President Barack Obama has Irish roots on his mother’s side. The hamlet of Moneygall, about 125 kilometers to the southwest of Dublin is where the 44th president’s great-great-great grandfather Joseph Kearney lived before emigrating to America. European Focus owner James Derheim visited Moneygall on September 1 and found the village still basking in the glow […]
Tag Archives: ireland
Ireland’s Pubs Face Big Challenge Starting in October
Starting soon, empty pubs all across Ireland. Why? Because of Ireland’s newest “get tougher” stance on drinking and driving. Starting on October 1, it will now be illegal to have even one pint before getting behind the wheel. This will certainly be the death of many a village pub, which are reliant on the farmer […]
Shelburne Lodge in Kenmare County Kerry Best Bed and Breakfast
The best bed and breakfast in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland by far is the beautiful Shelburne Lodge run by Tom and Maura Foley and their family and team. We’ve been staying here with our clients since 2001 and the Shelburne Lodge has become our home away from home in Ireland. You’re greeting warmly when you […]
Postcard from Ireland
A photographer’s dream, that’s Ireland. This view is on the end of the Beara Peninsula near Allihies.
Dursey Island by Cable Car
A spontaneous detour to Dursey Island meant a thrilling ride via the cable car over to this widllife sanctuary for our current guests. The cable car was installed in 1969 and it can carry six people, or 1,200 pounds, or three people and three sheep, whatever combo you want! It creaks along at a snail’s […]
Allihies Copper Mine, Beara Peninsula, Ireland
The Allihies Copper Mine is one of the last copper mines operating in western Ireland, dating back to 1813. The mine was first operated as an open pit mine, with the miners scooping the ore out of the side of the mountain and smelting it right on the spot. Tailings litter the area around the […]
Scenes from the Ring of Kerry
Driving from our last stop at Dingle over to Kenmare, we took the Ring of Kerry along the Iveragh Peninsula of western Ireland. It’s the “long way around” to Kenmare, but it resulted in some spectacular scenery. The Ring of Kerry is a road traveled by most of the big tour companies. We take the […]