Now that spring is finally here, the urge to travel is upon us.  Hopefully, your tickets are booked, accommodations arranged and your plans finalized.  But if not, there is still time to crack the latest guidebook, consider a last-minute tour, arrange for a self-drive and try out new hiking boots. Once prepared, this issue should help, covering  — as it does —   the Midlands of Ireland, with their wonderful blend of rural vistas, history, comfortable lodgings, great restaurants and, of course, fabulous people.

   On a more serious side, another feature touches on the economic impact of the hoof and mouth disease problem in the Isles, but we move on to talk with theater and broadcast personalities, artists and poets and a wild bunch of soccer players in Chicago for a lighter touch.

        So if you can't make it home to Ireland this spring, think of trying an off-season visit this autumn. You can still contact your favorite travel agent to make arrangements. Until then, read The Irish American Post, try out our new Web site (www.irishamericanpost.com) and simply enjoy the Green wherever it can be found
 
 

Foot and Mouth Crisis Threatens Irish Economy
By Diarmaid MacDermott
Ireland was in shock after the confirmation by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on
March 22 that the first case of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the Republic since 1941 was confirmed.[More]
 

Midlands Offers Wealth of Travel Fun
The Irish American Post Staff
When visitors only rim the coast of Ireland -- hitting the high points from Dublin to Cork to Shannon to Belfast -- they don't realize that they are bypassing some of the best parts of Ireland. Neglecting to cut though the heart of the island is their loss.[More]
 

Stay Awhile and Put Up Yer Feet
By Martin Hintz
Settling into a hot whirlpool after a day of driving through one of Ireland's "softer" days is a pleasure granted only to a few lucky souls, those who know where to go for a touch of the sybaritic in the heart of the Irish Midlands. [More]
 

Old Distillery Reborn in Kilbeggan...Slainté
The Irish American Post Staff
About 20 years ago, Locke's Distillery in Kilbeggan was in bad shape, with equipment dating from the 1880s in disrepair and birds roosting in the vats.  Started in 1757, Locke's was one of the oldest whiskey manufacturers in Ireland. It had a glorious heritage, with generations of local folks working there. [More]
 

Sculptor Casey Makes Ancient Wood Come Alive
By Martin Hintz
Michael Casey stood outside his Baileyharbour studio, at what seems to be the end of the known world.  Near his home — reached by winding, narrow roads from the crossing at Newcashel, Co. Westmeath -- flat, mucky bogland spread forever. Moist black peat blended into gray skies tagging the horizon which seemed an infinity away. [More]
 

Singer Emer Kenny Fades into Day
By Deric Green 
Emer Kenny is balancing a lot of things these days. There's nine-month old Rosie on one hip, a new album on the other, plus a Western U.S. tour and then another CD in the works.  But that's the way that songstress Kenny likes it...keeping busy. 
[More]
 

Kevin Tighe Up Close
by Brad Bradley
Of the quartet of actors appearing in Martin McDonagh's A Skull in Connemara  currently in New York, Kevin Tighe may have the least Irish of theater resumes. He is four generations removed from his distant paternal heritage (a great-grandfather was part of the first wave of Irish immigration to the United States around 1850 at the tail end of the infamous potato famine. His maternal roots are Czech-Bohemian). [More]
 

Writing Roots Take Hold in Chicago
By Carrie Trousil
"Writing's in my roots, it's in the family," said poet Cynthia Gallaher of her Celtic heritage. Her roots were transplanted Stateside during the Irish potato famine when great-grandfather James Gallaher departed Castlebar, Co. Mayo, and wound up in Illinois.  [More]
 

Peter McCarthy's Quest
By Martin Russell
Peter McCarthy was on a quest...part of it hilarious (his drive to have a drink in all the McCarthy's pubs in Ireland) and part of it serious (a search for an identity). This travel correspondent with an English father and Irish mother tackles both in his McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in the West of Ireland. [More]
 

O'Meara Checks in 'Hotel Milwaukee'
By Michelle Boyle
Watching Wisconsin Public Radio'sHotel Milwaukee being taped live is a delightful, entertaining experience. The cast is hilarious with its tongue-in- cheek humor and the accompanying musicians are skillful.  [More]
 

Celtics Follow the Bouncing Ball
By George Houde
There may be crimes related to soccer. This is according to John O'Sullivan, founding member of the Chicago Celtics Soccer Club and conspirator with the rest of his team to kick, run, pass and score their way to a championship season this year in the Northwest Suburban League. [More]