In case you can't make it to Ireland..

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.

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The History of Irish Food in Ireland

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

Taste a piece of Ireland

The benefits to travel off the beaten paths of large, touristy cities can also be found in your wallet: Smaller cities are typically more affordable than their nearby bigger brethren.

At home and abroad, so-called tier two cities - and even those towns further down the name recognition rungs - are full of surprises for trail-blazing travelers willing to add them to the itinerary.

Ask most visitors where they've been in Ireland, and it's likely to be Dublin, with side trips to usual tourist must-sees like the Blarney Stone and the Cliffs of Moher. To seriously gauge the energy of an eclectic Irish student town, however, get off the beaten path and give Galway a go. Sidled up against the Atlantic Ocean, the city sits roughly 140 miles due west of Dublin. Bike-friendly streets and an outwardly artistic population of less than 100,000 make Galway both approachable and eclectic. There's something Left Bank-ish about the town's Medieval Quarter, home to nightclubs, pubs and boutiques. The city's love of live music burns brightest during the annual Galway Arts Festival, held every summer, when an international array of comedy, music, literature, dance and more fills the streets, parks and pubs.The benefits to travel off the beaten paths of large, touristy cities can also be found in your wallet: Smaller cities are typically more affordable than their nearby bigger brethren.

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

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 and 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