A Taste of Ireland: Corbett’s Traditional Irish Food Experience
Traditional Irish food with insights into the history, cultural significance of Irish cuisine through a Traditional Irish Food Experience.
Discovering The Lost Valley
I’m not sure why it is, but the places that make the most impact and touch you most deeply are always the most difficult to write about. I’ve been trying to string together words to adequately share our visit to The Lost Valley for a few weeks now. I read and re-read the entry in…
Waterford, Ireland’s European City of Christmas
Waterford, Ireland has been named the 2024 European City of Christmas.
Learn more about Winterval, the largest Christmas Festival in Ireland and get tips for your visit.
Four Amazing Donegal Destinations
The most remote county in the Republic of Ireland is receiving some much-deserved attention this year. National Geographic Traveller described Donegal as being “in a real sweet spot- off radar and hard to access, but on the cusp of a breakthrough.” And, as any good Star Wars fan knows, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi filmed…
Relax and Unwind at Lough Eske Castle Hotel in Donegal
Unlike many castle hotels in Ireland, Lough Eske Castle Hotel in Donegal doesn’t offer a plethora of estate activities. And that’s not a bad thing. My stays at this Donegal castle hotel have been peaceful and unrushed. In fact, it is the most relaxing hotel stay I’ve ever experienced in Ireland. The Lough Eske Castle…
A Guided Tour of Derry, Northern Ireland
As I spend more time in Ireland I find myself searching for more stories and striving to have a personal connection to an area. One of the best ways I have found to do this is to hire a private guide. Whether you hire a driver guide for your Ireland vacation or an individual guide for…
Reflection and Reconnection During the Winter Solstice in Ireland
In Celtic Ireland, the winter solstice was a highly important event marking the turning point of the year and the coming rebirth of the land.
5 Things You Maybe Didn’t Know About Visiting the Giant’s Causeway
Few spots in Ireland invoke the imagery of Irish mythology more than the Giant’s Causeway along Antrim’s northern coast. Science may explain the polygonal stones as being caused by volcanic activity 60 million years ago, but in your mind’s eye you can’t help but see the giant, Finn McCool, setting his stepping stones across the…
Spots You Shouldn’t Miss When Touring Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route
Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast often ranks high on an Ireland vacation bucket list. With marquee sites like Belfast, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant’s Causeway, and the walled city of Derry, tourists are drawn to the 120 mile Causeway Coastal Route to experience the dramatic landscape heavily fortified by Irish mythology. But the mistake many visitors make when touring Northern Ireland…
What to Really Expect When Visiting The Dark Hedges
When James Stuart lined the drive to his Georgian mansion with 150 Beech trees in the late 18th century his goal was to add a sense of grandeur to the entry of his estate. Nearly two centuries on about 90 of these trees remain as one of the most photographed locations in Ireland: The Dark Hedges….
Jerpoint Park ~ Visiting the Lost Town of Newtown Jerpoint
When my family visited Jerpoint Abbey in 2008, the legends and tales of the abbey and surrounding area stayed with us. As we explored the unique cloister carvings, one stood out and caught our attention. The carving seemed to be a bishop of some import. Local legend said that a nearby church, the Church of…
Visiting Kilkenny Castle
Our tour with IrishTourism.com began in Kilkenny and we couldn’t leave without revisiting the castle , where quite a bit has changed since our first visit to Kilkenny Castle in 2008. The biggest change is that my children are older. While they still loved the play area on the grounds, they also enjoyed walking the…
Visiting the Rock of Cashel
I have yet to see anything more imposing or inspiring than the Rock of Cashel . Breathtaking, spellbinding, awesome… These words don’t even do it justice. And the feeling doesn’t dissipate- each time I visit the ‘Rock’ fills me with awe. Irish legends tell the the rock that Cashel of the Kings is built upon…
Visiting Glendalough in County Wicklow
Glendalough makes an excellent day trip from Dublin or a beautiful stop on your way down the coast. Kids will enjoy Glendalough for its wide open spaces, adults will love the history and gorgeous scenery. If the weather is fine allow for time to explore. Wear good walking shoes and allow for at least half…
Wonderful Glendalough Walks for Families
Our first visit to Glendalough in 2008 focused on the Monastic City. The cold and wet March day was much more suitable to learning about St. Kevin in the visitors center and hot tea in the nearby hotel restaurant than explorations beyond the stone churches. Finally following up that visit in 2015, our day began…
The Chocolate Garden of Ireland – A Sweet Stop in County Wicklow
Beyond being a chocolate shop and cafe, the Chocolate Garden of Ireland can take you ‘behind the scenes’ of chocolate making. Participate in a Chocolate Workshop and learn where this tasty treat comes from, why really good chocolate costs more and even make your own souvenir chocolate to take home! The Best Hot Chocolate in…
Cahir Castle in Tipperary – Our Most Favorite Castle in All of Ireland
It’s kind of funny to me as I look back at the recommendations made in the last couple years of my Ireland travel coaching business… I recommend Cahir Castle highly, noting that it is a favorite of ours. And yet, I’ve never written about it. Maybe I wanted to keep it as my own little…
Visiting Athassel Abbey in Tipperary with Neil Jackman of Abarta Audioguides
When the opportunity presents itself to join a knowledgeable local at a rarely explored historic site, you take it. (<– important travel tip!) When that knowledgeable local is Neil Jackman, archaeologist and executive director of Abarta Heritage , you happily trudge out in heavy rain to hear the stories he has to tell. Like many…
Rathgall Hillfort in County Wicklow
I am directionally challenged. Even on the best of days, when the sun is rising or setting, I can have difficulty knowing east from west. So a cloudy Irish day can really set me backward- even with a sat nav (gps) to help guide my way. Which is how I found myself on a small…
Round Towers and High Crosses in Ireland: Visiting Clonmacnoise
When you close your eyes and picture Ireland, what do you see? If the answer includes round towers and high crosses, then you’ll want to be sure Clonmacnoise in County Offaly is part of your Ireland itinerary. Located in the heart of Ireland at what once was a major crossroads where the north/south route of the…
