I know we are all looking forward to a better year now that the stimulus package is in place, and hopefully we will have more money in our pockets for spending and traveling. This is our annual Travel Ireland issue and you will be excited when you read what you can accomplish when you travel to Ireland this year. I can assure you that Ireland is still the best value for your buck because of its natural beauty, its hospitality and its friendliness.

For golfing, what can I say except that Ireland has 400 golf courses, including some of the World?s best, such as the Old Head Golf Links in Kinsale and the K Club in Kildare, host of the Ryder Cup. As for sports, such as horse racing, Gaelic Football and Hurling, soccer, rugby, sailing, surfing and for those of you who enjoy a good walk, this is where you should be. Not to mention fabulous five star hotels, guesthouses, farmhouses and rental homes. No matter how many times you go to Ireland you are amazed with the culture of the country; it has everything for your liking when it comes to accommodation, food, transportation and sightseeing. Of course you have to check out the night life as the pubs are full of characters from north, south, east and west; it is so unique and unforgettable you will not want to return home.

As for music, well, this is the place to go, as you will get it in all forms from theatre, folk, traditional, ballads and rock; Ireland has produced some of the greatest talent in the world, including U2, Van Morrison, Celtic Woman, Riverdance, Snow Patrol, Fury Brothers, The Dubliners, Paddy Reilly, Cranberries, Brendan Grace, The Pogues, The Saw Doctors, Ronan Tynan, The Chieftains, The Irish Tenors, Hal Roche, The High Kings, Celtic Tenors, Christy Moore and Celtic Thunder. When it comes to literature, drama and film, there are the McCourts, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Martin McDonagh, Pierce Brosnan, Maureen O?Hara, and I can tell you that when it comes to the arts, there are lots more that would take up the whole magazine-- maybe next time.

I just want to give you a flavor of what you can expect when you visit and for more information go to www.tourismirelandbrand.com. We have lots more in this issue of Irish Connections for your reading enjoyment. Enterprise Ireland are helping promote some very nice products from Ireland that can be purchased from anywhere in the world like Hanna Hats of Donegal (go to www.hannahats.com), C&W Jewellery visit (www.celtic-heraldic.com), Galway Irish Crystal website (www.galwaycrystal.ie), Frangrances of Ireland from Wicklow Shanore Jewelery from Dublin and more.

For more information about Irish stores and products, call toll free i.866-622-2244 or visit www.celticshopinAmerica.com. We have some other nice features that will keep you entertained, including Photo Finish, the Scene, Premiers, Style, and lots more.

Do not miss another issue of the magazine and please tell your friends to subscribe to keep the Irish heritage alive and kicking, which they can do either online, by filling out the form in the magazine - email subscriptions@irishconnectionsmag.com, or you can call (toll-free) 1-888 355-6879.

Thank you again for all your support,

Best regards,