Stephanie in Galway for the Volvo Ocean Race’s European Stopover; The Historic Glenlo Abbey; Brigit’s Garden Embodies Celtic Wisdom; Nobel Peace Prize Winner John Hume at the Beech Hill Country House; Amelia Earhart Day in Derry; Albany, New York’s Quadcentennial Festivities; InsureMyTrip.com Encourages Travelers to Think Ahead; Irish-born Brian Nolan Relocates from New Jersey to Spiddal.

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Upon arrival in Belfast, Stephanie and her husband immediately joined CEO of Mooney Hotel Group John Mooney for breakfast at the Dunadry Hotel and Country Club. The couple next stopped in Derry where Stephanie ran into Nobel Peace Prize Winner John Hume at the Beech Hill Country House. She was able to interview Hume and learned that Thursday May 21, 2009 was a big celebration in Derry. It is a day that commemorates the landing of famous aviator Amelia Earhart in the area.

Stephanie says she always discovers something new when she returns to Ireland. She visited the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Northern Ireland for the very first time. It had been recommended to her before and she had seen the road signs for it but had never stopped in. Another National Museum of Northern Ireland is the Ulster Folk Park, which is an open-air museum in County Tyrone that chronicles early Irish emigration to America.

“Travel with Stephanie Abrams” is broadcasting live from the Glenlo Abbey Hotel in Bushy Park, County Galway, Ireland. The area is within close proximity to the city of Galway and Salthill. Stephanie returned to Galway to celebrate the arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race Fleet. She was in Boston on May 16, 2009 when the ships set sail for the Irish city.

Click here to see pictures of the Volvo Ocean Race in Boston.

For more information visit http://www.volvooceanrace.org/

“Travel with Stephanie Abrams” is joined by an American guest of the Glenlo Abbey Hotel. Sandy Poger from St. Louis is vacationing in Ireland and says that he discovered Glenlo Abbey through a travel agent. He and his travel companions have visited the Conomarra area and rave about the superb scenery. He also visited the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. His travel plans take him to Dublin next. He affirms that May is a gorgeous month to travel in the country and that great travel fares are available during this time of year.

On this trip to Ireland Stephanie has purposefully chosen restful reclusive areas to visit so that she can work on the guide book she is currently writing on Ireland. Glenlo Abbey is one of her favorite Irish hotels and though it is very close to the city of Galway it is still far enough removed to give its guests a feeling of seclusion.

The hotel is owned and operated by the Bourke family. The relaxed environment partly stems from the dedicated staff and personable atmosphere. There are 48 guestrooms in the hotel, six of which are suites. The on site Pullman Restaurant is made up of two train carriages that are from the original Orient Express. One of the carriages was used to bring Winston Churchill to state. The other was used in Sidney Lumet’s 1974 film Murder on the Orient Express. The restaurant is open three nights a week.

Brigit's Garden

Brigit’s Garden, located in Roscahill, County Galway, is a non-profit property that was inspired by the personal passions of its English-born founder, Jenny Beale. The location is used for educational work as well as welcoming visitors from around the world. It is 11 acres with gardens intended to represent the 4 festivals of the Celtic calendar. These include Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtain and Lughnasa which are the respective celebrations of fall, the period in between spring and winter solstice, spring, and summer. The grounds are a blend of contemporary design and ancient Celtic wisdom. One of Beale’s goals is to also promote the wonders of the natural world.

On site is a cafe, standing stones, basket swings, a bench made from oak trees that were preserved in a bog for thousands of years and the largest sundial in the country. Guests can come to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings or stay for any numbers of events. Many of the performances and activities are held in honor of the Celtic festivals. Concerts, fire spinners and dancers, school field trips and weddings all take place at Brigit’s Gardens.

Brigit’s Garden is named in part for the goddess Brigit in Celtic Mythology. St. Brigit of Kildare was also a nun who became one of the patron saints of Ireland. St. Brigit’s Day marks the beginning of the Celtic Spring festival.

For more information visit http://www.brigitsgarden.ie/

Sundial at Brigit's Garden

Fun Facts:

The largest sundial in the world is in Jaipur, India.

St. Brigid of Kildare is the patron saint of babies; blacksmiths; fugitives; nuns; poets and poultry farmers (among other groups).

Guests Include:

Keith Concanonn, Duty Manager, Glenlo Abbey Hotel.
www.glenlo.com

Sandy Poger, Glenlo Abbey Guest.
www.glenlo.com

Jenny Beale, Founder and Manager, Brigit’s Garden.
www.brigitsgarden.ie

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The Beech Hill Country House is 2 miles east of Derry City, home of the famous Derry City Walls. While stopping in at the historic hotel Stephanie ran into Nobel Peace Prize Winner John Hume. Hume was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland” in 1998. Stephanie has interviewed Hume twice in the past and both interviews were recorded at the Beech Hill Country House. Hume attests that Stephanie’s love of the hotel and of Derry is what keeps her coming back. “Try and stop me” she says.

Hume was on his way home but alerted Stephanie to the presence of a group of American women staying at the hotel who are members of the Ninety-Nines, the International Organization of Women Pilots. The organization was established in 1929. May 21, 2009 is the anniversary of accidental landing of Amelia Earhart in Northern Ireland and the group is gathered to celebrate this event. Hume introduced Stephanie to members of a newly formed association, Friends of Amelia Earhart Society.

Click here to read Stephanie’s blog entry on her meeting with John Hume

On May 21, 1932 Amelia Earhart landed in the outskirts of Derry though she hadn’t intended to stop in Ireland at all. She was on route to France but ending up having to land in the fields of Ballyarnett. Today the Amelia Earhart Centre stands on the grounds of Ballyarnet County Park. John Thompson and other members of the Earhart Society hope to turn the spot into a viable tourist destination.

The day’s celebrations include a reenactment of Earhart’s landing. Local school children are invited to witness the story retold. There are also fly shows by local aviators. The actress playing Earhart is American-born from Long Island, New York. She will ride to the city centre, and visit the post office to reenact sending famous telegrams. Stephanie recommends that John Thompson meet with Margaret O’Shaughnessy, the founder of Foyne’s Flying Boat Museum. The museum is dedicated to the period in early 20th century history when Foynes was the aviation center of the world.

Cnoc Hill is the name of the town land of an Irish/Gaelic speaking area 3 miles north of Spiddal. Cnoc Suain is a project started by Dearbhill Stadun and her husband to promote local culture and heritage. Dearbhill’s background is in Irish language and music. Her husband’s field is geology and biology. The two share a love of the gorgeous natural surrounding of the Connemara area and the elements of traditional Irish culture.

The Cnoc Suain Centre offers of range of educational programs which include residential projects as well as two hour and half day craft tours. The aim of the founders is to promote local culture while not compromising the authenticity or integrity of Irish heritage. Visitors can learn from an in-depth perspective (residential education) or from a general level (day visitor). The website includes an online brochure of programs that are offered.

For more information visit http://www.cnocsuain.com/

Milwaukee’s Irish Fest begins August 13, 2009 and continues through the 16th. General Manager of the Milwaukee Pfister Hotel Joe Kurth is offering “friends and fans” of Stephanie Abrams a special rate of $159 USD per room plus taxes. Stephanie will be broadcasting live from the lobby of the hotel.

For more information visit http://thepfisterhotel.com/ or call 414-390-3800

Fun Facts:

The Beech Hill Country House was the European headquarters of the United States Navy during the Second World War.

In 1932 Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.

In the 1920’s woman were not allowed to participate in cross-country air races. 1929 was the year of the first All Women Air Derby.

Amelia Earhart was one of the founders of the Ninety-Nines and was their first president.

Guests Include:

John Hume, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
www.sabrams.com/people/johnHume

Mary Casey, Member, Friends of Amelia Earhart Society.

John Thompson, Member, Friends of Amelia Earhart Society.

Dearbhill Stadun, Co-founder, Cnoc Suain.
www.cnocsuain.com

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Stephanie was in Boston last week for the May 16th launch of the Volvo Ocean Fleet from the city. She and others witnessed the ships depart while touring the harbor on a boat chartered by Tourism Ireland. Even though Stephanie is now on the other side of the Atlantic she still has the northeast US on her mind.

Michele Vennard returns to “Travel with Stephanie Abrams” to once again discuss New York’s Capital City, Albany. Stephanie was present for the 2009 Albany Tulip Festival, an event that Vennard had a hand in making happen. Albany is celebrating the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery of the river that is now named after him. There are musical and historical events taking place to commemorate this piece of history throughout the summer and fall. 2009 is also the 20th year of the “Alive at Five” concert series. Concert goers are able sit on their boats in the harbor or on blankets in the park and enjoy the river and the music of this weekly event. July 9, 2009 is “Irish Night”.

Albany’s 2009 River Day will commemorate Hudson’s voyage. Beginning June 6th a flotilla will travel up river. The 13th of June is the Blessing of the Fleet at the Albany Yacht Club. The event includes privately chartered vessels and is open to the public if they have a boat on the Hudson. The last major celebratory event takes place September 26, 2009 on the Hudson waterfront. Exhibits that are currently at the Albany Institute of History and Art and New York State Museum that honor the historic anniversary will remain on display all year.

Old Songs Festival takes places in Altamont, New York, just outside Albany, June 26th through 28th 2009.

For more information visit http://www.albanyevents.org/

Air Jamaica has implemented a new policy that applies to the airline’s New York-Grenada and New York-Barbados routes. Passengers flying economy class will be permitted to check one bag for free but will be charged $25 for an additional piece of checked baggage. The second item will not arrive with the traveler at their final destination. It will be transported within seven days of the customer’s departure date and will not be delivered to the customer.

Click here to read Stephanie’s blog entry on Air Jamaica’s new luggage policy.
Stephanie asks President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com Jim Grace his opinion on this new policy. Grace says that it invalidates a lot of insurance coverage and says he has not seen a policy like this instated before. He says that it is a mistake on the airline’s part and recommends traveling light.

InsureMyTrip.com has two additional company websites, InsureMyGroup.com for group travel and InsureMyTrip.ca for Canadian travelers.

For more information visit http://www.insuremytrip.com/

Many of the guests Stephanie has interviewed while in Galway were introduced to her by business consultant, Brian Nolan. Stephanie met Brian in Boston Harbor during the Volvo Ocean Race festivities. Though Irish-born, Nolan lived and worked in New Jersey for several years. He currently lives in Spiddal, County Galway. Nolan relates a piece of sailing history that is important to the city of Galway’s history. Christopher Columbus stopped in Galway in 1476 before traveling on the Americas. His final words on the show are “Go Green Dragon!”

Fun Facts:

Oral and written Irish traditions claim that Christopher Columbus attended mass in St. Nicholas’ Church in Galway, Ireland.

Guests Include:

Michele Vennard, President & CEO, Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
www.albanyevents.org

Brian Nolan, CEO, Celtic Solutions.

Jim Grace, President & CEO, InsureMyTrip.com.
www.insuremytrip.com