
Blythe Hernandez
Love it!!!
Irish American Mom
Hi Blythe - Thanks for supporting our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Margaret Ann Belanger
The lovely Doneraile Park is in County Cork. I live in Canada but dream of visiting Ireland & you have given me another place to visit while I am there. Your photos are beautiful.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Irish American Mom
Hi Margaret Ann - I hope you get to visit Ireland sometime soon. Thanks for supporting our giveaway and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
All the best,
Mairéad
Pete Dudek
Beautiful! It will remind me of my wonderful vacation in Ireland last year!
Irish American Mom
Hi Pete - Lovely to hear you enjoyed your time in Ireland.
All the best,
Mairéad
Deborah O'Sullivan
I do not yet have a favorite park - I'm traveling to Ireland for the first time in April 2023! Can't wait!
Irish American Mom
Hi Deborah - Have a wonderful time in Ireland - I'm excited for you. It's an amazing country.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sherri Wiegman
Every county in Ireland is beautiful in its own unique way. County Cork with so much coastline is a treasure trove of beautiful sites. Thank you for sharing some of them.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sherri - County Cork's coastline is magnificnet - all of the peninsulas make it exceptionally long. Thanks for stopping by this week.
All the best,
Mairéad
Karen B O'Brien
So this is basically 12 beautiful photographs that will entice us to go to Ireland…it’s working!
Irish American Mom
Hi Karen - Absolutely - you've summed this calendar up beautifully.
All the best,
Mairéad
Candace Metzger
I have never been to Ireland, but it looks like a lovely place to go. I must put it on my bucket list.
Irish American Mom
Hi Candace - Ireland is a beautiful country with amazing scenery. I highly recommend adding it to your bucket list.
All the best,
Mairéad
Dorian Eberhardt
Hi! I would love to win this beautiful calendar!
My favorite park in Ireland is Phoenix Park in Dublin, because I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, USA!
Irish American Mom
Hi Dorian - That's a great reason to pick the Phoenix Park. It's definitely one of Dublin's treasures and is the largest city park in Europe. It even has a herd of deer living in the city. Thanks for joining in our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Suzanne
I’d love to win this beautiful Irish calendar
Sue
Irish American Mom
Hi Suzanne - Best of luck in our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Ellen Snowdon
My brother took me to Doneraile many years ago when visiting Kildare. I would love to be able to tell him that I have such a beautiful calendar hanging in my home, which is in upstate New York to remind of that wonderful visit.
Irish American Mom
Hi Ellen - So glad you like this calendar and that, for you, it would bring back lovely memories of your trip to Ireland. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Diane Coulter
County cork is where the park is located at.
Irish American Mom
Hi Diane - Thanks for reading my ramblings,
All the best,
Mairéad
Linda Anne Whitocmb
Although I was born on the stateside of Michigan and thus have American citizenship, I retained my Canadian citizenship and spent most of my free time across the border. My family is mainly Irish with a bit of British. When the family moved to Iowa, my elementary school aged first born, a daughter, and her toddler brother were identified as in need of Speech & Language services. To rid them of the Canadian/Irish accent !!! I was against it but left it up to my daughter, who said no way. I tried to adopt a midwestern accent- thinking that they would emulate me and that would suffice.
After awhile, the kids started to do a few things that they knew absolutely annoyed the heck out of me. I asked my daughter why. She said when I get angry, I sound Canuck and they missed it. Kids. Aren't they beautiful?
Irish American Mom
Hi Linda Anne - I love this story. You made me smile today. Kids are wonderful, even if they just make us mad to hear us rant. Fantastic. Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Tammy
Doneraile Park is in C: County Cork.
Irish American Mom
Hi Tammy - Thank you for stopping by to support our giveaways.
All the best,
Mairéad
Celeste Watt
Lovely photos which make me wish I was there walking through the beautiful park.
Irish American Mom
Hi Celeste - I would love a stroll through Doneraile Park right now. Thanks for reading my ramblings, and supporting our raffles.
All the best,
Mairéad
Heather Marie Cole
It is in Cork.
Mother Nature is the most precious thing and is something man cannot top. Sharing pictures of these wonders is a very loving thing to do so everyone can enjoy them. Thank you.
Irish American Mom
Hi Heather - It's an honor to bring a little bit of Ireland to readers. A big thank you to Maureen for sharing her corner of the world with us.
Thanks for reading my ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Stephanie Ryall Pineda
Oh how cool! I would LOVE a Doneraile Calendar. My Dad was from Doneraile and my granddad and uncle worked in the park. I have very fond memories of Doneraile with cousins and family. My Dad passed away in July and this would be great to have as a keepsake.
Thank you
Stephanie
Irish American Mom
Hi Stephanie - I love how meaningful this calendar is for anyone with Irish heritage, but it sounds like this calendar would be perfect for you. Thanks for sharing your connections with Doneraile. So sorry to hear that your Dad passed away this year. Sending you virtual hugs.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kristin
How lovely - a friend of mine from Cork lives nearby, and had family who worked for the family at Doneraile (with their horses and with the children!) and ended up settling nearby the estate in Doncaster. It’s definitely on my list for a visit next time I’m able to make my way across the Atlantic!
Irish American Mom
Hi Kristin – I hope you make it to Ireland someday soon. Lovely to hear you have friends near Doneraile and could visit the park on your trip. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Donál Nilles
Love Ireland, most beautiful country in the World. Wish I could live there.
Irish American Mom
Donál - I think many of us would agree with your vote for Ireland as the most beautiful country in the world. It's a special place and definitly my spiritual home. Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Anita Carol Gambrell
I absolutely love reading your newsletter/blog! I’d love the calendar and I would hang it up if I won!
Irish American Mom
Hi Anita - Thanks for being such a loyal reader and for your kind words about my ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kimberly Murphy
I absolutely love this blog! Thank you for it! The stories are great, the pictures are beautiful, and the recipes even better! Thank you again Irish American Mom!
Irish American Mom
Hi Kimberly - I'm so happy you found our Irish corner of the internet and that you enjoy my recipes and ramblings so much. I really appreciate your support. Thanks for being such a dedicated reader.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kathy Madden
The answer is C. County Cork. I would love to win this calendar as my dad’s people were from County Cork and to be able to see daily photos of County Cork would be delightful. Mairead have a great day.
Irish American Mom
Hi Kathy - Lovely to hear you too have roots in County Cork. Thanks for reading my ramblings, and supporting our raffles.
All the best,
Mairéad
Molly Dennehy
I love Maureen's photographs, especially those taken in Cork County. My FAVORITE park is Killarney National Park-I loved seeing the Majestic trees and lakes, and for a moment a large red Buck peered through the trees at me, that was thrilling.
Irish American Mom
Hi Molly - You've picked one of Ireland's treasures. Killarney is beautiful and the park is simply spectacular. Lovely to hear you had such a memorable encounter with a deer buck in the park - how magical. Good luck in our drawing.
All the best,
Mairéad
Brenda Black Rees
I'm planning my dream trip to Ireland in 2024 and this calendar would give me extra dreams in the meantime. Thank you for the chance to win this lovely calendar!
Irish American Mom
Hi Brenda - Lovely to hear you're planning a trip to Ireland in 2024. Ireland is a beautiful country with so much to see, do and experience. Just be prepared for rain, and you may be pleasantly surprised if the sun shines. The scenery is truly spectacular, even more beautiful than photographs. It has to be seen to be believed.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Janice Adams Park
I really like reading about a country my great grandparents came from. I especially like seeing what Ireland looks like by way of the articles and photos as I don't think I will ever be able to travel there. J
Irish American Mom
Hi Janice - I'm so glad I can bring Ireland to you and that we can appreciate the land of our ancestors together. I hope you enjoy the snippets of Ireland I love to share, and that they help you feel connected to Ireland.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary Sullivan
I love this site. The calendar looks like a beautiful work of art
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - I really appreciate the support of readers like you who appreciate the prizes and giveaways I love to share here on my blog.
All the best,
Mairéad
Clark Power
Such beautiful photographs!
Irish American Mom
Hi Clark - Thanks for stopping by to support this giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad