If you’re in a place that’s far away and your heart is filled with care, if the troubles of this living are sometimes hard to bear, then be like me and close your eyes call Donegal to mind, and think of places that you know which once were true and kind – Eamonn Bonner
From Tory Island, Aranmore, Malin Head, Lough Eske, Glencolmcille and Glenveagh national Park, the treasure of Ireland’s wild rugged coast and mountainous north West lies in store for you.
For twitchers and folk art admirers Tory island is a gem. Add in a ration of Gaelic language, music and traditions, miles of open Atlantic ocean and Ireland is an island off the coast of Tory
Likewise Aranmore Island, with its spectacular cliffs and sea views, lively music sessions, local handcrafts and plenty of fishing, not to mention whale and dolphin watching.
As the most northerly point in Ireland, Malin also boasts an impressive coastline, fantastic beaches and breathtaking scenery. While the Slieve League Cliffs at the highest cliff face in Europe, is spectacular for its elevation and colour
Lough Eske is a large lake found to the south of the Blue Stack Mountains with Lough Eske Castle, built in the 18th century but burnt at the start of the Emergency and later renovated, hidden away behind its gateposts..
Donegal Castle was built by one of the O’Donnell chieftains in the 15th century.
The O’Donnell Family were originally loyal subjects of Queen Elizabeth I but not after the last of the family “Red” Hugh O’Donnell rebelled and lost, forced to accept the English laws and in return allowed to keep the castle and lands.
The last two great Celtic chieftains, Hugh O’Donnell and Hugh O’Neill are commemorated at The Flight of the Earls Heritage The Earls left Ireland from after their defeat at Kinsale by the forces of Elizabeth I in 1601 after Brehon Law rapidly followed disappeared and the ancient Irish clans their eliminated
Tradition has it that St. Colmcille banished demons who enveloped the valley at Glencolumcille in a fog. Today, pillars decorated with cross-motifs and geometric designs are now part of the annual pilgrimage .
The Glenveagh National Park in a rugged and remote mountain valley are woodland gardens and pleasure grounds, interwoven against the wild and beautiful Donegal landscape.
For more fun filled frolics check out the annual sea, surf and part filled festival at the Sea Sessions in Bundoran or brush up on your air guitar skills at the Rory Gallagher Tribute festival.
To get away from it all try the Solis Lough Eske Castle
As a reward for his help with the Normans just as the crusades were taking off, Maurice Fitzgerald was appointed Lord of Maynooth and handsomely rewarded with the townlands that now include Carton House. Managing to retain title for hundreds of years, things went slightly astray under the direction of a Mr Silken Thomas no less who along with his five uncles was executed in the mid sixteenth century, when Ireland was still covered in oak from coast to coast, so lush that it was said that squirrels could...
The Dingle Skellig 4 star luxury Hotel is perfectly positioned to let you enjoy a wide range of activities on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula in Kerry. Just 20 minutes drive from Dingle is the classic links course at Ceann Sibeal which offers an outstanding challenge for golfers of all abilities, complete with a gorgeous ocean view. And for the more adventurous, why not try Scuba diving? Dingle has diving areas suitable for every level of diver, from try dives in the shallow protected harbors, to diving through kelp gardens...
Stunningly located on a 300-acre estate in one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas of the west of Ireland and eleven kilometres northwest of Leenane on the road to Louisburgh is Delphi Mountain Resort, a sensitively designed 4 star luxury hotel, restaurant, spa and adventure centre. The resort re-opened under new management in 2008. It is now owned and managed by husband and wife team Rory and Aileen Concannon, who emphasise its remoteness and aim to make it a complete away from it all experience for...
One of Ireland’s leading 5 star luxury hotels, Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort is set on a magnificent estate in the heart of the picturesque village of Adare, Co. Limerick and just a forty minute from Shannon Airport. The Manor House offers over sixty elegantly decorated bedrooms, with a further village of luxurious villas and town homes a stone’s throw away. Food plays a role an important role at the manor with a contemporary Irish approach melded with strong classical influences. Dishes and flavours change with the seasons,...
Star studded Parknasilla has laid its own claim to fame having hosted a plethora of 5 star actors, writers and royalty over the decades. Pass through its gates and into a magical estate of woodlands, walkways, cyclepaths. Artists of all sorts have been drawn to its wonderful location on the rugged south west coast including Robert Ballagh and Pauline Bewick. While George Bernard Shaw passed over the threshold (We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing). Other celebs who’ve wined and dined...
Welcome to luxury hotels Ireland. Check out our guide to our top ten Irish attractions from the past year. At 10, Ashford Castle. Check out Ashford itself here. At 9, Jameson Distillery. See our guide to hotels Dublin. At 8 its the Redhead convention Cork. See our guide to hotels Cork. At 6, Scariff Harbour Festival. See our guide to hotels Clare. At 5, Puck Fair Killarney. See our guide to hotels Kerry. At 4, Lughnasa Festival at Craggaunowen. At 3, Bunratty Folk Park. At 2, Galway Arts...
So here we are in Craggaunowen exploring the lovely woods and visiting all the ancient sites where they show us how they cooked, how they lived in ancient Ireland and how they fought as well. We saw some fighting demonstrations. Now, we’re here at the Lughnasa festival and Lughnasa comes from Lugh who was the God of arts and crafts… And we’re surrounded by a really old feeling with the old Crannogs. We’re about to see a cooking demonstration…. For more festival details, check here ...
Trinity College Dublin is one of the oldest universities in Ireland and the UK. It’s been a seat of learning since the mid sixteenth century. And it boasts such famous alumni as Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett and political figures like two ex Irish Presidents, Mary MacAleese and Mary Robinson. For more, including the Book of Kells, check out our video guide and for nearby 5 star luxury hotels Dublin see our fabulous selection ...
Wherever you choose to stay in any one of the great luxury hotels Ireland has to offer you can be sure that you will never be too far from some of this What are you waiting for? Just dive in and experience the mayhem for...
So here we are in Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin, a really historic site and it’s been changed so much over the years. It was first began in the 11th century by the Vikings when they came over and it’s been restored, extended and changed ever since. One of the most recent reformations was the crypt and also in 1999, they made 19 bells which is a world record. But we need to put a bit of effort into stopping it so that the pendular clapper will hit the...
