In Drogheda town centre, just a hundred yards or so up from the landmark St Laurence’s Gate, the McGowan family’s small hotel is a handsome Victorian double-fronted redbrick building and, with its broad stone steps leading up to the ... 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...
After the run-away success of Michael’s in Mount Merrion, chef-proprietor Gaz Smith couldn’t accommodate the hungry hordes seeking out his superlative seafood each week.
Taking his winning formula of fabulously fresh Irish seafood, top qua ... more...
Just up the hill from the harbour, this characterful and delightfully old-fashioned little pub has been a special home-from-home for regular visitors, especially sailors up from the harbour, as long as anyone can remember.
The premises was bought by J ... more...
Fergus and Anne Maxwell’s bar and informal restaurant in this recently by-passed town, has an inviting black and white frontage with well-maintained window boxes, and there’s a welcoming atmosphere in the comfortable, low-ceilinged receptio ... more...
Easily spotted opposite Christchurch cathedral by its colourful facade, the Bull and Castle is a medieval style timber-beamed and stone-floored ‘gastro pub’ with various ground floor seating areas, and a more open plan ‘Beer Hall&rsqu ... more...
There is much to love about this ambitious refit of a landmark Dublin pub dating back to 1837 that has been revived after 20 empty years. The Press Up Entertainment group – run by Paddy McKillen Jnr and Matthew Ryan – have done a characteri ... more...
Just a stroll across from the Guildhall and close to the Derry city walls, El Tapas Grá is located in a central area that's always busy with tourists, locals and day trippers passing through - perfect for a casual restaurant that's open every da ... more...
Established in 1758, this former coaching inn was owned by the Patterson family for several decades, until late 2023 when it was acquired by another of the sector's best-known families, the McGlones of Magherafelt.
Most of the pub is now quite co ... more...
Despite recent development at this seaside village, Barna has retained some of its old charm around the harbour area – and its location, handy to both Connemara and Galway City, is a huge attraction. And so is this unique hotel which, although on ... 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...
Pubs with B&B are familiar in Britain but less so here, where you’re likely to find something nearer an inn, or perhaps a restaurant with rooms that also has a bar. But it’s an appealing combination and makes for an especially relaxing laid-back atmosphere – well worth seeking out if you like to keep things casual.
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 ...
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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 ...