Cork's coffee scene, a local's guide

Cork has the best independent coffee scene in Ireland after Dublin and arguably ahead of it for quality per square kilometre. The coffee culture grew…

Cobh and the Titanic, the half-day trip from Cork

Cobh, on a hilly headland in Cork harbour, was the last port of call for the Titanic in April 1912. Half the visitors who come to Cork city tag on a…

Kinsale, half an hour from Cork, worth a full day

Kinsale is the gourmet town that Cork pretends not to be jealous of. It is a thirty minute drive south of Cork city, sits on a sheltered harbour at…

Galway food scene, oysters to Michelin

Galway has had a Michelin star longer than most provincial Irish cities and a market culture older than the country. The food scene here is small but…

How to do the Galway Races without losing your shirt

The Galway Races is a seven-day horse racing festival at Ballybrit Racecourse, on the north edge of the city, every year in late July and early…

Galway trad music pubs, where locals actually go

Galway has a trad music scene that runs every night of the week most of the year. The trick is knowing which pubs play for the room and which play…

Dublin pubs worth the walk, beyond Temple Bar

Temple Bar is fine for a pint and a photo but it is not where Dubliners drink. The good pubs in Dublin are in the streets you would walk past if you…

Day trips from Dublin without a car

You can do most of the good day trips out of Dublin on the DART, Iarnrod Eireann or a single bus. Here are the ones worth your time when you do not…

Dublin food scene 2026, where locals are eating

Ten years ago Dublin was a city you put up with the food in. That has changed completely. The current scene is split between long-running classics…

Christmas Party Ideas in Carlingford: Make This Year One to Remember

Christmas Party Ideas in Carlingford: Make This Year One to Remember The office Christmas party. The friends' get-together. The family celebration…

Aran Islands ferry from Doolin, planning your trip

Doolin pier is one of two ferry terminals to the Aran Islands (the other is Rossaveal in Galway). From Doolin you can get to all three islands, with…

Doolin trad music sessions, what to expect

Doolin is a tiny village in north Clare with a reputation, fairly earned, for being one of the best places in Ireland for traditional Irish music…

Climbing Croagh Patrick, practical advice

Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain of Saint Patrick, is climbed by around 100,000 people a year. It is doable by most people in reasonable health, but…

Westport, Mayo's prettiest small town

Westport regularly tops national polls for prettiest town in Ireland and it earns it. The 18th century planners who laid the place out, including the…

Wicklow Mountains, the underrated Dublin escape

Most visitors to Dublin think of the Wicklow Mountains as the place where Glendalough is. They are actually a national park covering 220 square…

Walking Glendalough, what makes the monastic site special

Glendalough, in the Wicklow Mountains, is a sixth century monastic settlement set between two glacial lakes in a narrow steep valley. It is one of…

Belfast for first time visitors, the essential walk

If you have one full day in Belfast, you can see the essential city on foot. Here is the route locals would suggest. 9.30, City Hall Start at City…

Fun facts about Belfast

Belfast is one of the most rewarding cities to visit on the island, and one that surprises first-timers. Here are a few things even regular visitors…

Cliffs of Moher and Lahinch in one day

The Cliffs of Moher are about fifteen minutes by car from Lahinch. Most visitors do them in a rush, thirty minutes at the visitor centre, photo at…

Lahinch surf for beginners, what to actually expect

Lahinch is the most popular beginner surf spot on the west coast, and for good reason. The beach faces almost due west, which means consistent…