Inhaltsverzeichnis für March/April 2026 in Victoria

One of the foremost literary figures of the twentieth century, W. B. Yeats passionately affirmed his Irish nationality. The poet and dramatist opened The Celtic Twilight, a collection of fanciful tales about an elfin realm, with this revelation: “I have desired, like every artist, to create a little world out of the beautiful, pleasant, and significant things of this marred and clumsy world, and to show in a vision something of the face of Ireland to any of my own people who would look where I bid them.” As our editorial team turns attention to the Emerald Isle—producing hardcover volume Our Hearts Are in Ireland this spring and curating the itinerary for a Live Your Bliss Retreat there this summer—I relate to Yeats’s wish to represent the country well. In…

The first day of spring is when the mythological Persephone emerges, after spending six months of the year imprisoned by Hades in the underworld, and brings the world alive again. This is also the season of Easter, of the Resurrection, and of promise. It is, above all, a time to celebrate renewal. The first day of spring is also my birthday. “I’m a Piscarian,” I say for those who ask after my astrological sign: half Pisces/half Aries. Water and fire both, an alchemy of two seemingly incompatible forces. “As I stood with him on a dirt path—the wind scraping me clean, jagged rocks surrounding us, the land verdant—the external geography transformed my internal landscape.” In Mountain Brook, Alabama, where I live, no season is more glorious. The daffodils and tulips…

The Emerald Isle conjures visions of vivid green hills, mist-cloaked moors, and craggy mountains, yet one region in the northwestern corner of County Clare often goes overlooked. The Burren is an otherworldly limestone sweep where vast pavements of cool gray rock stretch toward the horizon, and, wondrously, this seemingly austere terrain is home to seventy percent of the nation’s wildflower species. Teeming with beauty and botanicals, the setting is the perfect locale for a rural perfume house. The Burren Perfumery was founded in 1972 as a place where boutique scents are crafted on-site. In 1998, Sadie Chowen joined the business, and she purchased it three years later, growing from a two-person operation to fifty-two, supporting local employment and opening the doors for guests to visit and experience the artistry in…

Famed painter Henri Matisse once opined, “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” More true words could not be spoken when it comes to a small shop tucked behind a bright pink door on Roches Street in Limerick, Ireland. No matter the season, the pressed flower studio owned by artist Nell Stritch is lined with canvases filled with a profusion of carefully preserved blooms. Some of the pieces offered are crafted from posies harvested from Nell’s own garden, while others are bespoke, fashioned from bouquets brides have entrusted to her skilled hands and keen eye for design. In addition to bridal keepsakes, the artisan also creates coasters, notebooks, and a fine art print collection. Nell’s love of flowers began early in life, as she helped her…

Legends suggest a cache of riches rests at the rainbow’s end, but as anyone visiting the Emerald Isle can attest, treasures appear from shore to shore. Enchanted by the country’s stunning natural vistas as well as the nation’s warm hospitality, Victoria presents Our Hearts Are in Ireland, a beautifully bound volume designed to stir the soul, suggest sojourns, and share delectable cuisine to enjoy at home. From the soaring Cliffs of Moher, we wander grassy knolls and misty moors as well as picturesque villages and thriving urban locales such as Dublin and Cork in “The Land of a Hundred Thousand Welcomes.” Luxurious artisanal wares, including Waterford crystal and fairylike lace capture our fancy in “Celtic Charm,” as do repositories of beauty such as the National Gallery of Ireland and botanic…

When the spring sun shines on winterweary New England and the snow piles at the end of my driveway begin to melt, my thoughts return to our vacation home on Martha’s Vineyard. Last fall, when I shut the door after celebrating Thanksgiving with our family on the island, I intended to visit during the winter, but, unfortunately, life steered me on a different course. Now, my island beckons me. Like a sailor returning from the sea, I hear her call, lulling me home. I make a ferry reservation for our first trip of the year. As I stand on the deck, the wind playing with my hair, I am filled with anticipation as the ferry navigates Vineyard Sound and docks in Vineyard Haven. The moment our car, overflowing with supplies,…

Visit our website to read this issue’s online stories and to find more of the content you love. Take a closer look at some of our favorite March/April features: Handmade Pursuits A bounty of manually crafted treasures pour forth from the hands of our dear readers. Inspired by days gone by, these women indulge in arts nearly lost to an age of modern convenience. An Irish Sojourn Whisk away to Cork, Ireland’s second-largest city, as well as the colorful towns that surround it, and discover charms and heritage from the Emerald Isle. Flowers Forever The artistry of Mother Nature combines with the talented hand of Nell Stritch, who uses dried blooms to create breathtaking works that endure well beyond the conclusion of spring. Morsels for Brunch Celebrate Easter at a bespoke table kissed…

Bounded to the north by the tranquil waters of the Tolka River, the well-manicured paths of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland in Glasnevin meander past showy herbaceous borders, a rose garden redolent with the scent of colorful blooms, and vegetation native to the island nation. Glinting in the sun, Victorian-era glasshouses soar above green spaces, their exquisite designs commanding attention equal to that of the surrounding flora. Inside the gleaming structures, orchids, tree ferns, rhododendrons, bromeliads, and other exotic plants send forth thriving green tendrils. While casual visitors may find the gardens a restorative escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, the institution’s primary purpose is much more complex. Boasting a collection of more than 17,000 plant species and cultivars, many of which are rare or endangered, the gardens…

“It’s a long way to Tipperary,” or so goes the nostalgic ballad made famous by John McCormack. In truth, the county rests ideally in the heart of Ireland in the Golden Vale, a lush sweep of rolling pastures where livestock graze and silky wheat ripples in the breeze. Here, in this fertile land, the storied town of Cashel beckons visitors to discover its charm. A sense of majesty prevails where the Rock of Cashel rises from a limestone outcrop, focusing its ancient gaze across the countryside. Once the seat of kings of Munster and home to a thirteenth-century cathedral, the medieval ruins are among Ireland’s most intriguing relics. In their shadow lies Cashel Palace, a beautifully refreshed Palladian manor house. Built in 1732 for Archbishop Theophilus Bolton, the residence is…

Dating back to 1890, the massive spinning mule at Cushendale Woollen Mills whirs rhythmically as it draws out long fibers and twists them into yarn. Some visitors assume the vintage machine is a museum relic, but Miriam Cushen, the owner and creative director of the mill, quickly dispels the misconception. At Cushendale, established processes and centuries of tradition deeply inform the company’s approach to creating textiles. “Every piece we make is rooted in place, history, and genuine craftsmanship,” says Miriam, whose family has honed the weaving trade for six generations. Tucked in the picturesque village of Graiguenamanagh, Cushendale is one of Ireland’s last vertical mills still in operation. Its heritage extends back to 1204, when Cistercian monks founded Duiske Abbey and established a mill upon the site. In 1925, the…

When my children reached high school age, I enrolled in a continuing education watercolor class. Years later, as an empty nester, I rediscovered my palette of paint and began creating original greeting cards for my family and friends. Each bespoke card is a watercolor that represents the recipient’s birth month flower, hobby, or favorite item. I have created engagement, graduation, wedding, and anniversary cards—and even congratulatory cards for a new pet. My annual Christmas card has become a favorite of mine to create. When the copies return from the printer, I hand-embellish each one and address its color-coordinated envelope in my own calligraphy. To create a card that distinguishes itself, even while still enclosed in its envelope, is my way of expressing the special gift the recipient is in my…

An unassuming ironclad gate, partially veiled by foliage, is nearly missed on the quiet roads of County Laois. Just beyond, a curved path winds through the trees until suddenly, like magic, the grand façade of a neoclassical mansion appears atop a grassy knoll. A team of impeccably dressed staff members awaits on broad steps with beaming smiles and Champagne at the ready to welcome each new arrival to Ballyfin. Set beneath the Slieve Bloom Mountains, the mansion was constructed in the 1820s for Anglo-Irish aristocrat Sir Charles Henry Coote, 9th Baronet, sparing no expense in an effort to impress. A place of finery, literature, and art, the house later served as a boarding school and fell into disrepair before its nine-year revival as a luxury hotel. Historians and conservators restored…

As dusk fell upon Dublin in the waning years of the Middle Ages, the flickering glow of Rathbornes’s candles could be seen within homes, their gentle warmth dispelling the encroaching darkness. Today, more than five centuries since their inception, the company’s light has blazed across the sea, bringing illumination to dwellings and churches around the globe. Founded in 1488 by Joseph Rathborne, the chandlery was originally located on Winetavern Street, a lively thoroughfare at the heart of the medieval city. As he melted beeswax and dipped wicks by hand, the candlemaker had no inkling that his fledgling business would one day provide safety and hope for generations of citizens and sailors. With Joseph’s descendants carrying on the trade, their reputation for quality grew, and in the seventeenth century, Rathbornes was…

Take in the sweeping landscapes upon arriving at this historic estate, welcomed by the amiable staff and glorious beauty of West Ireland. At Sheen Falls Lodge, guests can escape for rest and rejuvenation or for a trip filled with memories for years to come. Nestled on 300 acres just outside the town of Kenmare, what began as a fishing and hunting lodge in the 1600s has transformed into the five-star auberge seen today. Originally granted by King Charles II to Sir William Petty, his son built a fishing lodge on the estate in 1854. Over a century later, the property was purchased by the Danish Høyer family, who converted it into the esteemed hotel in 1991. “This former hunting lodge–turned–world-class resort is quintessential Ireland, featuring the best of Irish hospitality…

COVER See “Renewal of Joy.” WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 13–14: Patti Callahan Henry is The New York Times best-selling author of eighteen novels, including Becoming Mrs. Lewis, Once Upon a Wardrobe, Surviving Savannah, The Secret Book of Flora Lea, and her latest, The Story She Left Behind. In addition to writing, she is also a popular speaker and a co-creator and co-host of the Friends & Fiction web show and podcast. Learn more about her work at patticallahanhenry.com. ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 15 and 95: Carolina Elizabeth is an impassioned artist intent on capturing the beauty of nature. Her original oil paintings, prints, and more are available for purchase at carolinaelizabeth.com. LUCKY CHARMS Pages 17–23: Arte Italica: Vetro Gold Monogram Plate. Ginori 1735: Fox Thicket Folly Jewelry Box, Oriente Italiano Collection in White; Herend:…