It’s the most popular fee-paying attraction in Ireland. The “all-dominating brewery” (Fodor’s), “extraordinary exhibition” (Eyewitness Travel) and “beer-lover’s Disneyland” (Lonely Planet) is deemed must-see by every Ireland guidebook. So what lies beneath all the hype of the Guinness Storehouse? With a deep breath and a long sip, I went to find out. One of the [...]

That second name of yours. It follows you everywhere; on forms at the post office, on plane tickets and on your wedding invitations. It’s a little mystery tacked onto your moniker that holds a world of history, people and stories. And if you want to unlock the mystery and dip your feet into Ireland’s genealogy [...]

Dublin is in for a shock. A real culture shock. Visitors and locals alike will be chewing their lips in indecision at how to choose between an entire galaxy of cool events. Here’s what I’m looking at… Jameson Dublin International Film Festival First on the line-up of fabulous distraction is this 10-day film festival, kicking [...]

The world stopped and stared when the Northern Lights descended as far as Donegal’s north coast in January. Rarely are they spotted so far south and local Inishowen photographers were out in force to capture it. Now for the science bit: The Aurora Borealis occurs when ionised particles from the sun hit the Earth’s atmosphere [...]

You know when things aren’t going so great and someone tells you ‘Everything’s going to be okay’? While you like hearing it, you don’t always actually believe it. Well, believe it, as the houses of the Irish Landmark Trust are testament to that slice of advice, and they’ve got the pictures to prove it. Like a vastly superior [...]

Sitting just outside the capital county of Dublin is Kildare, with its strong horsey and golfing ties. However there’s more to the lily white county than just magnificent stud farms (deemed worth a visit by the Queen of England, no less) and award-winning links courses… I’m talking awe-inspiring landscapes, beautiful stately homes and a very [...]

Archaeologist Donal Fallon is an Irish version of Indiana Jones. Just without the whip. Oh and the hat. But he is known to wear a leather jacket from time to time and by golly does he know his history and archaeology. We got this pro in to give us the low-down on some of Ireland’s [...]

They told her it couldn’t be done: driving from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, then to Galway and Donegal and back to Dublin. All in one weekend. And on the wrong side of the road. Seattle student Caitlyn Johnson recounts her roadtrip of a lifetime around Ireland… It began, in our minds at least, [...]

We’ve all been there. The waiter plonks a delicious plate of nosh in front of you, wishes you ‘Bon appétit’ (or the equivalent in Italian, Japanese, Turkish, Yiddish, Swahili etc) and your tongue and your brain struggle to thank him in his own language. Before you can muster it, he’s gone, and so’s your chance. [...]