|
|
|
|
|
Do you know of a great Irish site that we can steer readers to? We want to know! e-mail your suggestions to Picks central -- and don't forget to include the site's address. Click here if you only want to view this month's list of sites.
Pop quiz: you're heading down-river in your trusty craft, when suddenly you approach a black rectangular sign and a red circular sign. Are you going the wrong direction? Should the circles be on your right or your left? Quick! See, if you'd consulted the new site for the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, you'd know just what to do. The site's Boating Conduct guide is just one great feature of this encyclopedic site, which features photographs, boat rental information and much more, all in a fully searchable site. There's also a free mailing list you can sign up for, and a large collection of maps will be posted soon. (If you're heading downstream, by the way, those red circles had better be on your right.)
Web sites for Irish hotels can be of uneven quality, but the Mount Herbert Hotel has put together a truly impressive welcome for visitors. This isn't just a hotel site, it's a complete tourist guide -- we loved the suggested day trips, from the Glendalough monastery in Wicklow to the unusual Japanese Gardens in Kildare. You'll also find useful advice on everything from local tipping practices to electricity voltage, and there's plenty of information about the hotel itself, as well as a secure order form that lets you book a room online. Most refreshing of all, although the site is distinctly Irish, it manages to avoid the threadbare symbolism of shamrocks and shillelaghs. Begorrah, that's what we like!
If your idea of leisure is a bit of fantasy football, you need to stop by the new Virtual Premiership site. Not only can you predict the results of your fantasy team from the Irish National League or the English Premiership, but you can win a cool IRP 1,000 if your predictions are accurate. If you're new to fantasy sports, there's a helpful demonstration that lets you log in to see a sample before committing yourself to registration. Even if you're not the big cash winner, you'll have the chance to win other prizes, including match tickets and replica jerseys.
Sports fans must also check out the incredibly useful new multimedia search facility at RTE News Online. The national broadcaster has made its television and radio archive available for free searches: everything from weekly sports programs to daily news bulletins can be searched by keyword, and you can view text stories as well as filmed and audio reports. The site is a boon for anyone who needs to do research, or who happened to miss their favourite show. The archive dates to December 1998 only, but it's being expanded daily.
You might think you're too busy to pray, but the Jesuits of Dublin aren't buying it. In honour of Lent they've put a daily 10- minute prayer online at Sacred Space, where you can also find relaxation exercises to get you into the praying mood. You'll also find information on the site about Jesuits in Ireland and the UK, including a history of the order and available youth programs. More controversially, there's also an option to join the Pope's prayer of the month, which speaks out against assisted suicide.