Features

Get into the spirit of things and join a Pride celebration in Ireland this summer, from Belfast to Dublin, we’ve got the lowdown… Eddie McGuinness is a veteran organiser of the annual Pride celebrations of diversity in communities across Ireland, and a stalwart LGBTQ+ activist who has seen remarkable changes in the last three decades. “My first ever Pride was 1993,...

Northern Ireland’s grand estates are the ideal place to discover the region’s rich history and enjoy leisurely walks in stunning gardens.  What better way to while away a day than with a visit to a stately home and a stroll around gorgeous, manicured gardens. In Northern Ireland you’ll have the pick of the best. Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, County Down Northern...

After a dramatic final playoff, Rory McIlroy became the first Irish golfer to win the Masters, and the sixth ever to win the ‘Grand Slam’ of all four men’s majors (US Open, PGA, the Open, and the Masters). For a small island on the edge of Europe, Ireland is a powerhouse when it comes to golf – with world-class courses...

Ireland’s motorcycle and music extravaganza, Ireland BikeFest, is an experience bike enthusiasts should not miss. Taking place 30 May to 1 June in the stunning setting of Killarney on the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland BikeFest is a unique blend of events that attracts thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world. Now a flagship fixture in the motorcycle calendar,...

When it comes to fashion in 2025, nobody does it like the Irish. Here’s why Ireland is where it’s at, from big-name designs to small independent labels Culturally, it’s hard to ignore Ireland right now. From literature and film, music and television, the Irish are taking the world by storm. In 2024, the New York Times declared that popular culture...

Cork City will be transformed into a theatre for midsummer magic during its 10-day multi-disciplinary arts festival.   Running 13–22 June, the Cork Midsummer Festival uses the city as its backdrop and inspiration, providing a platform for exciting new artists and performances and engaging the public in an eclectic range of events. With theatre, music, dance, visual arts and immersive outdoor...

Head to the Cork Harbour Festival this May to witness the thrills and spectacle of one of Europe’s largest multi-craft races and enjoy the lively maritime festival. The Cork Harbour Festival (24 May to 2 June) is a celebration of Cork’s maritime history and heritage with over 80 events across the city and county ranging from fun on-the-water adventures to...

2025 marks the 600th birthday of Bunratty Castle, one of Ireland’s most authentic and complete castles. Whether you choose to wander its ramparts, raise a goblet at a medieval banquet or stroll its beautiful walled garden, there’s never been a better time to visit Six hundred years ago, stonemasons were at work along the River Ratty in south County Clare....

Bloomsday is a festival like no other, celebrating the genius of James Joyce and his beloved city of Dublin. Step into the Dublin of James Joyce through the eclectic mix of over 100 events that make up the world-famous Bloomsday Festival (11–16 June), a highlight of Dublin’s cultural calendar. Named after Leopold Bloom, the lead character in Joyce’s seminal novel...

The region’s largest agri-food show offers a unique and memorable insight into rural Ireland If you’ve never seen a dancing JCB digger, the Balmoral Show (14–17 May) is your chance to see not one but eight in an awesome performance of synchronised machine manoeuvring. It’s just one of many entertaining events taking place over the four days of Northern Ireland’s...