In an era of religious oppression, one Irish priest found a way to circumvent the laws and inspire his congregation on the Loop Head Peninsula in County Clare.

Music composed by Hicham Chahidi Library “Shine” & “Tendresse” royalty free music http://musicscreen.org/

Holycross didn't always have that name... until the arrival of a relic of the True Cross arrived it was known as the Church of the Eight Hands -- for rather gruesome reasons. There's a lot more to this church than you might notice on first glance, and I'm happy to tell you some highlights.

Music composed by Hicham Chahidi Library Genval Style & Gregorian Song Style royalty free music http://musicscreen.org/

In the tiny village of Kilcormac, there's a holy statue that has been safeguarded by the locals for hundreds of years. It has survived religious suppression, Cromwell's armies, and a parish priest who thought it belonged with him.

In this episode I introduce you to a bit of the history and charms of Timahoe, County Laois, and sites nearby.

If you go off the beaten path to visit Timahoe, you might consider some stops nearby, like climbing the impressive ruins of the Rock of Dunamase, touring the grand home and gardens at Emo Court, exploring the Slieve Bloom Mountiains, trekking along the Abbeyleix Bog Walk, and wandering the paths at Heywood Gardens.

Whether it's because you don't have an international plan for your smartphone or you simply hit a deadzone, it's a good idea to download local maps to your phone before you get lost in Ireland. In this episode, I walk you through the "hidden" feature in Google Maps that lets you get directions even when you phone is in Airplane Mode.

A video version is available at https://youtu.be/2pQZmdIqWfc

Google Maps is available for free in both the Apple and Google Play Stores.

We've grown accustomed to around-the-clock internet access in our daily lives. That doesn't necessarily have to change when we travel in Ireland. Even if you're looking for occasional online check-ins, here are my tips for getting your devices connected on the Emerald Isle.

Visit http://www.IrishFireside.com/wifi for more info.

Here are my tips for choosing the right car rental company when planning your trip to Ireland.

This special episode come from the Traveling in Ireland Podcast with Jody Halsted. I thought Irish Firesiders might enjoy the tales and tidbits shared by author Felicity Hayes-McCoy.

More at https://irelandfamilyvacations.com/old-irish-traditions-with-felicity-hayes-mccoy-traveling-in-ireland-podcast/podcasts/

We've gotten used to carrying the internet in our pocket, but when it comes to mobile phones and tablets abroad, there are few things every traveler should know to avoid expensive bills or unusable connections. In this episode, I've got tips to keep you connected during your trip to Ireland.

Show Notes: http://irishfireside.com/2018/02/15/154-smartphone-tablet-ireland/

Lullaby for Caoilte is our Christmas tradition here at the Irish Fireside. Enjoy. FYI: Nollaig shona dhuit=Happy Christmas in Irish

In the spirit of Christmas we bring you this song performed by our friends in Tipperary, Ireland – Sheelagh Chadwick, Kathleen Costello and Theresa Larkin. Merry Christmas everyone. It’s become a Christmas tradition for us to post this one every year.