Gem and Jo's Irish Music

To celebrate Seachtain Ná Gaelige (pronounced: shocktin nah gwail-i-ga) or Irish Week, we have decided to be good Irish folk and share our favourite Irish music with you guys! We know when you hear the words "Irish Music" images of fiddles and dancers with their arms super-glued to their sides probably sweep into your head, and while that kind of music can be a good bit of fun, there's more to Irish Music than that. So throw down your fiddle and bodhrán (pronounced: bough-ron), and let us share with you some of the Irish bands that we have been loving!

 Delorentos

These guys are probably one of our favourite Irish bands. With their great lyrics and super catchy indie pop melodies its no wonder that these guys are so popular in Ireland. Their latest album is just great and if you get the chance to see these guys live, go! (that's an order, not a suggestion). Check out their song 'Forget the Numbers' and we swear you'll be hooked. 

All Tvvins 

If you play Fifa, you've probably heard the genius that is All Tvvins. These guys haven't even released their first album yet and have already gathered a growing fan base abroad and in Ireland. We have had their song 'Darkest Ocean' on repeat!

Two Door Cinema Club

We have always been big fans of Two Door Cinema Club. Their brand of indie pop is so upbeat it just puts you in a good mood!We have loved their last two albums and with rumours of new material on the horizon we can't wait to hear what they come out with next. Check out their song 'Something Good Can Work', it'll forever be our summer song. 

Otherkin 

Looking for something a little bit heavier, look no further than Otherkin. Another band that hasn't released their debut album yet but seem to be gaining fans by the minute. If you're into The Strokes or The Hives you are sure to like these guys. 

Bell X1

Honestly there isn't much that we can say about these guys except that they're great. A little poppy at times and a little rocky at others. While we haven't heard anything new from these guys in a while, they have started touring again which is just awesome. Check out 'White Water Song' one of our favourites that we think is often overlooked!

These are only a few of our favourite Irish bands. Honestly we could probably write an entire book if we included them all (in fact there's an idea!). 

Have you heard of these band before? Give them a listen and tell us what you think? We'd love to know. 

Until next time,

Gem and Jo's Irish Pride Guide

We were both born and raised in Ireland, which means that it's pretty much mandatory that we celebrate St Patrick's Day in some shape or fashion. So whether you were born in our fair Isles or you are just a fan of us Paddys and our green country, we are gonna share with you guys some ways to get your pride on this St Patrick's Day.

1.  Wear something green! It really couldn't be simpler. Don't worry you don't have to wear clothing that a leprechaun would be jealous of, just swap some of your staple accessories for some festive green ones. Plus no one wants to be the only person that get's pinched because they aren't wearing green. We love this over sized scarf from Asos and this cross body bag from Parfois. Who says green can't be stylish?

2. Ditch your normal black eyeliner for some green eyeliner. You'll get the same intensity but with a bit more festivity. Too afraid to go all green? Layer some black liquid eyeliner on your top lashes over the green, leaving a bit peaking out. A little less out there but an equally festive look. We love Rimmel London's Soft Khol Kajal Eye Pencil in Jungle Green for this look. 

     

3. Paint your nails! Who doesn't love getting creative with nail polish. If you're super adventurous you could try painting shamrocks or Irish flags on your nails. For a simpler look just go for a straight up green shade. We love Barry M's Nail Paint in Racing Green for a slightly vampy St Patrick's day look. 

4. Watch an Irish movie. Ireland has produced some great movies from The Commitments to Once. You could even get really into the spirit of things and watch Darby O'Gill And The Little People. If all else fails, throw on P.S. I Love You and have a good ole laugh at Gerard Butler's really terrible Irish accent. For those of you not from Ireland, no one in the country speaks like that at all. 

IMDb

5. Use your cúpla focal. If you're from Ireland, make use of your Irish sayings that you probably haven't uttered since the leaving cert. If you're not a native speaker, try out some of these common Irish phrases that are sure to wow your friends;

Dia Dhuit (deea gwitch) - Hello

Conas atá tú?(kunass a taw two) - How are you?

or the ever so eloquent,

Póg mo thóin (pog mo hone)

6. Take a walk in the Irish country side. We are pretty much famous for our green landscape so what better a time than St Patrick's Day to go out and experience it. 

If you don't live in Ireland, take a look at this picture of a cow, you'll achieve a similar affect. 

What are you doing this St. Patrick's Day? 

Until next time,

Gem and Jo Take On Iced Green Tea

So while Jo was off sunning herself in Gran Canaria, she picked up some Horniman's Green Tea. Now to be honest the reason she bought it was because it was called Hornimans, which made her giggle, and because of our recent obsession with green tea! (Check out our post about that obsession Here). 

After working up the courage to try this Te Verde, which is pineapple and coconut flavour, here's our opinions on Horniman's products. 

                                 

First off, this isn't like your ordinary green teas, this is made with cold water (or agua fría as it says on the packet). You're supposed to leave the tea bag in 250ml of cold water for 5 minutes (We used Tesco Irish Spring water! Find it Here for just 69c!). 

At first it doesn't look like it's going to blend very well but after a few seconds the sweet smell of pineapple is apparent! Yum! 

                                         

After waiting 5 excruciating minutes with the smell of pineapple and coconut in the air teasing us, we finally tasted it. 

It is like an explosion of beautiful, delicious awesomeness! No, seriously, this stuff is amazing and it really pains us that Jo only brought one bag back! 15 tea bags isn't enough!!! We will have to ration it out until we find a way back to Gran Canaria!! 

This is what it looks like when you first put the tea bag in!

Check out Horniman's website Here
If you have ever tried Horniman's Te Verde or know where it can be bought in Ireland, let us know in the comments and we will be eternally grateful!

Thanks for reading!

Until Next Time! 

Gem and Jo Go To Riverdance.

As Irish girls we felt obliged to go see Riverdance's 20th Anniversary tour this weekend! And we were not disappointed!
Now Gem had never seen Riverdance and we were only wee babies when it won The Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, so we hadn't seen the original but this show is brilliant!

The actual show starts with some stamping and a weird voice over who talks a load of craziness throughout the show, but when the first dancers start, you just get chills! There is no doubt that these people are absolutely brilliant at what they do! From the actual riverdance to the jumps, flips and spins, these dancers have serious talent!

The 20th anniversary tour is a mixture of Irish and international dance and music, Gem didn't know this when we went and was totally confused as to why they were doing the Flamenco and tap! Speaking of tap, the two guys who portray American style dance were absolutely hilarious! They really lighten up the performance!

Photo: Riverdance.com

At first, when the main dancer comes on stage you think, "What the hell is this guy wearing?" but don't worry, his wardrobe gets worse! It goes from puffy pirate shirt to leather pants, shirt and jacket. However while pirate shirt is dancing you don't care what he's wearing, his feet move like lightening! It is incredible!

Tickets for this show were kinda pricey, ours were €50.00 and popcorn and drinks in the Gaiety Theatre can be expensive, which sucks but for a show as good as Riverdance you don't mind!

You can buy tickets for the Dublin shows Here
Or you can checkout when Riverdance will be in your area Here

Let us know if you've ever seen Riverdance in the comments below, we love to hear from you guys!
Until Next Time!