Irlandiamo

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.

As in literature, the cinema has often worked in Ireland is linked to its history (often tragic if we think of contemporary history) is the lifestyle and some stereotypes.

Here is a brief filmography recently that I have drawn from memory.

Title: Michael Collins
Year: 1996
Plot: In 1916, during the revolt known as the Easter Uprising, Irish revolutionaries surrendered after having opposed for six days, at the headquarters of items in Dublin, with the overwhelming military might of the British Army. Among the revolutionary leaders only to Eamon de Valera, a U.S. citizen, is spared the firing squad ..

Title: The Secret of Roan
Year: 1994
Synopsis: Fiona, the mother of an orphan, moves to his grandparents' house on the west coast of Ireland. From his bedroom window to see the island of Roan Inish, which comes from his family and to which are linked to some legends: Fiona's little brother, slipped into the sea with the cradle during transfer from the island, would still be alive, and inhabit the island. Fiona tries to convince the grandparents to return to the island of Roan.

Title: Angela's Ashes
Year: 1999
Synopsis: Frank McCourt, was born and raised in America, but his blood is Irish. The story of a family related by one of the protagonists, a journey through Ireland of the '30s. The misery and poverty seen with the spirit of a child, without hypocrisy or false truths.

Title: Bloody Sunday
Year: 2002
Synopsis: One of the deepest wounds of the conflict between Catholics and Irish: the day that marked three decades ago - the beginning of a long and painful civil war. A demonstration ended in blood, an army that defended the law of violence. The story of that day and the testimonies of the protagonists in a film not to forget the injustices of the past and to build tomorrow's justice.

Title: Ned Svelgiati
Year: 1998
Synopsis: Ned Devine is the lucky winner of first prize lottery, but soon after discovered the excitement dies. Some of his neighbors find him and try to incassre the prize in its place ..

Title: The Wind That Shakes the Barley
Year: 2006
Synopsis: At the beginning of the twentieth century in Ireland, two brothers, Teddy and Danien along with their friend Dan, driven by their patriotism, enlist in the army to fight for the independence of their country.

Title: The Commitments
Year: 1991
Plot: Jimmy Rabitte be posted on journalism, can form a complex of soul music, to try to make a fortune. But there will be disappointments.

Title: In the name of the father
Year: 1993
Plot: Gerry Conlon and his father are arrested for an attack by the IRA (Northern Irish Independence Party) to a pub that has caused many casualties. Despite the evidence of their innocence are sentenced. Only 14 years after the process is reopened.

Title: The Boxers
Year: 1997
Plot: After spending fourteen years in prison as a member of the IRA, Danny back to Belfast where he finds the world of boxing and his ex-girlfriend who is married and has one child, but she still loves him.

Title: Dancing at Lughnasa
Year: 1998
Synopsis: Summer 1936. A Ballybeg, a small town in the county of Donegal in Ireland, the family lives Mundy, five unmarried sisters and a brother, Jack, a Catholic priest missionary in Africa. Then there's Michael, the teenage son of Christina, the youngest, who was not married, defying the strict moral environment. After twenty-five years in Africa, has announced the return of Jack, and the whole group goes to town to welcome him.

Title: Far and Away
Year: 1992
Synopsis: End of the last century. Joseph and Shannon, two young Irish people from different social classes, they share the same dreams. They decide to leave for America to find land to farm. Once in Boston, Joseph, is taken for some time to boxing, but eventually decided to leave for Oklahoma, where, after so many sacrifices will be able to realize their dreams.

Title: The Field
Year: 1990
Synopsis: A little masterpiece! A film that highlights the harshness of life of the Irish people after the Great Famine that struck the island in 1848, perhaps the best representation of rural life in the place ever made.

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I want to recommend some books that I have personally read and that are related in some way to Ireland.

Title: Mr. Fridge
Author: Tony Hawks
Publisher: Penguin
Language: Italian
In short: A bet between friends pushes Tony to make the Hawks hitchhiked around Ireland with a fridge. A travel story amusing, but also full of important topics, like love, adventure and friendship.

Title: Last of the Donkey Pilgrims
Author: Kevin O'Hara
Publisher: Forge Books
Language: English
In short: The main character decides to go through the whole ring-of-Ireland with the help of a mule and a cart like the days of the grandfathers. This journey will take him to discover the Ireland of today where past and future blend nicely in a beautiful environment.

Title: McCarthy's Bar
Author: Pete McCarthy
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Language: English
In short: Born in England in Ireland McCarthy back good memories of childhood and wandering from Cork to Donegal, moving aimlessly and without time limits and obeying one rule: never pass a bar that bears your name without stopping to drink

Title: Dubliners (Dubliners)
Author: James Joyce
Publisher: Penguin
Language: Italian
In short: Dublin, with its antiquated air, the smoky pubs, the cold wind that sweeps the streets, its bizarre inhabitants. A city that, in the eyes and the heart of Joyce, is somewhat 'the precipitate of all the western cities of this century.

Title: The Secret History of the IRA (A secret history of the IRA)
Author: Ed Moloney
Publisher: Baldini Castoldi
Language: Italian
In short: Written by Irish journalist Ed Moloney, this monumental reconstruction reveals the dramatic story of plots and deadly rivalry between members of one of the most obscure terrorist groups in Europe.

Title: Angela's Ashes
Author: Frank McCourt
Publisher: Adelphi
Language: Italian
In short: We're in the years between the wars and the troubled history involving a family so poor that poverty can look from below, between a father perpetually drunk and yelling against the world, the British and the Protestant and a mother who carries her summarily tribe to survival. .

They are the new online album hosted by Picasaweb with all the pictures of my last trip to Ireland. Find them at the addresses

http://picasaweb.google.com/bitbreaker/WwwIrlandiamoCom
http://picasaweb.google.com/bitbreaker/WwwIrlandiamoCom2
http://picasaweb.google.com/bitbreaker/WwwIrlandiamoCom3
http://picasaweb.google.com/bitbreaker/WwwIrlandiamoCom4

Enjoy the show!

Just for fun I decided to post my personal ranking of the five things I liked most of my last trip and the five that I liked less.

The ranking is just a game and I assure you that choosing the best moments was just as difficult to understand if there were five somewhat ugly.

Worst of Ireland 2007
1	The price of B & B in Kinsale
2	The price of diesel in Northern Ireland
3	The soporific pace of the cars on Irish roads
4	The rudeness of some European tourists (I prefer to stay vague ...)
5	Back in Italy

We leave early and Donegal We travel a long way toward the capital. The day is beautiful and all in all we do not mind spending it on the road.

We put ourselves in the car with the memory of last night still in Ardara and spent the dinner Nacy's Bar, a pub where the atmosphere is really amazing so friendly that the first thing you think of when you come to put you in slippers and a scelgelrti room where you can relax and spend the evening.

We cross a stretch of Northern Ireland and where we go from Enniskillen rinforniamo fuel prices in the UK unfortunately.

We stop for lunch at Kells (the city became famous for the Book of Kells illuminated manuscript which is the oldest and most prestigious of all Irish history).

We continue towards Drogheda passing through the valley of Boyle (where New Grange) and reach Dublin under a beautiful sun and a temperature so mild that causes us to immediately divert to the beach of Portmarnock.

We are in Dublin for our last night in Ireland.

Continue reading ...

The peninsula that ends at the St. John's Point offers a truly remarkable setting. Walking along the narrow road from the main road leading to the top of the peninsula you can enjoy views of the sea on three sides. Shortly before the end of the road is on the left a beautiful uncrowded beach. It 's the ideal place for a swim in the ocean on a hot day like this.

Continue along the road towards the lighthouse that dominates the final part of the St. Johns Point studded with sharp cliffs that are lost in the sea.

It 'a beautiful evening and travels to Kellybegs for dinner we enjoy a beautiful sunset over the bay.

Tomorrow we will go in Donegal, its wilderness, its mountains and beautiful beaches, fishing vessels and villages in which you really spoken yet and only Gaelic.

Continue reading ...

Today we expect a long journey of almost 300km. Last abundant breakfast at Ardmore House (where we really had a great time!) And again on the road. The giormata looks spectacular even today so that I could almost doubt that we are actually in Ireland.

We stop to admire the Kleymore Abbey from the road where you can enjoy a beautiful view also to the other side of the lake which overlooks the Opatija.

We enter into the heart of County Mayo, where the typical landscape of Connemara gives way to endless campaigns. We find very little traffic and quickly reach the lively and picturesque Westport. Time for a coffee and set sail Sligo.

We stop for lunch at the Yeats Tavern (near the cemetery where the tomb of the glorious Irish poet and writer). The inn is very comfortable and allows me to dispose of a little nervous accomulato during the trip. Let me explain. The Irish are an example to guide me in the second world what it means to follow the rules of the Code of strada.Nel better or worse. Too much time you will likely invoke the end of the continuous line of a country road in the middle of nowhere to overcome a bmw or a mercedes 300 hp that abiding duty to proceed at 50km / h. Conversely you will certainly be the victim of a heart attack when you see a point in your tractor direazione to 100km / h on a strerrato percchè only by the sea at that point some poor wretch in his own time, set the speed limit to 100. As I said for better or for worse. The fact remains that only in Ireland, I happened to pass by an evil ferrari or porsche while I was driving a panda.

Continue along the road to Donegal Town and from there to Dunkineely little further on we find the deviation that we look forward to St. John's Point on the end of the peninsula where the Sea View House, b & b that will host the next 3 days.

The day was truly spectacular and we very nearly hot. We reach the end of the peninsula with an ever watchful eye on the bay, hoping to spot some dolphins.

Let Doolin met and as always a bit melancholy but confident that we will be back soon. Retrace the Burren to Galway to Clifden and we drigiamo immediately. The distance today is less than usual and so we allow a generous stop at Joann's Gift Shop. The store boasts a selection of the best of Irish crafts and knitwear. We continue the journey in search of Clifden b & b that will host the next three days which is located right on world-famous Sky Road. We reach the ' Ardmore House in advance and after a short siesta we explore the Sky Road on foot.

The Connemara is a mixture of mountains, lakes, lush vegetation, bare lands, white beaches, rugged cliffs ... all seasoned by the almost total absence of human life that I find perfect.

The day seems to turn for the better (although the rain now has completely spared). Tonight, we expect the very lively nightlife with pubs Clifden clean, the smell of peat and the people who poured through the streets with cups in hand and a lot of fun.

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