Friday, August 28, 2015

Reasons to Visit the Giant's Causeway

If you want to experience one of nature's true wonders in Ireland, make sure to visit the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim. It is a World Heritage Site after all. But what is it all about?

Strangely regular basalt columns dominate the landscape here, and these seem to lead straight into the sea, across to Scotland. Where similar columns then rise out of the sea.

Reputedly to cross the sea - because, you see, it had to be man-made, as nature very rarely produces such regular shapes. Though located in a quite remote area, the Giant's Causeway is definitely amongst the top sights and attractions to see in Ireland.

Reasons to Visit the Giant's Causeway

This is one of nature's true wonders in Ireland, where nature is wonderful as a rule.
The Giant's Causeway is very accessible, in a variety of ways, even for those not fleet of foot.
A visit can well be combined with the Old Bushmills Distillery or the Causeway Coast for a longer stay.
The remote location means a bit of driving, but can also offer some solitude, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

What Is the Giant's Causeway?

This is one of the UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites in Ireland, mainly because of its strangely regular basalt rock formations. These were formed around 55,000,000 years ago, during volcanic activity.  their reputation of being the handiwork of Finn MacCool came into being a good few years later.

In case you can't make it to Ireland, come visit The Rock: Regan's Orange City Kitchen.

www.therockinfl.com | (386) 218-4979 | www.facebook.com/TheRockinFL | twitter.com/therockinfl

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Come capture a taste of the Emerald Isle.

There's so much to be excited about in Ireland, with acres of lush, green countryside, small, quaint villages and hair-raising coastal cliffs making up the country's surprisingly varied scenery.

Here are a few places you might want to visit should you ever make it to Ireland.
Ireland's mighty Cliffs of Moher reign strong as one of the country's most visited natural attractions - towering about 700 feet over the Atlantic Ocean in western Ireland. The infamous cliffs run from near the village of Doolin to Hags Head in County Clare and host the country's most spectacular coastal walk. Carved out by a gigantic river delta around 320 million years ago, the imposing cliffs also offer incredible views, stretching over Galway Bay, the distant Twelve Pins mountain range an
d the northern Maum Turk Mountains.

Ireland's most scenic tourist trail, the Ring of Kerry, runs 120 miles through some of southwestern Ireland's most jaw-dropping landscapes. A patchwork of lush meadows, glacial lakes and heather-topped mountains, the Ring of Kerry includes highlights like the rugged Beara Peninsula and the Kerry Way - Ireland's longest and oldest walking route. Stop off on route at the Killarney National park, home to the 15th century Ross Castle and a herd of wild red deer.

Irish is known for it's natural beauty. Come to Regan's Orange City Kitchen to capture a taste of the Emerald Isle.

www.therockinfl.com | (386) 218-4979 | www.facebook.com/TheRockinFL | twitter.com/therockinfl

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

The History of Irish Food in Ireland

Countless influences have made their mark on Irish food over the centuries from the arrival of the Celts in Ireland about 600 to 500 BC, the Vikings and the English colonization of Ireland in the 16th and 17th century.

Cattle played an important part in Irish food from the middle ages until the arrival of the potato in Ireland in the 16th century. The meat was predominantly food for the rich with the poor making do with the offal, the milk, cheese and butter which were supplemented with grains and barley for nourishment.
The Potato in Ireland – A Blessing and a Curse

The potato arrived in Ireland in the mid-to-late 16th century. The damp, cool Irish climate and soil conditions proved perfect for potatoes and the potato rapidly moved from a simple garden vegetable to a staple food crop for both man and animals as it was cheap to grow and even a small plot could produce a hearty crop. The high mineral and vitamin content of the potato also made it a perfect, cheap food for the poor of Ireland and was a welcome change from the cereal crops, they had been dependent on.

The dependence on potatoes as a staple food, however, also proved a curse for the Irish with the Potato Famine in Ireland. The first in 1739 was a result of cold weather but the famine of 1845-49 in Ireland was caused by potato blight, a rapidly spreading disease which wiped out the potato crops and resulted in the death of over 1,000,000 Irish. Of those who survived over two million emigrated (many to the US and UK) and several million in Ireland were left destitute.

Potatoes remain a basic foodstuff in Ireland are served almost daily as part of a meal. Unlike Britain cooked potatoes are served in their skin, which is removed at the table. This ensures more of the nutrients remain in the potato during cooking.

Irish cuisine has come a long way since then. Come visit Orange City and have amazing Irish food.

Come taste a piece of Ireland at The Rock: Regan's Orange City Kitchen.

www.therockinfl.com | (386) 218-4979 | www.facebook.com/TheRockinFL | twitter.com/therockinfl

Friday, August 7, 2015

Come taste a piece of Ireland

An island in the North Atlantic, Ireland features coastal mountains in the west and interior agricultural lowlands, with numerous hills, lakes, and bogs. The Republic of Ireland occupies about 83 percent of the island of Ireland—Northern Ireland, in the northeast, is part of the United Kingdom. Irish, or Irish Gaelic (a Celtic language), is the country's first official language and is taught in schools, but few native speakers remain. Éire (AIR-uh) is the Irish name for the Republic of Ireland. English is the second official language and is more common.

Come taste a piece of Ireland at The Rock: Regan's Orange City Kitchen.