The French come to Croke Park
0 Comments Published by Brendan on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at Thursday, February 22, 2007.
'An Evening with the French'
The GAA Museum will host a unique event entitled ‘An Evening with the French’ on Thursday 8th February from 7.30pm to mark the first international rugby match between Ireland and France in Croke Park.
The event will include a talk by Prof Kevin Whelan, the Director of the Keough-Naughton Notre Dame Centre in Dublin, on the links between Ireland and France.
Prof Whelan has published fifteen books including 1798: A Bicentenary Perspective and almost one hundred articles.
Dr Philip Dine (NUI Galway) will speak about French rugby but will also look at other sporting areas such as the record of Irish cyclists in the Tour de France.
His published research includes French Rugby Football: A Cultural History, which forms part of a broader reflection on leisure and popular culture in France.
Former GAA president Seán Kelly, under whose watch the decision to open the association’s pride and joy to other sports was made, feels it fitting that the French are the first visitors to Jones Road in this brave new world of sporting ecumenicalism.
He said: “Always our ally, never our enemy. We turned to France in times of crisis. History shows that from Killalla to Kinsale they were always our friends. It will be special when the battle of the tricolours takes place tomorrow. Two nations, different countries, similar flags.”
The GAA Museum will host a unique event entitled ‘An Evening with the French’ on Thursday 8th February from 7.30pm to mark the first international rugby match between Ireland and France in Croke Park.
The event will include a talk by Prof Kevin Whelan, the Director of the Keough-Naughton Notre Dame Centre in Dublin, on the links between Ireland and France.
Prof Whelan has published fifteen books including 1798: A Bicentenary Perspective and almost one hundred articles.
Dr Philip Dine (NUI Galway) will speak about French rugby but will also look at other sporting areas such as the record of Irish cyclists in the Tour de France.
His published research includes French Rugby Football: A Cultural History, which forms part of a broader reflection on leisure and popular culture in France.
Former GAA president Seán Kelly, under whose watch the decision to open the association’s pride and joy to other sports was made, feels it fitting that the French are the first visitors to Jones Road in this brave new world of sporting ecumenicalism.
He said: “Always our ally, never our enemy. We turned to France in times of crisis. History shows that from Killalla to Kinsale they were always our friends. It will be special when the battle of the tricolours takes place tomorrow. Two nations, different countries, similar flags.”
February visit to Pyrenees Orientales (P.O.)
0 Comments Published by Brendan on at Thursday, February 22, 2007.
February visit to Pyrenees Orientales (P.O.)
To me anytime is a good time to visit P.O. and February did not disappoint. We flew from Shannon to Carcassonne for a change and it worked out quite well.
From Carcassonne we went to Limoux, where they claim to have invented sparkling wine long before Champagne did. Having done a little tasting and made some purchases we took the scenic route to Perpignan and even in February it is a beautiful drive.
Our favourite restaurant (so far!) in the region is Auberge St. Paul in Villefranch-de-Conflient (01-68 96 30 95). The last night we were there (in Summer) we dined under the magnificent Plane tree out front. This time, however, it was a perfect starry night with a full moon silhouetting the crest of the mountains so dining was indoors.
Once again the food, wine and attention from the owner was superb – a treat not to be missed particularly if you are staying at A l'ombre du fort (see French Members).
For a totally different experience we stayed over-night at La Chamberte near Beziers (see French Members). This was truly a unique experience. The owner, Irwin Davidson, filled us in on the history of the building and the transformation he has carried out there over the past fifteen years.
The building was originally a winery and still retains many of the original features. The food and hospitality was unforgettable and all at a very reasonable cost. It is not to be missed if you are in the Beziers area.
To me anytime is a good time to visit P.O. and February did not disappoint. We flew from Shannon to Carcassonne for a change and it worked out quite well.
From Carcassonne we went to Limoux, where they claim to have invented sparkling wine long before Champagne did. Having done a little tasting and made some purchases we took the scenic route to Perpignan and even in February it is a beautiful drive.
Our favourite restaurant (so far!) in the region is Auberge St. Paul in Villefranch-de-Conflient (01-68 96 30 95). The last night we were there (in Summer) we dined under the magnificent Plane tree out front. This time, however, it was a perfect starry night with a full moon silhouetting the crest of the mountains so dining was indoors.
Once again the food, wine and attention from the owner was superb – a treat not to be missed particularly if you are staying at A l'ombre du fort (see French Members).
For a totally different experience we stayed over-night at La Chamberte near Beziers (see French Members). This was truly a unique experience. The owner, Irwin Davidson, filled us in on the history of the building and the transformation he has carried out there over the past fifteen years.
The building was originally a winery and still retains many of the original features. The food and hospitality was unforgettable and all at a very reasonable cost. It is not to be missed if you are in the Beziers area.
