County Wicklow – Pure Relaxation

Oh how I dread these cold and grey January weeks right after Christmas. There is no better way to brighten up this sad melancholic time than with the help of  a nice relaxing pampering weekend. County Wicklow is the perfect backdrop for such a getaway.

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Music, Dancing & Singing: Temple Bar Trad Fest

Nothing planned yet for next weekend? I have a great idea for those who love music, dancing and singing: Come to Dublin and visit the Temple Bar Trad Fest!

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Kiss the Blarney Stone!

Last week, we gave you some ideas on how to beat the January Blues – and here is one more: head South to County Cork to visit Blarney Castle, 8 km northwest from Cork city …. and kiss the famous Blarney Stone!!

Tags: Attractions Cork, Blarney Castle, Blarney Stone, County Cork

10 Irish Ways to beat the January Blues

It’s the first week back at work  in 2011 and all of us here in the office can feel it – the January Blues. But we are determined to beat the “Start of the Year Depression”! Here are 10 (more or less typical) Irish Ways to beat the January Blues:

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Merry Christmas!

Get the Christmas Party started with this Christmas Song!

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year from the Hotelsireland.com Team!

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Yummy: Irish Christmas Cake!

Irish Christmas Cake

Bring a piece of Ireland into your home this Christmas with this traditional Irish Christmas Recipe.

Irish Christmas Cake

The cake tastes best when baked 1–3 weeks ahead of time. This traditional cake is served at holiday festivities throughout December. It is traditionally decorated with marzipan (almond paste), white icing, and holly sprigs.

Ingredients

• 2¼ cups dried currants
• 2 cups golden raisins
• 1 cup dark raisins
• ¼ cup candied cherries
• ¼ cup candied fruit peel
• 2/3 cup almonds, chopped
• 1 lemon (juice and grated rind of its peel)
• 1½ teaspoons allspice
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ground
• 1 cup Irish whiskey (used in ½-cup amounts; may substitute ½-cup strong tea)
• 2 sticks butter, room temperature
• 1 cup firmly-packed light brown sugar
• 5 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• Marzipan (almond paste)
• White icing (purchased)
• Holly sprigs (optional decoration)

Procedure

1. The day before baking: Combine all the fruit, peel, rind and juice, spices, and nuts in a large bowl with ½ cup of the whiskey (or tea) and let soak overnight.
2. The day of baking: Preheat oven to 275°F and grease a 9-inch round cake pan, lining the bottom with cooking parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Beat the eggs in one at a time, adding flour with each egg.
5. Mix in the remaining flour and soaked fruit.
6. Pour the mixture into the cake pan and bake until it is firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 2 hours.
7. Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes. If substituting tea for whiskey, skip this step: Prick the top in several places and pour the remaining ½ cup whiskey over the top.
8. Wrap in plastic wrap, then foil, and store in a cool, dark place for several weeks to allow the cake to mature (fully absorb the flavors). The cake can be unwrapped occasionally and more whiskey added, if desired

Cork City Christmas Shopping Tips

General Shopping in Cork

Cork is a vibrant city in the south of Ireland and has endless shopping possibilities. You’ll find all the usual high street stores, shoe shops, record stores, bookshops as well as designer boutiques, antique and souvenir shops. The majority of shops are open from 9.30am to 6pm (Mon – Fri) with many staying open late on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the run up to Christmas. The majority of department stores and high street shops tend be open on Sundays (usually 2pm – 6pm) during December and there are also plenty 24 hour grocery shops.

Cork Shopping Areas

The main shopping area in the city centre is Patrick Street. Here you’ll find excellent fashion stores, books, music, crafts, and jewellery – basically everything that could possibly be on your shopping list. Merchants Quay Shopping Centre is also in the city centre and home to some popular retail giants. The atmosphere on the street is very festive with background Christmas tunes playing and you’ll always find Santa Claus here!

Christmas Markets in Cork

• Traditional Christmas Fayre and Christmas Events at the English Market. The English Market is a great place to find the freshest local produce (fruit, vegetables meat, cheese and seafood) as well as foods from all over the world. There are entrances to the market on Patrick Street, Grand Parade and Princes Street. It’s worth wandering around here just to soak up the lively atmosphere (it’s usually very busy at Christmas time) and absorb the sights, sounds and smells. Traditional Christmas Fayre is available throughout November and December. Order your Spiced Beef, bag a bird or pick up some treats; oysters, chocolates, olives, cheeses and wines – presents or just indulgence. More information/opening hours here
• A Cork Christmas Celebration on the Grand Parade, voted Festival of the Year 2010: Cork City Council in association with Bord Gáis Energy presents the 2010 “A Cork Christmas Celebration on the Grand Parade”. Starting with the offical launch at 5pm on Friday, November 26th, this award winning festival ignites the Christmas spirit of the City Centre.   There is a new “Rockin Robin” themed illumination in Bishop Lucey Park – a wonderland of magic and spectacle, robins and snow, a secret Santa Village at the Beamish and Crawford site and a host of traditional Christmas activities including Christmas musical performances, funfairs and the celebrated food and craft markets on Grand Parade.  More Info
• The Fair Alternative, Unitarian Church, Princes Street: The Fair Alternative is in one of Cork’s oldest buildings, the Unitarian Church, Princes Street (just beside the Princes St entrance to the English Market). Stalls include: Devilish Designs, B*Jewelled, Deco Dolls, Kooky Cute Crochet, Kim’s crochet, Korean Handmade Lamps, Kitchen Wear by Emma Jane, The Vintage Boutique, Recycling Art, Joe’s books, Guillermo unique’s Macramé, leather and brass work, Tere’s handmade leather work, Fellini’s Vintage Boutique, On The Verge leather skirts and other leather goods,Natural Images by Carol James, Rafal’s rainbow of semi precious stones necklaces, Loladee, Svetlana’s handmade soaps, Nathalie’s cushions and blankets and many more! Delicious Soups, Breads, Tea and Coffees! @ the Fair’s Soup Kitchen. Music outside throughout the day! Open December 4th – 5th, 8th – 9th, 11th, 17th – 24th. Admission is free. Visit their Facebook Page

Other Christmas Events in Cork City

This Christmas, Cork has some unmissable events taking place. From carol singing to pantomimes and street carnivals to ice skating, the “Rebel County” has alot going on this Yule tide season, transforming the city into a twinkling Winter Wonderland.

• Christmas ice skating: Ice rinks are open for a season of festive ice skating this winter, the perfect way to enjoy long evenings in the run up to Christmas. Take advantage of outdoor ice rinksand go for a twirl under the stars with friends and family. You’ll be spoilt for choice with so many ice skating options in Cork this Christmas.
• Christmas theatre: Cork theatre is bristling with Christmas spirit this winter, with an array of festive productions on offer. Families will love traditional Christmas pantomimes, don’t be surprised to come across old favourites such as Cinderella, Aladdin, and Jack and the Beanstalk, The Snowman and The Nutcracker. Whatever the productions though one thing is certain – they promise to charm Christmas audiences young and old.
• Traditional Cork Christmas events: Enjoy traditional Christmas events in Cork this winter, with carols, grottos, Christmas trees and more throughout winter. Visit the city centre for evening carols and Cork’s famous Christmas tree, or catch a glimpse of Father Christmas himself at various grottos in the city.

Accommodation Cork City

Browse the best Cork Christmas Shopping Hotels here

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