Destination Ireland Guide

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...