Off the beaten track between Ballyhaunis and Claremorris, 'Mayo's culinary secret' is easy to spot with its bright cream and red colour scheme and an old Austin delivery van parked outside - a reminder that Flanagan's (now in its fifth gen ... more...
The first craft brewery to operate in Derry city centre for over 100 years, the Walled City Brewery was launched at the Culturetech Craft Beer Festival in 2014, and - located just across the Peace Bridge from the Walled City area - this ambi ... more...
Attached to Gerry Byrne's popular bar, The Left Bank, this lively restaurant in the centre of Medieval Kilkenny cleverly echoes the name and has an opulent French feel to it - which is matched on the plate by the high quality ingredients used by the k ... more...
The much awaited rejuvenation of The Clontarf Baths and Assembly Rooms (established 1886, but closed since 1996) saw the arrival of a bright, modern restaurant and bar overlooking the newly revamped outdoor seawater swimming pool.
The large dining spa ... more...
Dubbed 'the world's most authentic Titanic experience', the restoration of the Harland and Wolff Headquarters Building (after lying empty and neglected since 1989) has created a uniquely fascinating destination hotel.
Given its extraordinary his ... more...
Aside from the spectacular oceanside location, the most striking thing about the Burke family's Armada Hotel is the staff - warm, friendly, efficient and engaging, they set the tone from the minute of arrival, so first time visitors to this impressive ... more...
Warmly welcomed by a young clientèle looking for something different in Cork - and despite all the challenges presented by Covid-19 - the city's most hotly anticipated hotel, The Dean Cork, opened pretty much on time in December 2020.
Like its ... more...
Buying a former military barracks (complete with firing range) from the Department of Defence might not seem the most obvious starting point for creating a luxury venue. But that is just what millionaire businessman John D. Molloy (of Yeats Country Foo ... more...
Brilliantly located in the heart of Georgian Dublin, The Leinster hit the ground running on its opening early in 2024. With its vivacious yet respectful reinvention of a classic 18th century townhouse, great staff – and the rooftop restau ... more...
This remarkable pub near the Odyssey Arena is in one of Belfast’s few remaining 18th century buildings; built in 1711, it is the city’s oldest listed building.
It has been extensively and carefully renovated allowing the original bar (whic ... more...
The seaside pubs of happy holiday memories tend to hug the Wild Atlantic Way, and this small collection is just a tiny sample. But, happily, there are many more such gems all around this magical island, many of which we recommend - and it is always rewarding to explore and find them for yourself...
The arrival of autumn brings with it a return to grown up pleasures after the long summer holidays – so what could be better than a short break with a great wine experience as the theme?
Caroline Hennessy and Kristin’s Jensen’s superb book Sláinte, The Complete Guide to Irish Craft Beer and Cider really does tell you everything you ever wanted to know about craft beer and cider in Ireland (plus a whole lot that you hadn’t ever thought about) and, among many other things, it details the brewpubs and craft breweries that have emerged since 1981. There are dozens of them and the number is growing all the time, so we’ve picked just ten to illustrat ...
What a wonderful time to enjoy the spring in County Kerry. Slow down, wander, forage, and savour Killarney on a two-night escape inspired by the land, featuring guided local foraging and a memorable dining experience that captures the spirit, flavour and adventure of Killarney in Arbour restaurant.
Denotes genuine Irish food culture, ie special Irish food products/companies/producers, and highlights the best places to shop for regional and artisan ...
With a rich historical and maritime legacy, East Cork has a truly unique variety of attractions to offer the visitor.
It is a haven for family holidays with a huge range of activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained for hours.
In this extensive county, the towns and villages have their own distinctive character. In West Cork, their spirit is preserved in the vigour of the landscape with the handsome coastline where the light of the famous Fastnet Rock swings across tumbling ocean and spray-tossed headland. The county is a repository of the good things of life, a treasure chest of the finest farm produce, and the very best of seafood, brought to market by skilled specialists.
The town of Killarney is where the Ring of Kerry begins and ends for many, among the lakes and mountains where they are re-establishing the enormous white-tailed sea eagle, has long been a magnet for visitors. Across the purple mountains from Killarney, the lovely little town of Kenmare in South Kerry is both a gourmet focus, and another excellent touring centre. As one of the prettiest places in Ireland, Kenmare puts the emphasis on civic pride.
That Galway Bay coastline in Co. Clare is where The Burren, the fantastical North Clare moonscape of limestone which is home to so much unexpectedly exotic flora, comes plunging spectacularly towards the sea around the attractive village of Ballyvaughan.
Connemara, the Land of the Sea, where earth, rock and ocean intermix in one of Ireland's most extraordinary landscapes, and is now as ever a place of angling renown - you're very quickly into the high ground and moorland which sweep up to the Twelve Bens and other splendid peaks, wonderful mountains which enthusiasts would claim as the most beautiful in all Ireland. Beyond, to the south, the Aran Islands are a place apart.
Rivers often divide one county from another, but Fermanagh is divided - or linked if you prefer - throughout its length by the handsome waters of the River Erne, both river and lake. Southeast of the historic county town of Enniskillen, Upper Lough Erne is a maze of small waterways meandering their way into Fermanagh from the Erne'e source in County Cavan.
Co Cavan shares the 667 m peak of Cuilcagh with neighbouring Fermanagh. No ordinary mountain, this - it has underground streams which eventually become the headwaters of the lordly River Shannon, Ireland's longest river that passes south through many counties before exiting at the mighty estuary in Limerick. A magnet for tourism now with boating, fishing, cycling and walking-a-plenty.
Between the sheltered bays at the foot of the Glens of Antrim, the sea cliffs of the headlands soar with remarkable rock formations which, on the North Coast, provide the setting for the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Giant's Causeway.