Ireland Travel Guide
4/30/2008 at 9:15 AM
Tags: Ireland, Names, Languages (all tags)
There's a hot destination in Ireland that we haven't been to yet, but want to check out: Dingle. Doesn't the name alone make you want to visit this town in County Kerry, in the pretty southwest corner of Ireland? A recent decision could've made it very hard to find Dingle, but there's been a change of heart.
You see, changes to Irish language laws meant that the anglicized name of Dingle should actually have been changed back to its original Irish name of An Daingean. But many locals were concerned that the good reputation Dingle has with tourists--they say because of the landscape, we say because it's a silly name--would be lost, and with it, much of the town's revenue.
So in the friendly spirit of the Irish they've made a compromise. The official name of the town is now Dingle Daingean Ui Chuis. Nice choice, guys. We can really see that fitting nicely on a map.
Related Stories:
· Irish Town Wins Battle [AFP]
· Ireland Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: khoogheem]
by amandak
4/21/2008 at 9:00 AM
Tags: Air Fare Mistakes, Aer Lingus, Airlines (all tags)
A few hundred people thought all their Christmases had come at once last Wednesday when they booked business class fares with Aer Lingus, flying from Ireland to the United States for just €5 (US$8).
In the spirit of Malaysia Airlines' recent bargains this was, of course, a mistake. Blame it on a "technical error."
Unlike Malaysia Airlines, however, Aer Lingus won't honor the accidental tickets. At first, they just canceled the bookings altogether, but now they are offering the passengers economy class seats for the price they paid. There's still a chance of a class action against the airline, but yet again, we're just sad we missed out on such a bargain. Bring on the technical errors!
Related Stories:
· Aer Lingus to Honour €5 Seats [Irish Times]
· Aer Lingus Sells €5 Flights [Lost Weekend]
· Aer Lingus coverage [Jaunted]
· We Missed Malaysia Airlines Missing "1" [Jaunted]
[Photo: akanekal]
by amandak
2/25/2008 at 9:40 AM
Tags: Ireland, Tourist Attractions (all tags)
If you've been on the tourist trail in Ireland you'll know all about the Blarney Stone: a piece of stone in the Blarney Castle near Cork, which is meant to give you the "gift of eloquence" if you lie on your back and lean awkwardly out to kiss it.
But one recent study is now suggesting that since 1888, tourists have been kissing the wrong stone. Smooching with the original Blarney Stone apparently involved being lowered down the side of the castle, with some trustworthy friend holding your ankles. The researchers suggest that someone (cleverly) decided this could be dangerous, and simply started telling people the Blarney Stone was another one.
Naturally enough the current keepers of the Blarney Castle dispute this, eloquently. We dispute it too, since we've kissed the allegedly fake Blarney Stone in the past--and surely here at Jaunted we're nothing less than eloquent?
Related Stories:
· Think You've Kissed the Blarney Stone? [Independent]
· Ireland Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: bmoyles]
by amandak
1/31/2008 at 9:00 AM
Tags: Ireland, Green Travel, Lonely Planet (all tags)
This is probably not what the Irish wanted to read in the newest Lonely Planet guide to their fine country:
Ireland's 40 shades of green don't, it seems, include the all-important eco-green.
These days, that hurts. The guidebook worries that Ireland's carbon footprint is apparently more than twice the global average--although statistics, as we know, can say nearly anything one wants them to.
The guide does mention that the recent introduction of a tax on plastic bags has helped Ireland's green credentials. The country's infrastructure and size make it popular for cycling and walking holidays, which are obviously pretty eco-friendly, too. So maybe Lonely Planet's being too tough on the Emerald Isle. Then again, when you're a country whose national color is green, it makes sense to play up that fact.
Related Stories:
· Lonely Planet Challenges Ireland's Green Image [Belfast Telegraph]
· Green Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Ireland Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: bass_nroll]
by amandak
11/19/2007 at 11:00 AM
Tags: DUB, BMI, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Travel Hell, Celeb Travel (all tags)
We're in disbelief: two celebs, running through two airports this weekend, and it's not Lindsay Lohan who's getting in trouble. Instead, Irish heartthrob Jonathan Rhys Meyers had the run-in with cops, being charged with public drunkenness at Dublin International Airport.
The Tudors star was visiting Dublin for a TV appearance and was scheduled to fly to London on BMI before police detained him. Apparently telling gate agents "I will get on this flight, no matter what" doesn't always work--even if you've co-starred with Scarlett Johansson.
Related Stories:
· Irish Actor Rhys Meyers Arrested [AFP]
· Lindsay Lohan Covets Your Overhead Bin [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: AFP]
by pbb
8/16/2007 at 9:25 AM
Tags: Transportation, Seaplanes, Airlines (all tags)
A seaplane that lands in a city center? Sure it sounds odd, but Glasgow is excited to be getting the first city-center seaplane service in Europe. The Scottish city will be serviced by Loch Lomond Seaplanes who will land their 9-seater Cessnas on the River Clyde starting next week.
From Glasgow, the seaplanes will fly into the Scotch-happy Highlands which traditionally take ages to reach. The first destination will be Oban in the Western Isles, but the islands of Mull and Skye are expected to be on board soon. So if you're a transportation freak and want to try something new, book your Scottish seaplane flight soon. A rocks glass will be waiting for you on the other side.
Related Stories:
· Loch Lohmond Set To Launch Seaplane Services [Flight]
· Glasgow Airport To Get Rail Link [Jaunted]
· Loch Lomond Seaplanes [Official Site]
[Photo: N and L]
by amandak
4/05/2007 at 9:05 AM
Tags: Celeb Travel (all tags)
Wild Hogs chubber and Scientologist weirdo actor John Travolta, who's also an avid pilot, apparently had to make an emergency stop at Ireland's Shannon Airport yesterday, when the Boeing 707 he was flying suffered "technical difficulties."
Travolta's been jetting himself around the world promoting his new movie and was on his way from Germany to the US when he experienced some problems mid-air, immediately grounding him in Ireland. How bad were they? Bad, we guess...
A source reveals: "If he hadn't made it to Shannon, it could have been the end of him. You could tell that he was very relieved."
After landing safely and relaxing with some light L. Ron Hubbard reading, he hired a new plane and was on his way. Be careful, John!
[Photo: 707sim.com]
Related Stories:
· Travolta made emergency landing at Shannon [Ireland Online]
· Travolta's Air Scare [SF Gate: Dish!]
· WiFi Wednesday: Luck of the Irish Edition [Jaunted]
by sedona
3/16/2007 at 9:05 AM
Tags: Movie Set Travel (all tags)
In the spirit of St.Patrick's Day, today our movie pick revolves around the Emerald Isle. First released in Ireland back in June,
The Wind That Shakes the Barley opens in limited release here in the U.S. today.
Taking place in Ireland in the 1920s, it's the story of two brothers torn apart by the anti-Brit rebellion, and all the drama that goes along with it. Teddy is the leader of a guerrilla squad and Damien turns down med school to help his motherland. Both are young, Irish, and attractive against a green background.
As this film was shot in entirety in County Cork, we offer you some cool things to check out there:
Where To Hide Out:
Brookfield Holiday Village
Make like a young rebel and head to this hotel next door to the campus of University College Cork. Rooms are bare and cheap, but the scenery can't be beat as it's situated on 10 acres of private verdant parkland that's yours to explore.
Where To Spend the Day:
Crawford Art Gallery
The premiere art museum in Cork, this building once housed the customs house (in 1724). The Gallery's permanent collection comprises over 2000 works, ranging from eighteenth century Irish and European painting and sculpture, to contemporary video installations.
[Photo: Rotten Tomatoes]
by sedona
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