Heritage

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...

Crown an Irish vacation with a stay in one of the island’s magnificent castles or stately homes where you can relax in accommodation fit for a king. 1. Ashford Castle, Co MayoThe 800-year-old, multi-award-winning Ashford Castle offers opulent five-star accommodation set in a 26,000-acre estate. Recently the location for top golfer Rory McIroy’s wedding, it is a fairytale setting complete...

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...

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...

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...

In August there is a wealth of wonderful events to enjoy across the island of Ireland from festivals and fairs to top sporting shows. Féile an Phobail 3–13 AugustThis is the biggest community arts festival in Ireland. It’s packed with over 300 eclectic events ranging from concerts, lively discussions, comedy and art exhibitions to massive community and sporting events showcasing...

The big day – 17 March – will soon be here, and once again people all around the world will be inspired to pay homage to St Patrick, Ireland, and Irish culture and heritage. As one of the most popular cultural events on the planet, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated by millions every year. Yet the enigmatic and larger-than-life figure...

Simple, splendid, traditional, contemporary, quirky or quintessentially Irish, there’s a perfect self-catering home from home waiting for you on the island of Ireland. Self-catering is a great way to holiday, offering maximum freedom and flexibility. And on the island of Ireland, you can make your break truly memorable with a stay in a castle, cottage, beach house, historic tower or...

Go behind the scenes at Ireland’s top film locations If there were an Oscar for best film location, Ireland would have a long list of credits. When it comes to dramatic settings you can’t do much better than the island of Ireland, which is why it’s become the ‘go to’ place for movie-makers. It’s where Game of Thrones, Harry Potter and Star...

Belfast 2024 celebrates the city’s creative culture Belfast is embarking on an ambitious cultural celebration in 2024 which will see the city come to life with creative projects, events and civic initiatives. Under the themes of Our People, Our Place and Our Planet, Belfast 2024 will present a year-long programme of exciting projects and events that will celebrate the city’s people,...