Book recommendation: “Surviving in Ireland”
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The Irish book author Colm Toibin is the mind behind books like “Surviving in Ireland” and the book turned film called “Brooklyn” In „Surviving in Ireland“ you get a real-life perspective of different stories of life on the Emerald Isle, the weather, and the drinking culture, and much more. What I really enjoyed in this book is the author's ability to capture the Irish art of not taking themselves too seriously and the excellent wordplay that captured the author’s sense of dry humor.
Sheepdog Demonstrations in Co. Wicklow
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If you have never seen a sharply trained dog round up sheep for the herding then a sheepdog demonstration will be a new yet memorable experience for you. You will learn all the commands the shepherd Michael gives and get a more personal view on the bond that develops between trainer and hound. It’s exciting to see how much the dog enjoys following the commands. Through this event, you can get a real-life impression of how life in the Irish countryside is, and not to worry the event is every day and groups are welcome.
Sheepdog Demonstrations, Gods Cottage, Derrybawn, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, +353 87 814 1391, www.irishworkingsheepdogs.com - GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 53.031537; Longitude: -6.255103
What has whiskey maturation got to do with angels?
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As you can see from the above photo, each glass of whiskey changes colour from light to deep amber as it matures. This happens when the liquid absorbs the colour from the barrels over time. Traditionally oak barrels were used, however, nowadays distilleries will happily experiment with the likes of beer, rum, cider, port or sherry barrels. Just like it took time for the beautiful Irish countryside to take shape, the longer a whiskey is allowed to mature, the better the taste. A good Irish whiskey takes time to mature, grow and form. As it matures some evaporation occurs which is fondly known as the ‘Angel’s Share’. In Ireland, the Angels “take” approximately 2% of the whiskey’s volume per year. This has to do with the fact that the outside temperature is not so high in summer and not too low in winter. The longer the whiskey matures, the deeper the aroma, the taste and of course the bigger Angel’s Share! If you get the opportunity to visit a whiskey warehouse, you’ll find out more about Angel’s Share
Sláinte!
The newly launched “Ireland’s Whiskey Guide” is a comprehensive travel and whiskey guide.
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Ireland’s Whiskey Guide is a new guide to the Whiskey Distilleries of Ireland. This Book is a part travel guide, and part historical insight. This comprehensive Travel and Whiskey guide provides lively facts and anecdotes about the history of Irish Whiskey, as well as some quirky facts about the island of Ireland – as seen through the eyes of the author. Through their journey von Kathe and Shem the driver in the Emerald Isle she goes to the local roots of this “whiskey rebirthing” and speaks with many locals that have lived through more difficult times... All the exciting and comedic details of her journey you can read about later. There are three parts to the book. The history of Irish whiskey while exciting has been somewhat forgotten. due to this, the first part of the book will give brief summaries of Irish whiskeys and their ups and downs“ and why Irish Whiskey is now moving into a glorious rebirthing age – with distilleries springing up all over the island of Ireland.
The second part describes the processes in how whiskey is and more so on how Irish whiskey differs from all the other sorts. Through the second part, the underlying motive of “all good things take time” especially resonating with the survival of the Irish Whiskey trade.
The third part has a travel focus and is for the adventure seeker in us all who have dreamed of visiting the vast green landscapes of Ireland and for those who wish to see these historical places in person. Even if the reader comes from Ireland and just has an interest in their local history, this guide can provide an 'off the beaten track' type of guidance.
Initially is the book published in English and also will be published in German later in the year. Now available in our shop.
168 pages paperback
ISBN978-1-5272-3733-9
'Whiskey Kate' puts Irish Whiskey and Distilleries Back on the Map
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The newly launched 'Ireland’s Whiskey Guide' is a comprehensive travel and whiskey guide that follows the three-year journey taken by author Kate Amber to recount the story of Irish Whiskey. This fascinating and comprehensive guide tells of the rich heritage of whiskey across this island - when at one time Ireland produced 60% of the world’s whiskey - and looks at the recent revival of distilleries around the country.
Seen through the eyes of author Kate Amber, or 'Whiskey Kate' as she is now known, the book weaves historical insights and lively anecdotes that guide the reader through the history and geography of Irish Whiskey. Travelling the country with her Irish driver Shem, Kate traces the ups and downs of Irish Whiskey from the heady days when twenty-eight distilleries and as many as 400 brands marked Ireland as one of the top whiskey producers in the world, to the lows of the 1916 UK whiskey embargo and US Prohibition which threatened the very survival of Irish whiskey.
'This book has been a labour of love as well as a feast for the senses,' said Kate Amber. 'I hope that my travels around Ireland and encounters with the people and the flavours that make Ireland and Irish whiskey unique will inspire readers to go on their own journey, to seek out new distilleries and new whiskeys as Irish whiskey starts to enjoy its rightful place again on the global whiskey stage'.
The journey takes the reader to the local roots of 'whiskey rebirthing' and speaks with many locals that have lived through the more difficult times faced by the industry. Told with colourful detail and genuine humour, the book chronicles the forgotten and turbulent history of Irish whiskey which is the foundation and inspiration behind new distilleries springing up all over the island of Ireland.
The deep-rooted belief that 'all good things take time' resonates strongly in the hearts of those involved in the Irish whiskey trade. Readers will gain insights into whiskey production and what it is that makes Irish whiskey unique and different from other whiskeys.
The guide provides interesting navigation through Ireland’s history and geography, for locals and visitors alike, with whiskey as the compass. Taking the reader 'off the beaten track', the book is a guide to many beautiful places across the country that are steeped in history with a story that is still being told.
Gougane Barra - the smallest church in Ireland
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The church at Gougane Barra (Irish: Guagán Barra, meaning "the rock of Barra“) is the smallest church in Ireland. The name Gougane Barra comes from Saint Finbarr who built a monastery on an island during the 6th century. It is picturesquely located on a lake on the border between Co. Cork and Co. Kerry, not far from the town of Bantry. Gougane Barra's remoteness meant that it became a popular place for the celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass during the Penal Times when it was illegal to hold Mass and today it is a popular wedding venue.
