Travel with Rick Steves 799 Irish Oddities; Viking Sights; Cycling the Silk Road
Jul 26, 2025
Join Brinsley McNamara, an Irish author and social media personality, as he uncovers oddities from Ireland, including the peculiar events at Loftus Hall and the enchanting tradition of holy wells. Paul Johansen, a licensed travel guide from Norway, reveals Viking heritage and exciting historical attractions like the Viking Ship Museum. Meanwhile, Canadian explorer Kate Harris shares her breathtaking 10,000-mile cycling adventure along the Silk Road, emphasizing the cultural exchanges and personal transformations that journey inspired.
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Moving Marys Phenomenon
- In 1985, a statue of the Virgin Mary in County Cork was reported moving, attracting thousands nightly.
- The phenomenon ended when vandals smashed the statue, yet many still believed in the movement.
Church Skepticism of Miracles
- The Irish Church remains skeptical about supernatural claims like moving statues or holy stumps.
- They neither endorse nor officially support many popular miraculous sightings.
Poc Fada Championship Sport
- The All-Ireland Poc Fada Championship involves hurling a ball over a five-kilometer mountain range.
- Competitors aim to cross in the fewest hits, not the fastest time.
