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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...

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...

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...

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...

Have you ever spent the night on the coast’s edge, under the guiding beams of one of Ireland’s many lighthouses? Or been king or queen of a romantic castle for two? Well the Irish Landmark Trust has been saving and restoring heritage buildings throughout the island of Ireland that were at risk of being lost through neglect or inappropriate...

The motorway from Dublin to Limerick doesn't actually take you to the Treaty City but continues on further into the south-west, eventually running out of government money about 20 kilometres south of the city. Traffic slows and builds just ahead of your arrival into the historic heritage town of Adare. And while the rush-hour traffic allows you to enjoy the...

By Karl Doyle After upwards of 200,000 punters turned up to 2019’s sold-out Open Golf Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland is firmly front and centre in golfers’ minds once again. While millions around the globe watched avidly as the finest players on the planet battled it out for the prestigious Claret Jug – bagged in impressive fashion by...

Clonmacnoise One of Ireland's most popular tourist attractions One of Ireland's most popular tourist attractions and significant historic sites, the Clonmacnoise monastic site dates back to the sixth century and to the Land of Saints and Scholars. The site boasts three high crosses, a cathedral, seven churches and two round towers, and was founded in 548-9 by Saint Ciarán. It...

With history dating back over 6,000 years, Armagh remains Ireland's ecclesiastical capital, boasting two magnificent cathedrals, one Roman Catholic, one Church of Ireland, both called St Patrick's. Armagh City is built on the foothills of the mountains that separate Ulster from Connacht and is very accessible as it is only 40 miles from Belfast and less than an hour-and-a-half drive...

I appeared to have landed in the middle of an episode of 'Frasier'. A dapper duo of middle-aged gents cut short their dissection of the latest South Australian Shiraz just as the superbly coiffed Vladimir Jablokov took to the stage for an evening of classical music - with a contemporary twist, apparently. Not my normal bag for a Friday evening...