Topics Include:
“Travel with Stephanie Abrams!” is broadcasting live from Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the 29th annual Irish Fest. Stephanie plays an audio clip of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett speaking to a crowd at the festival. Irish Fest 2007 was held during an extremely rainy weekend. Mayor Barrett remarks to the crowd, “we have decided to cancel the rain this year”.
Minister of the State for the Department of the Taoiseach, Patrick Carey, says that Irish Fest is a “truly unique event”. Carey was present for the rainy 2007 celebration but said everyone's spirits were still high throughout the festival weekend. The Taoiseach is the head of government in Ireland. The position is the equivalent of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Under the Constitution of Ireland the Taoiseach must be appointed from among the members of Dail Eireann (the Irish House of Representatives). Carey states that in the department “members of the government come together to enact laws as messengers of the Irish people”. It is an ancient Irish custom going back to the country's Celtic period. Today, the Department of the Taoiseach aims to build friendships both home and abroad.
Patrick Carey compares the musical line-up at Irish Fest to that of the Glastonbury Festival in England. However, in addition to extensive entertainment, Irish Fest places an important emphasis on Irish culture and heritage. Minister Carey says that it is “a great mix of good music, good fun and exchange of ideas”.
Stephanie's first visit to Irish Fest was in 2008. Trad on the Prom performed, a band that Stephanie saw again recently in Galway City, Ireland during the arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race Fleet. The concert grounds at Irish Fest have 16 stages of continuous entertainment. People of all ages gather including thousands of professional dancers and musicians. The celebration resonates with audience members that are 4th, 5th and even 6th generation Irish-Americans.
Minister Carey recently met Tommy Sands (a musician and leading Irish folklorist) at the University of Milwaukee Summer Sessions. Sands was a personal acquaintance of Tommy Makem who recorded albums with the Clancy Brothers in the 1960's. Makem and the Clancy Brothers appeared on popular American television programs like Ed Sullivan and the Tonight Show. Tommy Sands will be playing in Lincoln Center in late August.
Aer Lingus is also present at the festival and is promoting some unbelievable airfare. Those who book travel between October and Christmas can get fares for as little as $199 USD one way. There are also some great deals on accommodations and attractions within the country. Minister Carey says that some high end resorts such as Mount Juliet Resort, the K Club (home of the 2006 Ryder Cup) Ashford castle and Adare Manor are offering very reasonable rates. There is a whole range of things to do relatively cheaply including golfing. Carey recommends any of the Killarney courses.
Ireland and the US have a special bridge of friendship and support that has been solidified by the recent economic slump. Ireland encourages countries all over the world to work together on economics, industry and general innovation. The country has a population of eight million people and has one of the most open economies in the world. It exports 80 percent of what it produces. It has a flexible workforce and many Irish PhD students complete their doctorates in the US.
Carey says that there is still an undiscovered Ireland, particularly in the north. Attractions in Ireland include Giants Causeway, the Mourne Mountains, the glens in County Antrim, the Ring of Kerry, and the Killarney area, Kenmare Bay, the Blarney Stone in Cork, the Wicklow Mountains and the vibrant city of Dublin. There are over 247 different nationalities on the island. Minister Carey says “the strengths that we have (as a country) will bring us through the difficulties”.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie
It is often difficult for the average consumer to make sense of the buzzwords used in insurance policies. Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com, explains that primary coverage is typically what pays first and does not necessarily refer to travel insurance exclusively. Secondary coverage pays after every other source of travel insurance within the primary coverage is exhausted. It is important to look and see if a policy has primary coverage or secondary coverage only. Secondary coverage may be adequate in certain situations but you need to be aware of what it applies to.
There are travel insurance options that provide coverage to customers with pre-existing medical conditions but the insurance packages need to be purchased within a specific time frame. The standard window to buy this type of coverage is within 7 to 21 days of purchasing your trip. Some companies will allow for up to 30 days but it is better to obtain the policy sooner than later.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=338
For more information visit http://insuremytrip.com
General Manager of the Pfister Hotel, Joe Kurth, returns to “Travel with Stephanie Abrams” to discuss the advantages of staying at the historic hotel. All the suites at the Pfister have been recently renovated and there are two fantastic onsite attractions, the Well Spa and the Mason Street Grill. The Pfister is also one of the three official hotels of Irish Fest. The two others, the InterContinental Milwaukee and the Hilton, are also part of the Marcus Group and are located in the city's downtown area.
The Milwaukee Art Museum is only a two block walk from the Pfister Hotel and is situated on Wisconsin Avenue. The Pfister houses its own expansive Victorian art collection and launched an artist-in-residence program in April. Local artist Reginald Baylor is the first participating artist-in-residence. Kurth states that the program is designed to create a legacy for the hotel and will feature a different artist each year. Baylor is currently giving gives guided tours of the art in the hotel each Friday night. Baylor works primarily with acrylic on canvas and draws influence from the pop art era as well Classical Victorian styles. The Pfister's artist-in-residence program is a member of the international Alliance of Artists Communities.
The Friday night tours are also part of a special Pfister art package. In addition to meeting Baylor, guests will receive two tickets to the Milwaukee Art Museum. Milwaukee Art Museum members also receive discounted rates at the hotel. Like the Pfister, the museum is a signature building of the city. It has a distinct sunshade (brise soleil) that was designed by Spanish architect/engineer Santiago Calatravade in 2000. The wing-like fins open and close throughout the afternoon (literally “flap”) and close down for nightfall. The Pfister and the art museum are two of Milwaukee's most recognizable buildings and stand out when viewed from the river.
Click here to see the YouTube video of Artist-in-Residence Reginald Baylor setting up his exhibition at the hotel. You will see the artist shake hands with General Manager, Joe Kurth.
Travelers411 Directory Listing:
Visit the Travelers411 Pfister Hotel Directory Listing
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For more information visit http://www.thepfisterhotel.com
The InterContinental Milwaukee was built in 1989 alongside an office center and theater complexes. It was purchased from the Marcus Group in 2005 and had a multimillion dollar renovation. It opened as the InterContinental New Years Day, 2007.
Stephanie has a crab cake dinner at the hotel's Kil@Wat restaurant. She says both the food and the view were fantastic. Every Friday and Saturday in the lobby of the hotel there is also a chocolate bar which features “chocolate covered everything” including guest favorite, chocolate covered bacon.
The hotel has 221 guestrooms. While the Pfister is “stately” the InterContinental Milwaukee is described as “modern, trendy and sleek contemporary”. The nearby theater district is currently showing the Phantom of the Opera. Wicked will be playing later this fall.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit http://www.intercontinentalmilwaukee.com
Fun Facts:
August 19, 2009 is “Bronze the Fonz Day” in Milwaukee. The event includes the official bronzing ceremony of the statue erected to commemorate fictional television character Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli. A parade will be led from downtown to Miller Park and a free Fonzie baseball card will be given to each fan attending that night's Milwaukee Brewers game. The dedication ceremony is closed to the public.
Guests Include:
Patrick Carey, Minister of State, Department of the Taoiseach (with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip), Dublin, Ireland.
www.taoiseach.gov.ie
Jim Grace, President & CEO, InsureMyTrip.com.
www.insuremytrip.com
Joe Kurth, General Manager, The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
www.thepfisterhotel.com
Tim Smith, General Manager, InterContinental Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
www.intercontinentalmilwaukee.com
Topics Include:
Irish Fest is an overwhelming event which features a wide variety of both traditional and more modern Irish music throughout 16 stages of continuous entertainment. There are also a series of tents on the festival grounds which are devoted to other important aspects of Irish culture and heritage. Stephanie says that there was one tent that concentrated on the Irish language and featured poetry readings and discussions. There was a tent with dramatic theatrical presentations including “The Importance of Being Oscar” about Oscar Wilde, and a tent dedicated to Ireland's spirituality with talks on Knock Shrine.
While Stephanie was visiting the exhibits and events she ran into Dr. Tim Campbell, the Director of the Saint Patrick Centre in County Down. The Saint Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the world dedicated to the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. It is two hours north of Dublin and 45 minutes south of Belfast. The center is dedicated to St. Patrick's “legacy of peace and reconciliation”. The non-profit works with other organizations to sponsor various charitable events including helping to feed the homeless on Saint Patrick Day. It is also committed to working with young people in such educational programs as the Young Ambassadors. The centre is easily accessible and is close to beautiful natural attractions such as the Mountains of the Moure where C.S. Lewis was inspired to write the Chronicles of Narnia series.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com
Geraldine Enright, Sales & Marketing Manager for Cliffs of Moher Visitors Centre, joins “Travel with Stephanie Abrams!”. On her last trip to Ireland Stephanie saw the cliffs from below for the first time on a Doolin Ferries cruise. There are several cruising options at the cliffs, some that now take visitors around the bay and out around Hag's Head. Geraldine recommends a sunset cruise.
The Cliffs of Moher is Ireland's nomination for one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. The Cliffs of Moher remained in the top 11 in its category (seascapes) through July and has made it into the top 28. The final winners will be announced in 2011.
Travel Deal:
Visitors to the Cliffs of Moher can get 17 percent off tickets and events if they use the center's online booking service.
Visit http://www.new7wonders.com to vote for the Cliffs of Moher.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie
The Executive Director of Milwaukee Irish Fest, Jane Mullaney Anderson, tells “Travel with Stephanie Abrams!” that festival organizers have already been preparing for next year's 30th anniversary. The annual Milwaukee Irish Fest is the world's largest Irish festival and 2010's celebration will be especially big.
This year's showcase focuses on “Nova Scotia and Friends” including the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland, Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. The showcase includes music, cultural programming and tourism information. There will also be a County Down sampler including music from artist Tommy Sands and an Ulster-Scots band, performances by the Bangor theater company as well as cultural and tourism exhibits.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit http://www.irishfest.com
Sixmilebridge councillor John Crowe joins “Travel with Stephanie Abrams!” to discuss Shannon's local government and attractions. Crowe proposed his party colleague (also from the Shannon electoral area) Tony Mulcahy for mayor. Mulcahy was elected mayor of Shannon in June of 2009.
Crowe is a butcher by trade and is the 3rd generation of a family run business. The butcher shop he runs has been in the same building for 120 years.
When you fly into Shannon you fly into green fields which many think of as being synonymous with Ireland. Shannon boasts Ireland's beautiful green and also West Clare's rugged coastline. There is vast contrast throughout the county. Shannon Airport is in close proximity to Bunratty Castle and the Scariff area of the county. Scariff is a part of Ireland that even Stephanie has yet to see and Crowe states that it is part of the country that hasn't really been explored. The area's beautiful scenery includes Mount Shannon.
When in the Shannon area Stephanie recommends the Ennis Temple Gate Hotel and the Carrygerry Country House.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit http://www.shannon-dev.ie
Sanjay Hathiramari, Vice President of Supplier Relations for CheapOAir.com, tells Stephanie about some great rates to Ireland. Roundtrip New York to Dublin is only $420 USD plus taxes. From Toronto the fare is $760 USD plus taxes. The company is also offering deals to Cairo for $328 USD roundtrip plus taxes. New York to Athens is $330 USD plus taxes and NYC to Dubai is only $469 plus taxes. These fares are currently available but can be subject to change.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=459
For more information visit http://www.cheapoair.com
Fun Facts:
In 1176 the Norman John de Courcy is said to have brought the relics of St Colmcille and St Brigid to Downpatrick to rest with the remains of St Patrick. Many still debate if these were the actual relics of the saints but there began a local rhyme, ‘In Down, three saints one grave do fill, Patrick, Brigid and Colmcille'.
Guinness is based on the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is Ireland's most successful beer brand.
Guinness is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year.
Knock Shrine is a major pilgrimage site in the village of Knock in County Mayo, Ireland, where Catholics believe the apparition Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. John and Jesus Christ appeared in 1879.
Oscar Wilde's mother Jane Wilde was a life-long Irish nationalist.
Guests Include:
Dr. Tim Campbell, Director, Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, County Down, Ireland.
www.saintpatrickcentre.com
Geraldine Enright, Sales & Marketing Manager, Cliffs of Moher Visitors Centre, County Clare, Ireland.
www.cliffsofmoher.com
Jane Mullaney Anderson, Executive Director, Milwaukee Irish Fest, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
www.irishfest.com
John Crowe, County Councillor, Shannon Region Tourism Development Board.
www.shannon-dev.ie
Sanjay Hathiramari, Vice President, Supplier Relations, CheapOAir.com.
www.cheapoair.com
Topics Include:
Stephanie was pleased to discover a pavilion of Irish dogs at Irish Fest. The festival's cultural village consists of acres and acres of tents devoted to all things Ireland.
Travel Deal:
Stephanie learned of a Dooley Vacations package that included roundtrip airfare from NYC or Boston, a car rental and bed and breakfast stays for the week, for $299 USD per person. She states, “You can't afford to stay home”. The fare is available from now until March.
For more information visit http://www.dooleyvacations.com
Ennis is the capital city of County Clare and is a beautiful old world town. County Clare has some of Ireland's most beloved attractions. There is Lough Derg on the east coast of Clare, North Kerry, Limerick, South Offaly and North Tipperary. The Cliffs of Moher are in Clare as is the Burren and Foynes, the birth place of Irish coffee. Many people know Irish coffee but don't know about Foynes and its aviation history. There is also Clonmacnoise which epitomizes the history of the religion of Ireland. In addition to an phenomenal landscape and the sea of Celtic stone crosses, there is also an interactive center on site.
Another advantage of flying into Clare is that US visitors go through customs in the Shannon airport and don't have to do so again when they return to the US. There is also so much to do within Ireland that visitors are advised to not try and do everything. Sixmilebridge councillor John Crowe says to “come and enjoy the flavor of one region”.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit www.shannon-dev.ie
The Belfast Welcome Center is the main source of information for visitors to the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Officials will write out specific itineraries upon request. There are walking tours in the city, tours that focus on the murals and also shopping and restaurant districts to explore. A famous attraction is Albert Memorial Clock which is located down by the docks. The structure has a slight tilt (in the same vein as the Leaning Tower of Pisa) due to the fact that it was built on a marshy area.
Belfast holds the North West 200 each May, which is one of the biggest road race events in all of Europe. The Titanic was built and launched in Belfast so each April a Titanic shipbuilding festival is held. Belfast also has the Festival at Queens held at Queen's University each year in late autumn. The event highlights popular music and drama activities. In 2012 the city will offer an array of special attractions including the opening of the Titanic Museum.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494
For more information visit http://www.gotobelfast.com
Colin McGrath, Downpatrick Councillor in County Down, Northern Ireland, was elected in 2005 for a six year term. Councillor McGrath states that this has afforded him the opportunity to travel and promote “particularly the North of Ireland”. Many foreign visitors are still hesitant to explore Northern Ireland. Stephanie says that a trip is not complete unless you visit Giants Causeway and the Saint Patrick Centre and have driven along the coasts and seen the glens of Antrim.
Tourism in the north is not yet as well developed as the south but is continuously growing. There are many itineraries available online through the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. During her last trip Stephanie visited the Ulster American Folk Park Museum in Omagh. The display offers guests an opportunity to interact with an American history that starts in Northern Ireland. Over 40 million Americans have roots in Ireland.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit http://www.downdc.gov.uk
Tomas Mac Conmara, Project Coordinator for Oral History and Folklore Group and Chairman for Clare Tourist Council, states that “all the cultural characteristics that define Ireland can be found in County Clare”. Clare contains some of the most famous examples of Ireland's physical phenomena and natural beauty but it also has the “intangible Irish heritage”. It is the culture that binds Irish-Americans to Ireland. Gaelic games, Irish language, and traditional music are all dimensions that are extremely strong in Clare. Visitors can expect all the elements of Irish culture. The Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Lough Derg are all famous attractions but Conmara also advises travelers to go to the small villages to experience authentic Ireland.
Shannon is also a more manageable area. Many Americans don't realize they can fly into the west of Ireland and base themselves there. Shannon is Stephanie's favorite airport to fly into in Ireland.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread
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For more information visit http://www.clarememories.ie
Fun Facts:
Irish-born Richard Hennessy, a mercenary for King Louis XV, was rewarded for his service to the French crown with a sizable gift of property in Cognac, France. His son James Hennessy transformed the family business into the leading Cognac house it is today. Hennessy Cognac remained in family ownership until 1971, when the business merged with Moet et Chandon.
Irish coffee was invented in Foynes, County Limerick, Ireland in the 1930s at the site of the old Shannon Airport. American passengers disembarked a Pan Am flight in particularly terrible weather. The airbase terminal chef, Joseph Sheridan, chose to add whiskey to the coffees given out to the chilled passengers. One person asked if they were being served Brazilian coffee to which Sheridan replied that it was Irish coffee. The story reached a journalist of the New York Times and alcohol history was made.
Irish “craic” refers to “fun”. The term crack (as in wise-crack) is an older but related term.
T-Shirts on sale at Irish Fest had slogans such as, “Craic Addict”, “Wish You Were Beer”, and “Irish Whiskey Makes Me Frisky”.
There is a local saying in Belfast that refers to the Titanic, “It was fine when it left us”.
The first Archbishop of NYC, John Hughes, was from Tyrone, Northern Ireland. He founded the college that would become Fordham University and began construction of Saint Patrick's Cathedral.
Guests Include:
Siobhan King, Clare Tourism Officer, Shannon Development.
www.shannon-dev.ie
John Crowe, County Councillor, Shannon Region Tourism Development Board.
www.shannon-dev.ie
Josephine Young, Leisure Tourism Manager, Belfast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
www.gotobelfast.com
Colin McGrath, Downpatrick Councillor, County Down, Northern Ireland.
www.downdc.gov.uk
Tomas Mac Conmara, Acting Heritage Officer and Project Coordinator, Cuimheamh an Chláir, The Clare Oral History and Folklore Group, County Clare, Ireland.
www.clarememories.ie
