The in-place pub for discerning Belfast people, who like the combination of traditional interior and good quality sassy modern food, The John Hewitt is owned by the Unemployment Resource Centre next door, which was originally opened by the poet and soc ... more...
One of Ireland's first seawater spa destinations, this famous hotel enjoys great views over the two ‘Blue Flag’ beaches at Inchydoney, which bring crowds to the area in summer, so many guests prefer it off-season.
Although architecturally ... more...
The ideal place to break a journey, Patrick & Mary O'Callaghan provide a one stop shop for their many regulars, as they have an impressive deli and bakery as well as tasty fare for a snack or full meal in the café.
This is the place to stoc ... more...
Formerly the Stillorgan Park Hotel, this inviting property is a sister establishment to the famous Talbot Hotel in Wexford and, more recently, several other hotels of the same name have joined the group in Wexford, Carlow and East Cork.
It has always ... more...
Now run by 7th generation owner Catherine Moran, this is just the kind of Irish pub that people everywhere dream about. It’s as pretty as a picture, with a well-kept thatched roof and a lovely waterside location (with plenty of seats outside wher ... more...
The O’Keeffes have been in business here since 1885, and the present pub - which is exactly seven minutes walk from the marina - was built by chef Bryan O’Keeffe’s great grandmother, in 1925.
Good food is offered both in the cosy ba ... more...
Named after the previous owner, Helen Mullane and Armel Whyte’s café-bar seems much older than it is, as the whole interior was reconstructed with salvaged materials (the flooring was once in the London Stock Exchange).
It is brilliantly ... more...
Peter and Shelley Stokes’ substantial 18th century country house midway between Dublin and Cork is an impressive building with some magnificent period features, and offers comfort and relaxation with style.
A large marbled reception area with fr ... more...
Formerly The Forge - a landmark dining destination Collon for many years - the characterful premises was given a stylish face lift and opened in 2016 as No. 3 Wine Bar & Restaurant by mother-and-son team Martina and Wayne Fitzpatrick, who will gi ... more...
Located on the edge of the town and in a fine hillside location, the Hillgrove is the leading hotel in the area and offers excellent business and leisure facilities.
The impressive foyer is smartly furnished in a classic contemporary style with the pu ... more...
The first year of spontaneous travel since the beginning of the pandemic, 2023 may have had its ups and downs - including some challenging weather - but overall it was a joy, thanks to the freedom to move around, re-visit old haunts and discover a surprising number of new ones.
Travelling the roads of Ireland more than most, we know what a difference a good journey break can make - and we have dozens of favourite pit stops dotted around the country. As many are on much shorter hours this year, we’ve picked some of the best that open every day or are managing keep to something like pre-pandemic hours for those relaxing en-route meals.
Summer in Ireland and seafood is at its best...With dozens of seriously good speciality seafood restaurants around the country, our selection below is just a drop in the ocean. Better get started with this little taster then – always remembering there are plenty more (including many deservedly famous places) to choose from as well...
You can’t beat the enjoyment of a bracing walk along a sandy beach before breakfast, or the pleasure of a sea view from our dining table for that away-from-it-all feeling when on holiday. We all love to stay and eat beside the sea...
Georgina Campbell suggests some interesting destinations for an off-season break at this time of plenty. These are just a few of the places where nature's bounty is celebrated in wonderful ways: foraging expeditions, cookery courses and, of course, delicious seasonal meals that make the most of the harvest - often with a special focus on vegetarian cooking
Although always popular, Sunday lunch has moved into a whole new phase of late and it can be a seriously classy outing, where the venue is chosen with care so that family members of all ages can get together in lovely surroundings and enjoy the very best of food - and at a more reasonable price than is usual at dinner. It’s an especially appealing proposition in spring too, as the days are lengthening - perhaps a voucher could be the perfect treat for Mother’s Day. And accommodat ...
We have long been fans of Loop Head: right in the middle of the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ - between the Atlantic Ocean and the Shannon Estuary - this stunning West Clare destination is an environmental wonderland offering spectacular scenery similar to the Cliffs of Moher - but without the commercialisation.
No surprise that Kerry came top of a recent survey polling favourite counties for Irish holidays - sure wasn’t Queen Victoria herself a fan? August is a time for casual dining - out of doors if you're lucky - so this month we’ve picked some great summer pubs to enjoy in the top ten 'staycation' counties
Discerning diners are always interested to know where their food comes from, and what could be more delightful than taking a stroll around the garden where it was growing just hours - or minutes - before it landed on your plate. More and more restaurants are taking ownership of their fresh produce supplies now, and these are just some of the most interesting kitchen gardens.
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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.
A selective companion guide to our famous broad-based online collection, the ‘glovebox bible’ includes a uniquely diverse range of Ireland's greatest places to ...