County Longford lies at the heart of Ireland and is steeped in ancient Irish mythology and lore. From the reedy shores of Lough Gowna to the banks of the River Shannon, the quiet countryside of County Longford overflows with rural charm. A low-lying, inland county, it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s dreamland. Image Credit Come join me […]
Discover The Book Of Kells Through Trinity College’s Free Online Course
The Book of Kells is one of Ireland’s most famous cultural treasures, and can be found carefully preserved and on display in Trinity College, Dublin. The Book of Kells is the world’s most famous medieval manuscript and dates from the 9th century. It is a richly decorated copy of the four Gospels and portrays the […]
The Rock of Dunamase
The Rock of Dunamase dominates the County Laois countryside. The ruined remains of an ancient castle stand atop a rocky outcrop in the middle of the fertile plains of this midland Irish county. Today’s post is a tour of this old Irish fort. I created a short video to help you feel as if you […]
The Gospel Of Mary – Book Giveaway
The Gospel of Mary is a Celtic mystery and the third book in the Sister Deirdre series by author Philip Freeman. In 6th century Ireland, a young nun from the monastery of St. Brigid in Kildare, finds herself the guardian of a mysterious manuscript claiming to be the lost gospel of Mary. Realizing leaders of […]
What Is A Dolmen?
Dolmens are megalithic monuments found dotted around the Irish landscape. Standing for millennia, they perch majestically on grassy hillsides, on craggy cliffs, on winding roadsides, and even right between modern day homes. Image Credit I think of dolmens as symbols of Ireland. When I was a little girl we would always be on the lookout […]
Beyond the Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is one of Ireland’s most treasured manuscripts. Tourists flock to Trinity College Dublin to view its beautifully illustrated pages. But did you know Trinity is also home to a vast collection of other medieval manuscripts? This week I was alerted to a new lecture series planned for the coming months. If […]
Irish Storyteller Mattie Lennon’s New CD Giveaway
Mattie Lennon is a frequent guest post contributor to Irish American Mom. I’m delighted to introduce his new storytelling CD, “Truth and Lies” to you today. Mattie is a true ‘seanachai” (pronounced “shan-ah-key”), an Irish storyteller. But before I share the details of how to enter to win a copy of Mattie’s new CD, let’s […]
A Guided Tour Of Derry With An American Twist
Derry is a bustling city in Ireland’s northwest, the only completely walled city in all of Ireland. Steeped in history, this vibrant city is an amazing destination for anyone planning a trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Founded nearly 1500 years ago, you can be sure there are plenty of stories to be told of […]
Why Do People Kiss The Blarney Stone?
Have you ever wondered what’s the story behind the Blarney Stone? What’s all the fuss about landing a big smacker on a cold, inert lump of stone? And how on God’s good earth can a stone bestow the gift of eloquence? Image Credit Well, fear not! Today’s post will hopefully answer some, or maybe even […]
Ireland’s Thin Places
New Year resolution season is here. But fear not! Today’s post about ‘thin places’ shall not take you on a tour of Ireland’s gyms. Instead, we’ll explore the Celtic concept of thin places – surreal physical spaces where heaven and earth seem to touch. Now, I’m well aware “surreal physical spaces” is a term that […]
