Brendan Vacations

Brendan Vacations Authentic Ireland & Scotland Vacations Planned by Locals. www.BrendanVacations.com Discover your Celtic Story with Brendan Vacations.

We are the Irish and Scottish experts dedicated to ‘taking you personally’ on each of our hand-crafted Celtic vacations. From making all the ideal arrangements to introducing you to our tight-knit group of friends along the way, we share our insights, our stories and our beloved homelands. We take care of it all and cannot wait to say fáilte (welcome!) as you create your own Brendan story.

We're probably the worst to ask because we would just say all of them - do we have to pick?Whether you've fallen in love...
02/03/2025

We're probably the worst to ask because we would just say all of them - do we have to pick?

Whether you've fallen in love with a location, each other or yourself a bit just for being there (we know, our homelands have that effect on people) we want to know what's the most romantic spot in Ireland or Scotland, in your humble opinions.

Share your spot, story, picture or even poems in the comments

In Ireland, the first of February marks the beginning of spring and the celebration of Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day....
02/01/2025

In Ireland, the first of February marks the beginning of spring and the celebration of Lá Fhéile Bríde, St Brigid’s Day.

The day has long symbolized hope, renewal and the feminine marked today by Irish communities across the world celebrating the creativity of women, through a broad program of events.

Brigid, Brigit or Brid - there have been a few ways to consider this patron saint or deity in Ireland, but her representation has been a part of Irish culture for centuries.

In pre-Christian Ireland, Brigid was one of the original goddesses of the Tuatha dé Danann and she was celebrated as an Ulster goddess in ancient times, north of the River Boyne was Ulster. She is a triple goddess: healing symbolized by the element of water, goddess of the alchemical force of fire and goddess of poetry.

In religious recognition, Brigid/Brigit of Kildare is the sole female patron saint of Ireland, and unlike St. Patrick, she was born in Ireland sometime around 450 C.E. It is said that as a girl, she gave away her household’s butter and bacon to hungry beggars and dogs, then miraculously replaced the food for her family. Later in life, she turned a wooden column into a living tree with one touch and hung her cloak on a sunbeam. She founded monastic community at Kildare and became its abbess, she traveled, preached, and was said to have cured followers of conditions such as blindness and muteness. And, while many early female saints have miracles attributed to them, few of them actively proselytized.

Clootie trees, magical wells, fire dancing or celebration and of course, The Brigid's Cross are all a part of observing her celebration traditionally, have you ever celebrated her?

Photo credit: Tourism Ireland

Just as a peek of red in Galway, Ireland as we say goodbye to January...Photo credit: Fáilte Ireland
01/31/2025

Just as a peek of red in Galway, Ireland as we say goodbye to January...

Photo credit: Fáilte Ireland

Not even the cold of winter snow in Ireland can keep this brilliance at bay....Pictured: Muckish Mountain in County Done...
01/29/2025

Not even the cold of winter snow in Ireland can keep this brilliance at bay....

Pictured: Muckish Mountain in County Donegal, Ireland.

Big Places: The Gap of DunloeIf you've ever taken a trip through Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, chances are you've eit...
01/27/2025

Big Places: The Gap of Dunloe

If you've ever taken a trip through Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, chances are you've either set eyes on, or perhaps even hiked through, The Gap of Dunloe.

It's drop between the highest mountains in Ireland and its natural beauty has played a significant role in tourism in region for an incredibly long time.

This massive place is home to incredible, small and wonderful floral treasures like the delicate, yet carnivorous sundew plant, the Killarney fern which was harvested to near extinction and the Kerry violet.

Want to find a tour that takes you to the biggest and best places of the Celtic Isles?
Look no further than The Big Tour Sale: https://bit.ly/3X4xXnl

Gather thy neeps and tatties, thy haggis and whisky - 'tis Burns Night. In 1801, five years after the death of Scotland’...
01/25/2025

Gather thy neeps and tatties, thy haggis and whisky - 'tis Burns Night.
In 1801, five years after the death of Scotland’s beloved poet, Robert Burns, the first Burns Night was officially celebrated in his memory and has been left unchanged since then: A night of music, poetry, food, whisky.

Held each year on or around 25 January (the writer’s birthday), a Burns supper traditionally begins with a reading of his poem, Selkirk Grace, along with a Scottish soup such as cullen skink, a platter of haggis paraded around the room, (accompanied by a bagpiper if you're lucky) a reading of "Address to a Haggis" and the night is rounded off with "Auld Lang Syne."



photo credit: Visit Scotland

As beautiful as a snowy scene in Ireland like this is, we would never mind coming in from the cold to Dromoland Castle H...
01/23/2025

As beautiful as a snowy scene in Ireland like this is, we would never mind coming in from the cold to Dromoland Castle Hotel...

Explore this and other castle stays here: https://bit.ly/4803hH5

Big Icon: Blarney Castle and GardensThis tower house fortification built by Gaelic lords and the Anglo-Irish between the...
01/20/2025

Big Icon: Blarney Castle and Gardens

This tower house fortification built by Gaelic lords and the Anglo-Irish between the 15th and 17th centuries is one of the biggest icons of Ireland, with thousands visiting every year to come, kiss the legendary Blarney Stone atop the tower and perhaps get the gift o'the gab.

According to the official record on the castle website, the history of the Blarney Stone is... many things.
"Legends about the Stone’s origin emerged, each as plausible as the next. It was said to have been the stone used by Jacob as a pillow when he dreamed of the ladder extending up to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it, and that it was brought from the Holy Land after the Crusades."

Which one is the truest? You decide... or come visit yourself! Save up to 15%* on select tours with The Big Tour Sale. Click here for more https://bit.ly/3BWEUi3



Images from Tourism Ireland & Failte Ireland

Luxury, adventure and style: 100 Princes Street hotel in Edinburgh has it all. The newest addition to the  collection of...
01/18/2025

Luxury, adventure and style: 100 Princes Street hotel in Edinburgh has it all.

The newest addition to the collection of inspired luxury stays resides in the historic former Royal Overseas League headquarters. It takes its style cues from the tales of Scottish explorers who once called the building their home away from home, nestled in Edinburgh’s cultural heart, with beautiful rooms boasting uninterrupted views of Edinburgh Castle.

Something we love to hear is, "I've always wanted to see this!" So what's on your Ireland Bucket List?Or, for those of y...
01/15/2025

Something we love to hear is, "I've always wanted to see this!"
So what's on your Ireland Bucket List?

Or, for those of you who have already had the opportunity, where do you want to come back and see again?

Leave your answers in the comments.

Is this the year that you make "I always wanted to" into "when I went?" or "when I went back?" We love it. Explore The Big Tour Sale and save up to 15%* on select tours to Ireland and Scotland here: https://bit.ly/3BWEUi3


You may have heard that this past week there was snow in Ireland.While we're known for our beautiful, brilliant greens -...
01/10/2025

You may have heard that this past week there was snow in Ireland.
While we're known for our beautiful, brilliant greens - you have to admit, there's a definite charm to seeing our legendary landscapes covered in snow.

We can't help it - we love a big moment. The Big Question?The Big Promotion?The Big Milestone?The Big Dream Trip?We welc...
01/08/2025

We can't help it - we love a big moment.
The Big Question?
The Big Promotion?
The Big Milestone?
The Big Dream Trip?
We welcome them all. Share yours in the comments (better yet - post a photo!)

Feel like this is the year you take That Big Trip? We got you covered.
Save up to 15%* on select tours to Ireland & Scotland with The Big Tour Sale: https://bit.ly/3BWEUi3

Hiding from the end of a long holiday break like...Just Kidding! We "herd" that travel to Ireland & Scotland is in deman...
01/05/2025

Hiding from the end of a long holiday break like...

Just Kidding! We "herd" that travel to Ireland & Scotland is in demand this year and we've into that in a "Big" way with The Big Tour Sale - check it out here: https://bit.ly/3BWEUi3

#2025
photo credit Visit Scotland

We get it - decisions are hard, especially when there's so many big options to choose from.One way to know for sure: Com...
01/02/2025

We get it - decisions are hard, especially when there's so many big options to choose from.
One way to know for sure: Come and investigate for yourself.
Truly experience the culture, beauty and icons of Ireland & Scotland in 2025 for up to 15%* off with The Big Tour Sale: https://bit.ly/3BWEUi3

And, once you've made up your mind on which iconic place left the biggest impression, come back and weigh in.

Said in the quietest, most gentle voice: Happy New Year.May your first day of the year be the perfect start to wherever ...
01/01/2025

Said in the quietest, most gentle voice: Happy New Year.

May your first day of the year be the perfect start to wherever your journeys will take you.

#2025

Hogmanay, say it with us now: Hog-muh-nayLong before the ball ever dropped in Times Square, the fires rose in Scotland t...
12/31/2024

Hogmanay, say it with us now: Hog-muh-nay
Long before the ball ever dropped in Times Square, the fires rose in Scotland to welcome the start of the New Year.
More than an interesting word, this uniquely Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration is a centuries-old tradition thought to originate from winter solstice festivals and Edinburgh is the place to be.
While this year's outdoor festivities have been cancelled due to extreme weather, we still have a fire burning in our heart for the holiday.
Hogmanay has evolved over the centuries, but the staple of the celebration can still be seen today in the iconic torchlight procession with pipes and drums, and people dressed in historic costume wind through the streets. Across the city, festive parties and dancing go all night, capped with brilliant fireworks show blooming over Edinburgh Castle.

With a celebration like this, it's no wonder people resolve to make "This year the year" and come join in the fun.

Have a safe and happy celebration, and we cannot wait to welcome each and every one of you in 2025.

Explore more about Edinburgh, with us, here: https://bit.ly/4gOWdAB



Photo credit: VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Is it just us or is the week between Christmas and New Year's frozen in time?- Portumna Abbey, Co GalwayPhoto Credit: Fá...
12/28/2024

Is it just us or is the week between Christmas and New Year's frozen in time?

- Portumna Abbey, Co Galway

Photo Credit: Fáilte Ireland

You can only pick one...Post your answer in the comments or share to your stories and tag us.1. Fyvie Castle2. Dublin Ca...
12/27/2024

You can only pick one...
Post your answer in the comments or share to your stories and tag us.
1. Fyvie Castle
2. Dublin Castle
3. Dromoland Castle Hotel
4. Blarney Castle and Gardens


Photo Credits: Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, Failte Fáilte Ireland

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5551 Katella Avenue
Cypress, CA
90630

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Monday 6am - 5pm
Tuesday 6am - 5pm
Wednesday 6am - 5pm
Thursday 6am - 5pm
Friday 6am - 5pm

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