♣ Despite Ireland’s cooler climate, surfing is very popular on the island. The world’s amateur surfers and best professionals alike travel to the Irish coastline for plentiful waves. Of course, there are plenty of Irish surfers too. In fact, the Denny Irish Surf Team will travel to warmer waters this week in Costa Rica for the World Surfing Games. Source

♣ On the last Monday of July each Summer, a week long Irish horse-racing festival begins at Ballybrit race course in Galway. The event appropriately titled The Galway Races is billed as “Adrenalin-pumping action, heart-stopping finishes and breath-taking fashion.” To read more, click here.

♣ Spike Island, site of a former prison and military base located in Cork harbour, will transformed into a new tourist destination. The island is set to be the Alcatraz of Ireland. Source

♣ The bar at Belfast’s luxurious Merchant Hotel received the title of ‘World’s Best Bar’ in an international competition. The hotel bar was also awarded the titles of ‘World’s Best Cocktail Menu’ and ‘World’s Best Drinks Selection.’ Source

♣ Northern Ireland is a popular tourist destination for travelers from the Republic of Ireland. According the the BBC, visitor numbers from the republic rose by 36% this year with more than 109,000 trips across the border. Source

♣ Croagh Patrick, a mountain located in the west of Ireland in Co. Mayo, is an important Irish pilgrimage site. On the last Sunday in July each year, “Reek Sunday,” some 15,000 pilgrims climb the mountain, Mayo’s third highest. To read about the harsh conditions climbers face, click here.

♣ Theatre is growing in Dublin. The famous Irish broadcaster Gay Byrne and actor Gabriel Byrne were appointed honorary directors of the soon to be built Grand Canal Square Theatre. The two Byrnes ceremonially placed the stage’s first boards in place this week. The theatre, which will be the city’s largest, will open next year around St. Patrick’s Day. Source

Surfing Girl Image Source; Merchant Hotel Image Source; Croagh Patrick Image Source; Gabriel Byrne Image Source

Related posts:

1. Galway: Did You Know?
2. Ireland: Did You Know?
3. Ireland: Did You Know?
4. Ireland: Did you know? Part III
5. Ireland: Did You Know?