Heritage

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...

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...

The visitor centre at one of the world’s most extensive Stone Age monuments on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way has re-opened after a major facelift. The unique and extensive Céide Fields in northern County Mayo is a Neolithic archaeological site of international significance, celebrated for its complex and extensive remains of ancient field systems and habitations. At a glance, the site seems...

As Ireland restrictions ease and the country get's ready for a summer staycation season, Eoghan Corry speaks with Michelle Whelan about all of the wonderful amenities and attractions on offer in the Boyne Valley. https://soundcloud.com/destinationire/interview-3-eoghan-corry-speaks-to-michelle-whelan-of-discover-boyne-valley  

St Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world Over 75 million people around the globe claim to be of Irish descent. So it’s little wonder St Patrick’s Day has become a worldwide phenomenon. They say everyone is Irish on St Patrick’s Day, and with parades and events happening from Australia to Zimbabwe, that’s easy to believe. When the Irish first left the...

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...

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...

Derry-Londonderry declared a United Nations International City of Peace Derry-Londonderry, a city steeped in history, culture, and reconciliation, has been honoured with the prestigious designation of UN City of Peace. The United Nations International City of Peace program acknowledges cities worldwide that have demonstrated outstanding efforts in fostering peace, tolerance, and cooperation among their diverse communities. Derry-Londonderry's transformation into a symbol...

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Boyne Valley in County Meath is to become Ireland’s seventh National Park. The new National Park in Ireland’s Ancient East will stretch over 550 acres (223 hectares) and will be a unique place where history, heritage, nature and culture collide. The park will be situated in the eighteenth-century Dowth demesne, which overlays...

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...