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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
Getting Up to Shenanigans in Kilkenny
Known as the medieval capital of Ireland, Kilkenny offers visitors a unique blend of ancient stories, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. As you wander through the narrow alleyways, you can’t help but feel transported to another time, where each street corner holds a door to a new tale waiting to be discovered. This article is…
Powerscourt Estate: The Crown Jewel of County Wicklow
Known as the Garden of Ireland, County Wicklow offers an array of stunning landscapes and attractions, but the crown jewel is undoubtedly the Powerscourt Estate. Powerscourt Estate ticks so many boxes for visitors to Ireland. This article is based on a podcast episode featuring Vivienne Nyhan, sales manager at Powerscourt Estate. If you prefer to…
Ireland’s Most Visited Heritage Sites
Learn more about Ireland’s top heritage sites in 2023 & tips for visiting + my favorite sites that you should add to your Ireland itinerary.
Enchanting Gardens in Ireland – Amazing Irish Experiences
Ireland is a country known for stunning landscapes and natural beauty. The abundant rainfall that contributes to the country’s ’40 shades of green’ is also at least partially responsible for the lush gardens you’ll find across the country. While the majority of public gardens seem to be concentrated in the ‘sunny southeast’, you can easily…
Ireland’s Top 10 Visitor Attractions in 2024 (and expert tips for visiting)
Wondering about the best places to visit in Ireland in 2024? And, if you are planning on visiting one of these tops spots, you’ve probably wondered if there are any secrets to having an amazing visit – and maybe avoiding the crowds (as much as possible). The answers to your questions are below – based…
Round Towers – Amazing Ireland Experiences
Round towers are an -almost- uniquely Irish structure. (Only 3 ancient round towers exist outside of Ireland.) In Irish they are called cloitheach (cloy- cach), meaning bell house, and were probably built between the 9th and 12th centuries. This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the…
Best Family Travel Spots in Ireland
Ireland has so much to offer families. I think it is the best country for a first European vacation – there is no (or very little) language barrier, wide open space to explore, and the land oozes magic. When you’re traveling in Ireland with kids it’s smart to concentrate on one or two areas. Not…
What Are the 3 Best Things to Do in Dublin?
The 3 best things to do in Dublin – the museum everyone should visit, a tasty tour, and an amazing castle with fascinating history.
Southeast Ireland’s Celtic Coast
Ireland’s Celtic Coast stretches along the southeastern part of the country. Coastal views, vibrant villages, amazing attractions & fewer tourists.
Learn Hurling in Kilkenny
Learn Ireland’s ancient sport of hurling in Kilkenny, the ‘home of hurling’. Ireland’s oldest sport & the ‘fastest sport on grass’.
Lovely Laois
County Laois (pronounced leash) may not be on your radar when planning your Ireland itinerary, but if you are traveling between Dublin and Kilkenny, Cork, Kerry, or Clare, you’re likely to pass through this often overlooked county. This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom…