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
An Oiche Hostel in County Leitrim is a place where you can be sure to enjoy a comfortable and cost effective accommodation. An Oiche Hostel is open all through the year and provides twenty beds to accommodate its esteemed guests in spacious rooms providing maximum comfort and cosiness. The hostel has a large backyard. A kitchen is available with all the equipment required to cook delightfully delicious meals. A dining room is available for those who hate eating alone and are interested in having a nice dinner conversation with other guests at the hostel. Hot showers are available at all times. Dishwasher and microwave facilities are provided for the convenience of the customers.
February 21st, 2007
Town Clock Holiday Hostel is located in the town centre of Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim. The hostel is open all through the year so you can arrive here anytime and enjoy comfortable accommodations at a reasonable price. More than twenty beds are available that are perfect for a sound, dreamless sleep at night. The availability of two dorms and one en-suite twin room offer a choice to well-to-do guests to enjoy higher quality accommodation for a slightly higher price. Linen is included in the price. Sleeping sheets and towels have to be hired. A fully equipped kitchen allows the guests to cook their own favourite meals. A common room allows the guests to spend quality time together chatting and sharing ideas and experiences about common interests. An enclosed courtyard is available for parking vehicles.
February 13th, 2007
At the Teach Cluainin Guesthouse, the Lounge Bar is a very popular place to enjoy some great drinks and light snacks. Special lunch and a la carte menus are offered with some truly fascinating choices of food that you just want to munch immediately. The selection of wines is carefully chosen for best quality and impeccable taste. Oarsman Bar and Café is another awesome place to check out some truly delightful cooking gems. Superb sandwiches, perfect pasta dishes, fresh irresistible seafood and tempting puddings are the hallmark of this award winning restaurant. If you fancy grilled meat dishes, there’s no better place than the Barge Steakhouse in Carrick-on-Shannon. Famous for its delightfully grilled spicy barbecues, you will have a hard time stopping yourself from filling your stomach to the brim with the unbelievably sumptuous food. A children’s menu and a list of great wines make this a place definitely worthy of a visit.
January 15th, 2007
One of the most popular places in County Leitrim for eating out is Cryan’s restaurant. Situated on the edge of the city of Carrick-on-Shannon, this restaurant is frequented by the tourists who come to enjoy the scenic view and the myriad of activities available on River Shannon. The atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly in this restaurant and makes dining here simply a joy you won’t soon forget.
The restaurant is famous for its traditional home cooked cuisine. The restaurant’s food is renowned for being good and wholesome. Fresh delicious seafood, mouth watering steaks and hard to resist grills have earned this restaurant a reputation for satisfying the sense of taste in a way that is truly unique and original. In addition to the excellent food, the restaurant also provides traditional impromptu musical sessions to entertain the customers.
November 27th, 2006
