Ah, St. Patrick’s Day. Green and beer and bagpipes. What’s not to love? It’s like going to Ireland for the day, assuming Ireland was full of tourist-centric stereotypes — like Epcot or the Notre Dame sports program.

Here are some of our favorite scenes from the popular holiday: Read More »

UpTake on Blarney Castle, Ireland

Top o’ the week everybody! March 17th is St. Patty’s Day, a day when everyone is Irish! Remember to wear something green so you don’t get pinched, and more importantly make sure you fill your belly with some corned beef and cabbage that was washed down with a pint of Guinness.

In my research of this holiday I was surprised to find out a few facts about St. Patrick:

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Cliffs of Moher

I’ve been reading, with interest, many of the plans the Irish Tourism Board has to boost tourism to Ireland this year.

2009 showed a 12% decline in Ireland’s tourism industry and Irish-American philanthropist Chuck Feeney has offered to fund a voucher program- up to $5 million- that is hoped to help bring Ireland’s tourist numbers up by 50,000 this year. Read More »

"A pint of plain is your only man." - from The Workman's Friend by Flann O'Brien

Arthur Guinness probably did a lot of cool stuff and he should be remembered accordingly, but for most of us there are only two accomplishments that really stand out: The Guinness Book of World Records and the beer that bears his name.  Especially the beer.

Guinness, aka the “Black Stuff”, aka the “Pint of Plain”, is reason enough to visit Dublin, Ireland, but it’s not the only one. By the way, to those of you that have thought Guinness Draught too heavy, it only has 126 calories per 12 ounce pour – compare that to 148 in Corona or 140 in Budweiser (110 in Bud Light) and it seems like a pretty justifiable amount considering it’s a beer you can actually taste. Open one, I’ll wait… Read More »