It’s our national day of pride, heritage and celebration. It’s the day the whole world channels the fun and merriment of the Irish in their own way (whether picking up a hurley like Governor Schwarzenegger, dying an entire river green or just chomping on a novelty green bagel for lunch). So can you forgive us [...]

A new generation of endurance races has been breeding like rabbits ­– mucky, hyper rabbits – in Ireland in the last few years. Trail running, cycling, swimming and kayaking have cosied up with grassy fields, mountain passes, heaving bog and spectacular views, to produce the young and spritely adventure race. The circuits can range from [...]

With days getting longer and the sun making a welcome return, our minds have turned to sport. Gaelic Games to be precise. So to get the lowdown, we asked sports journalist and all-round mega-fan Paul Rowley to tell us exactly what he knows about these great games… We’ve heard hurling can look like a cross [...]

It is lovely being an island. Just sitting out here on the edge of the Atlantic, our coast gilded with honey coloured beaches and peppered with lighthouses winking their warm light out onto the horizon. But we’re going to let you in on a little secret – the nautical fun in Ireland doesn’t end there… [...]

Dublin is shaping up for a real culture shock in the next little while. Visitors and locals alike will be chewing their lips in indecision at how to possibly choose between what can only be described as an entire galaxy of cool events. Here’s what I’m looking at… The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival First [...]

There have been many visitors to Ireland who have admitted to leaving their heart behind. When guest blogger Charles Berkoff visited, he didn’t misplace his heart, but he did misplace his glasses. Little did he know that leaving his specs on a Dublin bus would tell him all he needed to know about Irish hospitality… [...]

We may have mentioned to you once or twice that we like a good story here in Ireland. The fact is that we’ve been storytelling for years (thousands to be precise) and the first stories ever told are as popular today as they were around the camp fire all those years ago. Now, you’d think [...]

The blog is on an island-hopping adventure right now. In Part I of our trip around Ireland’s treasured islands, we went from beaches to the Burren, ancient monasteries to modern luxury. But we’re not on dry land yet. Part II is here, and our first stop is Ireland’s West Coast… Clare Island, County Mayo Remember [...]

Readers, there’s something in the water. In the sea and the lakes. Ireland’s glittering portfolio of islands, from isolated outposts in a stormy ocean to near-tropical isles of golden beaches and unique culture, is certainly something. These islands harbour astounding landscapes, unmatched tranquility, distinctive communities and ancient traces of former settlers. So I tried to [...]

It’s true what they say, the old ones really are the best. Thanks to the Irish Landmark Trust, some of Ireland’s oldest and most historic buildings have been tenderly restored so we can bed down for a night or two in these fascinating places! We’ve cherry-picked a few romantic hideaways where we know we’d like [...]