DVD. Europe's Classic Romantic Inns. 30 Minutes. ASSOLAS COUNTRY HOUSE Joe and Hazel Bourke own this charming 17th century country house. Joe enjoys taking visitors around the quaint countryside to buy provisions that his wife turns into masterful dinners. BALLYVOLEANE HOUSE This lovely Georgian manor is owned by Jeremy and Merrie Green. Jeremy is famous for his ghost stories, and Merrie takes guests salmon fishing at the nearby River Blackwater BANTRY HOUSE This stately manor house was built by the Earl of Bantry after saving Ireland from an invasion of a French Armada in 1796. Today it is owned by a relative, Egerton Shelswell-White, who brings his band into the salon to rehearse after dinners. There is a museum on the property that recalls the attempted invasion. Regional Highlights: Blarney Castle Brave it up to the top of the castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, and then go shopping at the nearby Blarney Mills. Irish Stout and Irish Music The two go hand in hand. We visit a pub to learn the secret to getting a perfect head on a stout beer. As the bartender makes his "perfect pour" the locals serenade us with Irish ballads. Queenstown Heritage Center on Cork Harbor The story of how the potato famine forced millions of Irish to leave their homeland is recounted here, the major point of departure for the emigrants. It also shows better times, when the harbor was an important port for the great transatlantic ocean liners. Jameson Heritage Center We visit a distillery-turned-museum to learn the history of Irish whisky. John Ryan, a seventh-generation distiller, explains what makes Irish whisky different and teaches us an Irish toast.

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Dublin is the capital of the Irish Republic and is a city of musicians, poets and dreamers. Its Georgian buildings, whisky distilleries and historic castles are tangible and colourful reminders of bygone times and numerous well preserved buildings, cafes, churches and idyllic canals also add to the captivating atmosphere of this fun loving city. One of the city's main landmarks is a splendid structure, Halfpenny Bridge, which derived its name due to a toll that was once extracted from those who crossed it. Dublin Castle is one of the city's oldest buildings. It has seen much transformation and is a combination of several building styles. After the Vikings, the Normans conquered the city and ruled over it for seven hundred years and under King Henry The Eighth Dublin became the capital of what was then a British colony. Trinity College is Ireland's oldest and most venerable university. It was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth The First. The high standard of education offered here has attracted famous pupils such as Jonathan Swift, Henry Grattan and Samuel Becket. Dublin's General Post Office was once the site of an important historical event. Under the leadership of Padraig Pearse and James Connolly around a hundred men occupied the post office and thus began Ireland's struggle for Independence. In Easter, 1916, the Irish Republic was born. Bursting with pubs and music this most hospitable city is a wonderful combination of lively city life and infectious Irish blarney!

DVD. World Destinations. 27 Minutes. The Irish city of Dublin is rich in culture, tradition, and architectural beauty.

DVD. Alternate Routes. 30 Minutes. The Avalon House in Dublin, Ireland is the meeting point for a group of backpackers in search of Irish pubs, tradition, Guiness and good times. Experience the rush of traveling the world for the first time with a crew of international back-packers, ages 16 - 22 on their quest for adventure, romance and the perfect moment. A variety of hosts from around the globe and the young people they hook up with on location are relentless in their pursuit of fun (and don't forget that culture, mate!) American girls explore Rome, Brits take on Thailand and things get wild when the Aussie's arrive in Copenhagen. Five continents, Unlimited Adventure. Take the alternate route, dude.

DVD. Approximately 2 Hours. Program 1: Land of the Falling Lakes - In the heart of Croatia lies a hidden treasure--Plitvice Lakes National Park. This extraordinary natural preserve is a fairy tale world that has lain undisturbed for centuries. That is, until Civil War tore the Balkans apart a decade ago. But, Plitvice has an almost supernatural ability to regenerate and heal itself. The restless landscape is constantly in motion, continually building new waterfalls and pools, merging its elements to create a place like no other. In this spellbinding episode from the award-winning PBS series, witness the savagery and splendor of nature that has created a kingdom formed, and ruled, by water. Here, one of the continent's largest population of brown bears, packs of wolves and lynx, and a host of other rare and remarkable creatures that have all but disappeared elsewhere, seek safe haven. Each season brings its own unique beauty to one of the last ancient European forests and an unparalleled world of crystal-clear lakes that flow into one another through a series of spectacular terraces and cascading waterfalls. It is a land of wonders. Program 2: **Ireland** - From its ocean shores and wooded glens to its isolated mountains, Ireland's breathtaking landscapes seem untouched by time. Narrated by Jason O'Mara, this enchanting episode from public television's honored natural history series etches a vivid portrait of the Emerald Isle, graced with a host of plants and animals that thrive in one of the most varied landscapes in Europe. Rare native flowers, colonies of sea birds, dolphins and peregrine falcons, and the legendary racehorses of the Irish National Stud are only part of Ireland's fascinating story. Ireland's timeless beauty has survived the ages. But, what is old to us is still young to the land, which has been transformed again and again. Sheathed in ice; sculpted by retreating glaciers; covered in vast forests of oak; reshaped by human history; Ireland's story is still unfolding.

DVD. Approximately 2 Hours. Take a grand tour of the Old World with public radio's original Savvy Traveler, Rudy Maxa, host of the award-winning American Public Television series, Smart Travels, and contributing editor to National Geographic Traveler magazine. This DVD includes visits to: Dublin and Beyond - Discover history around every corner of Dublin; find inspiration in the hillsides of Glendalough; visit Malahide Castle and the Hill of Tara, home of the ancient Irish kings; and take a side trip to Northern Ireland's Folk Park. Ireland's West Coast - Shop for Irish crystal in Galway; explore a Stone Age fort on the Aran Islands; attend a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle; visit a Muckross country manor; and tour the stunning Dingle Peninsula. Bath and Wales - Experience Georgian loveliness in Bath; hear legends of Camelot in Glastonbury; and visit castles, country fairs and more in Wales and the Wye River Valley. Edinburgh and Scotland - Climb the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle; tee up at the world's most famous golf course--St. Andrews; tour Dewar's whiskey distillery; stroll Stirling's historic battlefields of Braveheart fame; and sail the bonny banks of legendary Loch Lomond. Extra Features: Rudy's Travel Tips - International driver's license; Rental car collision insurance; European driving etiquette. Fascinating Side Trips - Bunratty Castle entertainers; Irish Brush Dance at Claymore Castle; Kingstroop Royal Horse Artillery; The Edinburgh Ghost and Witchery Tour.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Kilkenny is one of the most beautiful towns in the Republic Of Ireland and numerous historic buildings highlight the city's colourful past. Since the end of the 12th century, Kilkenny Castle, located close to the Nore River, has been the town's most prominent landmark. In 1391 the castle was acquired by the Butler's, an aristocratic family that influenced Kilkenny right up until the 20th century. The city was founded by Saint Canice who in the 6th century had a monastery built close to the River Nore and at the time of the Anglo Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169 four church communities existed here. Located in Parliament Street, Rothe House dates back to 1594 and is another of the city's popular historic sights. Renovated in 1966, the building complex contains three houses that are grouped around two tranquil inner courtyards. Kilkenny has retained its unique historic atmosphere right up to the present day and can thus justifiably be referred to as `The jewel of the Irish Middle Ages'.

DVD. 2 Hours. The program opens with a delightful Christmas pageant of song pays tribute to the old city of Dublin as it celebrates its millennium. Join a spectacular cast of singers and musicians marking the occasion with an enchanting evening of Irish Yuletide magic at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The glorious confines of St. Patrick's Cathedral provide a magnificent concert setting for performances by its own gifted choir, as well as the West Point Glee Club, the RTE (Radio Telefeis Eire) Concert Orchestra, the RTE Philharmonic Choir, and the internationally renowned solo talents of Bernadette Greevy, Catherine Coates, and Dennis O' Neill. Musical highlights include: "Silent Night," "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "Ave Maria," "Once in Royal David's City," "Adeste Fideles," "Go Tell It on the Mountain," "Hallelujah Chorus" and "What Child is This?" A Christmas celebration like this only comes around once every one thousand years, and this program ensures you can enjoy this one magic evening again and again. In the second part of the program, Galway, the ancient city of stone and water, cordially invites you to a holiday celebration filled with song. These soul-stirring Christmas performances were filmed at Galway's famed Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, the living symbol of a modern city with ancient traditions. It's a night of extraordinary talent, featuring hundreds of beautiful voices from The Galway Baroque Singers and The Choristers of Belfast Cathedral. The songs include such classics as: "The First Noel," "O Silent Night," "Torches," "The Holly and The Ivy," "Ding Dong Merrily," "Handel's Messiah" and "The Zither Carol." This special Irish Christmas celebration continues at such venerable locations as the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed Into Heaven and The Spanish Arch, as music brings the city to life just as it has for centuries on end.

DVD. 1 Hours. From its ocean shores and wooded glens to its isolated mountains, Ireland's breathtaking landscapes seem untouched by time. Narrated by Jason O'Mara, this enchanting episode from public television's honored natural history series etches a vivid portrait of the Emerald Isle, graced with a host of plants and animals that thrive in one of the most varied landscapes in Europe. Rare native flowers, colonies of sea birds, dolphins and peregrine falcons, and the legendary racehorses of the Irish National Stud are only part of Ireland's fascinating story. Ireland's timeless beauty has survived the ages. But, what is old to us is still young to the land, which has been transformed again and again. Sheathed in ice; sculpted by retreating glaciers; covered in vast forests of oak; reshaped by human history; Ireland's story is still unfolding.

DVD. Europe's Classic Romantic Inns. 30 Minutes. MARFIELD HOUSE Ray and Mary Bowe are your hosts in this 19th century manor house that features a fine restaurant and extensive gardens. Their daughter Mary takes us to ride horses on a beach. We also take a helicopter ride to see the countryside. TINAKILLY HOUSE William and Bee Power are your hosts in a manor house built last century by Captain Halpin, who laid the first transatlantic cable.. They feature a fine restaurant and drama evenings where actors liven up the after-dinner hours. William also shows us a nearby rock where St. Patrick didn't land- he was chased away by fierce natives. THE OLD RECTORY Paul and Linda Saunders have turned this rectory into an inn famous for Linda's novel cooking. She prepares exotic meals using flowers from her garden. Paul, who was once a fireman in the London Fire Brigade, shows us his collection of fire fighting memorabilia. Regional Highlights: Golf Randall discusses how popular golf is in Ireland, and how inexpensive and easy it is to play there. Baileys Farm We visit Joe Hayes' farm to see how the Irish dealt with the problem of having surplus cream and whisky. They invented Baileys and mixed the two together and exported them. Joe's wife shows us how to make a real Irish stew, and some great deserts. St. Kevin and Glendalough St. Patrick wasn't Ireland's only holy man- St. Kevin founded an important religious and university center in the beautiful Glendalough valley. The site still draws visitors to its haunting ruins. The Uncrowned King of Ireland We visit Avondale, home of Charles Stewart Parnell. We see how Parnell's refusal to renounce his love for the married Katie O'Shea cost him his career, and Ireland its independence.