John Hartnett's Charity Event

April 20th,2011

You may not be aware that my brother Michael Hartnett (1991) suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury TBI subsequent to playing a rugby match which led to a severe stroke in 1993. The Blackrock Union has allowed me to  highlight a charitable  cause that I am involved with for improving the quality of life of my brother. This accident has had an enormous effect on his life and though he has spent periods in the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire and Headway the Rehabilitive Tra

Torino- Italy and thoughts of Wanderly Wagon

April 12th,2010

Cold Hands, Cold Hands Cold Hands Cold Hands, COooooooold HHHHAAAAANNNNNNDS…. Sing it like a fooball chant and it will distract you from the fact that your hands are getting numb, that your body has done a quick cost benefit analysis and decided to stop supplying your digits with its lovely warm blood. At least, thats what worked for us in Iran and Turkey. When Cooooold Hands and Feet developed into cold shoulders knees and toes we’d pull out the ultimate pick me up: a few

Homecoming party May 15th

March 25th,2010

 Prague - Czech Republic. Do you remember where you were for the moon landing or when JFK was shot? Well the following date is as important if not more so, because on 15th May is the Big Homecoming Cycle directly followed by a party so raucous it’ll knock your socks off! If you were one of the 200 or so people who joined us for the First Leg cycle, you’ll remember that the atmosphere was incredible, and no doubt the homecoming cycle will be even bigger and better.

Fantastic weekend for Irish rugby

April 12th,2010

Three exciting games sees all three of the Irish provinces through to their semi-finals.

One theme that ran through every game, was the fact that the games all ebbed and flowed from one side to the other, each

Sparkles for Easter

March 30th,2010

The folowing was posted into my wine column this week in Ireland's leading food web site www.greatfood.ie

I like sparkling wine with chocolate. (Mind you I like it without also!) I like to feel those small taste explosions mingle with tongue coating sugary pastes. It’s a personal thing!! Until recently though, I found it hard to justify many of the retail price points out there. Times have changed and prices have tumbled. Good times.

Parks kicks away Irish dreams

March 25th,2010

So we leave Croke Park the way we started - with a loss.

So many items in our game just didn't work - as usual the scrum was a problem but it was when the nor

New Zealand - Wines to Pour or Wines to Bore?

January 25th,2010

I went to the annual New Zealand Wine Fair in Dublin last week. This Fair traditionally 'kicks off' the tasting season. It's usually lively, fairly packed and great fun. This year it wasn't so packed. Is this a result of the recession or is it a sign that NZ has offered all it has to offer and the excitement has gone elsewhere? 

Over the years I've been a critic of the one horse wine trick NZ has foisted onto us. Sauvignon Blanc with a grassy edge - crisp, lively, m

Moving on from Iran

January 19th,2010

Since crossing from China into Central Asia the hospitality has been something else. At times it seemed impossible to make contact with a local, ask for directions, or stop for a broken russian/farsi and mime chat without being invited to take tea or a meal at their home. If we had accepted every invite proferred, I think we’d still be crossing Kyrgyzstan.

Iran definitely ranks highest in the hospitality club. The Irani feeling an unquestionable duty to house and feed for

Ugly Win But Result All That Counts

February 8th,2010

Definitely not the most exciting game we’ve ever seen Ireland play but then again we are defending our Championship and our Grand Slam so results are all that count!
This one can go down as box ticked, a couple of players getting some valuable game time and result in the bag.
You're dead right with your comments guys, we’ve got the win and shown very little to the French!
Challenge in the scrum was met
We stood up to all the challenges that were

3 Out Of 4 Through to 1/4's But Hard Games Ahead

January 25th,2010

Isn’t it ironic that probably the team that were playing the best attacking rugby at the weekend, are the only side not to get though!
Declan Kidney will have to do some serious thinking when picking his team, Trimble and Boss are in great form at the moment and will have to be close to getting starting positions back.

Unluckly Ulster miss out on all cups
And with the results on Sunday, Ulster don’t even get the chance to impress in the Challe