Belmond began in 1976 with the purchase of the Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice by American entrepreneur James B Sherwood, and has grown to become the
Things to do in Kilkenny a beautiful castle, historic sites, medieval charm, a distinct Irish appeal and much more! visit Kilkenny Ireland!
Do you have an Irish surname in your family tree? In this Letter from Ireland we look at the Tribes of Ireland in 1150. Join us as we take a tour off the kingdoms at this time and the surnames associated with them.
Myths and Legends of Ireland - Irish Mythology
Note: This is the very first post I wrote about Imbolc. In the past decade, I have discovered even more fascinating layers to its mythology and food lore, so check out the links spread throughout t…
It’s all about relaxation and hibern…ation, on the spectacular Belmond Grand Hibernian rail experience!
Strangers who board the Belmond Grand Hibernian, Ireland’s new luxury train, won’t stay strangers for long.
With 31 million Americans claiming Irish heritage, here’s a guide for all Irish Americans on giving thanks as Gaelige (in Irish)!
There wasn’t a murder on the train. Actually, quite the opposite. We toasted with champagne and enjoyed gala dinners. All on board of the Grand Hibernian.
© National Portrait Gallery, London Howard Coster, 1936 I have reason for rejoice! I just found this photograph taken by Howard Coster of my dear friend, Rex Whistler. Don't you hate when you are looking for something? Something you know you've seen? Then you start to wonder if you were dreaming you'd ever seen it? It happens to me all the time. But I have proof with this photograph that I'm not always imagining things! Rex Whistler was a wonderful illustrator (and Bright Young Person) who illustrated most of Beverley Nichols books. Poor thing was killed rather early in the War. Behold! my favorite of his covers: Too perfect.
The Belmond Grand Hibernian, billed as Ireland's first luxury sleeper train, launched in Dublin today.
It’s all about relaxation and hibern…ation, on the spectacular Belmond Grand Hibernian rail experience!
Among other things I'll endeavor at my future English manor home, falconry is top on the list. Why, when I see a red-tailed hawk in flight Stateside, my heart gets a flutter with anticipation! From My Country Book by C.F. Tunnicliffe found at the stunning Once was England...
© National Portrait Gallery, London Howard Coster, 1936 I have reason for rejoice! I just found this photograph taken by Howard Coster of my dear friend, Rex Whistler. Don't you hate when you are looking for something? Something you know you've seen? Then you start to wonder if you were dreaming you'd ever seen it? It happens to me all the time. But I have proof with this photograph that I'm not always imagining things! Rex Whistler was a wonderful illustrator (and Bright Young Person) who illustrated most of Beverley Nichols books. Poor thing was killed rather early in the War. Behold! my favorite of his covers: Too perfect.
Saint Columba Saint Columba was born in today’s county Donegal, Ireland during the year of AD 521. He is a very important figure because he founded the monastery on the western Scottish island of Iona. In time, the missions from this small sanctuary would have far leading consequences for Christianity throughout the British Isles and into mainland Europe’s Frankish Empire. Among the Picts of Caledonia (Scotland) and later the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms; (Today’s North and South Eastern England) the Hibernian missionaries spread Christianity across the Isles. Iona would become a mini Rome for Celtic and Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Britain. Many of the Western areas of today’s England were Celtic Kingdoms too, along with Wales. Hibernian is another name for Irish and Scots. The Scots/Irish colonised and integrated with Caledonia's Picts. Often the Romans referred to Ireland as Hibernia and the Anglo-Saxons (English) called Irish and Scots Hibernian Missionaries. Saint Columba was of a high distinguished bloodline from Cenel Conaill in Gartan. Here and throughout Ireland, the spread of Christianity had brought about the collapse of druidism. Monasteries were built and the teaching of Christianity and Latin flourished. Young Columba entered into the monastic teaching at Clonard Abby and was tutored by one of Ireland’s founders of Irish monasticism. There were over three thousand students under instruction at Clonard Abby and from Saint Finian’s teaching came twelve Apostles of Ireland – Columba was one of them. He left Clonard as a monk and was then ordained as a priest. He went on to found other monasteries of fame in Ireland. However, before this, Columba had copied a psalter from a scriptorium at the Movilla Abby. This must have been a feat that required a lot of concentration as the books were also elaborately decorated and the binding was a skilled undertaking also. St Finian got into a quarrel with Columba because he wanted the copied Psalter to be kept in another Abby, reasoning that it was the property of the monastic order, while Columba wanted this book to keep with him, where ever he went – an accessory for psalms and other things he might need – something to hand at all times. After all, he had put in a lot of work to acquire this. Perhaps Saint Finian regarded this as self-indulgent and priests could not be permitted such luxuries. In AD 549 Saint Finian died, but the argument concerning the psalter must have been championed by other followers of Saint Finian because it all came to a dreadful confrontation about eleven to twelve years later (Around AD 560.) Some historians quote an argument about it in AD 560 and Saint Finian being involved. However, if Saint Finian died in AD 549; it was either another Saint Finian or people of his cause? This argument of the copied psalter from Movilla Abby’s scriptorium eventually caused a pitched battle of Cul Dreimhne in which many men were killed. Columba was called to account for this and faced being stripped of his robe (Priest status). Instead, he was banished to Caledonia (Scotland). He landed on the west coast with his followers and began to travel north, teaching Christian doctrines. He was given authority over an area of land on the island of Iona on the west coast. From here, he was charged with creating a new monastery and evangelising the Picts. With his group of devoted followers, he managed to Christianise the Pictish kingdoms and then sent more Hibernian missions, from Iona, far and wide. He gained the respect of many Pict realms and became very influential in the overall governing of Caledonia (Scotland) He died in AD 597 at the age of seventy-five. He left a lasting legacy of spreading Christianity across much of Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. He was a man of many letters, hymns and some three hundred books. His devotion to Christian doctrines was colossal at a time when civilisation was adjusting in the Dark Ages and looking for a collective way forward.
Welsh photographer Justin Thomas's work is being shown for the first time in the exhibition, When You Hear The Music, Trouble Disappear, in Portobello Road, west London.
The £2.5million Grand Hibernian is the latest sleeper train to join the Belmond group, which includes well-known services like the iconic Orient Express and the British Pullman.
Ashley & Justin's Elegant wedding at Hibernian Hall by A Charleston Bride and Shannon Michele Photography featured on A Lowcountry Wedding Magazine
Is Ireland on your bucket list?
Do you like to read? Do you want to earn money? If so, you might be able to find some side hustle gigs that pay you to do what you love: get paid to read books.
