- Columns - Current and Archives
- Looking Back by Jack Lebo - February 2012 >
- Murphy's Law - July 2013>
- Murphy's Law - May 2013
- Murphy's Law - April 2013
- Murphy's Law - March 2013
- Murphy's Law - February 2013
- Murphy's Law - January 2013
- Murphy's Law - December 2012
- Murphy's Law - November 2012
- Murphy's Law - October 2012
- Murphy's Law - September 2012
- Murphy's Law - August 2012
- Murphy's Law - July 2012
- Murphy's Law - June 2012
- Murphy's Law - May 2012
- Murphy's Law - April 2012
- Murphy's Law - March 2012
- Murphy's Law - February 2012
- Murphy's Law - January 2012
- Murphy's Law - December 2011
- Murphy's Law - November 2011
- Murphy's Law - October 2011
- Murphy's Law - September 2011
- Murphy's Law - August 2011
- Murphy's Law - July 2011
- Murphy's Law - June 2011
- Murphy's Law - May 2011
- Your Money Matters by Thomas Sottile - February 2013>
- Taking Care by Lisa Petsche - May 2013>
- Taking Care - April 2013
- Taking Care - March 2013
- Taking Care - February 2013
- Taking Care - January 2013
- Taking Care - December 2012
- Taking Care - November 2012
- Taking Care - October 2012
- Taking Care - September 2012
- Taking Care - August 2012
- Taking Care - July 2012
- Taking Care - June 2012
- Taking Care - May 2012
- Travel Articles
- There's Much To Like About Tybee Island, Georgia
- PA’s Little Town Of Bethlehem Has Giant History, Pleasant Surprises
- Savannah Style: History, Food, Architecture And Even Ghosts
- Vacationing Beats Back Winter
- Visiting The Inn At Pocono Manor
- Delights of Northern Ireland
- Tuscana Resort near Orlando
- Belfast To Commemorate Titanic
- Protect Your Home While Vacationing
- Nearby Hampton Roads, Virginia
- New 'Heritage' Travel Division Formed
- Lifestyle Articles
- PAE-300 ‘Personal Audio Enhancer’ Brings New Sounds And Clarity To Television
- Seniors Desire To Stay In Home Has Led To Innovative Housing
- ‘Pleasantly Plump’ May Not Pose Serious Health Problems After All
- Spring Hills Brings Home Care, Assisted Living to S. Jersey
- Sense Of Family Obligation Remains Strong
- Becoming Bilingual Thought To Delay Onset Of Cognitive Impairment
- Comprehensive Study Provides Foundation For ‘New American Diet’
- Is Alzheimer's A Myth?
- Living Alone, Without Loneliness
- Chocolate In Moderation
- Expert: Forgiveness, Gratitude Are Essential For Healthy Aging
- Expert: No Limit To Length Of Life
- Media-Based Pennsylvania Veterans Museum Is Historic Treasure
- Joint Task: Take Action To Combat Knee Pain
- Want Better Performance From Portfolio? Watch Congress
- Conscientiousness Key To Longevity
- Men, Women 'Retire' Differently
- Sleep Problems And Cognitive Issues
- Newsworthy
- Binge Drinking Is A National Problem — Even With Senior Citizens
- Study Warns Of High Cardiovascular Disease Risks Of Eating Yolks
- Study: 'Old' People Smell Better
- Depression, Anxiety Are Key Factors In Impact Of Parkinson’s Disease
- Study: Don’t Worry, Be Happy For Better Cardiovascular Health
- ‘Chore Connection’ Provides Unique Services, Volunteer Opportunities
- Study Reinforces Benefits Of Regular Colonoscopies
- Study: 'Senior Moments' Begin Earlier
- Three New Studies Suggest Aspirin May Prevent Some Cancers
- No Sure Bet: Seniors Must Recognize Potential Gambling Problems
- Coping With Grief
- New Recommendation Creates Debate Over Prostate Screening
- High Salt, Low Potassium Diet Linked To Increased Death Risk
- Medical Director At HCR ManorCare Receives APPLE Award
- RomneyCare Awful Lot Like Obamacare
- Grandkids Safer With Gram/Pop At Wheel
- AARP: Recession Hits Seniors Hard
- Antidepressants Can Increase Danger of Falling
- Poll: Low Marks For U.S. Healthcare
- More Good News For Coffee Drinkers
- Book Reviews
- We The People
- The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks
- The Love Of My Youth
- The American Way Of Eating
- ‘Rin Tin Tin’
- Pity The Billionaire
- Classic: Uncle Tom's Cabin
- A Stocking Full Of New Christmas Novels
- When China Rules The World
- The Submission - Amy Waldman
- My Soul's Been Psychedelicized
- Reckless Endangerment
- O'Nan's 'Emily Alone'
- Baseball In The Garden Of Eden
- Leisure / Entertainment
- Music - Donald Fagen's 'Eminent Hipster,' Jimi Hendrix Release
- Music - Two CD-Set Features Elvis In Hawaii; Eric Burdon Has New Release
- Music - Billy Joel's 'Love Songs' Set For Release
- Music - Paul Anka Shows Off His Versatility With Compilation CD Of ‘Duets’
- Music - Elvis, Otis Redding Fans Treated To Compilation Sets
- Music - Even At Age 80, Willie Nelson Flaunts Staying Power With Duets Album
- Music - New 63-CD Set Spans Much Of Johnny Cash's Career
- Music - Preservation Jazz Hall Band Celebrates Anniversary
- Music - New Releases Spotlight Garfunkel, Los Lobos
- Music - Television Pioneer Ernie Kovacs Featured In Two New DVD Releases
- Music - Simon’s ‘Graceland’ Album Celebrated With Anniversary Release
- Music - New Releases of Hathaway, Heart Music
- Music - Willie Nelson Still Producing New Music
- Music - New Release of Elvis' Work
- Music - 'The Sound Of Philadelphia'
- Music - Dave Brubeck, Hank Williams Reissues
- Music - Janis Joplin Showcased On 2 New CD Releases
- Music - Paul Simon, Jimi Hendrix Reissues
- Legal Articles
- Adult Children May Be Left To Pay Nursing Home Costs Of Indigent Parents
- Make A Resolution That Provides Long-Term Security
- Dialogue Helps Control And Direct Legal, Financial & Medical Matters
- Life Changes Can Require Revisions, Updates To Estate Plan
- Wills Create Solid Foundation For Effective Estate Planning
- Keep Or Shred? Know What To Do With Personal, Financial Records
- Recent Court Ruling Makes It ‘Open Season’ On Adult Children In PA
- Assuring For Care Of Your Pet
- Reader Resources
- Links To Government and Social Services
- Senior Discounts / bradsdeals.com
- For Advertisers / 2013
- To Subscribe
- Contact Us
- Submitting Letters To The Editor
Northern Ireland Offers Brilliant Combination Of Beauty And History
(Editor’s Note: This is the second of two parts. For Part 1, see The Golden Times, August 2011 or see the article on this website.)
*
By Ann Augunas
Contributing Writer
Leaving Belfast was bittersweet. In just three days we had seen and done a lot but so much more was left unseen. We had visited the historic Titanic Quarter, some of the city’s fine Museums, its grand Victorian architecture, took a walk about town, joined crowds at a bustling, outdoor-market held on the grounds of City Hall, and saw the murals, messages and signatures on “the Wall” in the Shankill area of Belfast.
However, an important element of travel I hadn’t room to include in my last piece was dining and I have to say that we found that whole scene terrific, from elegant dining rooms to neighborhood favorites. It began with lunch at the Radisson Blu, our hotel accommodations in Belfast. Sleek, contemporary, affordable, and close to town, the Radisson Blu offers a full Irish breakfast daily, and lunch, which we took advantage of as soon as we arrived. It was more than I expected as everything we ordered was locally sourced, very fresh and nicely plated. An impressive beginning!
During our stay we held to sampling fresh seafood and small plates at some popular eateries around town such as the Mourne Seafood Bar and Nick’s for awesome cheese plates. This provided us with a sort of dine-around experience and, at the same time, helped us not overdo before dinner. We also visited the iconic Sawer’s grocery store, famous for foodstuffs from around the world as well as those locally produced. Featured are exotic items of game and fish, along with cured meats, cheeses, olives and so on, treats for any discerning palate, and they offer nibbles as you shop. Tourists will love it!
As for upscale dining, the award-winning, Rayanne House, an elegant 10-bedroom guesthouse and private dining property where we enjoyed a replication of the last dinner on the Titanic served to first-class passengers, and Beatrice Kennedy’s fine restaurant, were spot on. Chefs in both places were world-class and the meals spectacular. Finally, any trip to Ireland must include a pub visit. At the popular John Hewitt Pub downtown I chanced to meet two gregarious Irishmen who insisted I share sips of Guinness from their own personal glasses. I did, of course, while wishing we could stay longer. It was an Irish experience of which I had dreamed. However, and continuing right along....
Bright sunshine ushered in day four. A good omen! Time to bid farewell to Belfast and head north. We traveled along the gorgeous Causeway Coastal Route, considered one of the top five coastal routes in the world, losing ourselves in the heady scenery that revealed itself around each bend, rugged cliffs, beautiful beaches, even the coastline of Scotland etched along the horizon, all while nurturing feelings of excitement as to what else might lay ahead of us.
Our final destination northward was to take us to several of the small Irish towns along the coast and further inland, such as the little seaside town of Carrickfergus or the pretty towns of Glenarm and Ballymena; to visit historic sites, many with a U.S. connection; to enjoy a tour (and tasting!) of the famous Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim; to see one of the many natural wonders of the world that one finds all over Ireland, the amazing Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site; and to daringly cross the swinging Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge as it stretches an 80-foot chasm above the sea.
Along the way we visited the ancestral homes of Andrew Jackson and Ulysses S. Grant, just two of the 14 American Presidents whose ancestors came from this Ulster area. In Carnlough I took a quick peek into the Londonderry Arms a boutique hotel, once owned by Winston Churchill’s grandmother and, briefly, by him. Next we spent time in Bellaghy Bawn (fort), a 17th century plantation castle, one of the best-preserved plantation sites in Ulster. It is worth a visit and if you like poetry you will get the chance to browse through some of the works of Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney born nearby.
A stop at Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery, Old Bushmills (1608), led us through the production of this universally revered beverage and then a chance to taste several of the finished products; just “tastes” mind you! Only two miles from the Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills is a favorite stop for all travelers to Northern Ireland. Close by is the town of Ballymena, a great shopping and cultural district and home of my favorite actor, Liam Neeson. On the outskirts of Ballymena is the gorgeous Galgorm Hotel and Spa where we spent the night. Dinner here was another gastronomic highlight.
Our last night in Ireland was spent at the beautiful Belle Isle Estate in County Fermanagh. Situated on the northern tip of Upper Lough Erne, its 470-acres spread over eight islands. It’s an ideal and picturesque retreat for visitors seeking quiet and relaxation or for those interested in attending its famous Cookery School headed by Master Chef Liz Moore. Classes can range from a day to 4 weeks and are popular with both locals and visitors.
A range of self-catering accommodations is available including Belle Isle Castle itself, our choice. Dating from the early 17th century, the castle has been lovingly refurbished in keeping with its “original period grandeur.” Eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, each with its own unique style, provide guests with comfort and convenience. Dining in the Great Hall is a “royal” affair, a step back in time, actually, one I won’t soon forget!
*
For any and all information regarding the above properties, or a trip to Belfast or to Northern Ireland, contact the following www.tourismireland.com, www.discovernorthernireland.com or www.gotobelfast.com.
(Editor’s Note: This is the second of two parts. For Part 1, see The Golden Times, August 2011 or see the article on this website.)
*
By Ann Augunas
Contributing Writer
Leaving Belfast was bittersweet. In just three days we had seen and done a lot but so much more was left unseen. We had visited the historic Titanic Quarter, some of the city’s fine Museums, its grand Victorian architecture, took a walk about town, joined crowds at a bustling, outdoor-market held on the grounds of City Hall, and saw the murals, messages and signatures on “the Wall” in the Shankill area of Belfast.
However, an important element of travel I hadn’t room to include in my last piece was dining and I have to say that we found that whole scene terrific, from elegant dining rooms to neighborhood favorites. It began with lunch at the Radisson Blu, our hotel accommodations in Belfast. Sleek, contemporary, affordable, and close to town, the Radisson Blu offers a full Irish breakfast daily, and lunch, which we took advantage of as soon as we arrived. It was more than I expected as everything we ordered was locally sourced, very fresh and nicely plated. An impressive beginning!
During our stay we held to sampling fresh seafood and small plates at some popular eateries around town such as the Mourne Seafood Bar and Nick’s for awesome cheese plates. This provided us with a sort of dine-around experience and, at the same time, helped us not overdo before dinner. We also visited the iconic Sawer’s grocery store, famous for foodstuffs from around the world as well as those locally produced. Featured are exotic items of game and fish, along with cured meats, cheeses, olives and so on, treats for any discerning palate, and they offer nibbles as you shop. Tourists will love it!
As for upscale dining, the award-winning, Rayanne House, an elegant 10-bedroom guesthouse and private dining property where we enjoyed a replication of the last dinner on the Titanic served to first-class passengers, and Beatrice Kennedy’s fine restaurant, were spot on. Chefs in both places were world-class and the meals spectacular. Finally, any trip to Ireland must include a pub visit. At the popular John Hewitt Pub downtown I chanced to meet two gregarious Irishmen who insisted I share sips of Guinness from their own personal glasses. I did, of course, while wishing we could stay longer. It was an Irish experience of which I had dreamed. However, and continuing right along....
Bright sunshine ushered in day four. A good omen! Time to bid farewell to Belfast and head north. We traveled along the gorgeous Causeway Coastal Route, considered one of the top five coastal routes in the world, losing ourselves in the heady scenery that revealed itself around each bend, rugged cliffs, beautiful beaches, even the coastline of Scotland etched along the horizon, all while nurturing feelings of excitement as to what else might lay ahead of us.
Our final destination northward was to take us to several of the small Irish towns along the coast and further inland, such as the little seaside town of Carrickfergus or the pretty towns of Glenarm and Ballymena; to visit historic sites, many with a U.S. connection; to enjoy a tour (and tasting!) of the famous Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim; to see one of the many natural wonders of the world that one finds all over Ireland, the amazing Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site; and to daringly cross the swinging Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge as it stretches an 80-foot chasm above the sea.
Along the way we visited the ancestral homes of Andrew Jackson and Ulysses S. Grant, just two of the 14 American Presidents whose ancestors came from this Ulster area. In Carnlough I took a quick peek into the Londonderry Arms a boutique hotel, once owned by Winston Churchill’s grandmother and, briefly, by him. Next we spent time in Bellaghy Bawn (fort), a 17th century plantation castle, one of the best-preserved plantation sites in Ulster. It is worth a visit and if you like poetry you will get the chance to browse through some of the works of Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney born nearby.
A stop at Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery, Old Bushmills (1608), led us through the production of this universally revered beverage and then a chance to taste several of the finished products; just “tastes” mind you! Only two miles from the Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills is a favorite stop for all travelers to Northern Ireland. Close by is the town of Ballymena, a great shopping and cultural district and home of my favorite actor, Liam Neeson. On the outskirts of Ballymena is the gorgeous Galgorm Hotel and Spa where we spent the night. Dinner here was another gastronomic highlight.
Our last night in Ireland was spent at the beautiful Belle Isle Estate in County Fermanagh. Situated on the northern tip of Upper Lough Erne, its 470-acres spread over eight islands. It’s an ideal and picturesque retreat for visitors seeking quiet and relaxation or for those interested in attending its famous Cookery School headed by Master Chef Liz Moore. Classes can range from a day to 4 weeks and are popular with both locals and visitors.
A range of self-catering accommodations is available including Belle Isle Castle itself, our choice. Dating from the early 17th century, the castle has been lovingly refurbished in keeping with its “original period grandeur.” Eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, each with its own unique style, provide guests with comfort and convenience. Dining in the Great Hall is a “royal” affair, a step back in time, actually, one I won’t soon forget!
*
For any and all information regarding the above properties, or a trip to Belfast or to Northern Ireland, contact the following www.tourismireland.com, www.discovernorthernireland.com or www.gotobelfast.com.