St Patrick’s Day is celebrated all around the world. However, for many it is simply a party, rather than a chance to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint. This is strange, because Saint Patrick had a dramatic life.
As a young lad of sixteen years he was captured by a band of raiders near Bologne in Gaul and taken with many others to slavery in Ireland. He was first brought to Mayo, but later sold to an Antrim farmer and he spent six years in captivity as a shepherd on Slemish Mountain.
One cold winter’s night, while Patrick slept, he heard a voice telling him “it is well that you fast, soon you will go to your own country” and a short time later the voice said to him “Look, your ship is ready”.
The spirit guided Patrick to the south of Ireland near Wicklow where he boarded a ship with a cargo of dogs bound for Gaul.
At this time an invasion of Gaul had left much of it desolate. Patrick and the crew of the boat wandered for 28 days until all food had run out. Patrick said to the crew “turn to God and he will provide” and suddenly a herd of pigs appeared and they had food once more. Patrick had performed his first miracle.
For a number of years Patrick wandered through Gaul. Conscious of his lack of formal training in theology and law he spent his time talking to and learning from the wise deacons and Bishops and soon he was made a Bishop in Rome.
He was lonely in Gaul so he went to visit his relations in Britain. While he was there he had another vision in which a man arrived from Ireland with many letters, including one for himself. The letter said “We ask you boy to come and walk once more among us”. Patrick was delighted and went to Ireland immediately.
The people of Ireland at this time were pagans under the influence of the Druids. Patrick had first to rid the country of these “magicians”. This is symbolised by the banishing of the snakes forever from Ireland.
He now set about converting the people to Christianity. His deep faith and belief in the Blessed Trinity made this doctrine a centre piece of his instruction. To help explain the mystery he used the simple 3 leaf shamrock to illustrate 3 persons in one God.
St Patrick died in 461. By this time he had created an established structured church throughout the country. His converts were across the entire social classes from Princes to slaves and many of his priests and deacons were from the youth of Ireland. He is still to this day the most famous figure in Irish history and is one of the best known figures throughout the Christian world.
February 27th, 2008
If you want Mexican food with a twist, look no further than Cactus Jacks.
This elegant and relaxed restaurant first opened in 2002 in Galway. Quickly growing in popularity, a second branch was opened on Millenium Walkway, Dublin three years later. The addition of the Belgard Square branch of the Cactus Jacks shows just how popular this restaurant is.
The menu in Cactus Jacks is always creative, combining consistency in food quality and colourful plate presentations. With superior service and a friendly atmosphere, this gives their guests a gracious, memorable dining experience.
At Cactus Jacks, all the staff pride themselves on offering an excellent alternative to the standard fare with a contemporary menu successfully combining the very best of authentic Mexican cuisine with more traditional dishes such as steaks and seafood.
Cactus Jacks, Millennium Walkway, Middle Abbey St Dublin 1 Tel - 01 8746198
Cactus Jacks, Belgard Square, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Tel - 01 4514111
Cactus Jacks, Courthouse Lane, Quay St. Galway Tel - 091 563838
January 24th, 2008
Barnacles Quay Street House is a nice place to enjoy what Galway County has to offer. Barnacles is a high quality hostel that offers excellent accommodation facilities at a price that won’t scare you away. The hostel is surrounded by numerous popular bars, nightclubs and theatres thus ensuring that the tourists can look forward to hours of splendid nightlife. The hostel has a choice of multi-bed dorms and private rooms. All of the rooms are en-suite and maintained in tip top shape. A light breakfast is included in the price. A self catering kitchen is available to allow the guests to cook their favourite meals. A large common room is the perfect place for making new friends or just watching your favourite TV shows. Linen is included in the price. Internet access is also available for satisfying the information and cyber communication cravings of the guests. The hostel staff is extremely friendly and is available 24 hours a day to answer any queries you may have about tourism in Galway City. In fact, the staff will make you feel right at home with their courteous behaviour. Don’t be surprised if you start feeling this is your new home.
March 29th, 2007
Sleepzone Hostel is a fabulous way to spend your vacation time in Galway City without breaking the bank. Sleepzone is a hostel designed especially for tourists and it is located in the centre of Galway City. A unique and much appreciated feature of this hostel is the computer room where hostel guests can help themselves to free internet access. Sleepzone also claims to be the first hostel in Ireland to offer free wireless broadband internet access. Anyone with a properly configured wireless laptop can access the internet from anywhere in the hostel. The hostel proudly offers almost 200 beds in 36 rooms ranging from dorms to private rooms. Almost all of these rooms are en-suite. Secure key cards are used to provide hostel access to guests 24 hours a day. Electronic luggage lockers are provided for complete peace of mind. A self catering kitchen, self service laundry room and a pool table are some of the other amenities that tourists can look forward to taking full advantage of once they move into the hostel.
March 12th, 2007
