THE HELLFIRE CLUB , DUBLIN Montpelier Hill is a hill in County Dublin. It is commonly referred to as the Hell Fire Club, the popular name given to the ruined building at the summit believed to be one of the first Freemason lodges in Ireland. Although the walk up to the Hell Fire Club is a nice scenic one, there have been many different nerve-wracking stories of the area. According to at least one source, activities included mock religious ceremonies and partaking in meals containing dishes like “Holy Ghost Pie”, “Breast of Venus”, and “Devil’s Loin”, while drinking “Hell-fire punch”. Members of the Club supposedly came to meetings dressed as characters from the Bible. There have been a few recorded sightings of the devil around the area. In one story, a stranger joined the members at a card game on a stormy evening after seeking shelter. A member dropped a card and as he bent down to pick it up he saw that the stranger had cloven hooves instead of feet. The stranger disappeared in a ball of fire. DUCKETTS GROVE, CARLOW Duckett’s Grove is a ruined 19th-century great house and former estate in County Carlow, Ireland. Belonging to the Duckett family, the house was formerly the focal point of a 12,000-acre estate, and dominated the local landscape for more than two centuries. The interior of the house was destroyed by a major fire in the 1930s and is now inaccessible. The surrounding gardens, including two inter-connecting walled gardens, are now managed by Carlow County Council and open as a public park. The reason why many are scared of Ducketts Grove is due to the multiple sightings of a banshee, a female spirit from Irish mythology. The banshee comes because of a Piseóg, a curse placed on the house and family to bring about death, despair and financial ruin. This particular curse was cast by the resentful mother of a young girl who had been having an affair with William Duckett and was riding on the estate when she fell from her horse. The banshee can be heard shrieking through the ruins of Duckett’s Grove for two days and nights, with stories of those that heard her suffering fatality and family tragedy. Voices of servants have distinctly been heard in what was formerly the kitchens and pantry. A phantom horse and carriage have rolled up to the former entrance at other times. THE ABBEY OF THE BLACK HAG , CO. LIMERICK Monasternagalliaghduff (Irish for ‘”Black Nuns’ Abbey”), also called the Abbey of St Catherine de O’Conyl or simply Old Abbey is a ruined Augustinian abbey in County Limerick in Ireland. The abbey lies in a small valley about two miles east of the village of Shanagolden, in the townland of Oldabbey (named after it), which is in the civil parish of Robertstown and barony of Shanid. Only the remains of the abbey church and refectory can now bear witness to a very disturbing past. It is a dark, depressing and brooding place that positively evokes an eerie atmosphere. The ‘Black Hag’ still rules here for sure. It was the last prioress of this Augustinian order that has gone down in history and being derided as ‘The Black Hag’. More than likely because of her black-faced appearance at around the time of her death. But it is also highly possible that the name was applied after she was found to be dabbling in witchcraft in a room of the church now known as ‘The Black Hag’s Cell’. She terrified all the local community and stories still remain of her mastery of the black arts and numerous depravities. BELVELLY CASTLE, CO. CORK Belvelly Castle is a 14th or 15th-century tower house in County Cork. It is situated next to the small village of Belvelly, opposite and overlooking the only road bridge connecting Fota Island to Great Island. The castle was initially built by the Anglo-Norman Hodnett Family. They were an ambitious family who arrived in Ireland in the twelfth century. During the reign of Henry III, the Hodnett and de Barry families were in conflict with each other over their properties in and around Cork. The haunting story of poor vain Lady Margaret Hodnett is definitely an eerie one. She was said to be something of a Jezebel or floozy with quite a number of suitors and an extensive collection of mirrors. Tired of being kept at bay, one of her men, Clon de Courcy, took it upon himself to starve Lady Margaret and her family into submission. According to the legend, after a year, the Hodnetts gave in, with Lady Margaret surrounded by unburied corpses and little of her beauty left. When Clon rejected her, she smashed all the mirrors in the castle. Sometimes she can be seen wandering the castle today, faceless, constantly rubbing at patches of the wall until they gleam like mirrors. LEAP CASTLE, CO. OFFALY Leap Castle is a castle in Coolderry, County Offaly, Ireland, about 6 km north of the town of Roscrea and 10 km south of Kinnitty on the R421. Sean Ryan of Leap Castle insisted that he doesn’t fabricate when telling the story of what he and his wife see and hear at their home. Where most would refer to these apparitions as ghosts, Sean prefers to call them spirits. He describes the regular visions as people with a haze around them. The sounds they hear are footsteps, doors opening and closing and crowds talking. However, on occasions that he has gone in the direction of the noise, nothing is apparent there, with the location of the spirits always out of reach. There is spirit, though, a lady, who touches off people. A lot of guests to the castle have also felt her presence.  THE SHELBOURNE HOTEL, DUBLIN Yes, you are reading that correctly. The Shelbourne Hotel has had numerous reports of sightings of a young mischievous girl. Spooked staff at one of Ireland’s most famous hotels have revealed that one of their luxury rooms is haunted by a ghost. Management at the Shelbourne Hotelhas admitted that on a number of occasions, guests have sprinted out of the eerie room screaming in panic. At one stage over a six-month period between two and three hotel guests a week were reporting apparent paranormal activity, including sink, bath taps and showers turning on by themselves.

Congratulations to The Gap, Glencullen Adventure Park for five years as the most exciting mountain biking park in the Dublin Mountains. I went to visit The Gap on Saturday and was very surprised at this fantastic facility on the city’s outskirts. The place was a hive of activity and excitement.   The Gap – Glencullen Adventure Park is Five The former Glencullen Golf Club has been turned into a state-of-the-art adventure playground for gravity mountain biking. There were more than 500 cyclists taking part in a series of races, ranging from 5- 65 in ages. The Davy family, farmers and foresters have used their knowledge of the mountains to create a series of biking trails. The 16 trails are graded blue, red and black, similar grading to a ski resort. Cyclists are lifted to the top of the trails in Ford Transits with trailers so no need to cycle uphill. If you have your own bike and gear, you pay the uplift charge. If not, you can rent bikes and all the gear for a session or the full day. The Gap has 2021 Nukeproof full suspension mountain bikes and all the safety gear. And if your bike needs a repair or you need gear this is the place to come.  On site there is GapKitchen, serving delicious food from Wednesday to Sunday, spectators welcome.    Walking Trails and Forest Adventures There is access from the site to walking trails that lead to Ticknock and the Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Ways. Along the route is the ancient ‘Giant’s Grave’; a 4,000-year megalithic wedge tomb that is said to be the most intact of its kind.  The young non-bikers might like to have a mountain adventure with Forest Kids. These courses in mountain survival skills take place at The Gap and are run by outdoors expert, Heather Burnett Niland. Here 5 – 12-year-olds can learn about nature from nature . Along with survival skills and forest training in fire, shelter and cooking in the wild, see here .  Also nearby, for the parents waiting for mountain bikers, is the prettiest pub in Ireland, Johnnie Fox’s. It is a great spot to eat while waiting, with spectacular views of Dublin city. Opening Times  Spring/Summer time slots run 10am to 1pm (3 hours) & 2pm to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday. Thursday evening spins require lights and run 6-9pm.  Winter time slots run 9.30am to 12.30pm and 13.30pm to 4.30pm. There is car parking at The Gap for a nominal €2. The best prices are online, book here .

Outdoor sports and activities are great for keeping fit and curing boredom. Ireland being a very scenic country is a great destination for participating in outdoor activities. Here is a top-five list of the best outdoor activities you can do around the country. GLENCULLEN ADVENTURE PARK, DUBLIN Glencullen Adventure Park is an outdoor mountain biking club based on Ballybrack Road in Glencullen, Co. Dublin.The GAP has various different trails you and your friends can ride. The trails vary in difficulty starting with ‘green’ trails which would be for beginners to ‘black’ and ‘pro line’ trails that are for experts and professionals. GAP provides bikes, helmets limb guards or you can bring your own. If you are not into downhill biking, there are many walking trails in the area that GAP allows anyone use free of charge. No need to bring a packed lunch too, GAP has the fantastic  GAP Kitchen Café  which provides you with all the food and energy you need for an extreme day of mountain biking. CLARE WATER SPORTS, CLARE Clare Water Sports is an outdoor water sports facility based in Ballyanna Grove in Ennis. At Clare Water Sports you can partake in kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Clare Water Sports also provide lake and river tours. Clare Water Sports don’t just provide you with equipment, at CWS they want to teach you how to become better at kayaking or paddle boarding. CWS provides lessons with their highly trained staff. The river and lake tours consist of journeys between Inagh River by the falls in Ennistymon to Lahinch and on the Fergus River between Dromore Lake and Ballyalla Lake. A great way to see and learn more about the Wild Atlantic Way. ECLIPSE IRELAND, KERRY Eclipse Ireland is an outdoor adventure centre based in Dromore Old in Kenmare. Eclipse has many different activities like bushcraft, a bog run, biking, kayaking, hill walking, fishing, orienteering, raft building last but certainly not least the assault course challenge. One to really highlight here is the assault course challenge. The challenge consists of a number of hurdles that are ‘rustic and tough’ and designed to condition and test the endurance of visitors who love their abilities as individuals and as leaders to be tested. Ecplise is a great day out for family, friends or even team building in the workplace. WAKEDOCK, DUBLIN Wakedock is a quite unique experience based at Grand Canal Dock in Dublin City Centre. When you think of wakeboarding, you think of big lakes surrounded by the sight of trees and the beauty of nature, not high rise commercial buildings. At Wakedock you get just that. Enjoy your wakeboarding session surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Dublin’s business district. Wakedock doesn’t use a boat to drag you around but instead uses a cable that is above your head. There are 5 obstacles that riders can avoid or embrace to do some cool tricks, the Small Kicker, Big Kicker, Box Slider, Box with Rail, and A-Frame. SAFARI ACTION, FERMANAGH Safari Action  is an outdoor 4×4 offroad driving centre based in Fardrum, Enniskillen. Ever wondered what those crazy James Bond chasing scenes through the jungle felt like? At Safari Jungle you can find out. Safari Action offers a fantastic experience as you weave and smash through their course trying to be that little better than your friends and family. As you are proceeding through the course an instructor will be with you at all times for support during those difficult moments of the course. Safari action also provides archery and clay pigeoning if the offroad driving isn’t for you.

Black Pool or Dublin? Dublin or “Dubh Linn” is an old Irish Gaelic phrase that translates to “Black Pool” . Bob Marley’s Final Hurrah in Dublin? Bob Marley played at Dalymount Park in Dublin in 1980. Bob Marley played his one and only Irish gig at Dalymount Park which also turned out to be his last ever outdoor show. Pubs Glorious Pubs! Dublin has ALOT of pubs. There are over 1,000 pubs in the Dublin area as of 2022, so you won’t have a hard time finding somewhere to have a fresh pint of Guinness. Dublin, The Social Hub of Ireland With a mixture of having one of the youngest populations in Ireland combined with its high population density, Dublin for sure tops the table as Ireland’s best social scene. Dublin has a 50% population of people under 25 and boasts a total population of 1,256,000. MGM’s Lion is a Dublin Native Leo, the eighth and current lion, is by far MGM’s longest-used, having appeared in most MGM films since 1957. Leo was born in 1956 in Dublin Zoo, Ireland.

The Blarney Stone is a block of limestone built into Blarney Castle in Blarney. According to old Irish folklore, kissing the stone gifts the kisser with the ‘gift of the gab’ (an Irish slang term for being interesting when talking). The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446. Kissing Ireland’s Blarney Stone, a tradition that’s been around for several centuries, is for sure a must-try when visiting Blarney Castle. You may wonder why people decide to kiss the Blarney Stone upside down – it’s because they have no choice. The Blarney stone can only be accessed this way. Back in the olden times, kissers would have to be held from their ankles above the stone and lowered down but this quickly came to an end as a visitor slipped down and unfortunately did not survive the fall. Blarney Castle Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting the attention of tourists near and far ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. Blarney Gardens There is more to Blarney than just the famous Blarney Stone and Blarney Castle. Between the entrance gates and the distant lake lie 60 acres of surprises, delights and mysteries waiting to be discovered. There is a network of paths that lead visitors through various gardens, arboretums, and avenues, which constantly change and evolve depending on the season or environment.

From woodland trails, to mountain pursuits and family strolls, here Outdoor Kilkenny reveals its Top Amazing Outdoor Spaces & Walks: Woodstock Gardens Forest Walk Explore the Kilkenny countryside with a 3.5km loop trail through to the beautiful Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum, overlooking the River Nore Valley and the picturesque village of Inistioge. Their walled garden which is abundant with flowers and vegetables, the yew walk, rose garden, Monkey Puzzle Avenue and Noble Fir Avenue are all great places to explore! Jenkinstown Woods Another great location for a family outdoor escape is Jenkinstown Woods. There are two marked walks through the forest – the Walled Garden Loop (2.5 km) and the Jenkinstown Wood Loop (4km). Both walks start and finish at the car park and are suitable for both younger and older family members. Brandon Hill This 12km trail follows minor roadways, forestry tracks and hillside patches to reach the ultimate peak! Once visitors arrive, they won’t regret the decision to tackle the challenging and scenic trail together, especially its spectacular pink and peach sunset of Summer! Tory Hill Tory Hill is a 4km lightly trafficked loop trail located near the small village of Mullinavat, it features beautiful wild flowers that nature lovers will adore and is perfect for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and ideal for family day-trips with a picnic! Castlecomer Wood Walk Discover the depth and variety of some of the country’s most beautiful woodlands at the 80-acre Castlecomer Wood Walk. Situated at their renowned Discovery Park, the walk offers a wide range of trails and walkways, riverside strolls and family ambles to explore. Kilkenny Castle Parklands Kilkenny Castle Park comprises of an incredible 21 hectares of land providing the ideal spot for a picnic no matter how big the family are!!  The park also has woodland walks & a superb children’s playground with swings, slides, bridges and benches for adults too and is open until 8.30pm during the summer. Nore Valley Walking Route  – Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge   Set against the beautiful backdrop of this scenic valley, with acres of parkland and woodlands to explore, Nore Valley Park provides hours of amusement for the family. Walk the 3km nature trail to the scenic town of Bennettsbridge or test your skills on their giant chess board ‘en route’! Ballyrafton Wood, Ballyfoyle Located just off the Castlecomer Road, Ballyrafton is one of Kilkenny’s smaller wooded trails. This circular walk starts and finishes at the carpark and is an ideal walk for all abilities and ages. At the ‘finale’ in the car park, you will be greeted by the welcome sight of some picnic tables, ideal for re-fuelling! Mountain Grove, Piltown Trickling streams and picturesque woodlands are what Mountain Grove is renowned for. This is a very ‘do-able’ 4km long walk for all the family but is not ideal for those with smaller children in buggies as the ground can be notoriously muddy after the rain! Coill an Fhaltaigh Coill an Fhaltaigh in Castleinch, has three marked walkways, all of which are suitable for all ages.  Covering 230 acres, here you will find a pond and wildlife sanctuary with lots of flora and fauna to feast the senses on.  There are picnic tables beside the car park, so be sure to arrive stocked! Lacken Walk, Kilkenny City For those preferring a shorter stroll, Laken Way is a 1.6km walk filled with stunning vistas along the riverside from Maudlin Street to Ossary Bridge.  A boardwalk helps walkers navigate the journey and there are many picnic tables and seating along the way so walkers can stop and soak in the views. Kilkenny Trails All the walks on Kilkenny Walking Trails are free of charge and take place in areas of local heritage and natural history interest, taking walkers alongside rivers and canals as well as through towns and villages. The walks are of varying lengths and gradients, from the ‘easier’ routes like Castlecomer Loop & City Walks to the more difficult Brandon Hill Loop, all offering something for everyone no matter what their interests or abilities. Commenting on the variety of outdoor places to explore in Kilkenny, Gareth Alcorn from Outdoor Kilkenny said; “Now that restrictions have eased and we can now travel within our own county, we are urging people to take the opportunity to explore the undiscovered, venture to places never visited or relive childhood memories or paths once taken. Kilkenny has an incredible number of walks, climbs, hikes and picnic locations ideal for that family day out we have all been waiting for!”

Galway is well known for being one of the most beautiful-looking counties in Ireland with a deep history. The pub scene in Galway is one of the most thriving and enjoyable, with amazing pints, fantastic music and most importantly, great craic. Here are the best five pubs in Galway. THE FIVE BEST PUBS IN GALWAY TIGH NEACHTAIN Founded in 1894,  Tigh Neachtain  has been home to some of the most talented Irish traditional musicians including Sharon Shannon, Brendan O’Regan, Deirbhile Ni Bhrolchain, Kevin Hough, Breda Smyth and Brian Lennon. Tigh Neachtains has a large selection of drinks at the bar, from little-known craft beers to rare and vintage whiskeys and scotch. If you are looking for something special they also stock their own home-brewed beers. Tigh Neachtain serves a lunch menu and light bites, with all food locally sourced. With a mixture of good pints, good food and good music Tigh Neachtain had to make this list. TAAFFES BAR Taaffes Bar is open seven days a week. Due to the layout of the bar, it is very child-friendly, so if you are looking for somewhere for a pit stop during the day this is the place. This bar is a great location in Galway and right beside the Spanish Arch area. Irish cuisine is famous around the world and Taaffes delivers some of the best in Galway. Enjoy the cooked chicken melt, soup and bread soup that are offered is offered here. With one of the best pints of Guinness in the area as well according to ‘the Guinness guru’, Taaffes is a great little spot for lunch on your visit to Galway. THE KINGS HEAD The Kings Head  is a true piece of Galway history. The building itself dates back over 800 years to the 13th Century. Since 1989 the Grealish family has established close links to music and the arts in Galway. The King’s Head has free live music seven nights a week on the main stage along with regular stand-up comedy and lunchtime theatre on the top floor. As proud members of Good Food Ireland, The Kings Head sources fresh local ingredients from the best local suppliers and consistently changes their menus seasonally to reflect this. THE CRANE BAR The Crane Bar  is one of Galway’s best-known traditional music pubs. It has long been the hotspot for top musicians to play for a grateful audience. Situated in the ‘Small Crane’ Square, The Crane Bar offers music nightly both upstairs and down. Concerts here range from singer-songwriters to traditional to roots music. Known far and wide as ‘The Listeners Club’, upstairs at The Crane Bar has been played in by the best-known artists in the business as well as up and coming new talents. THE FRONT DOOR If you’re looking for a contemporary Irish pub with a late bar and live music, a varied drinks menu and pub grub in the city centre. Spread over two floors and stretching across two streets, The Front Door is located in the heart of the Latin Quarter. The Front Door Pub  is also home to the award-winning Sonny Molloy’s Whiskey Bar which boasts a selection of Irish and international whiskey and is part of the renowned Galway Whiskey Trail. Also home to the award-winning gin bar Tigh Nora, which is the first bar to release its own gin, Nora’s Irish Gin.

The Temple Bar The Temple Bar was opened in 1840. For almost 160 years visitors have flocked to the Temple Bar. A genuinely warm welcome backed up by first-rate modern service and Traditional Irish Music in this friendly spot in Dublin. The Temple Bar is located in the heart of Dublin and close to all the main attractions. A genuinely warm welcome, backed by first-rate modern service, is the definition of Irish hospitality. The Temple Bar prides itself on fine Live Music Sessions every day and brings together a fine sample of talented musicians from around the country every night of the week. The Old Storehouse The Old Storehouse is a traditional Irish Bar located in Dublin’s Cultural Quarter at 3 Crown Alley, Temple Bar. This location is between Dame Street and The Halfpenny Bridge directly behind the Old Central Bank building. The Old Storehouse pride itself on the warmth of the welcome they extend to all, together with its quality food and drinks service. There are 3 bar options ranging from a quiet and intimate snug bar, a lively main bar with live music sessions and the venue bar O’Flaherty’s. The Old Storehouse also offers live music every night! Fitzsimons Temple Bar Located in the heart of Temple Bar, Fitzsimons is a must for those who enjoy a good time. With 5 floors to choose from, you can wander between its multiple bars, enjoy the nightly live music in the main bar, the fresh air and views over Temple Bar from their award-winning Roof Garden Bar and their weekend night club where DJs will be sure to play all of your favourite hits. The Roof Garden is one of the best spots in Dublin to let the day slip away as you soak up the sun with a refreshing cocktail or pint. Bad Bobs Never mind the name. Bad Bobs is far from bad! Whether you’re after a casual post-date cocktail or are gearing up for a big night out, Bad Bobs Dublin has something for everyone, no matter what the occasion. From having an after-hours beer with workmates in the late bar to celebrating a special event to catching up with friends over a few G&Ts, a night out at Bad Bobs should always be on the cards when making plans. The Porterhouse The Porterhouse, established in Temple Bar in 1996, making a ‘new kid on the block’ impact instantly was a small number of microbrewery pubs in Ireland. Centrally located in the heart of the Temple Bar district, standing three storeys high, always guarantees a lively crowd. Passionate about all good beer, offering a choice of ten different brews, exclusive to The Porterhouse and brewed on the premises. The Plain Porter has twice won a Gold international brewing industry award. The choice is unique, away from the mainstream. Another fabulous spot that offers music live music 7 days a week.

Ireland’s largest holistic event returns to Galway on Sunday the 2nd of October 2022 at the Salthill Hotel. Free Admission, 80 Exhibitors and 40 hours of Complimentary Talks, Workshops and Classes. The event is comprised of five different elements all in one venue, the Mind Body Soul Expo, the Yoga and Meditation Festival, Conscious Life Galway, the Galway Psychic Fair, and the Live Well – Talks & Workshops. The Mind Body Soul Expo Bringing together exhibitors and practitioners from the world of holistic health and wellbeing. The event hosts over 20 holistic therapists from all modalities offering mini treatments, advice, and information. You will also find a fantastic array of exhibitors providing holistic health products and information, specialist books, crystals, handcrafted jewellery, angelic gifts, natural skincare, herbal remedies, oils and essences, and much more. The Yoga and Meditation Festival A full day of Yoga, Mindfulness, and Meditation. The yoga zone hosts 10 hours of free yoga and meditation classes and many additional meditation sessions and mindfulness talks are held around the venue over the weekend. All classes, sessions and talks are open to everyone and are complimentary, no admission is charged, but donations are welcome. Conscious Life Galway Promoting a holistic approach and celebrating a healthier and more conscious way of living, this overarching ethos underpins much of what we strive to share at the Galway Mind Body Experience. Be it one of our many exhibitors who focus on sustainable, vegan and vegetarian products, or the ideas in our talks and workshops, we believe these elements of the event are for the curious and those open to making a few small changes that could greatly benefit you’re health and wellbeing while helping to make the world a better place. Galway Psychic Fair Set in its own separate dedicated area it’s a must for all those interested in the world of Psychic Readings, Mediumship, Angel and Tarot cards, Palmistry, and the Crystal ball. All of our readers have extensive training and many years of experience and they all deal with your information in strict confidence. All readings are private and are given on a one-on-one basis. Live Well Talks & Workshops 30 hours of free talks & workshops that will inspire, educate and entertain. The talks & workshops will be as diverse as the presenters but with an underlying focus on inspiring a healthier and happier you.

We picked up this little gem of a piece from Tourism Ireland and thought it would make for an interesting read, particularly now that we begin to dream about the possibility of restrictions lifting. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get out to a nice restaurant. 1. Lunch at Moran’s Oyster Cottage, County Galway If you’re looking for a special food experience, then look no further than Moran’s Oyster Cottage. Located within a 250-year-old cottage at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in County Galway, this place has fed everyone from Julia Roberts to Roger Moore. Sit inside in a cosy snug in the original building, or take in the glorious surrounding seascapes with a table outside. Order up plates of Galway Bay oysters, wild native clams and steamed Galway Bay mussels. Top it off with a pint of Guinness. It doesn’t get better than that. 2. Harry’s Shack, Portstewart No matter where you are in the world, there’s nothing quite like sitting on a beach with your toes in the sand, eating insanely fresh seafood. Well, in Northern Ireland there’s a place you can do just that. Harry’s Shack has gathered a legion of fans since opening in 2014. With a stunning seaside setting on Portstewart Strand, the simple shack here is home to some of the best seafood cooking on the island of Ireland. All you have to do is rock up, kick back and enjoy. 3. Belfast Food Tour, Belfast city With one of the most innovative restaurant scenes on the island of Ireland, Belfast is a hotbed of incredible flavours from the refined tastes at Ox to fine-tuned seafood at the Mourne Seafood Bar. But to really get under the skin of this Northern Ireland foodie hub, take to the streets with the multi-award winning Belfast Food Tour. Capturing the spirit of Belfast’s unique flavours, producers and restaurants, the tours cover everything from whiskey to bars to delicious bites with energy, fun and insider knowledge. 4. The Happy Pear, County Wicklow The lively little town of Greystones in County Wicklow is a 30-minute DART ride away from Dublin, and yet it feels like it’s a million miles away from the city’s urban buzz. Anchoring the town’s food scene is a vegetarian mecca, The Happy Pear. Run by twins David and Stephen Flynn, the café has become a hotspot for veggies and carnivores alike thanks to its tasty and creative take on plant-based foods. On a sunny day the atmosphere here is fabulous, with tables and chairs casually strewn outside and a lively crowd. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not join the twins for a dawn swim at Greystones’ Ladies’ Cove, where they take to the seas every morning with locals and visitors. Follow it with breakfast at the café on Church Road, and you’ve got a pretty memorable start to the day! 5. Ice Cream in Dingle, County Kerry Dingle has feel-good written all over it. This joyous little town in County Kerry packs in great pubs, excellent restaurants and a laid-back bohemian vibe that draws visitors from all over the world. Visit, and you’re bound to notice a bustling queue that seems to linger outside a blue shop on Strand Street. This is Murphy’s Ice Cream – a glorious temple to all things dairy. Handmade with the finest fresh farm milk and local cream, the flavours here are worth travelling miles for: Dingle sea salt, caramelised brown bread and Irish coffee. It’s ice cream, with a definite Irish twist. 6. Pyke ’N’ Pommes, Derry/Londonderry A repurposed shipping container may seem like an unlikely place to find one of the island of Ireland’s great food experiences, but Pyke ‘N Pommes in Foyleview likes to do things differently. Located on the riverfront in the historic city of Derry~Londonderry this is casual food with a gourmet twist and a very local heart. Tacos, a legendary Wagyu burger, slow roasted pork and some of the freshest fish around – make no mistake, it’s a culinary gem. 7. The English Market, Cork City With a history stretching back to 1788, the English Market goes way beyond your average food market. Located at the heart of the foodie city of Cork, this place serves up an explosion of tastes, a riot of colours, and time-honoured foods that you won’t find anywhere else. There’s tripe (cow’s stomach) and drisheen (a type of blood pudding) at A O’Reilly & Sons, traditional spiced beef at Tom Durcan’s, and some of the finest smoked salmon in the world at Frank Hederman’s. After exploring, head upstairs for some traditional local dishes at the Farmgate Café, including tripe & onions, with drisheen; lamb’s liver and bacon; and, of course, sausage and mash! 8. Cupán Tae, County Cork When it comes to coastal wildernesses, the spellbinding wave-lashed peninsula of Sheep’s Head in County Cork is a cut above. Walk out to the lighthouse that sits at the very top and you’ll be surrounded by the white-tipped Atlantic Ocean and views that stretch out indefinitely. But this wild little spot is also home to what has been dubbed “the tea shop at the end of the world”. Run by Bernie Tobin, Cupán Tae (“cup of tea” in Irish) sits at the start of the lighthouse walk and is the essence of simple food done well, with salmon sandwiches, light fluffy scones and legendary apple pie. Simple food, breathtaking location, memories made. 9. Gourmet Fishing Trip, County Kerry Butter-coloured sands, turquoise waters dotted with islands and a backdrop of undulating mountains, Derrynane in County Kerry is something special – a place of extreme beauty on the Wild Atlantic Way. It’s also home to a very memorable food adventure – a gourmet fishing trip with Atlantic Irish Seaweed. Boatman John Fitzgerald whisks visitors away to catch and picnic on sashimi and ceviche Irish-style around the islands of Derrynane Bay. Wild, wonderful and an experience to cherish.

Condé Nast and its readers have given their verdict. And they’re saying that Adare Manor is the best resort in the world. In fact, two Irish hotels have made it to the world’s Top 50 hotels and resorts. What’s more, and this is something that we’ve always known – Ireland has also emerged on top, with it being voted as the friendliest country in Europe. Those in Ireland, are no strangers to Adare Manor and its famed past. But its charms and Irish hospitality haven’t escaped the attention of Condé Nast Traveller readers – this year, over 240,000 readers cast their votes. They generously shared their updated travel knowledge of the world’s top hotels, resorts, cities, countries, islands, spas, trains, airlines, airports, cruises, and more. The magazine describes Adare Manor out as “a thoroughly modern reinvention of a country escape”, praising its lush décor and many activities on offer. Adare Manor has accepted this accolade with elegant joy, updating its website with “…Known. That’s how it feels. This is a place where even your first visit feels like a homecoming, where the first glimpse stirs something familiar down in your bones. When you arrive at Adare Manor, that moment of recognition is mutual. A cherished heritage of Irish hospitality has been distilled into the spirit of welcome you feel within these walls. Adare Manor was a labour of love from the very start, created to delight, astonish and impress…” Two other Dublin hotels also made it on a separate list by the publication (World’s Top 50 hotels). While this list was topped by Cheval Blanc St-Tropez in France, Conde Nast readers voted for The Marker (it scored at number 49) and The Westbury (it was placed at number 36). So, what are Ireland’s top 10 hotels in 2022? According to Conde Nast, they are: The Westbury, Dublin The Marker Hotel, Dublin Ballyfin, Co Laois Lough Eske Castle , Co Donegal Conrad, Dublin Generator, Dublin Kilkea Castle, Co Kildare Park Hotel Kenmare, Co Kerry Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, Co Galway Killarney Park Hotel, Co Kerry Now, we need to hear from you. Do you agree with Condé Nast and its readers? And if you’ve stayed at the Adare Manor, do you concur with what the hotel says about itself, “…It’s prestige without pretence and magic without nonsense. Above all, it is the sense of belonging. You are known. You are family. You are home.” Home audience in Ireland, do please share your thoughts!

Join EPIC as it explores the life and times of the legendary Trinidadian-born singing sensation, Mona Baptiste. Her biographers, Bill Hern and David Gleave, will tell the fascinating life story of the singer who first came to England on the famous Empire Windrush in 1948. Baptiste, whose musical genres were Calypso and Blues, had a successful international singing career and appeared in several films. Within two weeks of arriving in England, she was featured on BBC radio and was soon singing with the bands of Ted Heath and Cab Kaye and as part of the Stephane Grappelli Quintet. French star Yves Montand invited her to appear in Paris and her fame quickly spread across the continent. Her greatest success would come in Germany in the 1950s and 1960s when she was one of the highest-paid entertainers in that country. While in London, she met and married Liam Morrison and returned with him to his native Ireland in 1972. Her life and career took her all over the world but it would be Ireland, and Dublin in particular, that she would eventually call home. Get your tickets here. Mona Baptiste currently features in the “Revolutionary Routes: Ireland and the Black Atlantic” exhibition at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.