The Northern Ireland government is a mess; little business being done

It can be safely said that the government in Northern Ireland set up by the Good Friday agreement in 1998 is barely working and could be in serious danger of collapse. There is deep resistance within the Unionist community, especially among the political leaders, to cooperating with Nationalist politicians, and very little trust between the sides.

Crossing Ireland: Cherishing the fine moments while coming to grips with time and the roads

Ed Forry

It was a glorious day in Dublin.

My visit to Ireland’s capital city came in the midst of a whirlwind eight-day trip across the Emerald Isle that featured a mid-August vacation with close family and friends in the West, some business doings in Ballsbridge, and an attempt to make connections with some never-met Waterford cousins with whom I share a lineage extending back to my grandmother, Honorah Crotty Forry. But back to the beginning.

It’ll be Dublin vs.Galway in hurling match at Fenway in November

First-class hurling, called the world’s fastest field sport, will be on display at Fenway Park on Sun., Nov. 22, as two of the sport’s biggest teams – Dublin and 2015 All-Ireland Finalist Galway – compete in an exhibition on a pitch where the Red Sox play their games.

In addition to the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic, the festivities will include a lively Irish festival complete with Irish food, music, and dancing plus a performance by the Boston-based American Celtic punk band the Dropkick Murphys.

Dot’s Irish Heritage Festival offers dose of culture, family connections

The Green-O’Leary School of Irish Dancing aloft during 2014’s Dorchester Irish Heritage Festival.The Green-O’Leary School of Irish Dancing aloft during 2014’s Dorchester Irish Heritage Festival.

Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 to 6, at Florian Hall, McKeon Post

The Irish-American duo Celtic Font will be among the performers at this year’s Dorchester Irish Heritage Festival, to be held on Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the crossroads of Florian Hall (55 Hallet Street) and the John McKeon Post AmVets 146 (4 Hilltop Street).

The festival, taking place for the fifth time, has become a Columbus Day Weekend highlight for Irish/Celtic music and dance devotees in Greater Boston and beyond, drawing crowds of upwards of 9,000. Two outdoor stages, as well as the venues in Florian Hall and the McKeon Post, provide for continuous entertainment throughout the day, showcasing many Greater Boston-area acts.

Plans in place for Boston-Cork flights beginning next May

A budget-priced European airline has announced plans to begin non-stop transatlantic service from Boston to Cork, with flights expected to begin next May.

Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS), Europe’s third largest low-cost airline, says it will launch the new direct “low-cost” transatlantic services from Cork to Boston, making the route the only transatlantic operation from Cork Airport. A new Cork to Barcelona route will also be launched, the company said in a press release late last month.

Transformation at Ashford Castle earns an A-plus grade

By Judy Enright
Special to the BIR

Wow!

There simply isn’t any other word to adequately describe Ashford Castle’s new look.

Red Carnation Hotels, a South African company that owns Ashford Castle in Cong, Co. Mayo, has spent the last two years completing a 50-million euro renovation that included more than 800 new windows, new wiring, a new lead roof and repointed stonework. The hotel celebrated it new look when it was reopened this spring.Red Carnation Hotels, a South African company that owns Ashford Castle in Cong, Co. Mayo, has spent the last two years completing a 50-million euro renovation that included more than 800 new windows, new wiring, a new lead roof and repointed stonework. The hotel celebrated it new look when it was reopened this spring.
The well-known castle hotel, home to the Guinness family for more than 100 years, was purchased in 2013 by Red Carnation Hotels and has since been totally and exquisitely refurbished.

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