This Week’s Headlines

• Youth choir comes home from Ireland with special memories. www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090731/NEWS/907310314/1130&community=Johnston
• Top 10 beaches for swimming in Ireland www.diddlyi.com/profiles/blogs/top-10-beaches-for-swimming-in (via @Diddlyi)
• Rocky landscape of the Burren was once covered in forest www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sciencetoday/2009/0730/1224251661877.html
• How to Make Your Holyhead Dublin Ferry Trip go Smoothly http://supermaxshuttle.com/airportblog/how-to-make-your-holyhead-dublin-ferry-trip-go-smoothly/
• We look more into Ireland’s Alcatraz – Spike Island http://mag.diddlyi.com/2009/07/is-spike-island-as-notorious-as-alcatraz/ (via @Diddlyi)
• Read my review of Pauline Frommers Ireland www.wanderingeducators.com/travel-guides/frommers/pauline-frommer-s-ireland-book-review-and-giveaway.html
• USA to honour Former Irish President Mary Robinson http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8177510.stm (via @twirish)
• Carrying 100,000 euro ($140,000) will likely get you stopped at customs www.independent.ie/national-news/courts/customs-hands-back-8364100000-to-passenger-1847668.html
• Lady Augusta Gregory, Irish dramatist and co-founder of Abbey Theatre. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusta,_Lady_Gregory (via @celticgirl62)
• Howth IRE featured. www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-07/secret-hideaways-%E2%80%93-7-small-and-underappreciated-destinations-worth-visiting.html
• Belfast bar crowned the World’s Best. And more ‘Did You Knows’ http://mag.diddlyi.com/2009/07/ireland-did-you-know-19/ (via @Diddlyi)
• Don’t get turned away at immigration-10 Tips. https://irishfireside.wordpress.com/2009/07/29/tips-for-getting-through-immigration-in-ireland
• Ireland Travel 101 https://irishfireside.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/ireland-travel-101-guidebook-review
• Giants Causeway is on the list RT @BrilliantTrips 7 Alternative Natural Wonders of the World: http://blog.brillianttrips.com/2009/07/seven-alternative-natural-wonders-of-the-world/ (via @TravelEditor)
• Arthur, Guinness and Girls https://irishfireside.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/guinness-250-video-submission/
• Ireland trip deals make Conde Nast’s Deal of the Day www.concierge.com/cntraveler/blogs/perrinpost/2009/07/aer-lingus-travel-deals.html
• Wandering Educator’s has an interesting piece on the Milwaukee Irish Fest: www.wanderingeducators.com/best/traveling/milwaukee-irish-fest-2009.html (via @rtfelton)
• An adventure to Ireland’s Northwest www.mcalesternews.com/features/local_story_206172136.html
• Ignore these Irish superstitions at your own peril! www.diddlyi.com/profiles/blogs/ignore-irish-superstitions-at (via @Diddlyi)
• Irish couple “proud” to have American troops at their wedding. www.independent.ie/national-news/us-soldiers-did-not-gatecrash-wedding-1835684.html
• Pilgrims urged to wear shoes when climbing Croagh Patrick www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0723/1224251143218.html (via @irishcentral)
• New service so visitors can get to the Dublin Mountains easily. www.dublinmountains.ie/public_transport/public_transport/ (via @GiftedbyNature)
• Bono & the Omagh Community Youth Choir join Playing for Change www.playingforchange.com/episodes/8/War_No_More_Trouble
• CNN names Blarney Stone “germiest” tourist attraction. www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/07/20/germy.tourist.spots/index.html
• New group calls for extension of Irish citizenship to those with Irish great-grandparents: www.ean.ie/2009/enhance-citizenship-opportunities-says-diaspora-group (via @NoreenBowden)
• Cliffs of Moher on Natural Wonders shortlist www.rte.ie/news/2009/0721/cliffsofmoher.html (via @Diddlyi)
• Why the Rose of Tralee festival started. The real story: www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/story.php (via @IrishRootsCafe)
• Giants Causeway & the real Irish experience at Causey Farm www.sheep-travel.com/blog.htm (via @sheeptravel)
• Huge car rental deposits/holds for declining CDW on car hire in Ireland. http://ireland.activeboard.com/index.spark?forumID=65127&p=3&topicID=29313409 (via @IrelandYes)
• Scott Powers remembers Frank McCourt, Irish writer the world will miss… www.irishamericannews.com/index.php/world-news/usa/777-frank-mccourt-passes (via @IANChicago)
• Dublin travel review www.examiner.com/x-14096-Tucson-International-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d8-Dublin-Ireland-travel-review