News

Howard Hastings, Managing Director, Hastings Hotels makes his predictions for travel in 2022. Hastings Hotel Group is the largest independent hotel operator in Northern Ireland with six luxury hotels, including the Grand Central and Europa Hotels in Belfast and the five-star Culloden Estate and Spa just outside the city. It also co-owns the five-star Merrion in Dublin. “Last year we enjoyed...

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces €15.5 million in funding to develop 84 outdoor adventure projectsFrom Department of Rural and Community Development. -Major investment in our mountain and forest walks, cliffways, beaches, bogs, lakes, rivers, greenways, blueways and bridleways-Focus on developing adventure tourism activities such as hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, swimming and cycling-New strand of funding to support projects at an...

West Wicklow Festival brings exciting line-up of classical music stars to Russborough for ‘Winter Weekend’ Superstar Latvian duo Kristīne and Margarita Balanas, mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty, violinist Mairéad Hickey and pianists Gary Beecher and Fiachra Garvey will perform over a single weekend at Russborough House.     Thursday 30 September: The West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival has launched its inaugural ‘Winter Weekend’, a...

Cliff divers set to soar feet first at Ireland’s Downpatrick Head The Irish leg of the 2021 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series awaits the cliff diving elite with rugged conditions in a brand-new location on September 11. Written by Katrin Strobl c/o RED BULL IRELAND Halfway into the season, the world’s best cliff divers – including the reigning champions Rhiannan Iffland from Australia and...

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...

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...

One of Ireland’s leading diaspora initiatives is today launching a new network of regional Irish partners to connect those of Irish heritage abroad with their places of origin. Ireland Reaching Out (IrelandXO), which has more than 150,000 members worldwide, wants to team up with local organisations to help drive regional tourism as part of the economic recovery. The charity plans to...

Many activities and attractions in Bundoran are open for business and are ready to welcome guests across the summer months. Despite some businesses still being affected by recent announcements, there are plenty of activities in the seaside town as is evident from the 2021 Discover Bundoran brochure which has been launched as an online publication. The 42 page brochure is...

Art worth an estimated €7 million (£6 million) by artists as diverse as Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Banksy, Pablo Picasso and Patrick O’Reilly will go on display this weekend at Ireland’s biggest post-lockdown art fair. The final touches are being made to Art and Soul – The Holywood International Art and Sculpture Fair, at the five-star Culloden Estate and Spa...

Message from the CEO of Fáilte Ireland: It is fantastic to see tourism and hospitality businesses across the country reopening their doors. Our research shows that when restrictions eased last summer, the economy saw a return of €843 million from domestic holiday spend in Q3 (up 52% on the previous period in 2019). Based on this, an earlier reopening and a...