Historical Tours Ireland - We provide tours around Scotland and Ireland

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad." -- Brian O'Driscoll when asked about playing with and against England coach Martin Johnson. "If (Declan) Kidney had gone for religion instead of teaching, he would have been Pope." -- George Hook. "Kilkenny hurlers? We'll see your four and raise you one." -- All-- Ireland-winning Cork ladies football captain Mary O'Connor in her five-in-a-row acceptance speech. "We seemed to be like startled earwigs in the first 15 minutes." -- Dublin boss Pat Gilroy on their collapse to Kerry. "I would probably have to apologise to her... and hope she uses a driver next time instead of a three-iron."-- Jesper Parnevik on introducing Elin Nordregen to her husband Tiger Woods. "Crouch, touch, (nervous pause), ENGAGED!" -- A tabloid headline announces Brian O'Driscoll's engagement to Amy Hubermann. "To some of these fans, C...

Kardinaal Danneels pleit voor een groenere planeet

One of the things that surprised me, the first time I arrived in Europe some years ago is that in all the big European Countries (France, Spain, Italy, Germany, etc) movies are dubbed. Whereas in my homecountry (not a small one!), films are shown with subtitles.Germany is the case. And the smaller the city, the harder is to find a theather that will show the film in the original language. In Berlin, is relatively easy, you go to Potsdamer Platz and for sure you will find something; or go to Alternative Cinemas, and they will show the film in the original language (likely not to be English) with German subtitles. I remember once watching a Kurosawa film with German subtitles, it was good that I knew the story in advance.Now, if you are not in Berlin, you are likely to have a hard time trying to find a cinema where you can watch your Hollywood flicks in English. If I remember well, in Stuttgart there was (at least) one cinema in downtown. In Münich, I've got no idea at all. In Cologn...

The Dentist in Germany My earlier posts referred to the importance of learning German. One of the most important reasons to know German (if you live in Germany), is when you go to the dentist. At least you have to know the basic terms, you migth be lucky and your dentist might be able to speak English, but it is good to know the basic words or terms.First of all, the Dentist in Germany is not cheap, like in the rest of Europe. Besides, you definetely need an Insurance. I cannot speak from the point of view of a tourist, but more from a resident in Germany. Still, I am not sure if you will be received by the dentist if you dont have an insurance.Depending on what you want to have done in your teeth, the services might be cheaper or costlier. If you are just checking your teeth, the services will be free and you have to pay only 10 Euro. If you want something more elaborated, the insurance will cover something and you will have to pay the rest. And some other services won't be covere...

Verbod op verkoop wilde kaviaar

Vrouw springt op paus tijdens middernachtmis

Plans to move from Austin Stack Park shelved By Brendan Mooney Tuesday, December 15, 2009 KERRY GAA’s plans to sell Austin Stack Park to a developer and relocate to a state of the art complex at the old Ballybeggan Park Racecourse have been shelved. However, the County Committee is to drive on with alternative plans, Chairman Jerome Conway, told last night’s Annual Convention at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney. "Unfortunately, the planned transfer from the present Austin Stack Park has been parked due to the economic circumstances that exist," Conway told delegates. "This, however, does not change the crying-out demand for proper training facilities for our inter-county teams. "For instance, as and from the first of January three of our teams will be training three times weekly and as and from the first of March two others will be doing likewise. I acknowledge readily and deeply appreciate the co-operation of clubs in this respect but clubs also need their faciliti...

Ulster went top of their Heineken Cup pool with a victory over French powerhouse Stade Francais Paris at Ravenhill that combined ambition, skill and commitment. Inspired by the brilliant Ian Humphreys - deservedly named Man of the Match - Ulster attacked Stade from the off, and were more willing to run from deep when the situation called for it. They went in front through a Nigel Brady try created by Humphreys when he carved open the Stade defence with a superb pair of passes. Two penalties from each side meant Ulster went in 13-6 up at the break and the second half promised to be a corker with the sides clashing as they headed for the dressing rooms after the half-time whistle. It didn't disappoint as Ulster continuing to get among their French opponents, with Ferris and captain Chris Henry leading the way. Ulster had class to back the commitment, and their willingness to have a go yielded a try of the season contender after just three minutes of the second half. A length of the f...

It was billed as a must-win fixture if Ulster’s hopes of progressing beyond the group stage of the Heineken Cup for the first time in 10 seasons were not to be over before Christmas. On Saturday at chilly Ravenhill, where the crowd sang ‘Stand Up For the Ulstermen’ with all the usual Euro-zeal, Brian McLaughlin’s Ulster men stood up for themselves and delivered against illustrious French guests, Stade Francais. They never trailed and Stade never closed sufficiently to really threaten. They can have no argument; Ulster deserved their 10-point victory. Indeed, the margin might well have been greater had they not eased off in the final half-hour at which stage they appeared to feel a lead of 23-6 was enough. Personally, I’m a graduate of the Best Form Of Defence Is Attack school of thought, but let’s not be hyper-critical. Saturday has to go down as a very good afternoon’s work from which Ulster emerged without serious injury and without having allowed Stade to depart with so much as a lo...

Refreshing Quirke bucks trend By Martin Breheny Wednesday December 09 2009 We might have had to wait until the dying embers of the 2009 season for a really courageous reaction to a crucial refereeing decision that went against a team, but at least it came in the end. Credit then to Kerry and Kerins O'Rahillys' player Michael Quirke who didn't take the predictable line after referee Maurice Condon disallowed a late goal against Kilmurry-Ibrickane in the AIB Munster club football final on Sunday. Relieved at the let-off, Kilmurry swept upfield and scored the winning point, thus creating a familiar climate for criticism from the disappointed losers. It came too, although not in Quirke's case. Instead, he showed real leadership by escorting the referee off the field when it looked as if the Waterford man might be in for a nasty exit."We lost the game in the first half when we kicked nine wides. There will be no excuses about referees," said the Kerins O'Rahill...

SPORT AR TG4 – NOLLAIG 2009 The December/Christmas schedule for TG4. Will also be streamed online at www.tg4.tv SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER 10:45am Route 66 Motorcycle Challenge Documentary which charts an amazing journey and fundraising efforts by one hundred Irish 66er bikers who travelled the famous American Road in aid of Temple Street Children’s University Hospital raising over €500,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis & Respiratory Unit. Produced by Fuel TV. 11:45am Rugbaí Gold A classic rugby match from the archives with Wales taking on Ireland in Cardiff Arms Park in the 1995 Five Nations Championships on 18th March 1995. The Irish team included such players as Peter Clohessy, Eric Elwood, Paddy Johns, Brendan Mullin, a young Anthony Foley who had just made his Irish debut in January of that year and captained by Terry Kingston. SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 3:15pm Cluiche Leath-Cheannais Iomána Faoi 21 na hÉireann Another chance to see what is regarded as one of the best hurling matches of the year ...

PRESS RELEASE 08.12.09 Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Criostóir Ó Cuana today presided over the official handover of a GAA cheque to the Alan Kerins’ African Projects. The charity’s founder Alan Kerins accepted the cheque for €50,000 as part of their alliance with the GAA as one of the Association’s official charities. The GAA President lauded the ongoing work of the charity and wished them every success for 2010. He said: “Alan and his team are overseeing tremendous work in challenging conditions and their efforts deserve our support. “Our work with charities is of even more significance in these difficult times and it is a huge bonus that we are also supporting the excellent work of someone who has well known ties to our own games. “I wish Alan every success in the months ahead and am glad we can make a contribution to the excellent work and vital projects that he is engaged in.” Kerins’ who recently returned from another stint in Zambia is looking forward to building on the relat...

Leinster GAA News http://www.gaa.ie/leinster Please note the following changes to fixtures (fixtures list updatedbelow) * Ulster Bank HE Freshers Hurling League Division 2 Semi-Final between UL and UCD scheduled for today (Wednesday 9th December) is OFF * Ulster Bank HE Senior Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final between UCD and UCC scheduled for Thursday 10th December is OFF * Ulster Bank HE Freshers FootballLeague Division 1 Semi-Final between UCD and NUIG scheduled for Thursday 10th December is OFF * Ulster Bank HE Senior Football League Division 1 Final between DCU and UUJ will now take place on Thursday 10th December at 7pm inArmagh. * Ulster Bank HE Intermediate Football League Final between DCUand UUJ scheduled for Thursday 10th December is OFF FIXTURES WEDNESDAY 9th DECEMBER 2009 Ulster Bank HE Senior Football League Division 3 Final(Extra-time if necessary) SRC v Carlow IE, 2pm @ Ballymun Kickhams Ulster Bank HE Freshers Hurling League Division 2 Semi-Finals (Extra-time if nec...

Stakelum new Dubs u21 boss Chiefs decide to axe regional hurling experiment By Conor McKeon Tuesday December 08 2009 DUBLIN senior hurling selector, Richie Stakelum has been appointed Dublin under-21 manager for next season. The former Tipperary hurler heads a management ticket which will, in effect, see the senior management also overseeing the U21s in 2010. There was other big news emerging for last night's Dublin County Board meeting as the decision was taken to end the regional team experiment in the Dublin SHC 'A'. Originally from Borris-Ileigh, Stakelum won a Munster U21 medal with his native Tipp in 1984 and went on to captain them to Munster SHC glory three years later. Having moved to Dublin during the 1990s, Stakelum brought Kilmacud Crokes minor hurlers to a county championship in 2007 and was named as part of Daly's backroom team last year along with Vincent Teehan and Ciarán Hetherton. Stakelum takes over from former Antrim and Dublin senior hurler Ciarán ...

By Cliona Foley Tuesday December 08 2009 ALL STAR goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy has questioned the wisdom of tampering with the square ball rule as the GAA prepare to officially release the latest batch of experimental rules. The new rules will be trialled in the 2010 National Leagues and voted on at next year's Congress. They include a controversial proposal that attackers will now be allowed to enter the square before the ball, unless it comes in from a dead ball (a free, sideline ball or '45')." Long term, you could end up with teams just standing big 6'4"-plus men directly in front of the 'keepers and repeatedly driving balls into them," said the Kerry star." Obviously you'd have to see it in operation to see how things develop but you could end up with badly crowded goalmouths like you had back in the '50s. You'd wonder if it's really just to suit referees because they obviously have difficulty judging square balls at the moment...

Sport in Eirinn Wielrennen is niet heel populair in Ierland maar toch heeft ook Ierland een aantal legendarische wielrenners voortgebracht zoals Stephen Roche, Sé O’Hanlon, Paddy Flanagan en Sean Kelly. Minder bekend maar een echte legende is Mike “Iron Man” Murphy. Mike is bij lange na niet zo bekend als andere wielrenners maar een groter karakter was er zelden in deze sport. Geboren in Sú Gréine, nabij Cahirciveen, Zuid County Kerry, was het Mike die vriend en vijand verrastte door de 1958 Rás Tailteann te winnen. De Rás Tailteann is een jaarlijkse, 8-daagse, wielerwedstrijd gehouden in Ierland in Mei. Deze race wordt sinds 1953 ieder jaar gehouden en was vooral in de 50-er, 60-er en 70-er jaren zeer populair. In 1958 was de Rás, zoals de race liefkozend wordt genoemd, 5 jaar oud en zeer geliefd in Ierland en de wereld. Vaak werd de race overschaduwd door andere gebeurtenissen zoals tijdens de 1957 Rás waarbij Ierse vlaggen in beslag werden genomen door de RUC in het noorden van Ierl...

Oisín McConville (in het Iers Oisín Mac Conmhaoil) is één van die spelers die dat niveau heeft bereikt waarop je een legende bent tijdens je actieve spelerscarrière. Op 33-jarige leeftijd heeft hij bijna alles gewonnen wat men als Gaelic Football speler maar kan winnen. Oisín werd op 13 Oktober 1975 geboren in Crossmaglen in het zuiden van County Armagh, een streek die geplaagd werd tijdens de “Troubles” door aanslagen en geweld van beide kanten in het conflict. In totaal werden er in en rond Crossmaglen 58 politiemensen en 124 Britse soldaten omgebracht door de Provisional IRA. Ongetwijfeld geen makkelijke plek om op te groeien deed Oisín wat iedere jongen uit Crossmaglen doet in zijn jeugd en dat is Gaelic Football spelen bij de plaastelijke club, Crossmaglen Rangers ( Raonaithe Crois Mhic Lionnáin in het Iers). De Crossmaglen Rangers is een club die het in zijn geschiedenis niet makkelijk heeft gehad, spelende nabij de grens tussen 2 staten die minstens 30 jaar min of meer met elkaa...

Eugene McGee: Rule-change brigade need to look at bigger picture Monday December 07 2009 I hate to bring this up dear readers, especially with the season of goodwill imminent, but the grim news for GAA people is that coming down the tracks we have yet another pair of rules revision committees from the depths of Croke Park. Their deliberations will be announced this week and whatever wonderful ideas they present will be debated at GAA Congress in April 2010. Playing rules can only be changed in years divisible by five, for some mysterious reason. It looks like being a long, hard winter, so I suppose we should be grateful to have something of a GAA nature to argue about and there is nothing like proposed rule changes to spark a bit of controversy. No Irish sport causes as much controversy when it comes to looking at rule changes as the GAA. There was a bit of a furore in rugby in recent years about changes, but that was exceptional. In the GAA, every Padraig, Michael and Eileen thinks t...

A number of experimental rules are expected to be trialled during the upcoming Allianz League campaigns.A number of proposed rule changes were mooted by hurling and football representatives at yesterday's Central Council meeting in Croke Park.And although the details won't be confirmed until later this week, it is understood that an Aussie Rules style 'mark' for football is among them. A change to the 'square ball' rule is also expected where players are allowed into the square ahead of the ball after it has been kicked.Also thought to be implemented for both codes is if a game is entering its closing seconds and teams are level, referees will be asked not to blow for full time while a side is attacking.Taking all kick-outs from the 13-metre line to speed up play and moving the penalty spot closer to the goal is also thought to be part of the changes trialled.In hurling, managers will have to stand at least one metre from the sideline, while all 'clash balls...

Monday is now 'Senior Citizens Day' at the GAA Museum Dec 06, 2009 http://www.gaa.ie/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=28432 Following the success of Senior Citizens Day across Dublin on Monday last week, the GAA Museum are delighted to announce that from today onwards every Monday will be ‘Senior Citizens Day’ at the Museum in Croke Park Stadium. Each Monday, Seniors are invited to the GAA Museum to take a behind-the-scenes guided tour of Croke Park Stadium for just €5, less than half the adult price. Fitzers Catering have also added to the deal by offering 10% off in the Museum’s Café. The first ‘Senior Citizens Day’ was introduced just over three years ago, by Irish Charity Friends of the Elderly, and was confined to special discounts and free events in the Ilac Centre. The impetus behind the initiative was to celebrate and thank our seniors citizens for all they have achieved. Now venues throughout the city have gotten involved including Dublin City Council...

MONDAY 7th DECEMBER 2009 Ulster Bank HE Freshers Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final Cork IT 0-17 DIT 0-12 FIXTURES WEDNESDAY 9th DECEMBER 2009 Ulster Bank HE Senior Football League Division 1 Final (Extra-time if necessary) DCU v UUJ, 7pm @ Pairc Esler, Newry Ulster Bank HE Senior Football League Division 3 Final (Extra-time if necessary) SRC v Carlow IE, 2pm @ Ballymun Kickhams Ulster Bank HE Freshers Hurling League Division 2 Semi-Finals (Extra-time if necessary) UL v UCD, 1pm @ Limerick IT Carlow v UUJ, 2pm @ Carlow THURSDAY 10th DECEMBER 2009 Ulster Bank HE Freshers Football League Division 2 Final (Extra-time if necessary) IT Carlow v NUI Maynooth, 2pm @ The Curragh Ulster Bank HE Senior Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final (Extra-time if necessary) UCD v UCC, 7pm @ Dr Morris Park, Thurles Ulster Bank HE Freshers Football League Division 1 Semi-Final (Extra-time if necessary) UCD v NUIG - TBC

Sensational changes proposed by GAA The rule changes were discussed at Croke Park on Saturday Sunday, 6 December 2009 23:03 by Jonathan Mullin. RTÉ understands that there are nine proposed rule changes in football and seven in hurling after the Central Council of the GAA voted this weekend to introduce the spate of experimental to the game. Depending on their success they will then be voted on at Annual Congress 2010 in County Down. Some are significant, such as the complete overhaul of the square ball rule, the introduction of a mark and a proposal that penalties in Gaelic football be moved two metres closer to goal. Others are technical and involve changes to the wording in current rules. A number of these proposals may be tidied up and altered before the GAA release them later in the week. Gaelic football's experimental rule changes: 1: When a player is in possession of the ball it may be struck with an open hand or a fist provided there is a definitive striking action (the curr...

CASHEL had to call upon all their experience to see off the challenge of Athenry, and claim their second All Ireland senior club championship title in horrendous weather at Clarecastle yesterday (0-11 to 0-9). Although the foot conditions were top class at the impressive Clare venue, the driving wind and rain proved to be a constant challenge. It was Cashel's ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over during a first half when Athenry captain Therese Maher had opted to play with the gale that was the main difference. Claire Grogan's seven points overall(four from play) were contributory too, but when it came down to it, theTipperary side had too much talent for the westerns who were far too reliant on skipper Maher to keep them in the hunt. As well, Cashel captain and full back Una O'Dwyer proved unbeatable, as did their entire half back trio of Paula Bulfin, Philly Fogarty and Julie McGrath. And when they turned over just one point behind, 0-5 to 0-6, it was going to take ...

Kerry Junior Hurling Championship 05-Dec-2009 St. Pats East Kerry 0 - 4 Kenmare B 0 - 10, Templenoe, Final

Leinster GAA News http://www.gaa.ie/leinster GAA HANDBALL SHOWDOWN CLOSES 125 CELEBRATIONS The Gaelic Athletic Association's 125 celebrations came to a close at Irish handball headquarters, Croke Park on Saturday, where stars from Football, Hurling, Camogie, Handball, Rounders and Ladies Football, came together to take part in the Ultimate GAA Showdown. Some of the finest athletes in Gaelic Games took to the courts in four Showdown competitions, with Wexford and Cork emerging victorious in theMen's categories, and Leinster and Connacht taking honours in theLadies. Cork sharp-shooter, Donnacha O'Connor, paired up with Rebel handballace, Tony Healy, to take the 40x20 Showdown title, where they defeated Mayo footballer, Andy Moran, and his handball partner, Joe McCann. O'Connor recorded a six point victory over Moran in the first battle,and Healy sealed the deal with a one point win over McCann to take the title. "It was a super day of handball and I really enjoyed it...

http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/3805/Buitenland/video/detail/1036215/Zanger-Ramses-Shaffy-overleden.dhtml De Nederlandse zanger en acteur Ramses Shaffy (76) is vanmorgen in Amsterdam overleden. Dat maakte zijn management bekend. Dit voorjaar werd er bij hem slokdarmkanker vastgesteld. "Eind vorige week verslechterde zijn gezondheid aanzienlijk. Vanmorgen is hij rustig ingeslapen", stelt het management in een verklaring. Zangeres Liesbeth List is zeer geschokt door het nieuws van het overlijden van haar vriend en collega. Haar woordvoerder laat weten dat ze nog niet kan reageren op het nieuws. "Het is geen grote verrassing, maar toch komt het als een enorme schok. Ze is op dit moment niet aanspreekbaar", klinkt het. Volgens het management van Shaffy bezocht List de zanger gisteravond nog.Bloemen van Nicole en HugoIn de jaren zestig en zeventig raakte Shaffy bekend met Nederlandstalige klassiekers als 'Sammy', 'We zullen doorgaan', en 'Zing, vecht, huil, ...

Munster club JFC: Punch-up mars Castlegregory win 30 November 2009 Kerry champions Castlegregory's victory over Cork's Glanworth in yesterday's Munster JFC semi-final at Austin Stack Park was marred by a mass brawl which erupted at half-time.Castlegregory1-10Glanworth1-6 Players from both sides got involved in the melee, while a spectator was allegedly hit by a water bottle, as the teams made their way to the dressing rooms. When the game resumed, referee Keith O'Brien issued straight red cards to Castlegregory's Colm O'Connor and Michael O'Shea along with Glanworth's Tommy Pierce and Sean O'Keeffe.Boosted by a fourth minute penalty by Micheal Sheehan, Glanworth led by 1-5 to 1-4 at the interval, The West Kerry side's goal was scored by centre back Stephen Browne.After the restart, Castlegregory began to stamp their authority on the game with JB Spillane, Gavin O'Connor, Joe Scully and Joe O'Connor all to the fore.Lynch brought the...