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. [...]

Let’s be honest, we’re all recovering from the festive season of plum puddings, hot toddies and cheesy movies. There are times I almost feel like a pudding myself. Which can only mean one thing; it’s New Year’s resolution time again. But what if this year, you combined something light-hearted, like ‘have more fun!’, with a [...]

Big things, Giant things, Titanic things are afoot in Northern Ireland. The biggest celebrations in its history are lined up for 2012, and it’ll take a whole twelve months to get through them all. From festivals to concerts, great unveilings and grand openings, the calendar is packed to the brim. Here’s why yours will be [...]

“Ladies and Gentlemen – Let the first public words I have spoken to on Irish ground be words of thankfulness to you for your cordial and generous welcome.” -Charles Dickens on stage for the first time in Ireland, 23 August 1858 Let’s call a spade a spade – Charles Dickens understood Christmas. Pen in hand, [...]

Christmas in Ireland sounds like this: “We’ll see ya in Mooney’s after midnight mass. Wait’ll you see the bar staff covered in tinsel, I got a piece of it in my hot whiskey the other night!” “Ah, Sean, all the way from Boston for Christmas! Bet your mammy’s delighted.” “After the size of Christmas dinner [...]