Well it is pretty impossible to ignore it: Queen Elizabeth II is in Ireland.

Hard to imagine a cute little 85 year old woman could cause so much commotion, but she has certainly stirred up emotion on the island.

Has the visit come to soon?

Have we fully recovered from the wounds of British occupation?

Can we afford the massive security for the visit?

Do we care?

Well the one question I can answer factually is that indeed we do care, despite the differing opinions of the above issues, on Tuesday, May 17 everyone paid attention to the news, the first shake hands between the Queen and Irish President Mary McAleese was watched with bated breath around the world as well as in every home and office in Ireland.

President Mary McAleese with Queen Elizabeth II
Photo: nationnews.com

No matter what our views, this shake hands on Irish soil was monumental.

Later on, the Irish nation watched with disbelief as the head of the British Monarch laid a wreath at the Irish Garden of Remembrance, the burial site of those who fought for Irish Freedom from the British.

Again whether you agree or disagree with the event, it was venerable and significant, the picture of the Queen's head bowed beside the wreath as the band played 'Amhrain na BhFiann' was emotional for some, sickening for others, but indeed a massive event in Anglo- Irish history.

1,200 international media are in Ireland this week, I am sure much of them will prolong their stay for the American President Barack Obama's visit next week.

Again this visit is costing the Irish state million of euros that we all know we simply don't have (especially since security has been kicked up a notch since the killing of Osama Bin Laden).

The Obama's visit will be epic, it will hopefully secure the long historic link between this small island and the great US nation.

American President Barack Obama

These two huge state events follow on from visits from the Dalia Lama and Prince Albert of Monaco as well as the expected visit from the Roman Catholic Pope Benedict next year.

Images of this beautiful island will be beamed around the world and can only do positive things for our international image with the hope of attracting tourists, business and interest to this country.

Currently Ireland is in a terrible state, we have taken an IMF bail out, our unemployment levels are through the roof, our health system is in tatters and our general spirit is at rock bottom.

But if we Irish are good at anything, it is holding our heads up, shaking off our shackles and with a bit humour and good fun lifting ourselves up and getting on with it!

We are a charming bunch who certainly know how to have a good time, this is our time to shine, to show the world that we may be down but we will not be forgotten.

Céad Míle Fáilte Rómhat go hÉirinn.

Stereotypes of the World

“Well you know what those Germans are like,” started the conversation last week that got me thinking about national stereotypes.

A friend was talking about a German girl who had given out to her for being late for the train and because she had failed to organise every exact detail of their mini trip ... typical Germans?!

Of course stereotypes can never define a group of people, because we are all so different in our own unique way, but we all have stereotypes of people from different countries and although I am an open minded person, there are many times when your foreign friend is a complete stereotype for their nation.

It just takes one really, one rude American, one stuck up French person or party animal Australian for the entire nation to be painted with the same tar.

While many embrace their national characteristics, others try their best to break the links.

For me some of the ones that really stood out were:

The Italians – a fashionable crew, who are passionate, forward and quite unorganised! I had a a very inappropriate issue with an Italian security man in the Vatican a few years ago. In the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Pope, I had an Italian man running after me begging for my number, for a kiss, a hug .... and much more!!

The English – generally chatty, fun loving and polite but can be sprinkled with some rude larger louts (usually soccer fans). When in a foreign speaking country, I always find it refreshing after a few days to find an English person, someone who enjoys a nice cup of tea and can converse freely and understand sarcasm and a joke!

The Canadians – I love Canadians, I don't think I have ever met a rude person from Canada on all my travels. They are usually tolerant, multi lingual and interesting people who are fun to hang around with.

The Australians – party loving, shallow but honest peeps. I lived in Australia for a while so really got to know them inside out, and you can always count on them for cheering you up and having a laugh with.

The Germans – the most well travelled nation in the world I believe. You always meet German people on your travels. Stereotypically organised down to the smallest item, many leave their sense of humour at home (they are quite funny in Germany) but you can rely on them for a good recommendation every time.

The Thai people – are so polite, smiley and friendly you just have to love them.

The Fijians – You have to love the Fijians, I loved them so much I wanted to take them home with me. Warm, friendly and love to cheat when playing cards!

American tourists cartoon

The Finish -Reserved, honest and trustworthy. Do you really want to know how you look in that new outfit? Ask a Finish person they will tell you the truth, believe them.

The Americans – despite their bad reputation as tourists, I have had more pleasant than nasty experiences with the 'Yanks.' The Americans are always kind, fun and knowledgeable. I have found some to be quite US centered but I think the majority try to steer away from this and open their minds. The Irish love Americans because they are “gullable” - will believe anything you tell them. Did you hear the one about the leprechaun ....?!

The French – Pompous, arrogant, opinionated – and rightly so! In France, 'a petite Francais' goes along way to unlocking French hospitality. Away from the home land the French are usually the people you follow to find a good restaurant!

The Brazilians – Impulsive, assertive and might I add good looking! I have had a lot of fun with any Brazilians I have met and I look forward to seeing how they treat tourists in Brazil.

The Indians – intelligent, always really polite but usually unable to comprehend a joke because of their perfect English.

New Zealanders – its hard not to like the Kiwis, Strong minded, tolerant and laid back with a rural mind set, always seeking adventure.

I am Irish and very proud to be so, Irish people are the best in the world; fun, friendly and usually very memorable! But while travelling I made a conscious decision to take a step back from the Irish mafia groups abroad, the huge swamps of Irish people drunk, singing and shouting enmasse swinging a tricolour. We do love to enjoy ourselves, and as we have a problem saying' no' the public's perception can sometimes be less favourable towards us.

What stereotypes have you come across?

Do you agree with the above stereotypes?

Adventure at home

My boyfriend and I have been on a sort of adventure the last few weeks, as we frantically prepare to move into our new home.

Although I would usually use the word adventure in the context of travel, this has actually been an adventure into the unknown. We didn't quite know what to expect and like traveling it has taken on a life of it's own as well as an uncontrollable budget. We have learned so much on the journey, one of us even acquired a new skill!

Although we are both so excited to move in and resume normal life again (like having time to breathe) we will both be sorry to see the end of our adventure. I think it reminded us of our round the world trip, the large number of small decisions that had to be made each day, the consultations and sometimes even the arguments!

Renovating also means being exhausted each night, for me it was coming home from work each day to quickly change into paint splattered clothes and start the real manual work.

We were so lucky to have so many people to help us and to join in our adventure and our decision making. Many of them would laugh when they would ask a question and it would have to go to an executive meeting between the two of us!

But don't worry although we are moving into a new home, we are far from “settling down” and hope to be conducting some real adventures pretty soon.

Research has shown that moving house is one of the most stressful life events, right up at the top with divorce and bereavement.

Do you agree?

Blast hits Marrakech

A MASSIVE explosion ripped through a cafe popular among foreign tourists in the Moroccan city of Marrakech today, Thursday April 28 killing 14 people and wounding 20 in what the government called a criminal act.

If confirmed as terrorism, the blast in the iconic Djemma el-Fna square would be Morocco's deadliest bombing in eight years. The last big attack was a series of suicide bombings in Morocco's commercial capital, Casablanca, in 2003 in which more than 45 people were killed.

The explosion just before noon tore the facade off the two-storey terracotta-coloured Argana cafe - from the pictures I believe I had an orange here during my trip. Panicked passersby dragged away bodies and tried to put out flames with fire extinguishers.

Moroccan government spokesman Khalid Naciri said that the 14 slain people came from a variety of countries but he did not say which ones.

Our thoughts are with the families of the victims.

Refined luxury at an historic castle

Lough Rynn Castle Hotel

It is not too often that I get the opportunity to stay in a luxurious castle hotel, so when the chance came up to spend a whole day and night at Lough Rynn Castle Hotel, Mohill, you could say I jumped (quite high) for joy.

I was attending the Leitrim Rose competition which was delightful affair and I wish the winner Brenda Stenson all the best in the Regional Final in Portlaoise in June.

The hotel is the ancestral home of the Clements Family and the notorious Lord Leitrim. I studied Modern History at University and wrote my final dissertation on the big bad William Sydney Clement, Earl of Leitrim. My essay was quite different o many others that have been written on the man as I actually focused on the good that he did, his forward thinking in relation to agriculture and the measures (like evictions) he set about to implement his futuristic ideas.

Anyway this may be the reason for my fascination with the hotel, but it could also be that for years as a child I attended the Lough Rynn Harvest Festival which was held on the ruins of the old house. There were vintage cars and demonstrations, a playground and it was always sunny and children ran through the house out into the gardens giggling with delight at the freedom. Even without any management the walled gardens beside the old house were a spectacle to look at.

Lough Rynn House (I wouldn't quite call it a castle) is beautiful, the Baronial hall with the large open Inglenook fireplace and views of the lake make you want to click your fingers and be transported to the late eighteenth century wearing a large ballroom dress. Antique furniture, pictures of the Clement family, long hallways, a dungeon bar and a sprinkling of mystery all add to the medieval atmosphere.

Food deliciously prepared by Head Chef Jean Michel Chevet is quite a treat, with the presentation second to none.

Each of the 43 rooms are beautifully dark and grande with stand alone baths and massive walk in showers that make you want to stay inside and linger around your large room. But you can't because you must go explore the acres of gardens around Lough Rynn. The manicured lawns have to enjoyed and the walled garden is somewhere you will not want to leave, photos will look amazing but nothing will beat your emotional attachment to the area.

Walled gardens at Lough Rynn

It is a pity that Lord Leitrim was so evil, it would be much nicer to imagine a princess living here waiting for her prince charming to return to her.

Instead we all know this little man of high collar lorded over thousands of acres and tenants, evicting those who did not pay rent on time, attended Catholic mass or did not obey his rules for improvement.

The John McGahern Library is worth a few hours at least to flick through a beautiful collection of Irish novels, most worthy those by McGahern himself who came from Leitrim.

The hotel has built a large glass ball room onto the hotel, tastefully hidden from the front view which provides a beautiful setting for weddings, or large functions like the Leitrim Rose.

The air conditioning in the rooms are most welcome and is the one thing that is missing from large hotels in Ireland.

Breakfast was delightful with a complimentary newspaper to keep me from feeling the lonely chill dining by myself. A choice of smoked or unsmoked bacon, traditional or pork and leek sausages and a variety of eggs along with toast being brought to the table (you know my feelings on toast) made for throughly relaxing and yet inspiring night away.

Inside Lough Rynn House

History geeks, nature lovers, romantics and luxury seeking ladies and gentlemen should put Lough Rynn Castle Hotel on their list of jolly jaunts this year!

Finding your roots in Ireland

Check out my guest blog post on Cheapoair.typepad.com

Ireland, the land of a thousand welcomes (Cead Mile Failte) reaches out all over the world. This small island in the Atlantic Ocean lays claim to almost 50million people who are proud to say they are Irish.

Thousands of visitors arrive on the shores of Erin each yeGuar and leave with a special connection to a country they will forever more call home, because it is from here that their ancestors were forced to leave to make a better life from themselves and their families.

For the millions who claim to have Irish ancestry, a visit to the Celtic land is one that will never be forgotten.  Tracing you family roots back to olde Ireland could never be easier with census information, shipping reports and land valuations online, but nothing sparks your imagination better than a visit home.

Come see where exactly your ancestors grew up and lived, find out from locals in small villages all over the country what it was like to live in your great, great, great grandparent’s era. There are local museums and information stores all over the country, and the Irish only love to tell stories. Some may be accurate descriptions, but many will be tales passed down through generations and will be embellished  with a few add ons here and there!

Hike the mountain and valleys of your ancestors, drink the Guinness and whiskey you know they thirsted for in their new country and finally get to grip with the Irish fascination with potatoes. In Ireland we find a way to include this staple vegetable into every meal!

You think you know the colour green? You don’t have a clue, until you witness the 40 shades of green in an Irish country side. You need to get back to when smoke filled the small cottages from turf fires, when bread was baked over an open fire, not a closed oven and a cup of tea solved the majority of problems.

In a land which has breath taking scenery, structures older than the pyramids, where once the most learned scholars came to be educated  you find a heaven of music, dance, song and the famous ‘craic’. You have not laughed until you have heard the ‘yearns’ of a charming old country man or cried as much until you have to say good bye.

For information on researching your Irish ancestry visit: http://www,rootsireland.ieor http://www.irishgenealogy.ie

Blaming the recession

I hate this recession, it is ruining everything, I can't do what I want, go where I want to or indeed be who I want to be. This is how I feel, but is it exactly true or is the recession a great and plausible excuse to hide behind?

I am terribly unhappy in my job, I dread Sunday evenings when my mind panics about what Monday will bring. I am stressed and feel there is nothing I can do to make life easier at work.

Just recently I realised what my perfect job is, I said it and everyone agreed. Imagining myself in this role makes me smile and although there may be a large work load I really couldn't see myself being unhappy in this job.

So I should just go do it, right?

Well there are some obstacles.

1. I need to do a Masters, in a city away from my home (where I live with my boyfriend).
   After recently paying off my car loan, I have no money, I am currently renovating a house with my boyfriend which means there are no savings. So If I don't get a grant to cover course fees I just cant so it. I also need to live in the expensive city for one year.
2. I need to quit my job. Ireland is in the midst of the worst economic depression ever to hit and I will have to give up my job to go to college. I need to live without a job for over a year and the prospects of getting a job straight out of college is very doubtful.
3. To get accepted into the Masters I need to have 6 weeks work experience finished before the course starts in September. Work experience positions are very difficult to come by.

These are the main obstacles, but I also must consider becoming a weekend girl friend again, the prospect of no holidays or trips away and of course returning to study once again.

Even if I do all this there is no small guarantee I will get a job in this area anytime soon after leaving college. I know that I would not cope well being unemployed.

My boyfriend, friends and people who know me well are urging me to go do this and not to sit in a job I don't like just because of the recession. If I don't so this, will I regret not making the move in ten years time?

Can I hide behind the cloak of the recession and blame it, when realistically I am scared of making such a big move and the risk that it could all go wrong?

Decisions, Decisions

The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one. ~Elbert Hubbard, The Note Book, 1927