When Colorado student Sarah McNaughton planned her four month trip to Ireland, she was prepared for all the clichés. ‘Friendly locals’, ‘green hills’, ‘the craic’ – but ‘home is where the heart is’ she wasn’t expecting. I used to think ‘home’ was easy to define. It didn’t even require thought; every time a new acquaintance [...]

Thought you needed a DeLorean á la Marty McFly to travel back in time? Nope. Guest blogger Allie Gavette has discovered all you need is a trip to the in and an open mind. I’m here to chat to ‘real’ characters from the 18th and 19th century, right at the doors of their thatched cottages. [...]

He may not be the talk of the dinner table, but we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Frenchman Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. He’s the brainy chap who devoted his life’s work to invention and ultimately (well, with a little help from some Italian brainboxes a few years previous) took the world’s first ever [...]

Thought all you’d find on our plates is potatoes, meat and two veg? You’ll have a tasty time being proved wrong. Culinary traditions differ all over the island of Ireland, producing local delicacies and regional specialties you’ll be dying to sink your teeth into. From berry liqueur and specialty cheese, to craft beer and free-range [...]

We’re all familiar with the big brand Irish cream liqueurs on shop shelves. The velvety-smooth taste has been a winning addition to cocktails, cakes, mousses, and sauces since its invention in 1974. But what you might not know is that this Irish specialty is quite easy to make at home, according to guest blogger Allie [...]

As the Tall Ships Race prepares to dock in Waterford City again this June, guest blogger David Power recalls the tastes, sights and sounds as everything sea comes on land for a special four days. Now, it’s not every day that you stroll down your city’s promenade to see the place transformed into the set [...]

Looking over photos of the catwalk of the century that was the Royal Wedding, the flair of Irish design almost steals the show, from Treacy’s daring millinery to Costello’s feminine tailoring. As guest blogger Caroline Ferry discovers, the Royal Family and Irish style have been close-knit for quite a while… When the most sought-after wedding [...]

The crash of waves, the exhilaration of the climbing tides, the scenic surroundings; surf is well and truly up along Ireland’s coastline. Paul Rowley asks super surfer Stevie Burns about our beaches, breaks, and his favourite spots to catch a wave. Last November, the surf world put down its collection of colourful boards, sat up [...]

Café Paradiso is a Cork institution. Between gracefully winning awards, being listed as an ‘icon’ in the Bridgestone Restaurant Guide, and serving movie star Cillian Murphy when he’s in town, the restaurant produces some of the tastiest dishes in the city - a combination of the freshest ingredients from local suppliers, and innovative recipes from chef and owner [...]

It’s no secret our little island is quite adept at ‘the craic’. It might seem we never shut up about our year-round festivals, buzzing pubs, dashing sports… But even we fancy a good get-away-from-it-all sometimes. Taking off into the countryside with a yoga mat, easel, fishing rod or a simple picnic tucked under our arm, [...]