It’s the year of “The Gathering” (thegatheringireland.com) in Ireland, when those of Irish heritage return for clan gatherings and special festivals. And, of course, friends of the green country are also welcome to join in the celebration.
Events include a Jewish Gathering in Dublin, July 21-28 — with a gala dinner hosted by Minister of Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter, plus a jaunt to nearby seaside towns Dunleary and Bray (jewishireland.org).
There are plenty more towns and events to check out, too; here are some of our faves:
Galway
This college town is the site of the Galway Arts Festival (galwayartsfestival.com), from July 15-28. Featured artists include Glen Hansard, Grizzly Bear and Imelda Mae.
Check online for updates about performers at the Galway Comedy Festival (galwaycomedyfestival.com), which runs from Oct. 22-28.
For an outstanding meal, try Ard Bia (ardbia.com) at Nimmos. Everything is freshly made on premises, mainly with Irish products procured from within a 50-mile radius. Ask for the Colleran’s spiced lamb kofta with harissa sauce, and try the teas from master blender Jörg Müller — the supplier to the Cannes Film Festival.
Stay at the five-star, Alice-in-Wonderland-themed hotel, the g, designed by famed London milliner Philip Treacy. Most memorable are the three glowing lounges — Pink Salon, Blue Lounge and Grand Salon with 300 twinkling mirror balls — adjoined by a raspberry-pink carpet. (Rooms from $148; theghotel.ie)
Inishmore
Go back in time for the day by visting Inishmore, the biggest of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay. When you get off the ferry from Rossaveal, you will see the Aran Sweater Market (aransweatermarket.com). Watch expert knitter Mary demonstrate her mastery — you can choose from more than 500 clan patterns in-store or online.
Climb the ring fort Dun Aengus (1100 BC), an ancient stone construction, and snap photos.
Experience an individual Gathering, the Mythical Island Workshop, by memoir expert Irene Graham. She’s inviting all past attendees, as well as newbies, for writing, music and yoga from July 7-12 (thecreativewritersworkshop.com).
Graham is also conducting a memoir writing seminar from Aug. 19-22 at Markree Castle, County Sligo. Famed poet William Butler Yeats was a regular guest at Sligo’s oldest inhabited castle. Dine in their Louis XIV-style restaurant or just stop by for afternoon tea (markreecastle.ie).
Clonmacnoise
Not far from Galway, walk among towers, cathedrals and crosses in the mid-sixth-century Clonmacnoise. Two 60-foot towers, McCarthy’s and O’Rourke’s, watch over the monastery.
The 20-minute audio-visual presentation in the 56-seat theater is worth seeing. Check out the arresting, Celtic-style Cross of the Scriptures, moved indoors to preserve its figural, sandstone sculptures.
In 1979, Pope John Paul II said that Clonmacnoise allowed him “to render homage to the traditions of faith and Christian living in Ireland.”
Mount Falcon
You can stay at the main hotel at Mount Falcon or in a spacious, three-bedroom, three-bathroom Woodlands lodge. Experience woodcock hunting, clay pigeon shooting and salmon fishing. Swim in the stunning 17-meter pool and experience the Elemis spa. Go to the five-star Kitchen restaurant for superb cuisine and service. Recommended: rack of local Tolans lamb with garden kale. (Rooms start at $119; mountfalcon.com)
The Quiet Man Festival Gathering will commence Oct. 4, in nearby Cong, where the film,“The Quiet Man” was made in 1951. A life-sized bronze statue of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara will be unveiled.
Cliffs of Moher
You may recognize the cliffs from the film version of “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.” Climb O’Brien’s Tower — built in 1835 — for an exquisite view of the imposing precipices and Scotland (cliffsofmoher.ie). There are some 30,000 birds living in the cliffs.
At the Cliffs View Cafe you can dine on local salmon from Burren Smokehouse, the caterer for the Queen of England during her visit to Ireland.
Carrick-a-Rede, Northern Ireland
Cross the 66-foot rope bridge to the tiny, rocky island of Carrick-a-Rede. Marvel at the brown, green, and purple-hued cliffs while walking 98 feet over the raging North Atlantic Ocean. The structure is amazingly steady, even in blustery weather.
And as they say in Ireland, have a pint and some great Irish CRAIC (fun)! C stands for ceol (music); R for rince (dance); A for agus (and); I for iomlain (plenty of); and C for caint (talk).
For more information, visit Ireland.com.