Ireland Luxury Tours Blog » Saint Patrick

Saint Patricks Cathedral in Dublin

maurice — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:11:06 +0000

One of Dublins two protestant cathedrals.

It is the National Cathedral of the chuch of Ireland.

It was built on a site where Saint Patrick is said to have baptized the pagan Irish.

It began as a college of priests and became a cathedral around 1220.

It was the largest church in medieval Ireland and was built in a harmonious early English Gothic style.

It was consecrated in 1254.

Between 1832 and 1904 the Guinness family financed its extensive restoration which succeeded in leaving much of the medieval fabric intact.

Its most famous dean was Jonathan Swift from 1713 to 1745.

He was of course the author of Gullivers Travels and is buried in the cathedral.

Come and see Ireland with all its history and architecture on our special tours of Ireland.

We at Ireland Luxury Tours pride ourselves in our Ireland tours because of the bespoke nature of our itineraries.

Ireland – A land of Saints

maurice — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:25:19 +0000

Every area of Ireland has its particular saint, as do more or less all days in the Irish calender. Apart from Patrick, Columba and Brendan, the best known, there are a number of others worthy of special mention here. Among them is St. Brigid founded a religious order which reputedly featured a perpetual fire tended by virgins, and reputedly shares the grave at Downpatrick with St. Patrick and St. Columba. St. Kevin, founder of the Glendalough religious site, repeatedly had the ability to pray for so long that a blackbird has time to lay an egg and hatch it on his hand. A later figure , St. Malachy, Archbishops of Armagh in the 12th century, persuaded the Pope of the time to establish the archbishops of Ireland separately from those of England, and abolished hereditary assumption of important ecclesiastical positions. A later Armagh archbishops, Oliver Plunket, was falsely accused in the late 17th century of attempting to bring French troops into Ireland to expel the English. He was martyred in 1681 at Tyburn in London, where he was hung, drawn and quartered for his ‘crimes’.

Ireland Luxury Tours can actually plan a tour of Ireland with a “Saintly” itinerary.

St Patrick…..a quick guide

maurice — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:14:48 +0000

Patrick was brought to Ireland as a slave and taken to Antrim where he was sold to a local landowner, Meliuc, who put him to work as a shepherd. For six long years Patrick lived upon Slemish mountain with only his sheep for company. The land was bleak and the conditions harsh but Patrick found solace in the faith faith that his people had abandoned. One night he heard a voice calling to him, telling him that the time had come to escape. It told him, “see, your ship is ready.” Patrick knew that he had to travel south to seek his ship God had told him of. He travelled for 200 miles until he came to Wexford where, sure enough, a boat heading for Britain was waiting.

Why Should you take a tour of Ireland ?????

maurice — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:30:00 +0000

Ireland is a hugely appealing land. Its people are world famous for their warmth, friendliness and wit, their genuine love of words and sense of fun, their music and dance, and their ability to rise above the troubles of a turbulent history. With the popular revival of all things Celtic has come a new buoyancy and confidence it is no accident that Dublin today is buzzing with life, the party capital of Europe. Belfast is not far behind.

The land of St Patrick is lush and green, thanks to a healthy rainfall and the warmth of the Gulf Stream. You don’t have to travel far in this Emerald Isle to find wide open spaces, long beaches of impossibly white sand, wildly romantic rocky shorelines, and a natural landscape of world importance.

Ireland Luxury Tours can make it a very special trip…..contact us for details…..

St. Patrick’s Day

maurice — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:08:27 +0000

St. Patrick’s Day, 17th March, is the date when millions of people around the world, celebrate Ireland’s Patron Saint. Why not celebrate this date with us in Northern Ireland at one of the many events, celebrations and activities being organized.

Belfast – A colourful carnival parade (12 noon) from City Hall to Custom House Square, where there will be a free concert of traditional and pop music. Fun for all the family.

Londonderry (also known as Derry) – Traditional music and dancers.

Sleamish Mountain - Why not join the annual St. Patrick,s Day pilgrimage up Sleamish Mountain where St. Patrick is said to have spent six years tending sheep.

Downpatrick – Family entertainment including a cross-community carnival parade and a vintage vehicle show.

Armagh City – Here again there will be family entertainment in the city centre and a concert by Frances Black.

March and April around Belfast…..check out…..

maurice — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:21:38 +0000

SAINT PATRICKS DAY CARNIVAL – BELFAST CITY CENTRE 17TH MARCH 2010

Celebrate St. Patricks day with a carnival through the city of Belfast and a free concert featuring a mix of pop and traditional music. This is an event that would suit all the family. Then enjoy a pint of Guinness in the world famous Crown Bar.

EUROPEAN AND ULSTER DANCING FESTIVAL – ULSTER HALL 9TH AND 10TH APRIL 2010

This prestigious European Championships attract the worlds finest dancers to Belfast.

ROCK DOVES BY MARIE JONES – BELFAST WATERFRONT HALL 13TH APRIL – 1ST MAY 2010

Multi award-winning Marie Jones play. A hilarious new play set during the “Peace Process” .

TITANIC MADE IN BELFAST FESTIVAL – VARIOUS VENUES 3RD – 11TH APRIL 2010

Every year Belfast commemorates and celebrates the simultaneously breathtaking and mournful history of its most famous maritime creation in an annual springtime festival.

BELFAST FILM FESTIVAL – VARIOUS VENUES 15TH APRIL – 30TH APRIL 2010

Belfast Film Festival will take place across the city including a series of premiere screenings , so cinephiles get ready….for a veritable feast of films.

Keep these events in mind if you are visiting Belfast. Should you want to see something else contact Ireland Luxury Tours for further information and advice.