Dundalk kick off premier league

Forget the premiership, champion's league and FA cup. The only soccer league that matters kicks off next month and Dundalk FC will be at the forefront of it. After seven years in the wilderness the Lilywhites start the new premier league of Ireland season in Oriel Park against the current champions Bohs on Friday March 6th.The full fixtures were unveiled yesterday and they see Dundalk welcome Drogheda to Oriel Park on March 20th.

♥ ♥ ♥ Valentine’s Weekend Package ♥ ♥ ♥

Love is very much in the air this weekend as February 14th is Valentine’s Day. We still have a few places left in the castle if you are looking for an unusual romantic getaway this year.

People are always looking for somewhere different this time of year so why not spend a night or two in one of Ireland’s oldest castles with the special person in your life and get away from the hustle and bustle of life for a while?

During your stay you can take a quiet stroll outside in our grounds or spend an hour relaxing in our leisure club. The club has a 22 metre pool, soothing jacuzzi, relaxing steam room and sauna.

In the evening Lucio and Rossano Orlandi will be waiting to welcome you to La Cucina for a beautifully prepared Italian meal. Their menu is based on traditional Italian dishes and one particular highlight is their famous homemade tiramisu dessert. The Orlandis run the restaurant independently from the castle but we can make a booking there for you. As the restaurant is popular at weekends it is essential to book a table there prior to arrival

Cost including accommodation and full Irish breakfast

1 night - €60 per person

2 nights - €115 per person

No Snow

Wintry weather arrived with a vengeance this week as temperatures plummeted and the country was carpeted in snow. Everywhere that is except around Ardee. We managed to avoid the snow that caused chaos at Dublin airport and let to a record number of people missing work earlier in the week. We did have some proper snow last year though as the picture proves.

NYAH Festival 2009

One of the participants on the recent Fáilte Ireland International Field Trip to Leuven was Martin Donohoe who represented the Nyah Co Cavan Traditional Arts festival. Martin is a renowned musician who performs traditional music both in Ireland and abroad. He is one of the driving forces behind the NYAH festival which starts this year on March 11th and builds to a spectacular climax on St Patrick’s Day (March 17th).

This will be the sixth year of the NYAH festival. It has been described as a celebration of all things Cavan. It celebrates the traditional music, song, dance and culture of County Cavan, the Ulster tradition and the county’s very own musical style. Michael Harding, writer calls the Cavan style ‘enigmatic and unpredictable’, claiming that ‘Cavan music is a lace-maker’s music’. And Cavan can lay claim to Ed Reavy, one of the most performed Irish composers in the world.

The NYAH Festival Committee was formed in 2003 to plan and implement a Traditional Arts Festival in County Cavan. The Committee is comprised of individuals with strong backgrounds in traditional music, dance and song who are recognised nationally and internationally.

The NYAH committee are recognised musicians (of national and international note) and have contacts throughout the music industry cementing the NYAH’s potential to as one of the most important music festivals in the Northwest. The NYAH Committee, Comhaltas and other key stakeholders work together to promote, preserve and enhance the traditional arts. The areas of focus are music, dance, song and visual arts. NYAH is an Irish word which refers to the ‘lift’ or soul of artistic (usually musical) expression. The NYAH committee work to identify and preserve local and regional traditional arts as well as embracing new influences from other traditions nationally and internationally, which will have a positive impact on the art forms and on local and tourist participation.