Ancient East

The night before the Battle of the Boyne, King William of Orange was hit by Jacobite artillery fire while out on a reconnaissance mission. Fortune favoured King Billy that July evening as he only suffered a flesh wound before going on to take victory in the most famous battle to have ever taken place on Irish soil. Had the hit...

Abounding in natural beauty, mountains, cliffs and dramatic coastlines, there is something to captivate even the most seasoned travellers on the island of Ireland. It takes days, weeks really, to see the best of the greenest country in Europe, and trying to figure out what to do can be a bit overwhelming. So save some time and check out this...

With the festive season well and truly under way and the attendant bustle and stress beginning to take its manic hold, isn't it time to consider getting away from it all to relax and unwind? No matter where you are in Ireland you're certain not to be too far away from the superb break that The Bridge House Hotel in...

Tens of thousands of traditional music-loving folk gathered in the town of Cavan for the 2010 Fleadh Cheoil and less than 24 hours into my maiden festival visit, I found myself smack bang in the middle of Lough Oughter. Dating back to the early 1950s, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Festival of Music in Ireland) was established to promote Irish traditional...

by Kevin Markham The county of Wicklow is known as the ‘Garden of Ireland’. Little wonder with so much beauty laced across its mountains, lakes, forests and valleys. It possesses a true and deep Irish spirit. Nestled in one of its valleys, in the ancient territory of Fercullen, and surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Wicklow mountains, lies the...

Everybody knows a pint of Guinness always tastes better in Ireland – but beyond the famous black stuff there is so much more to explore for this year’s International Beer Day The global celebration of beer on 5 August is the perfect excuse to go on a beer journey around the array of mainstream breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs dotted across...

Some of Ireland’s most luxurious accommodation and finest foods are to be found throughout the many extravagant country houses on the island. Great food, spectacular settings, timeless charm, Irish country houses really make for an ideal break, so if you are planning a weekend or midweek escape in the New Year, here are some suggestions Dunbrody House Located on the dramatic...

Autumn is the ideal time to explore the island of Ireland’s fabulous landscape and enjoy the rejuvenating power of nature. Autumn on the island of Ireland offers the perfect combination of bright, crisp days and cosy evenings. As the leaves turn to red and gold, the landscape takes on a vibrant hue that is a gift to photographers and artists...

10 more places to visit on the island of Ireland Even if you’ve been to Ireland before, there’s always something new to enjoy. Here are 10 recently opened attractions you should add to the to-do list. 1 Derry Girls Experience, Tower Museum, County DerryThe walled city of Derry has a new attraction for fans of the award-winning TV sitcom Derry Girls. An...

  Save the date for the 15th Annual Waterford Festival of Food 19-21 April 2024 Waterford Festival of Food (formerly called West Waterford Festival of Food) will take place this year from Friday 19th April to Sunday 21st April 2024. So save the date as food lovers from across Ireland descend upon the scenic seaside town of Dungarvan and beyond. The 2024 Festival...