Crystal Travel & Tours Podcast

Episode 50 is here! This is the last podcast in the 50 Reasons to Visit Ireland series. This week Caitlin and Joe discuss Irish Craic. Craic is defined as “a term for news, gossip, fun, entertainment and enjoyable conversation, particularly prominent in Ireland”. Listen...

During episode 48 Caitlin and Joe sit down with special guest, Ava, to talk to her about Ireland. She tells us her favorite places she has visited in Ireland. Caitlin and Joe also cover great family activities in Ireland.

• Check out this video of Bunratty Castle & Folk...

During episode 48, Caitlin and Joe discuss the wide variety of adventure in Ireland. Among these adventures are coasteering, bog snorkeling, recreational tree climbing, hill walking and surfing. Check out this podcast for the best places to go on these awesome adventures.

During episode 47 Caitlin and Joe talk about the best couple destinations in Ireland. Learn all about Joe’s Ireland wedding, classic wedding traditions and castles that are perfect for Irish weddings.

• Click here to see the honeymoon testers’ visit to the Emerald Isle....

In episode 46 learn all about the Christmas traditions of Ireland. Caitlin and Joe talk about the best Christmas Markets, the classic polar plunges and New Year’s festivals. Also listen as Joe discusses the differences in holiday traditions between Ireland and United...

We welcome Caitlin’s dear friend Josh to the podcast this week. He sits down with us as we discuss the hidden gems of Ireland. We will reveal the beautiful, scenic places that are less well know such as Downpatrick Head, Slieve League Cliffs, Mussenden Temple and many...

Ireland is a very popular place for runners and people who enjoy the outdoors. This week we sit down with our co-worker Ann who loves to run in Ireland. Learn all about the Dingle Half & Full Marathon, the Connemarathon, the Clare Burren Marathon and much more!

• Check out...

This week Joe sits down with photographer Manuel Palacios who recently traveled to Ireland to take some incredible pictures. Listen to find out what he has to say about capturing amazing photos in Ireland.

• Click here to visit Manuel’s website to see some amazing photos.
• ...

Irish mythology and folklore is unlike any other form. The mythology features gods that are surrounded in mystery. Learn about leprechauns, fairies, heroes and much more!

• Check out this video explaining why Irish mythology isn’t more popular.
• Click here to watch a video...

Sligo is along the northwest coast of Ireland. The name ‘Sligo’ translates to ‘Shelly River’ which is due to a large amount of shellfish in the surrounding waters. The town is full of rich history to discover.

• Watch the Galway song Joe mentioned here.
• Check out this...

Westport is located in Country Mayo along Ireland’s west coast. It is a popular tourist attraction with rich ancient past, unique architecture and friendly locals.

• Watch the 2012 Westport Food Festival promo here.
• See why Westport is the best place to live in Ireland.
• ...

This week is all about Ireland’s Adventure Capital. The area has beautiful landscapes to explore like the Killarney National Park and it is big for marathons. Killarney is also a very popular area along the Ring of Kerry.

• Check out this video with an aerial view of...

Pull up a chair, order a pint and raise a glass with us to the most iconic pubs in the world.

• In case you haven’t heard us talk about The Burren yet…
• More on the tale behind The King’s Head.
• We don’t know what’s going on here, but we like it.

This week we discuss the largest city in Ireland: Dublin. The Emerald Isle’s capital is located at the mouth of the River Liffey. The city was originally founded as a Viking settlement.

• This video gives you a view of all the beauty that Dublin has to offer.
• Check out...

This week we discuss the Rebel City of Cork. The city is situated along River Lee which divides to break the city into two islands. We discuss Cork and Dublin’s rivalry and talk about must-see places to visit.

• “The Bells of Shandon” made the 8 bells of the Church of St....

There’s no place like Belfast – at least, Caitlin thinks so. We discuss all the must-see spots found in Northern Ireland’s capital and relive some memories from her semester abroad.

• Here’s a look behind-the-scenes at Rihanna in Belfast for her We Found Love video.
• Take a...

We take a 50 Reasons stroll down the Marble City’s Medieval Mile and break down some of its most historical, cultural destinations.

• Follow along with us on your own Medieval Mile Map.
• Here’s a clip depicting more of Kilkenny Castle’s history.
• Kilkenny is home to the...

• Welcome to Derry~Londonderry.
• Check out the Cottage Sessions held at the Craft Village.
• Here’s more info on The Siege Museum.   

• Catch a live stream of Galway via the Claddagh Webcam.
• Discover more of the musical, vibrant West End here.
• Listen to Joe’s favorite band Bell X1 sing one of their singles, ‘The Upswing‘.

It’s Barry’s Vs. Lyons in the ultimate 50 Reasons taste test and we tell the story of how the infamous Irish coffee came to be.

• Caitlin might not have read Joe’s blog post, but you can here.
• One of those classic Barry’s commercials…
• Let Irish actress Saoirse Ronan teach...

We celebrate the “water of life” and the very best Irish whiskey. Bottoms up!

• Judge for yourself if you agree with Caitlin on the Jameson videos.
• Here’s a little more on Irish whiskey vs. Scotch whisky.
• A review of Kilbeggan Distillery as seen on ‘Most Haunted’.

We raise a glass to Ireland (and Irish pubs in Boston) as we sample Irish beer and explore its rich flavor in Reason 29.

• The Most Interesting Man in the World…almost as cool as Tom Crean.
• And Caitlin was right – they’re using a new actor now.
• More info on the Smithwick’s...

Episode 28 explores the most popular Irish Stouts including Murphy’s, Beamish and of course, Guinness. Caitlin and Joe dive into the history of each classic Irish drink and give tips on the best ways to experience them!

• After Joe complains about the small and crowded...

This bonus episode talks all things Game of Thrones. Special guest, Katie recently traveled to Iceland and tells us all about the breathtaking filming locations. She was blown away by the tour. Even if you are not a Game of Thrones fan, the amazing sights and nature make...

The Traditional Irish Recipes episode takes a closer look at some celebrity Irish chefs, cooking experiences you can have in Ireland (like the one above) and some of the amazing traditional Irish food.

• Try these awesome recipes Caitlin found for bacon and cabbage, full...

The Farm to Fork (or table) movement in Ireland is one that is all about enjoying good food but also about trusting it and being excited about its journey. Today we discuss.

• The Ireland’s Ancient East Fabulous Food video Joe mentioned.
• Below is a couple of dishes that...

Ireland’s Ancient East consists of 17 counties that cover 5,000 years of Ireland’s history. The three main regions are the Historical Heartlands, the Celtic Coast and the Land of 5,000 Dawns.

• Map of Ireland’s Ancient East.
• The photographs Frank Corry took of Glendalough...

The Causeway Coastal’s route is 120 miles spanning from Belfast to Londonderry. It is said to be the most beautiful drive in Ireland filled with folklore, legend and history.

• Map of the Causeway Coastal route
• The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in the 70’s

Caitlin enjoying...

The Wild Atlantic Way stretching from Malin Head to Kinsale Harbor is the longest coastal route in the world. It spans over 8 counties, 5 Providences and has over 1,000 attractions.

• Here’s the Wild Atlantic Way passport Caitlin was talking about.
• Click here for the...

Scattered throughout the coastline of the island of Ireland are hundreds of smaller islands. In many ways, these undeniably beautiful spots are Ireland at its most traditional.

• Blog on our favorite region of islands.
• Here’s that white lobster Caitlin was on about.
• And in...

Get your popcorn and Sno-Caps ready as we wrap up Filming Locations with New Movies this week. Beware of spoilers, heartfelt tangents and poor acting attempts from your favorite Ireland podcast co-hosts.

Also, we realize we’re kind of the worst for not mentioning Star...

Joe was Far and Away in Ireland this week while Caitlin was in Boston, but that didn’t stop us from talking about Old Timey movies filmed on the Emerald Isle.

• Blog Post: 14 Filming Locations in Ireland
• Irish Film Mystery: What did Maureen O’Hara really whisper to John...

For many people all over the world, Ireland is a destination first seen on the silver or small screen. As part of our Filming Locations theme, we enter the world of Westeros where the Emerald Isle is a character in its own right. With many scenes filmed in Titanic Studios...

We wrap up our Castles discussion this week with the very best ones to tour in Ireland. We cover kissing stones, making wishes, hunting ghosts, feasting at medieval banquets and so much more.

• The tale of St. Patrick, the Devil & the Rock of Cashel Joe was butchering.
• ...

We continue our Castles theme today by taking a look at ones that you can rent out for special occasions.

• Blog post: Our 8 Favorite Castles in Ireland
• Blog post: Top 5 Haunted Castles in Ireland and Britain
• That Irish Castles Documentary on Netflix that Joe mentioned 

• Blog post: Our 8 Favorite Castles in Ireland
• Blog post: Top 5 Haunted Castles in Ireland and Britain
• That Irish Castles Documentary on Netflix...

• Americans watch Hurling for the first time.
• Irish Rowing Olympians, the...

• Here’s a brief...

• Riverdance, Eurovision in Dublin 1994 – the performance that took the world by...

Rounding out our theme on Ireland’s History of Emigration, we take a look at the subject of ancestry. What does it mean to have Irish roots, and how can you find out more about yours? We talk to our colleague Katie who tells us her story.

• A little more on tracing your...

With just a few days until the entire world pretends to be Irish, we take a look at the man behind Ireland’s national holiday, debunk some of the most popular myths, take a look at his legacy, and see how the day itself is celebrated in Ireland and around the world.

• A...

 We went with a slightly lighter tone to last week and talked about the most famous shipwreck in recent history.

• That interview Caitlin gave to the Belfast Telegraph after going to Titanic Belfast on opening day.
• Joe’s Prose: Late for his Own Funeral

Today we started our first reason in our new theme – Ireland’s History of Emigration. The Famine was a seminal event in Irish history and, while you wouldn’t expect to visit Ireland specifically for this one event, there is such a legacy left behind that makes it worth it.

• ...

Our final reason in our Scenery theme. Next week, we start into a four-part theme based around Ireland’s History of Emigration.

• Here’s the movie I was talking about, based loosely on the life of Martin Cahill: Ordinary Decent Criminal. The last time I watched it was...

We’ve moved into the top corner of the West of Ireland today.

• Here’s that Nostradamus song we spoke about that was released 15 25 years ago.

• And here is the other one that is a little more traditional

• Bonus song from Christy Moore about the Famine called The City of...

•  Urban Dictionary backs up Caitlin’s hypothesis that some people use MacGillycuddy (or another version of it) as a filler word. The number 4 definition is NSFW, however!
• While Charlie Chapin was famous for his silent movies, one of his most famous pieces is a speaking role

In this episode, we talk about “the most beautiful place on Earth”, try to teach Caitlin some more Irish, and introduce a new segment. Some notes below:

• Joe’s fun fact may not be a fact (hear disclaimer in Episode 1) as we have been unable to get a source to prove it.
• In...

Our second reason to visit Ireland is The Burren in County Clare.

• A little more information on The Burren and County Clare in general
• The matchmaking festival site if you are looking for love
• A couple of videos of Muhammad Ali when he visited Ireland for his boxing match...

• That badass video of Peter O’Toole riding into Letterman on a camel – animal lovers...