Failte Tours Ireland

23/04/2024

“Someone say SCOTLAND ?” 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
“Let’s go folks…”🚌💨

22/04/2024

“So why 18 holes in GOLF and not less or more ?” ⛳️

Well back about 1858 or so and we’ll not be too precious on the timings etc etc and few gents sat about St, Andrew’s in Bonnie Scotland discussing the same…”⛳️

Back then there were 7 hole courses, 13 hole, 15 and St.Andrew’s was in actual fact a 22 hole course…⛳️

After hours of discussion a fine old Scottish member of the St. Andrew’s board piped up, “Gentlemen I’ve listened patiently for quite some time now on how many holes there ought to be in golf, I must intervene with my input…”

“As many of you know I’m custom to carry with me for no other reason but for the Baltic conditions we endure about here a bottle of Martin’s Scottish Whisky along with my small glass which holds an ounce and half so not to spill any it’s imperative that i take a fill on each tee” ⛳️

“To see no other reason to continue and exhaust myself once my bottle is empty after the 18 tee, it’s for this reason I declare golf to be played over 18 holes, no less nor no more…” ⛳️

And that my friends is a “True Story” thanks to Martin’s Scottish Whisky…Sláinte 🥃☘️

21/04/2024

This photo was taken way back in 1948. The guy is Ken Shimizu and he was only 35 years old, married with 2 chaps, girl and a boy.

Shimizu has never exercised, sleeps on late into the day, ates whatever he craves washed down with beer instead of water and holds no secrets to having such a physique !!!

As for his twin brother (seen here on the right) well I know nothing at all about him…!!! 🤷‍♂️☘️

Credit: Ben Doran 😂

17/04/2024

“Me cuzant Ernesto “Che” Guevara…& Galway city” ☘️

Back in late 2017 the controversial Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara appeared on an Irish stamp to commemorate 100 years since his birth…☘️
(Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick is credited for the famous image of “Che” Guevara) ☘️

Che’s father, who’s full name is Ernesto Guevara LYNCH, was proud of his Irish roots and of how his family built a business in Argentina after fleeing Ireland during Cromwell’s era☘️

Patrick Lynch was born and raised to parents from two of the main tribes of Galway. But after defeats at the hands of Oliver Cromwell’s forces, and later those of William of Orange in the 17th century he fled to Bilbao in the Basque region of northern Spain, and then on to Rio de la Plata, which would later become Argentina 🇦🇷

“Uncle Patrick” became a prominent figure in the Spanish government as a leading Civil Servant ☘️

After travelling to Buenos Aires to work as a captain in the Milicias, he married a wealthy heiress 💰The valuable lands he gathered over the years were then passed on to his son, who followed into his father’s line of business, in the century that followed, one of Patrick Lynch’s descendants would set up a shipping company, fight in the Argentine army and Chilean navy, write novels and short stories, paint and founded a movement for rural libraries in Argentina ☘️

Referring to Che’s “restless” nature, his father declared “the first thing to note is that in my son’s veins flows the blood of the Irish rebels”…☘️

Up to about a million of the Argentinian population claim to be of Irish descent but there are problems with identifying people of Irish descent, for when the Irish arrived during that era they were recorded as “British” so it’s a little bit problematic identifying who was Irish and who actually wasn’t.

15/04/2024

“Have ya any change for a phone call…?” ☘️

I love Ireland 💚☘️💚

11/04/2024

Phoenix Park Deer ☘️💚☘️

Ireland is home to 4 type of deer, Red Deer, Sika Deer. Fallow Deer and the “Oh Dear” kind ☘️

The Fallow deer that roam the Phoenix Park are not native to Ireland but are now the most widespread around the country☘️

The Normans first introduced fallow deer to Ireland in the early/mid 13th century when they brought the deer over to stock the Royal Deer Forest at Glencree in Co. Wicklow (aka The Garden County)☘️

When the Phoenix Park was established in 1662 by the Duke of Ormond who was Charles II viceroy in Dublin it was originally opened as a Royal Deer Park (hunting park which included Pheasants) and the fallow deer were imported from Great Britain ☘️

The park opened to the public in 1745 and is known to be the largest capital city park in Europe ☘️

The wild herd currently in the Park consists of approximately 600 deer, many of whom are descendants of the original herd introduced back in the 17th century ☘️

So “deer” ya are now folks…tiz all a true story ☘️

10/04/2024

“Must have a word with me Da, I know of him as a different man altogether and extremely proud of the name…”☘️💚☘️

“Liam Lynch” chief of staff of the Irish Republican Army, is mortally wounded by Free State troops in the Knockmealdown Mountains, Co Tipperary on this day the 10th April 1923 😢

Liam Lynch was born in Barnagurraha, Co Limerick. He joined the Irish Volunteers after witnessing the arrests of the Kent family by British forces after the failed Easter Rising of 1916. Two of the Kent brothers, David and Richard were shot during their arrest. Richard would later die of his wounds and a third brother, Thomas, was executed by Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC).☘️

During the Irish War of Independence Lynch helped to reorganise the Cork IRA, becoming commandant of the Cork No. 2 Brigade. ☘️

He was arrested by the RIC in August 1920 in Cork City, along with Terence MacSwiney, who would later die in Britain during a hunger strike☘️

Lynch was not recognised by RIC officers and was released. Lynch continued to prove his leadership abilities throughout the war including the capturing of the Mallow Barracks in September 1920 with Ernie O’Malley.☘️

In April 1921, the IRA was re-organised into divisions and Lynch was made Commander of the 1st Southern Division. He would hold this post until the truce in July 1921 ☘️

“Thankfully my Dad (Liam Lynch) is alive and well as a fit 82yr old today…” ☘️💚☘️

(Thank you Paula for these cherished photos 💚)

07/04/2024

“My great grandfather was the last male descendant from Hugh O’Neill…” ☘️

(Granny Doyle’s father, for all me cuzants ☘️💚☘️)

The O'Neills, one of the greatest Irish clans, date back to the 10th century and boast a lineage that includes two High Kings of Ireland.☘️

Hugh O'Neill, who became leader of the clan in 1595, was known as The O'Neill ☘️

This clan was renowned for their bravery, intelligence, and strategic thinking. They were instrumental in resisting English rule during the 16th and 17th centuries. The O'Neills were known for their military prowess and their ability to unite other clans against a common enemy☘️

Hugh O'Neill, was a skilled diplomat and military leader. He was able to form alliances with other clans and even with Spain to resist English rule. His leadership during the Nine Years' War against the English was remarkable. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, he was able to hold his own against the English for nine years☘️

The O'Neills were not just warriors, they were also patrons of the arts and culture. They supported poets, musicians, and artists, which helped to preserve Irish culture during a time of great turmoil☘️

The legacy of the O'Neills lives on today in Ireland (& in me 😉)☘️

They are remembered as one of the greatest clans in Irish history. Their bravery, intelligence, and strategic thinking continue to inspire people today☘️

“and that my friends is a TRUE STORY…” ☘️

06/04/2024

“When you let 48 youngsters from France 🇫🇷 loose with a Hurley, all hell breaks out…but their lovin it” ☘️

02/04/2024

“Let’s go touring Eire…” ☘️💚☘️

01/04/2024

😂 ”Ye will love these, classic !!!”

19/03/2024

“Lads be careful who ya bump inta, up te the 1920’s in Teltown, Co. Meath couples could get MARRIED simply by walking towards each other…” 😳 😁

“Some strange folk about The Royal county…”☘️

19/03/2024

A little bit of banter…☘️

“Be jaz your wan has lost the weight all right, she’s that skinny now, one eye would of done er…” 😁

“Be gorra would ya look at the height of yer man, if he fell over he’d be half way home…” !!! 😁

19/03/2024

“..aahhhh there’s comfort from above folks in the form of St. Bibiana, a 5th century Roman who at 15 was whipped to death after knocking back the sexual advances of the governor Apronius…” 😳

“If your not feeling too clever today after the antics of the last few days, offer an aule prayer to St. Bibiana, she’ll sort ya out as she’s the patron Saint for HANGOVERS…” 😇☘️😇☘️😇

“Them Roman’s did like their vino ya know…”🍷

18/03/2024

“Be god Twas Paddy’s yesterday, today tiz Sheelah’s Day…” ☘️💚☘️

Many an Aussie will call in sick, just for the craic of it…☘️

In the old Celtic calendar, today is Sheelah’s Day. In ancient Ireland, it was an annual festival to honour the fertility Goddess known as Sheela-na-gig 💚

Naked Sheela-na-gig figures appeared in Irish churches constructed before the 16th century, but most were defaced or destroyed during the prudish Victorian age…🤷‍♂️🙄

According to some sources, the origins of ‘drowning the shamrock’ have also been traced to this date. In the eighteenth century, William Hone reported on the celebrations surrounding Sheelah, who has been variously identified as the wife, mother, or other relative of St Patrick !!! noting that the people of the day ain’t so anxious to determine who ‘Sheelah’ actually was, but more so to have an excuse te go on the p**s again after yesterday’s St. Patrick’s day celebrations…☘️

All agree that her immortal memory is to be maintained by a small drop of whiskey 🥃
At the end of the day, the faithful would then take their shamrocks and drop them into their respective glasses before lowering the contents…☘️

“Have a G’day Sheelah…” 💚

17/03/2024

Wishing you all a wondering St Patrick's Day ☘️Let us know below where you are celebrating in the world 👇
https://failtetoursireland.com/

15/03/2024

Big shout out to a good ”young” mate of mine, ex International, singer, poet, entertainer, and a “wooor te drink pints” ☘️

Happy Birthday Tom Clancy 🎂

14/03/2024

Day Tours to the Giants Causeway and Belfast ☘️ Book your tickets now

https://failtetoursireland.com/trip/giants-causeway-belfast/

14/03/2024

Our Tricolour 🇮🇪

☘️”Twas this day March 14th way back in 1848 (not today or yesterday ye might say) Thomas Francis Meagher unveiled our tricolour, later to become Ireland’s national flag (flown over the GPO in 1916) It was presented to Meagher by a group of French ladies (ooh la la 😁) who were sympathetic to Irish Nationalism…” 🇮🇪

Inspired by the French national flag of three vertical panels it represents the two communities on our island with a lasting truce being represented by the middle panel of white 🇮🇪

“…but the way the country is looking presently it may be changed to a chequered kinda looking flag with a whole heap of colours 😳 but that’s another debate for another day…”😉

13/03/2024

Giants or Science? You will have to visit to decide.
Book your tickets on the link below
☘️
https://failtetoursireland.com/trip/giants-causeway-belfast/

12/03/2024

Book your day to to Giants Causeway and Belfast City on the link below☘️

https://failtetoursireland.com/trip/giants-causeway-belfast/

11/03/2024

11/03/2024

Day Tours to the Giants Causeway and Belfast ☘️ Book your tickets now
https://failtetoursireland.com/trip/giants-causeway-belfast/

08/03/2024

“Full Irish” ☘️

As deadly as a shotgun albeit a slower death if consumed on a daily basis, the Full Irish Breakfast consist’s of bacon, sausage, egg, tomatoes, black & white pudding, beans, hash brown, heavily buttered toast not leaving much room for mushrooms and a large mug of tae….☘️

The mere sight of a Full Irish would frighten the sh out of heart surgeons, dietitians, vegetarians and most recently vegans…!!! 😁

In fairness the Full Irish is deadly (if ya understand me 😉) ☘️