City Breaks

DERRY TO DAZZLE THIS FEBRUARY WITH ILLUMINATE Festival of music and light comes to the Walled City The historic Walled City of Derry will come to life in February with an immersive music and light festival called, ‘Illuminate’.  Illuminate will brighten up the dark winter nights with a trail of live projection shows across the city’s most iconic buildings, turning them into...

Spoil your loved one this Valentines with a romantic break to Cork’s grand dame of romance, The Imperial Hotel, which has been hosting first dates, engagements, weddings and honeymoons for more than 200 years.   The scene for your romantic weekend will be set as you arrive at their majestic lobby which will be festooned in giant red roses as...

OH DERRY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE! But the LegenDerry Food and Drink scene ensures rosy cheeks all round It’s cold outside but Derry~Londonderry has oodles of yummy LegenDerry food and drink options to help us all stay warm this winter. From cosy cafes to fireside restaurants and street food marvels to artisan bakers, the walled city is bursting with unique food experiences...

One of Ireland's most famous hotels is celebrating its 50th anniversary - and how it withstood the Troubles to emerge as an iconic beacon of hope for Belfast. Whilst often referred to as ‘the world’s most bombed hotel’ - having been targeted 33 times due to its visibility as a landmark building - The Europa Hotel has been transformed into a...

The spectacular panoramic views across the stunning Lough Key Forest Park are without doubt the highlight of the three-hour drive from Dublin to Sligo. A 10-minute stop-over at the viewing bay high above the sprawling forest will soothe the soul and awaken the senses as you suck in the clean, pine-fresh County Roscommon air. There would be no such stop on...

It's a bit of a traditional place, is Galway. Hand-built stone walls border the low lying fields throughout the western county, quality Irish music bellows from the many lively pubs in the city centre and beyond, while the Irish speaking Gaeltacht takes you west towards the bold Atlantic Ocean. So amidst all the tradition, is there a place for a...

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...

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...

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...