Features

Time travelling twists, creepy crypts and pagan roots are afoot at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park this year for a special Halloween festival to mark the traditional Irish Samhain.  This Halloween midterm, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park will mark the festival of Samhain in its own unique way. Focusing on the old Irish traditions and a few modern twists associated...

Ireland's vast network of rivers, lakes and canals are ecosystems of activity, but also rich in unique experiences, outdoor adventure and pure relaxation. ‘Come away with me O human child, to the waters and the wild’, wrote the great Irish poet WB Yeats over a century ago. The invitation still stands today in a land of crystal clear lakes, majestic...

Taste a tipple or two on the Galway Whiskey Trail Delve into the wonderful world of whiskey while exploring the streets of historic Galway city on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Ireland’s whiskey is renowned worldwide and every corner of the island boasts a tipple you should taste. If your visit to Ireland takes you to the west coast, don’t miss the...

Cliff divers set to soar feet first at Ireland’s Downpatrick Head The Irish leg of the 2021 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series awaits the cliff diving elite with rugged conditions in a brand-new location on September 11. Written by Katrin Strobl c/o RED BULL IRELAND Halfway into the season, the world’s best cliff divers – including the reigning champions Rhiannan Iffland from Australia and...

Growing up on the other side of Dublin Bay, Dún Laoghaire was only ever a place to go to get somewhere else – the short hop to Holyhead, the gateway to many a childhood adventure throughout England, France and beyond. And here I was again, rolling down the ramp at Dún Laoghaire marina into the still harbour waters, but this...

OPW Heritage Sites that are open for Cocooners during COVID-19. The government has decided that, as of midnight on Wednesday 21 October, all of Ireland was to be placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID. All indoor OPW Heritage sites were closed. Outdoor playgrounds, play areas and parks all remain open with protective measures in place, as...

Relics of the martyred St Valentine are enshrined in a Dublin city-centre church, thanks to a bit of Irish charm. Every year in and around St Valentine’s Day, couples from far and wide make a beeline for the Shrine of St Valentine in Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin.  Over the last few decades the church in Aungier Street, maintained by the Carmelite order,...

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...

Great spots for wild swimming on the island of Ireland Take a deep breath and dive into a wild swimming adventure on the island of Ireland, where ocean waves and lapping loughs offer the most scenic of plunge pools.   What can beat an invigorating swim in open waters, other than one surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Here are nine to tempt...

From lighthouses and penthouses to designer suites and luxury castles, Ireland’s most beautiful hotels deserve a place on your bucket list. Those looking for beauty in their surroundings and detail in their décor and design will be enthralled in Ireland, which offers an endless choice of gorgeous, Insta-worthy hotels, unique stays and luxurious piles. Rest assured there is plenty to...