Longing for Ireland – Details, episodes & analysis

Tune in to the rhythmic heartbeat of Belfast, a city where melodies echo through the streets and music is woven into the very fabric of its culture. In this special episode, we explore Belfast as the vibrant UNESCO City of Music, delving into the harmonious tapestry that defines its soul.

Join us as we navigate the musical corridors with local experts, Dolores Vischer, from Creative Tours Belfast, uncovering the diverse genres, iconic venues, and the rhythmic pulse that makes Belfast a true musical haven.

Discover more at creativetoursbelfast.com
And at ohyeahbelfast.com or at visitbelfast.com

Irish words and saying:

• Feile (Festival) – Pronounced: "fay-luh"
• Feis (and Feisanna plural) (Irish word for a festival competition) – Pronounced: "fesh" (and "fesh-uh-nuh" plural)
• Bodhrán (Traditional drum) – Pronounced: "bow-rawn"
• Fiddle (Violin) – Pronounced: "fid-uhl"
• Seisiún (A traditional music gathering) – Pronounced: "seh-shoon"
• Feile an Phobail (Community festival) – Pronounced: "fay-luh an fo-bal"
• Fleadh Ceol (Music festival) – Pronounced: "flah k-yohl"

Musicians:

• Van Morrison
• Snow Patrol
• Ash
• Gary Moore
• James Galway
• Bicep 
• David Holmes
• Ruby Murry 
• Ulster Orchestra 

Film: Belfast

Places:

• Oh yeah Belfast
• 2 Royal Avenue
• Kelly’s Cellars
• Madden’s Bar
• The Black Box
• The Second Fiddle
• The Dirty Onion
• The American Bar
• The Sunflower
• Scott’s Jazz Club
• Bert's Jazz Bar
• The Deer’s Head
• The Banana Block
•  Sound Advice
•  God’s Waiting Room

Events:

• Events on the maritime mile
• Feile an Phobail
• Out To Lunch Arts Festival

Prepare to uncover the captivating history and spirit of Cork, Ireland, as we delve into the city's rebellious character. Joining us for this exploration is Dara Burke, the founder of Rebel City Tours, a company dedicated to showcasing the unique character of Cork.
 
 Discover the historical events and iconic figures that have shaped Cork's reputation for rebellion and how this legacy continues to influence the city's culture. Dara shares his top recommendations for experiencing the 'Rebel City' first-hand, and we'll get a sneak peek into the unique tours offered by Rebel City Tours.
 
 Discover more at rebelcitytour.com

Mentions:

• The Wallace sisters - change.org/p/remember-the-wallace-sisters
• Cork City Jail - corkcitygaol.com
• Spike Island - spikeislandcork.ie
• Mutton lane inn - corkheritagepubs.com/pub/mutton-lane-inn
• Nano Nagle Place - nanonagleplace.ie
• Greenway harbour cycle tour rebelcitytour.com
• Village of Passage West and Maritime Museum - passagemuseum.ie

 Irish words or sayings in this episode:

• Seanfhocail (Old word/oral wisdoms passed down) – Pronounced: "shan-uh-fo-kull"
• 'Tá fhiach an t-aon rud is mícheart a íoc' (Revenge is the only debt not worth repaying) – Pronounced: "Taw fee-akh on t-ayn rood iss me-khart a eek

Single pot, blended, peated, malted - single, double, or triple distilled - what does it all mean and what makes Irish Whiskey different from other whiskies?

Today we are joined by James Kilgannon, whiskey expert and Distillery & Brand Coordinator at Teeling Distillery to talk about Teeling Whiskey and how to experience whiskey in Ireland.

For more information on the trips on offer visit: Teelingdistillery.com for the distillery and tours and Teelingwhiskey.com for the global brand and information on the whiskeys.

This episode’s Irish words:

A couple of words

Cheers! (To your health)

Sláinte - Pronounced:  S + lawn + Ch(urch)

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Water of life (whiskey)

Uisce beatha - ISH-ka bah-ha

Rooted in ancient myths and the fastest sport on grass; Gaelic games give a glimpse into ancient Irish heritage that still thrives to this day – But what are Gaelic games?

Today we are joined by Cormac Ó Donnchú, co-founder of Experience Gaelic Games to talk about the sports and their connection to Irish culture.

For more information on the trips on offer visit: experiencegaelicgames.com 

This episode’s Irish words:

Hurling (Sport) – Pronounced: Huer-ling

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Camogie (woman’s hurling) – Pronounced: Ka-maw-gi

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sliotar (ball for hurling) – Pronounced: Schli-tar

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Camán (hurling stick) – Pronounced: Com-oon 

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Caid (ancient mob football) – Pronounced: Ka-id

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Cú Chulainn (mythic character - "Hound (cú) of Culann") – Pronounced: Koo-kul-in

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Fite fuaite (something that is intertwined – something that can’t be unpicked) – Pronounced: fi-tcha Foo-cha

City breaks – a great way to do a quick trip to another country and culture. Come, explore, enjoy, and return another day. But which city should you choose and what should you do?

Today we are joined by Veera Bianca, a travel writer and travel photographer to talk about Dublin and Belfast as weekend getaways and what to do in each city.

To read and follow Veera’s Finish blog visit: veerabianca.com or find Veera on Instagram @Veerabianca.

Dublin:

Stores:

• Siopaella - siopaella.com
• Sheridans Cheesemongers - sheridanscheesemongers.com

Experiences, drinks and food:

• Fanshion and food tour - fabfoodtrails.ie
• Ro & Co Whiskey Distillery - roeandcowhiskey.com
• Guinness Storehouse - guinness-storehouse.com
• Jameson Whiskey Distillery - jamesonwhiskey.com
• Trinity college and Book of Kells- tour - tcd.ie/visitors/book-of-kells
• The Seafood Café by Niall Sabongi - klaw.ie
• Rustic Stone Restaurant -rusticstone.ie
• Saint Stephen’s Green Park
• Three Twenty Ice-Cream Lab - threetwenty.ie
• Murphy's Ice-Cream - murphysicecream.ie

Hotels:

• Wren Urban Nest - wrenhotel.ie
• Iveagh Garden Hotel - iveaghgardenhotel.ie

• Titanic Belfast - titanicbelfast.com
• Titanic hotel Belfast - titanichotelbelfast.com
• Bushmills Whiskey Distillery - bushmills.eu
• Giant tours - gianttoursireland.com
• Belfast gin tour - tasteandtour.co.uk

Cosy cottages, town houses, country homes, farmhouses, and historic houses – They are all very different, but one thing thy have in common is the sense of Irish homeliness.

Today we are joined by Helena Healy, CEO at B & B Ireland to talk about Irish homeliness and how to experience Ireland from a B&B.

For more information on the trips on offer visit: bandbireland.com

This episode’s Irish words:

A couple of words

Cúpla focal - Pronounced: Coop-la Fuc-ull

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Cheers! (To your health)

Sláinte - Pronounced:  S + lawn + Ch(urch)

Three giant mounds stand on top of 3 hills overlooking a bend in the Boyne River. But these three mounds are no ordinary mounds, they have been named as UNESCO World Heritage and figure throughout Irish history, myth, and folklore. So, what makes them so special and why should you visit? 

Today we are joined by Clare Tuffy, from the Office of Public Works at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre to talk about Ireland’s ancient heritage.

For more information on the trips on offer visit: Heritageireland.ie

For more in-depth info visit worldheritageireland.ie

This episode’s Irish words:

The Palace of the Boyne

Brú na Bóinne - Pronounced: Bry na Boiñe

Other attractions mentioned:

Louchcrew Cairns

heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/loughcrew-cairns

Hill of Tara

heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/hill-of-tara

Carrowmore and Carrowkeel, Co. Sligo

heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/carrowmore-megalithic-cemetery

Boyne Valley

ireland.com/en-se/destinations/county/meath/boyne-valley

Hill of Tara

ireland.com/en-se/things-to-do/attractions/hill-of-tara

High cross of Monasterboice

discoverboynevalley.ie/boyne-valley-drive/heritage-sites/monasterboice-finest-high-cross-ireland 

1st Cistercian Abbey

discoverboynevalley.ie/boyne-valley-drive/heritage-sites/old-mellifont-abbey 

2nd Cistercian Abbey

discoverboynevalley.ie/boyne-valley-drive/heritage-sites/bective-abbey 

Largest Anglo-Norman castle: Trim Castle

 heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/trim-castle 

Guinness – Synonymous with Ireland and a must try when on the island - but what makes it so special? How is it made and what is the story behind it the famous beer?

Today we are joined by Colm O’Connor, Beer Specialist at the Guinness Storehouse to talk about what makes Guinness so special as well as what you can expect when visiting the Home of Guinness in the heart of Dublin.

For more information on the tours on offer visit: guinness-storehouse.com

U2, The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran, and many more have recorded songs or albums at Dublin’s first recording studio, since its founding 40 years ago – but, what makes it so special and why should you visit?

Today we are joined by Aidan Alcock, Director at Windmill Lane Recording Studio to talk about the studio, its history, process, and famous recording artists as well as what you will experience when you visit the studio.

For more information on the tours on offer visit: windmilllanerecording.com

This episode’s Irish words and saying:

Music and Fun

Ceol agus Criac – Pronounced: qu-eol agus krak

RMS Titanic – the world’s largest ship at its launch has not only left its mark in film culture but also in its birthplace – the city of Belfast – where you now find the world-leading Titanic Experience visitor attraction in the very shipyard where Titanic was built. But what legacy has Titanic left and how can you find its traces and experience this famous ship?

Today we are joined by Scott Shaw, from the Visitor Experience Crew at Titanic Belfast to talk about the Titanic Experience, Harland and Wolff, Titanic Hotel Belfast, SS Nomadic and the impact it made on the city of Belfast.

For more information on the tours on offer visit: tianicbelfast.com

This episode’s Irish words and saying:

Keep going (encouragement)

Keep her lit – Pronounced: Keep ‘eer lit