Features

EXPLORE DONEGAL In the county that boasts the highest number of Blue Flag beaches and the longest coastline in the country; you’re never too far from a beach.  Portnoo and Sheephaven Bay are popular, but there are literally hundreds to explore, whether your preference is the panoramic type or the small inlet cove. Take a gentle stroll along the shores...

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...

48 HOURS... ON THE CLARE COAST By Ed Leahy Where better to start two days in Clare than Father Ted's house for a cup of tea and some homemade scones. I crossed the Clare border somewhere along the road from Gort to the old fishing town of Corrofin, and was welcomed into the Banner County by the wonderful backdrop of the Burren...

CREDIT JILLIAN BOLGER, VISIT DUBLIN Every January TradFest Temple Bar fills the Dublin air with the uplifting sounds of bodhráns and banjos, fiddles and flutes. This year, the landmark traditional music festival runs from January 25-29, with a host of bars and performance spaces welcoming established and emerging musical talent from Ireland and beyond. The mainstay of the festival is...

Dramatic diving on display on Northern Ireland’s stunning Causeway Coast In July, Northern Ireland’s spectacular Causeway Coast will be the backdrop to the fourth stop on the adrenaline-charged Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. The famous Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has chosen picturesque Ballycastle, County Antrim, as the location for a mid-season stop (19–20 July) that is expected to...

WELCOME TO THE LITTLE MUSEUM OF DUBLIN. The museum is open seven days a week from 9.30am until 5.30pm - admission to the museum includes self guided exhibitions and a guided tour. Located at 15 St Stephen's Green, beside the corner of Dawson Street. We are a two-minute walk from the top of Grafton Street and 5 minutes from Trinity...

St Patrick’s Day parades on the island of Ireland With parades and celebrations galore taking place across the island, Ireland is the best place to be this St Patrick’s day! The epicentre of the merriment is the huge St Patrick’s Day Festival in Dublin (16th-19th March). This year’s National St Patrick’s Day parade, driven by community, diversity, youth and sustainability values, will be...

Two days of festivities will see out the old year and ring in the new, as Dublin puts on a spectacular New Year’s Festival. Live music from top musicians, street entertainment, electrifying visual displays and an exciting Festival Village are just some of the ingredients that will make up Dublin’s dazzling two-day New Year’s Festival. On New Year’s Eve a host of...

If your perfect trip includes your canine companion, head for the dog-friendly shores of the island of Ireland. With endless forest and mountain walks, golden beaches and lots of pet-friendly accommodation, restaurants, pubs, cafés and attractions, the island of Ireland is a pooch paradise. Head west to the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way coastal route which stretches from Donegal in the north...

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...