Youghal, Portmagee, Valentia Island… are these Ireland’s forgotten towns?
Yvonne Reddin travels around the country’s small towns and finds local business owners working hard to attract visitors, where the true charm of Ireland can be found. But they need help. Irish tourism has been alive and well but with the summer months over for 2024, the hospitality and local industry has felt a downward […]
Embrace Family Fun – 72 hours around Athlone and Dungarvan
Athlone is a hive of activity for families looking for a town that feels like a holiday away. Located in the heart of Ireland along the River Shannon, Athlone is a charming town rich in history and culture. Notable landmarks include Athlone Castle, a 12th-century fortress with panoramic views and a museum and St. Peter […]
A forest hotel experience in the heart of Cork – a must visit for hotel enthusiasts
The long and winding road to Cork from Dublin had a lovely surprise at the end of it, in the form of The Maryborough Hotel and Spa in Douglas, a hidden gem awaiting discovery. Having frequented Cork City on numerous occasions, I opted to visit Douglas, away from Cork City but close enough if you […]
Thinking of traveling solo with your children? Here’s how I did it around Ireland and Italy
It began in 2022, I wanted to do some road trips around Ireland with my 8-year-old twins. After the arduous isolation periods of the pandemic, I felt claustrophobic and needed to pack up my car and just drive. And I needed to do it on my own. I always wanted to explore Donegal in particular, […]
Family Things to do at Easter
Visit The Newpark hotel in Kilkenny for their ‘Wonka in Jurassic’ experience. Enjoy Willy Wonka’s magical adventures in Dinoland, along the way look out for the Oompa Lumpas, the Easter Bunny and watch out for their moving Dinosaurs. Enjoy the magic of their mini Fairy Village and meet their Talking Tree Leafy and the guardian […]
From Tweed furnishings to Lakeside views – Davey John’s Forge Cabin’s Review
There’s only one place to stay in Donegal that offers authenticity and serenity – Davey John’s Forge Cottage & Cabins. Here’s why… A beautifully located, lakeside escape, less than 30 minutes from the bustle of Letterkenny. The drive from Dublin is approx. 4 hours so I would suggest a 2–3-day trip to include a stay […]
The Italian Job – Dublin to Lake Garda
Every January I create a vision board and it is placed in my office at eye level behind my laptop. I spend a couple of nights snipping and cutting photos from numerous magazines and newspapers, to keep me focused throughout the year. I always stick places I want to travel to that I have not […]
Dunfanaghy, Murder Hole Beach, Fanad Lighthouse and so much more – Discover Donegal
We took off for Dunfanaghy from a thundery, wet Dublin. Car stacked with the important stuff – iPad, switches, chargers and most important, the car snacks. My daughter is always in charge of the road trip snacks. Google maps stated under four hours, I added on another hour for stops and traffic. I have been […]
From the bustle of Galway through picturesque Connemara – The Artist’s Way
I found myself on the Galway motorway twice in one week, the first trip was for a story I had pitched to a newspaper. I had come across a Facebook post advertising a free rest retreat for single parents in Connemara. I was intrigued and sent my application in while also investigating the possibility of […]
Into the West
Achill Island has been on my list to visit since last year even before the Oscar-nominated movie ‘Banshees of Inisherin’ and its popular landscape caught global attention. Keem Bay has been calling me for a swim and I have it on my vision board, another goal ticked off for 2023. I have been lucky with […]
Derry and Beyond
I remember driving past the sign for Derry on a trip to Dundalk and Carlingford and noting it in my notepad in my head to revisit. Roll on a few months and I found myself looking at Airbnb for Derry spurred on by a friend who lives there, author jane Buckley. I found a house […]
The Icelandic Experience
Before Covid, I had Iceland on a list of places I wanted to visit. I am a cold creature and an early morning person who enjoys sunrises from different locations but on doing my research, the sunrise in Reykjavik is 10 50 am in December. They have about five hours of daylight this time of […]