Welcome to the March edition of From My Desk Chronicles. This month I’m focusing on Ireland!
The origins of the shamrock are lost in antiquity, but legend suggests that it was used by St. Patrick in the fifth century to demonstrate the meaning of the Trinity. The shamrock is found on Irish medieval tombs and on old copper coins, known as St. Patrick’s money. The plant was reputed to have mystic powers… the leaves standing upright to warn of an approaching storm.
It is said that Patrick had a time of it trying to convince the people he met in Ireland to believe in the Holy Trinity. Reflecting for a moment, Patrick plucked a shamrock from the earth, and pointed to the three leaves on the shamrock, living proof of the Holy Trinity. Since then, the Shamrock has become the symbol of the land of Ireland.
Only one thing is certain about the shamrock, worn by millions on St. Patrick’s Day. The word is derived from the Irish ‘seamrog’, meaning ‘summer plant’, and it remains Ireland’s most famous symbol.
Oh The Shamrock
–
Through Erin’s Isle,
To sport awhile,
As Love and Valor wander’d
With Wit, the sprite,
Whose quiver bright
A thousand arrows squander’d.
Where’er they pass,
A triple grass
Shoots up, with dew-drops streaming,
As softly green
As emeralds seen
Through purest crystal gleaming.
Oh the Shamrock, the green immortal Shamrock!
Chosen leaf
Of Bard and Chief,
Old Erin’s native Shamrock!
Thomas Moore
Ireland – The Emerald Isle
Is Ireland’s staggering beauty calling you?
Broken into 7 Regions, each of them has a distinctive color and nature.
- Dublin – Ireland’s capital. Celebrates its great pubs, numerous museums, big city amenities with a small town feel.
- Northwest Ireland – incomparable natural beauty
- Galway and Western Ireland – mainstay for visitors from The Burren to the Aran Islands and Connemara
- Southwest Ireland – known for its picture-postcard images with Cork Kerry
- Eastern Ireland – ancient history abounds with modern distractions available
- Kilkenny and Southeast Ireland – a medieval gem. Ireland’s warmest corner with culture and cuisine
Finding the perfect pint in Ireland is not difficult – just follow the vibrant folk music and you’ll be tapping your feet and clapping your hands along with the musicians! Don’t forget to enjoy a proper Irish meal. Ireland’s cuisine has come of age and offers some outstanding meals to tease and surprise your palate.
Fancy a round of golf? There are over 300 courses around the country. More of a water person? Peaceful beaches and swelling surfs are calling you!
Stunning coastlines wrap around Ireland. Bogs, valley cliffs and vast emerald greens area all a part of why Ireland’s invitation to visit is so alluring.
Medieval structures dot the country with magnificent ruins. 600 years older than the Egyptian pyramids, and a thousand years older than Stonehenge Bru Na Boinne is a vast, striking Neolithic necropolis and cannot be missed on your visit to Ireland. Castles and stately homes house incredible collections of art.
There are so many not to be missed sights including:
a visit to Dublin, Connemara, Glendalough, Clonmacnoise, Bru Na Boinne, Dingle, Vinegar Hill, Rock of Cashel, Ring of Kerry, Kilkenny, Surfing the Northwest, Cliffs of Moher and Slieve League, Giant’s Causeway, the rope bridge of Carrick-a-Rede, Russborough and Castletown Houses, the seaside village of Ardmore, the Clare Coast, Loughcrew, Derry, Galway, Killarney, Belfast black taxi tour, Aran Island, Cork, and Waterford to name just a few
Is the Emerald Isle calling you? Give in! Call me today to book your amazing trip to Ireland