IrishCentral holidays - b5cc3275d518416eacb61d676e8d84d1

Extending your stay with a 90 day holiday waiver - is it possible? (IrishCentral)

Sat, 11 May 2013 04:33:36 PDT

"I have a nephew who just arrived in the US He is 22 and of course loves it here He would like to stay into the fall, and I have a feeling even longer READ MORE

Heat wave on the way for bank holiday weekend in Ireland (IrishCentral)

Sat, 04 May 2013 05:18:39 PDT

By: PATRICK COUNIHAN

Ireland is set for a Bank Holiday heat wave – with the prospects of a good summer improving by the day.

'Olympus Has Fallen' actor Gerard Butler had the holiday from hell in the Himalayas (IrishCentral)

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 04:48:12 PDT

'Olympus Has Fallen' actor Gerard Butler had the holiday from hell in the HimalayasThe 'Olympus Has Fallen' actor loves globe-trotting in between breaks from his film career, although contracting severe food-poisoning on a camping trip in the mountain range nearly put him off travelling for lifeHe recalled: "We went up into the Himalayas and I drank water from the Ganges River We hiked up to the top of this mountain and I got sick - and I mean sick I ended up getting sick for a month READ MORE

Twilight’s stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will holiday in a camper van this summer (IrishCentral)

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:17:43 PDT

Twilight stars plan to holiday in a camper van this summerThe 'Twilight' couple - who temporarily split last year after Kristen's "momentary indiscretion" with married 'Snow White And The Huntsman' director Rupert Sanders - are apparently hoping to work on their romance by taking a road trip across Europe with a group of friends, including singer Katy PerryA source told The Sun newspaper: "Rob has been planning the trip for a while Before they got back together he intended to go to Italy, France and Germany if time allows"They will have a group of friends on the same trip - and they have asked their mutual pal Katy Perry to meet up along the way READ MORE

Bono’s wife Ali Hewson airlifted to hospital after holiday quad bike accident (IrishCentral)

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 04:18:19 PST

By: PATRICK COUNIHAN

Bono’s wife Ali Hewson has been airlifted to hospital after a quad bike accident on holiday in Costa Rica.

Sinn Fein calls for national holiday to commemorate Ireland's independence (IrishCentral)

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 03:54:27 PST

By: KERRY O'SHEA

Dublin Sinn Fein TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh tabled a new bill, the Public Holidays (Lá Na Poblachta) Bill 2013, on Thursday at the Dail which looks to create a national holiday in Ireland to commemorate the April 1916 Rising.

Taylor Swift books a romantic holiday to Venice for Harry Styles' birthday (IrishCentral)

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 05:46:08 PST

Swift and StylesThe 'I Knew You Were Trouble' singer split from the One Direction star two weeks ago, but had already organised the treat to celebrate his turning 19 next monthTaylor had spared no expense on the break, booking five nights at the Palazzina Grassi hotel on the Grand Canal and their own personal transport for the duration of their stay in the romantic Italian floating cityA source told The Sun newspaper: "Taylor organised an all-expenses-paid trip before the split"She even arranged a private gondola for them for the entire time they would be there READ MORE

Justin Bieber and One Direction’s Harry Styles are planning a boys' holiday (IrishCentral)

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:45:54 PST

Justin Bieber and One Direction’s Harry StylesThe teenage heartthrobs want to jet off to Las Vegas or Mexico for the full Spring Break experience and are hoping a week of fun in the sun will help them get over their break-ups with Selena Gomez and Taylor SwiftA friend of the 'Baby' singer and the One Direction lothario told The Sun newspaper: "The lads talked about a boys' trip when they were going out with the girls, but it was never on the cards Now they're footloose and fancy-free, they want to make it happen They might not be old enough to legally drink but that won't stop them READ MORE

The Irish Homecoming - There’s no place like home for the Christmas holidays - food laughter, love and being spoilt by Santa (IrishCentral)

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:57:55 PST

By: APRIL DREW

It was the first Christmas back in Ireland for APRIL DREW and her family, filled with food, laughter, love and too many toys from Santa.

USA Today readers vote Ireland as one of the top five holiday destinations (IrishCentral)

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 05:03:09 PST

By: PATRICK COUNIHAN

Irish tourism and The Gathering have received a massive boost from the readers of USA Today.
America’s national newspaper has voted Ireland as a dream holiday destination in a new poll.

Irish to lobby U.S. Congress to have St Patrick’s Day as national holiday (IrishCentral)

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 02:25:52 PST

By: KATE HICKEY

A member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians from San Antonio, TX, has launched an online petition to have St. Patrick’s Day officially declared a national holiday in the United States.

The eight sacred Celtic holidays of the year - from St. Brigid's Day to the winter solstice - PHOTOS (IrishCentral)

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 01:15:24 PST

By: MOLLY MULDOON

PHOTOS - Eight Celtic holidays photo gallery

GIRSA’s uplifting performance was perfect for the Christmas holidays (IrishCentral)

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 06:15:27 PST

Girsa performing at their holiday show in Pearl River (Sean Conway)The last two months, and especially the last week, have taught us an awful lot about our homes and the importance of family, friends and the community that we live in After the horrific weekend up in Newtown, Connecticut and on top of so much destruction visited upon us by Mother Nature around Halloween, the line from a pop Christmas song, “We need a little Christmas, right this very minute” loomed large So fortuitously, the scheduled return concert in Pearl River by the hometown girls GIRSA last Saturday night couldn’t have come at a better time And it couldn’t have provided a better tonic to escape for a few hours and celebrate the community around us READ MORE

A father’s Christmas reflection -- Ireland’s immigration and loss takes its toll on the holidays (IrishCentral)

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:52:04 PST

By: PAT MCGINN

“Don't blow the tall white candle out
But leave it burning bright,
So that they'll know they're welcome here
This holy Christmas night!”

Just in time for Christmas – a glossary of Irish Mammy terms for the holidays (IrishCentral)

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:47:24 PST

By: ANTOINETTE KELLY

There is nothing like some wisdom from your Irish mammy around the holidays.

Easter the Irish way - some traditional tips for the Spring holiday (IrishCentral)

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 03:46:51 PDT

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

Apart from Christmas and St. Patrick's Day, Easter is the most important religious holiday in Ireland's calendar.

Twas the week before St. Patty's Day - a poem about prepping for our family holiday (IrishCentral)

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 05:45:16 PDT

Twas the week before St Patty's DayAnd the excitement is a'brewin'For on the 17th of March,We know just what we'll be doin'We'll be taking an early train,Down to New York CityWhere we'll take in the Parade, With bands and dancers oh so prettyWe'll join family and friends As we sing the songs of oldAnd our Irish Eyes will be smilin' Whether the weather's warm or cold READ MORE

Saint Patrick's Day pants - your holiday sorted (IrishCentral)

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:45:19 PST

Feeling like making a (loud) statement this Saint Patrick's Day? Why not wear your Irish pride right out in public where you can see it with help from these unmistakable 100% Cotton St Patrick’s Day Chinos new from BonobosTurn heads and maybe win some new admirers before or after the parade You can pick 'em up by clicking here READ MORE

Thanksgiving with an Irish twist - making Ireland feel homely for the holidays (IrishCentral)

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:30:24 PST

One of the harder challenges I have had to face during my time abroad was the fact that I would not be spending the American holiday of Thanksgiving with my family I have a pretty small family and we do not have the stereotypical large family feast that has become synonymous with the big day, and even though I would not be missing a huge family celebration, I did miss the thought of being near to loved ones This changed however, when an American friend of mine invited me to an American Thanksgiving celebration that she was planning with some of the other American students They had also extended the invitation to some Irish friends as well, who all responded right away to the invite READ MORE

St. Patrick's Day for kids - a fun way to celebrate the Irish holiday (IrishCentral)

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 06:36:49 PDT

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

Click here for IrishCentral's St. Patrick's Day section

As well as attending the parade and taking part in community fun with your children, here are some ideas to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your little ones.

Plan your outfits: Plan exactly what green outfits you're going to wear, and the crazier the better. Make hats, masks and entire outfits if need be. Go wild and have fun.

Make a green breakfast: No, we don't mean eating broccoli and kale for breakfast. How's about Lucky Charms, or porridge with fruit? Over breakfast talk with your children about why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day and who St. Patrick was.

Read some Irish stories: There are no better tales for children than the old myths and legends of Finn MacCool or Tir na nOg. Another literary favorite are the children's stories from Oscar Wilde including "The Happy Prince" and "The Selfish Giant.”

Treasure hunt: This is a great idea, especially if the weather is good. Bring the kids to the park and send them on a treasure hunt to find the leprechaun's gold. Hide gold-foil covered chocolate coins in the park and send the kids on a scavenger hunt.

Stay at home and do crafts: There are loads of ideas for St. Patrick's Day themed crafts including making shamrock potato stamps or a shamrock made out of three moss-covered paper plates. If the stamps are a success set the kids to work on decorating St. Patrick's Day cards for the family.