Irlandiamo

U2 are back in Italy. They played at San Siro in front of 80 000 persons. We talk about records. One thing is certain: U2 confirmed the biggest rock bands in history. The show was amazing grantito a monumental stage (The Claw) and a fireworks scene.

U2 made music speak. They did this both to celebrate the myth of Jacko is to attack our Prime Minister. Yet another lesson in style media.

Plenty of space left to historical songs to the delight of fans. I Still Have not Found What I'm Looking For fading in Stand By Me by Ben E. King among the choirs, Angel of Harlem (with a dedication to Michael Jackson in which he sings a couple of steps from Man in the Mirror and Do not Stop Til You Get Enough) and Party Girl with daughter Memphis Eve called on stage to celebrate the birthday while the stadium sings Happy Birthday. Vertigo is a slap in the face of energy, I'll Go Crazy If I Do not Go Crazy Tonight Larry Mullen leaves the battery and steps on a bongo. Sunday Bloody Sunday and Pride are history. Of rock. MLK is the other History, speaks of Martin Luther King.

The only enemy (invisible) ASL was in Milan that has imposed a limit to ridiculous decibels (78!). If you do not have the courage to host such an event is better not to do rather than do it halfway.

"I do not want to disrespect the people of this country, to the person of Prime Minister and his party, but Ber lusconi made promises which he maintained in regard to poor countries. Proximal to the G8 in my day you decide on the gift of life. I write songs, he can write the story. " It gave him a very very special One.

"No Excuse: Bono Nobel '

In istaurando Ireland is a very bad climate for the P2P world, even the music industry lobbyists, who have reported great success when one of the largest Irish ISP Eircom, has given up fighting in court and agreed to disconnect their customers, guilty of violation of copyright, now they want the ISP block all file-sharing sites starting with the Pirate Bay.

The funny thing is that at least in the case of the Italian block Pirate Bay, ISPs had to obey an order of the financial police, even though the court of review has decided to cancel the prohibition, but in Ireland there is no provision lawsuit against Pirate Bay. It is, in fact, of private agreements between ISPs and the music industry and the politicians, like Pontius Pilate, wash their hands, not wanting to be involved in the story that would put against public opinion.

So the situation is that Eircom will block any site which will be reported dall'Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) and will accept any blacklisted at the same time the music lobbies have given notice to the other ISPs within seven days to accept the same deal, otherwise they will be cited in court. Of course, ISPs do not agree and seek protection. Do not really know who can turn to, because as said that the political forces are conspicuous by their absence, while virtually every form of freedom is eliminated from the internet.

And if the site has a lot of material free from the constraints imposed by the copyright will be blocked too, just an infringement notice in respect of the site. This will also say that in Ireland no artist can expose its content using peer to peer technology since then carries the risk that the site is disconnected, thereby it destroys any possibility for an artist to make known his deeds outside the official channels.

Really hope that public opinion in Ireland react to these charges. If Eircom, in fact, might begin to see many of its users that dissolve the contract and move on to other ISPs who have not accepted the dictates dell'IRMA, ie if all this back from a big financial loss, we must see whether it will continue to blindly obey taxation of music lobbies.

Until a few years ago I considered Ireland a sort of Toyland is not just for the sheer beauty of its landscapes, the warmth of its people and the magical atmosphere of its pubs, but also for the wonderful opportunities that the Irish labor market could offer. Today the scenario has changed considerably.

The Republic of Ireland have climbed the summits of the European ranking of decrease. For this reason it is the first EU country to officially declare a state of "recession" economy.

For almost twenty years our green Ireland was one of the most dynamic economies in the Old Continent, but the reversal suffered in recent years have won her a decidedly unenviable record. With a decline in GDP of 0.5% in the second quarter, in addition to a precendete negative quarter, the Republic of Ireland have climbed the summits of the European ranking of the decline of the euro becoming the first country to officially enter into recession.
The reverse of Dublin right now scares the main European economies, after quarters, and in some cases years, the minimum growth are likely to fall seriously in the dreaded "below zero" to "trend GDP".

Among the intended victims, the Financial Times has suggested, there would be a continental G3 consists of Germany, France and Italy.

To promote decisively the Irish recession is clearly a crisis of real estate and construction, the segment of the physical market on which more than any other weighs the credit crisis. Inflation (but it would be better to say "stagflation"), the difficulty of access to credit and falling demand are producing a sharp fall in what is traditionally a leading sector in the more advanced emerging economies.
Here are the details of a crisis. In 2007 there were 78 thousand new buildings made in Ireland, confirming an average growth of 7%. At the end of 2008, however, should not exceed 50 thousand share in 2009 while the number of new buildings will be around about 20 thousand units.

Our last day in Ireland begins with the ritual of breakfast at Ardmore House. We hope to cover as quickly as possible the way from Clifden to Dublin and enjoy the last hours sula Portmarnock beach. We welcome the courteous Cathline and confess to not even pay us (although Italians) the bustle of a company of ladies that have invaded the Mediterranean b & b.

We leave behind the Sky Road and try to enjoy the last glimpses of the ocean while the sun seems determined to lord it. We reach the outskirts of the capital of Ireland in advance (a special greeting goes to the poor Garda in motorcycle on the M4 was unable to pull his speedometer while sfrecciavo laptop in front of 220km / h possessed by a Zafira in great shape . friend I'm sorry ... maybe next time).

The time for a meal and a pint in the Star last alas Swords and Malahide and then we head up to the beach of Portmarnock. The day is beautiful and we decide to take a long walk on the sand.

Guido towards Aereporto and I already feel at the mercy of nostalgia. Consign the Zafira the Hertz office. We have grown. Let's check in, the gate and we engage in an endless trek up al'uscita D77. We go on the flight and already feels too speak Italian. We land in Orio al Serio airport on time.

Arrivderci Ireland

The breakfast with french toast Lorraine color a day that there is rather gray and full of rain. From the windows of the dining room there is a view of all the crazy hills of Doolin, the Cliffs and the Arann Islands.

We take to the road towards the Connemara not before being passed by the Clare Jam Company, which is a paradise where the jam is easy to give in to all sorts of temptation surrounded by dozens of different kinds of jam or marmelade. The owner and vendtore seems to come directly from the past: a few words and with an accent almost incomprehensible. I left the shop with 8kg of jams and no idea how to bring them to Italy. And 'That's the beauty of being on vacation ... or not?

I ride through the moonscape of the Burren along the old road that leads from Ennis to Galway. Today, the day seems really determined to bad and when we reach the Connemara a sparse but constant drizzle accompanies us to our destination along the Sky Road. We stop for lunch at the old railway station in Clifden where the delicious goodness of sadwiches is ruined by the annoying noise of a company of Italian maleducatissimi who manage to obscure the captivating charm of a place from another time. Italy is how we feel so far away from these people. Too bad.

After a short break we decided to go where the obligatory stop at Roundstone and 'Craft Village where we kidnapped by the extraordinary beauty of the jewelry, and musical instruments of porcellene types of Irish tradition.

We return to Clifden and prepare for dinner at Ban Pangur near Letterfrack. Tomorrow is our last whole day in Ireland. Tuesday traveling to Dublin where the magic begins and ends, where I leave a part of me every time I come home safe, however, find it during my next trip.

A blue sky in the morning we wake up from a restful sleep. We eat breakfast at the b & b including delicious pancakes drenched in maple syrup topped with bananas and strawberries. The beautiful day immediately puts us in a good mood and there we journeyed to the southwest.

I drive to Kenmare where we stop to stretch your legs. The center of Kenmare is terribly quaint and immerses the visitor in the lively and colorful atmosphere of the typical Irish villages. Every shop, pub or restaurant seems to be competing with others to get noticed and ultimately the effect is magically perfect a set of chromatic harmonies.

We continue the road that follows the coast south of Kerry Sneem and stop near a beach to visit indicated a hidden reason "White Sdrand". The white sandy beach overlooking the sea, embraced by a rugged and slippery rocks. The show is indescribable. There's just us and a couple of seagulls. The sun is warm and the wind slaps my face nicely. I feel really at peace with the world.

We resumed our journey and we decide to have lunch on the beach between Liss and Glanberg (on N70) where there is' a little place which overlooks the sea. A great fish & chips and a stroll on the beautiful beach. To my surprise I notice a couple of local customers who surf the internet with their laptops. I ran to get my car and within seconds they are networked to one of the most remote beaches in Ireland. For an instant contact with the computer takes me back to reality and reminds me of the commitment, work and Italy. Another sip of stout and memories fade away. It 'like crazy in this place you can really lose (in the figurative sense of the word) and phase out all contact with reality.

Continue along the road to Waterville as the sun and the blue sky as leave room for some rain clouds. We are getting ready to shower daily Irish.

We landed late last night near the new wing dell'aereporto Dublin International Airport. The flight was pleasant so that gave us the spectacular night view of a capital city in all its splendor.

Retrieved our luggage we take possession of the Zafira hire and after some misunderstanding with the handbrake we head towards Swords. The sky is cloudless and the air is fresh. We in Ireland.

I confess: my recent trip to Sweden has shaken my traditional preference for the most beautiful island in the world. Although Sweden is wonderful as a tourist and I was fine. I was thinking about this today as I drove from Dublin to Kinsale time.

We decide for a small deviation and a necessary ritual to break the old Jameson Distillery in Midleton. We lunch at the distillery and allow ourselves to be convolgere atmosphere full of malt flavors and colors.

In early afternoon we reach Kinsale while the sky still seems to have taken a final decision for the day. In any case it does not rain and it is known in these parts is no small thing. The founder and director of B & B we have booked for this night is absent and we are forced to come back later.

We go back to driving and we head towards Charles Fort. From the strong and the road running along you can enjoy the best view of Kinsale and the bay. Just a little stroll, to reach the rocks below the fort, and finally I'm in Ireland. Not that I was not the first but that feeling of tranquility savage, the strong smell of the sea, the sound of seagulls and the incessant roar of the wind can proiettarti in a dimension that can not be explained otherwise than by calling His real name wrong in Ireland.

Let's go back to where we B6B welcomes the gentle Mrs Abbey that tells us how he dreams of spending a summer on Lake Garda in the sun and delighting with Italian cuisine. It 's true that nobody in the world can enjoy what has up and down, as it should be, feels always looking for something that is missing ... it's just different.

We go out for a walk along the sea. The evening was wonderful. The sun plays hide and seek with the clouds that run fast on the water pushed by the wind. The colors leave us speechless.

Point out to readers of this blog interesting contest lettarario theme. The invitation to submit texts (stories, songs, poems etc ...) that describe Ireland by an Italian point of view.

The website where you can find all the information for entries is www.irlandanelcuore.com . Or you can download directly here on the announcement.

Good creativity at all.

On the wave of enthusiasm that attracted me to read free of M. Jackson will propose a personal selection of Irish beers I've had the good fortune to enjoy in my travels.

My favorite and always will remain the classic Guinness on tap and let me tell you tapped in Ireland. For beyond the spell of the fascination of tourists and foreign land, I guarantee that the pint of dark tasted in Ireland is quite different than those found in Italy. The taste and texture and just completely change for the better.

Brewery: Guinness
City: Dublin
Type: Stout
Notes: The beer appears dark, almost black, with a foam or clear white, very compact. The taste is very bitter, full bodied and easily recognizable.

Brewery: Smithwick's
City: Kilkenny
Type: Draugh
Notes: ruby-colored hat with foam infrequently but stable. Although less famous of the famous Guinness, Smithwicks is often referred to as the 'locally preferred' by the Irish who frequent pubs.

Brewery: Murphy's
City: Cork
Type: Stout
Notes: delicious perfume, its foam is very dense and the taste is strong and determined. And do not forget that less than sota Guinness

Brewery: Caffrey's
City: Dublin
Type: Ale
Notes: The Caffrey's Irish Stout is produced, famous for its foam, and especially the taste of coffee and licorice.

Brewery: Harp
City: Dublin
Type: Lager
Notes: The Harp beer is a pretty simple, if it were not for that relationship with Guinness, maybe not would be up to us but remain confined in his Ireland and even there, they would do a lot of luck because the Irish love (and rightly) the Their darkest stout.Comunque overall is nice, but let me drink it leaves a sense of dissatisfaction,

Brewery: Bulmers
Clonmel (Co. Tipperary)
Type: Drink
Notes: There is a beer but a drink made ​​from cider popular in Ireland. Refreshing and is usually served in a pint bottle full of ice cubes separately.

Brewery in Kilkenny
City: Kilkenny
Type: Irish Ale
Notes: Like any self-respecting Irish Red, a beer from Kilkenny is the "second", well suited to pork. Given his strong character and discreet, it is easily adaptable to very tasty dishes. His distinctive style, marked by a delicacy that recalls some ancient Irish poems, combined with moderate alcohol content, making it perfect as a beer conversation.

Brewery in Kilkenny
City: Kilkenny
Type: Strong Irish Ale
Notes: The Strong Ale is distinguished from other beers of Kilkenny for a beer with lager, its color is amber, but not for this it may be called a "red beer"! Point is certainly the malt, it is certainly a beer fortina of alcohol. Create an intense flavor and firm, is served at room cool but not cold we say around 11 ° C for not ruining the flavor!

Brewery: Kaliber
City: Dublin
Type: Low alcohol beer
Notes: Non-alcoholic beer produced by Guinness Ltd. Honestly, I tasted it once and I do not like it at all. Maybe because they are averse on principle to the concept of non-alcoholic beer.

No, no love for what you got?! Do not mean to talk about the pop star, but the greatest connoisseur of beer and whiskey in the world in spite of its namesake musical celebrity discussed.

M. Jackson has really drunk everything and everywhere. Wrote real bibles reference for connoisseurs. It 'a writer as much as refined his taste for malt and hops. I discovered through a friend and the feeling was immediate.

If you like beer and / or whiskey, or even if you only read the memorable pages where the topic is the perfect drink Jackson is the author. His descriptions of the condition of "drunkenness" are amazing and its definition of "thirsty" is the most witty and sincere I have ever read.

Obviously there are pages in his praise to the Irish whiskeys and beers.

Following are a brief bibliography, which I possess with pride ... in a glass and the other

Title: Altante World of Whisky
Year: 2005
Publisher: Mondadori
In brief: Michael Jackson, internationally renowned expert, leads the reader on a long journey to discover the whiskey. Tracing its history from its ancient origins, the most prestigious distilleries describes and analyzes the different types: single malt scotch from the blend, from American bourbon to the varieties produced in Japan. The book also discusses all phases of whiskey, from the cultivation of cereals to their maceration, distillation to aging, not to mention news and information relating to people and places that made history. The final section is devoted to whiskey tasting, its use in recipes and in the preparation of cocktails.

Title: Stories in the glass of beer, whiskey, life
Year: 2005
Publisher: Slow Food
In short: Maximum connoisseur of beer in the world and effective writer, English Michael Jackson works closely (as well as magazines such as Decanter and Wine) at the international quarterly Slow and publisher of the dome has published, in 1999, the Italian translation of a seminal text for understanding the universe beer (Guide to the beers of the world), complete with all the addresses of places where you can drink a good pint. Including but not limited to his experiences as a taster and expert in this drink are dedicated to the stories in this book. This is a series of reports divided into three sections: memories of life, travel impressions, experiences relating to the job-passion of beer expert.

Title: Beer. The top 500
Year: 2005
Publisher: New Techniques
In short: What are the best beers? In these pages you will discover the true story of Czech lagers and German ones, and the Trappist Belgian wheat beers, the classic British ale, stout of Irish and American microbreweries. The supermarket shelves are stocked with beers from around the world. The maps of beer bars, pubs and restaurants contain more extensive lists. But what is your beer? Michael Jackson, the world's leading beer experts, introduces you to the best beers and bottle shows, and label the right way to pour into the glass more appropriate.