Listen to my chat with Ivan Yates on The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk Fm here
Did you know that Mobile, Alabama, is the birthplace of America’s original Mardi Gras? That’s right, Mardi Gras originated in 1703 in this port city. It was revived after the Civil War when citizen Joe Cain, fed up with post-war misery, led an impromptu parade down city streets. Mobile has been doing it ever since and the annual occasion is filled with majestic parades, colourful floats and flying Moon Pies. Mardi Gras celebrations begin two and a half weeks before Fat Tuesday and the Port City comes to life. Elaborate themed floats manned by masked mystic societies, mounted police and marching bands wind through downtown Mobile and surrounding areas, entertaining nearly a million revellers each year.
Seventy seven Mystic Societies or Crews host various balls starting January each year. Chose the ball you want to attend and get to meet the King and Queen! I attended two balls on my visit and danced the night away to live music and dined on Creole food. Oysters and shrimp are plentiful and I recommend stopping off at Wintzells Oyster House if you are in town. There’s really only one hotel to stay in and that ‘s the Battle House on Royal street where most parades pass by.
Mobile Alabama Carnival is a family-friendly time of parties, balls, parades and revelry. Find your spot and get ready to catch Moon Pies, beads and trinkets. And not to forget the man who kept Mardi Gras alive, Joe Cain Day is observed the Sunday before Fat Tuesday. It’s amazing how Mardi Gras envelops the reveller and I was no exception on Jo Cain’s day when I found myself in a frenzy catching beads and throwing them to the crowd.
The farce enactment of Jo Cain’s greiving widows is great fun to be a part of and I got to meet one of his widows.
Take a trip to the Gulf Coast while you are there – it’s super friendly!
You can read all about my adventures in this Saturday’s edition of the Irish Daily Mail!
For more information see www.alabama.travel
www.mobile.org
www.GulfShores.com
Get there with Platinum Travel specialists in bespoke Holidays to the USA
+353 1853 5000
https://www.platinumtravel.ie/
[email protected]
Package inclusions:
15 Oct – 21 Oct
- Return Direct flights from Dublin to Atlanta
- 3 nights Mobile – 4* Battle House Renaissance Inn
- 3 nights Orange Beach – 3* Hilton Garden Inn
- Fully Inclusive Car rental – free tank of fuel / free additional driver for duration of their stay
- Checked bags 23kilos per person
- All airport taxes
- 24/7 emergency number throughout their stay
Eur 1469 per person
If you feel like paying a visit to that other Mardi Gras Town – Tour America have a great offer to New Orelans in October 5 nights in New Orleans from only €899pp
Carnival in Cologne is not for the fainthearted. Stamina and energy is required to make it through the days of fun and feasting. Costumes are essential and basically anything goes in that department. You’ll find plenty of dress up stores around the city with fun masquerade apparel.
Carnival, which is also known in Cologne as “Fastelovend”, is celebrated mainly during the period between New Year’s Day and Ash Wednesday. But in Cologne the beginning of the new Carnival session is already celebrated on the 11th day of the 11th month at precisely 11:11 a.m. On a big stage in the traditional city centre, the session’s designated triumvirate (the Carnival rulers — the Prince, the Peasant and the Maiden), still wearing their civilian clothes, present themselves to the public for the first time. After that, Carnival generally stays in the background until the New Year’s Eve balls.
The climax of Carnival in Cologne is the six-day street carnival known as the “Crazy Days”. From Weiberfastnacht, the women’s Carnival on the Thursday before Rosenmontag (Carnival Monday), to Veilchendienstag (Carnival Tuesday), there is no end of traditional sessions, balls and parades. People celebrate, sing and dance in the halls, pubs and restaurants. During these six days, normal life is suspended throughout Cologne. Many public institutions are closed, and Prince Carnival rules.
To find out more about carnival in Cologne see https://www.cologne-tourism.com/see-experience/carnival/
Eurowings fly Dublin to Cologne price points start at 19.99 from March they fly mon, wed, fri, sat and sun
Ryanair fly daily Dublin/cologne and price points start about €20
Prices vary at weekends and off peak-seasons.
