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Travel – Ireland holidays

Your guide to the best of Ireland, from cities to the coast and countryside

<p>L-R: Doneraile Court and Ballyhass Lakes Adventure Park</p>

travel

North Cork: Nature, history and hospitality on a trip through The Good Country

Road trips don’t have to take you to far-flung places, as there’s a world of nature, food, and folklore to be discovered on our doorsteps, writes Irene Feighan

<p>The Surf Suite van parked for the night at Sixmilewater Caravan Park, Co Antrim- Roadsurfer. Picture: Larry Cummins</p>

travel

Van life: How to rent a van, what to see and do on the road, where to stay, and what to pack

<p>From Star Wars and the Saint Michael’s Sword 'ley line' to its monastic settlement and bird sanctuary, Skellig Michael off the Kerry coast is a compelling destination for visitors. File picture: Madeleine Maria Weber</p>

S spotlight

'It is the Holy Grail': locals fear for tourism future as Skellig Michael stays shut

The Hotel Examiner: Read our reviews of some of Ireland’s top-rated hotels

travel

The Hotel Examiner: Read our reviews of some of Ireland’s top-rated hotels

Munster

munster

Skellig Michael: Tourism chiefs plead with OPW to issue temporary boat permits

Skellig Michael will not reopen to visitors due to legal challenge by boat operators

munster

Skellig Michael will not reopen to visitors due to legal challenge by boat operators

Visit Ireland: Irish tourist hotspots size up their prospects for the summer of 2025

Visit Ireland: Irish tourist hotspots size up their prospects for the summer of 2025

Despite a sharp early 2025 visitor decline, Ireland’s tourism sector remains upbeat with strong summer bookings forecasted

Sat, 26 Apr, 2025

British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference

Time is not right for a tourism tax – Simon Harris

'I'd be very nervous about it,' said Tánaiste. 'I am conscious of the fact that at the moment tourism is already going through quite a challenging time'

Thu, 24 Apr, 2025

Back view of female friends wearing white bathrobes and towels on heads standing on balcony

Girls' trip: 12 weekend breaks across Ireland for you and your best friends

For lazy days or late nights, Gemma Tipton selects 12 weekend breaks that are best for you and your besties

Sat, 15 Mar, 2025

What's in store at this year’s Wander Wild festival in Killarney

What's in store at this year’s Wander Wild festival in Killarney

The Wander Wild Festival allows participants to immerse themselves both mentally and physically in the beauty of Killarney, writes Deirdre McArdle

Sat, 08 Mar, 2025

Hoteliers grow more pessimistic amid rising costs and falling occupancy

Hoteliers grow more pessimistic amid rising costs and falling occupancy

New IHF survey shows that almost every region in the country experienced a drop of 1% to 3% in occupancy rates during 2024 compared to 2023

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

15 of the most romantic escapes across Ireland — with some great value options

15 of the most romantic escapes across Ireland — with some great value options

There’s great value to be found early season around the country

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Hotel review: We don’t get off on the best foot at this Dublin five-star

S Hotel review: We don’t get off on the best foot at this Dublin five-star

This five-star property offers elevated dining, glamourous cocktails and friendly staff but its rooms fail to impress

Thu, 30 Jan, 2025

The insider's list: 21 of Ireland's most remarkable and noteworthy stays

The insider's list: 21 of Ireland's most remarkable and noteworthy stays

January is holiday planning season and the new year marks another exciting year of domestic getaway options. From new openings to refurbished classics, self-catering discoveries to off-the-radar favourites, Examiner Escapes has selected 21 of the most remarkable stays across Ireland for 2025

Sat, 25 Jan, 2025

Boyne Voyage: Getting the best of Ireland's Ancient East and Newgrange

Boyne Voyage: Getting the best of Ireland's Ancient East and Newgrange

Exploring the riches of Ireland's Ancient East without a car is surprisingly simple, as Rebecca Daly discovers

Sat, 18 Jan, 2025

Mussenden Temple

Winter walks in Ireland: 10 places to get out and stretch your legs

Get out hiking and check into cosy places to stay with our essential guide

Mon, 30 Dec, 2024

Ballybunion Golf Club took in a record €8m this year

Ballybunion Golf Club took in a record €8m this year

Golf legend Tom Watson, who has a long association with Ballybunion, visited Kerry last week to inspect work on the Cushen Course he designed

Mon, 09 Dec, 2024

Adare Manor: The 12 steps to Christmas at a five-star hotel

Adare Manor: The 12 steps to Christmas at a five-star hotel

A three-night Christmas package at Adare Manor starts at €8,000 a room. But what exactly can guests expect at one of Ireland’s most exclusive hotels? From erecting the 21ft foot tree in The Great Hall in the dead of night, to this year's chocolate theme, right down to the menu, the team reveals their process

Sun, 08 Dec, 2024

Art at The Park Hotel, Kenmare: The Tate Gallery of Ireland's hospitality world

Art at The Park Hotel, Kenmare: The Tate Gallery of Ireland's hospitality world

Bryan Meehan has transformed the artwork at The Park Hotel, removing the traditional gold frames to make space for pieces from his very own collection – including several by Dorothy Cross. Ellie O’Byrne meets the artist and hotelier in Kenmare

Sun, 10 Nov, 2024

Irish castle breaks: keep the holiday magic alive with these 15 getaways

Irish castle breaks: keep the holiday magic alive with these 15 getaways

From bijou to bling, channel your own Gothic drama with a wintry castle break, writes Thom Breathnach

Mon, 28 Oct, 2024

Direction

An Irish welcome: Restaurant pro Declan Maxwell's revealing staycation

What happens when the country's most celebrated restaurant manager, Declan Maxwell, takes a holiday around Ireland? Would the food and hospitality meet his own Michelin-honoured standards?

Mon, 14 Oct, 2024

15 cosy autumn escapes in Ireland

15 cosy autumn escapes in Ireland

As the leaves turn golden and the chill creeps in, book a break in a calm and comfy country hideaway, writes Georgina Campbell

Mon, 23 Sep, 2024

21 great Irish group rentals to enjoy with friends and family for all budgets

S 21 great Irish group rentals to enjoy with friends and family for all budgets

Grab your favourite people and check into one of these self-catering stays for an intimate and pocket-friendly group get-together with friends or family

Mon, 02 Sep, 2024

Hotel review: This residents-only West Cork escape feels like exclusive luxury

S Hotel review: This residents-only West Cork escape feels like exclusive luxury

This impeccably restored West Cork escape offers sublime breakfasts and makes for an aspirational Kinsale stay

Sun, 04 Aug, 2024

Croke Park side street

The best places to eat and experience near Croke Park for the final — and on the road back home

Navigate Croke Park’s neighbourhoods like a local with Sian Conway’s tips for great eating, drinking and activities nearby

Sun, 21 Jul, 2024

Letters to the Editor: The volume of tourists arriving at popular destinations must be managed

Letters to the Editor: The volume of tourists arriving at popular destinations must be managed

A reader with expertise in the area responds to Eoghan Corry's article in the 'Irish Examiner' about the growing global push back against 'overtourism'

Thu, 18 Jul, 2024

SPAIN-BARCELONA-TOURISM-GENTRIFICATION

Eoghan Corry: Why tourists aren't that welcome any more

People in some of the world’s most-visited destinations are staging a backlash and saying no to 'overtourism'

Sat, 13 Jul, 2024

Comeragh Mountains

The Insider's Guide to Waterford: 55 things to see, do and experience — and the best places to stay

The Déise is a dazzling and diverse destination, writes Thom Breathnach

Mon, 08 Jul, 2024

melting Ice cream at Fistral beach, Newquay, Cornwall on a bright sunny June day.

50 free family days out in Ireland — and 12 worth shelling out for

Looking for ways to entertain the family without breaking the bank this summer? Ciara McQuillan has it figured out, so you don’t have to

Wed, 03 Jul, 2024

Hotel review: What it's like to stay at Limerick's Adare Manor — a perfect 10

S Hotel review: What it's like to stay at Limerick's Adare Manor — a perfect 10

Impressive and opulent with wonderful staff, this luxurious hotel wants you to have fun while enjoying serious comfort

Mon, 01 Jul, 2024

'I quit my job four times': How one Irish woman is trying to tackle our problem with burnout

'I quit my job four times': How one Irish woman is trying to tackle our problem with burnout

Rosanna Irwin gave up her high-flying career in tech to set up an off-the-grid nature retreat. Ciara Byrne checks in and chills out

Sat, 29 Jun, 2024