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
Four Seasons Hotel should be at the top of your list if you are looking for wonderful three star accommodations in County Monaghan. Relax and enjoy the sleep inducing comfort in one of the fifty nine spacious and aesthetically decorated bedrooms. The family rooms are large enough to accommodate as many as seven people. However, if you are looking for something even more spacious, the deluxe accommodations of the luxurious suites offer plenty of room to move about and enjoy the leisurely comforts provided by the hotel. Guests can enjoy a full breakfast in the morning with a complimentary newspaper. Stimulating drinks at the Still Bar invite the guests to relax and have a good time with the other patrons. Avenue Restaurant and Range Grill offer great meals that serve to please the guests and fulfil their gastronomic desires. The leisure facilities available at the hotel are pretty extensive. Guests are welcome to jump into the swimming pool any time for a nice refreshing swim. The sauna and steam room are the perfect way to lose that annoying lingering fat you always wanted to get rid of. Jacuzzi and hot tub provide the guests with hours of rest and relaxation. The gymnasium is great for the guests wanting to shape up and achieve an enviable level of fitness. The nightly entertainment needs of the guests are fulfilled by the Lotus One Nightclub. The five conferences suites of the hotel can serve up to 400 people at any time and feature all the latest conferencing technologies.
March 27th, 2007
Nuremore Golf Club is a fine 18-hole picturesque parkland course that is part of the 4-star Nuremore Hotel. This is a golf course that makes use of its surrounding lakes and landscape to deliver a truly superb golf experience. It is open all year round. It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced golfer. Regardless of your proficiency in golf, this 71 par course will prove to be a fun place to enjoy this exciting game. Golf lessons are available from a resident PGA professional. Club repair facility is also offered here. Club, trolley, buggy and caddie hire is offered for the convenience of the players. The hotel has a nice bar and restaurant where excellent drinks and meals are served.
March 8th, 2007
Drum Hostel is a nice hostel to spend your vacation in County Monaghan. It provides affordable budget accommodations without compromising on the quality of the facilities like the comfort of beds, the clean and cosy rooms, customer service etc. Children are most welcome here. The view available here is simply outstanding since County Monaghan is extremely beautiful. The guests are welcome to indulge in some fine relaxing fishing activities. Open fires keep the place warm and cosy. Tea is provided to the guests arriving here. They can look forward to a hearty breakfast every morning. This hostel remains closed from January to March.
February 23rd, 2007
There are many great restaurants in County Monaghan. However, the restaurant located in the 400 acres estate of Castle Leslie is one gem of a restaurant that is unfortunately not known to the lesser informed people. Nevertheless, the restaurant is visited by many influential and high class members of society. All the credit for the popularity of the restaurant among the elite class goes to the award winning chef Noel McMeel who prepares food from the freshest local produce and cooks it in a manner that truly endears the food to everyone’s palate. The drinks can be taken in the drawing room in a very relaxing atmosphere that makes it hard for the customers to leave its cosy environment. A la carte menu and a special vegetarian menu introduce the valued customers to dishes that are quite easy to indulge in because of their excellent taste and flavour.
January 4th, 2007
