Features

Exploring Ireland by train has never been so easy – take the scenic route for a 10-day trip to remember Rail travel on the island of Ireland offers some of Europe's most spectacular routes and destinations. From the vibrant culture of Galway and Belfast to the stunning landscapes of County Kerry and County Clare, there’s a train journey for every...

With the GRAMMY awards on the horizon, it’s timely to look at some of the top musicians and songs that have been inspired by Ireland. Two artists from the island of Ireland are up for prizes at the GRAMMY Awards 2025 which will take place on February 2, 2025 in Los Angeles. Dublin band Fontaines DC have received two...

Drop into Dublin for a Six Nations match and you’ll be ‘converted’ to the city’s lively, welcoming atmosphere as rugby fever takes hold.   The 2025 Guinness Six Nations rugby tournament kicks off on 31 January 2025 in France but for Irish fans the golden ticket events are the two home matches: Ireland v England on 1 February and Ireland...

Major events, infrastructure upgrades and exciting new activities are just some of the reasons to visit or revisit the island of Ireland in 2025. Significant anniversaries In 2025 the island of Ireland will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the death of writer and wit Oscar Wilde and 130 years since the publication of one of his most famous works, The Importance...

Take a trip to Ireland for the winter solstice and connect with the mysticism of the island’s ancient peoples. The winter solstice (21 December) marks the shortest day of the year and, while it is barely noticed in the modern world, in prehistoric Ireland it was a highly important event marking the turning point of the year and the coming...

What better way to start 2025 than at Tradfest, Dublin’s joyful celebration of Irish identity through music. Shake off the winter gloom at one of Ireland’s biggest traditional music festivals, which runs for five days (22–26 January) and features over 150 artists across more than 100 events. Based in Temple Bar, the cobblestoned hub of Dublin’s cultural universe on the south...

One of the best-loved winter festivals on the island of Ireland, Out to Lunch presents 23 days of top-class comedy, theatre and music. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, Out to Lunch is a vibrant arts festival in Belfast that features both local and internationally renowned artists. Part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Out to Lunch takes place in...

To mark the 125th anniversary of Oscar Wilde’s death, a new festival, In Our Dreams, will take place next October in County Fermanagh. A Wilde weekend of fairytale, fantasy and frivolity for serious people is promised at the In Our Dreams festival (16–20 October 2025) based in the island town of Enniskillen, in the beautiful County Fermanagh lakelands. The town has...

Go off the beaten path and discover magical places to stay in the heart of nature in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland landscape is a stunning mix of mountains, lakes, woodlands and spectacular coastal scenery making it the ideal place to disconnect from stress and reconnect with nature. Finding accommodation to suit your mood couldn’t be easier with options ranging from...

Experience the very best of Irish hospitality, local craftsmanship and the natural beauty of Donegal with a stay in a five-star fairytale castle hotel. Set within 43 acres of forested woodland, hugging the shores of Lough Eske, and with a backdrop of the Blue Stack Mountains, multi award-winning Lough Eske Castle, part of The Harcourt Collection, is renowned as a...