Top 10 Guinness-Drinking Countries (from Guinness) and 10 Guinness Facts
The top 10 Guinness-drinking countries, as shared by Guinness, plus 10 Guinness facts and how to visit the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.
Ireland
The Blackbird of Derrycairn by Austin Clarke: Poem and Meaning
Another top Irish poem! This week it is number 46 from the poet Austin Clarke. Who was Austin Clarke? Austin Clarke (Irish: Aibhistín Ó Cléirigh) was a famous Irish poet …
20 Irish Christmas Blessings and How to Say Merry Christmas in Irish
Merry Christmas in Irish is Nollaig Shona Dhuit (NULL-ig HUN-a ghwit). The best-loved Irish Christmas blessing goes: “May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch at your …
Down by the Salley Gardens by W.B. Yeats: Poem, Song and Meaning
This week is a short but sweet poem from W.B Yeats. It is ranked number 78 in the top 100 Irish poems list. This is actually one of Yeats earlier …
The Song of Wandering Aengus by W.B. Yeats: Poem and Meaning
Every week we come closer to finishing my top 100 Irish poems list. This week it is number 4. Of course, it is none other than W.B Yeats. So who …
Clearances by Seamus Heaney: His Sonnets for His Mother
Now I am not purposely picking longer poems every week. It just so happens that number 33 on the top 100 poems list is yet another long poem. But don’t …
The Ballad of Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde: Full Poem, Summary and Meaning
This week I have picked number 16 from the top 100 Irish poems list. The poem is titled “The Ballad of Reading Gaol.” And boy is it a long poem. …
Advent by Patrick Kavanagh: Poem and Meaning
This week it is number 21 in the top 100 Irish poems list. A great poem by Patrick Kavanagh. This poem ‘Advent’ is a very religious poem. If you don’t …
The Tower by W.B. Yeats: Poem and Meaning
This week it is number 57 from the top 100 Irish poems list. Another appearance from W.B Yeats. “The Tower” published in 1927, Yeats’ first major collection as Nobel Laureate …
Pangur Bán: The 1,200-Year-Old Irish Poem About a Monk and His Cat
This week I thought it would be good to share a completely anonymous poem that made its way into the top 100 Irish poems of all time. Sometimes in life, …
How the Irish Invented Halloween: Samhain, Turnip Lanterns, Barmbrack and the Best Festivals in Ireland
Halloween grew out of Samhain, the Irish festival at the start of winter. Here’s the real story, with folklore and history kept apart: the Hill of Ward fire, the púca, Stingy Jack’s turnip jack-o’-lantern, the barmbrack ring, how emigrants took it all to America, traditions to try at home, and the four Halloween festivals in Ireland worth travelling for in 2026.
Spraying the Potatoes by Patrick Kavanagh: Poem and Meaning
I am back with another fantastic top Irish poem. This week we see yet another poem from the great Patrick Kavanagh. You might be thinking you have seen me mention …
The Meeting of the Waters by Thomas Moore: Poem, Melody and Meaning
This week I picked number 65 from the top 100 Irish poems list. It is a wonderful and warm poem about friendship and nature by Thomas Moore. While this is …
Snow by Louis MacNeice: Meaning and Analysis
Another week another top Irish poem. This week is the first appearance of Louis MacNeice.nbsp; You might not have heard of Louis MacNeice but he was born in Belfast, Ireland …
An Irish Airman Foresees His Death by W.B. Yeats: Meaning and Analysis
Well, I hope you are having a good week. Today I picked number 32 from the top 100 Irish poems list. Once again the famous W.B Yeats makes it into …