Hidden Munster: 30 great eat, stay and play experiences in the province
Discover the Allihies Copper Mine Trail on the Beara Way in West Cork, one of the many attractions in Munster.
Having been off limits for nine years due to closures and restoration, East Cork’s most impressive castle has reopened in Carrigtwohill, offering a fascinating throwback to Ireland’s feudal past.
To celebrate its new chapter, the castle will offer free admission to the public for the 2025 season.
If you’re planning a trip to Tipp this summer, there’s a new walking and cycling trail at Horse and Jockey which follows a former Bord na Móna rail line along tranquil peatland habitats.
The 7.2km amenity is walker and bike friendly and fully accessible — perhaps a handy M8 pitstop?
Go on, go on, go on to Lismore Heritage Centre for their all-new Father Ted-themed escape room!
Show fans will have one hour to crunch codes and clues to get out of the replica living room of Craggy Island parochial house.
Ecumenical riddles guaranteed.
Say namaste to this Waterford jewel this summer for a rejuvenating yoga nature break.
Participants can enjoy mindful yoga, forest bathing, and seasonal food with the option of overnighting in the estates’ eco-conscious lodges, cabins, or bell tents.
Two-night breaks including breakfast, yoga, bike hire and garden access from €211 pps.
Fun to the fore! This brand new indoor golf simulator in Dungarvan makes a perfect all-weather, all age attraction.
Pay a visit and either work on fine-tuning your swing with a golf pro or play 9 or 18 holes on one of the world’s most famous courses.
This Listowel attraction has just launched a new permanent exhibition, Kerry Women in Literature, where vibrant displays showcase 13 writers from across the county from Peig Sayers’ folkloric storytelling to the poetry of Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill.
Reopened following a makeover and brand lift, Midleton’s iconic distillery now offers guests a plethora of immersive experiences from cocktail making to its whiskey academy.
This summer, enjoy their new Redbreast Tasting Experience in the slick Birdhouse tasting room.
Ireland’s padel craze is going from strength to strength, and no more so than in Limerick with the opening of Ireland’s largest indoor padel facility.
Sessions, which can be booked online via the handy app, make a fun itinerary inclusion for an active city break.
Here’s another addition for your Wild Atlantic Way road trip.
As part of Fáilte Ireland’s 2025 upgrades for the coastal route, the historic Signal Tower at Bray Head on Valentia Island is being restored and will feature a new spiral staircase plus a viewing platform offering mighty views of the Skelligs and beyond.
It’s bigger, better and bouncier than ever, we’re told. Munster’s largest waterpark in scenic Rosscarbery has bumped up its inflatable fun by 50% in size this summer with a labyrinth of obstacles and slides, as well as new Mini Captain’s vessel for younger sea-farers.
Just opened in Dungarvan is this brand new boutique (with a hint of boho) hotel, which offers an exciting new accommodation option for visitors to the ever popular West Waterford town.
The townhouse property has 16 stylish bedrooms along with a cocktail bar and all-day neighbourhood cafe.
If you’re planning a family gathering this summer, this new Airbnb listing just outside Bantry could make an excellent West Cork staycation base.
Owned by a Boston-based couple, this generously proportioned home sleeps up to eight guests with rooms, like a spacious high-end kitchen, offering just a hint of New England.
Bonus appeal for the neighbouring donkeys.
This gorgeously renovated 1798 cottage offers a sanctuary of escape in Barryroe along the West Cork coast.
The four-bedroom property sleeps up to eight, with beautiful interiors melding original features like exposed brick with modern creature comforts.
How about a thatched outdoor hot tub?
One of Munster’s most beloved hotels, The Armada in Spanish Point is adding to its offering this summer with the launch of this new, one-bedroom retreat nestled within old ruins of the original Atlantic Hotel.
Designed by KOTO, you could say this swish coastal escape delivers uninterrupted, contemporary edge.
For a hiking, mountain biking, or simply a switch-off break in the Munster Vales, check out this new-arrival glamping site nestled within Limerick’s acreage of the Ballyhoura region.
The adults-only escape offers comfy pod accommodation with walkable trail access.
A sweet escape in Kenmare, quite literally, this new boutique hotel for Kerry is set in a repurposed yesteryear sweet shop.
Contemporary boutique interiors are the vibe here with rooms from deluxe doubles to two bedroom suites available.
Enjoy an ambient drink in their Cellar Bar too.
Ballycotton continues its it-spot evolution with its latest eat and stay option.
Head chef Frederic Desormeaux’s menu offers pier-to-plate goodness with brunch, lunch and dinner options available with fine lighthouse views.
Stay over in the Salty Dog Guesthouse too.
- @saltydog_ballycotton
This summer, a former motel in West Cork is welcoming guests back for the first time in 40 years.
Located in soul-soothing Castlefreke, this easy, breezy beach-side escape offers cosy sea view rooms while its Swim Club deli opens daily from 10-4.
Also dog friendly!
One of Killarney’s most popular hotels is in the midst of multiple makeover phases and June saw the launch of their 69 smartly refurbished guest rooms.
It’s their 21st birthday too this month with €21 off all rooms to celebrate.
This little patch of tiny home heaven is supersizing its offering — just a tad — this summer. Joining the existing fold of the Dairach and Saileach cabins, is a larger offering Beithe (birch), providing more living space for longer-stay appeal.
All the more room to soak in those Kenmare Bay views.
A new offshoot of the wonderful Moher Cottage & Gifts in Liscannor, Co Clare, this hole in the wall find (well, actually the half door!), located across the road from the cottage business, operates out of the family’s one time pub, selling freshly made smoothies and açai bowls to fuel your West Clare road-trip.
- @mohercottage
Set on the banks of Dripsey’s eponymous river, this new waterside café-bakery is the second offering from the people who brought you The Boathouse coffee house in Coachford.
Ice teas and fruit frappés are just some of the menu stars; occasional discounts for ordering as Gaeilge is pretty cúla búla too!
- @theboathouse_coachford
Local brews and great views. That’s the motto of the newest coffee haunt in the Banner County which has set up stall where the gorgeous Flaggy Shore laps onto the Burren.
Run by local Katie Naughton, the pretty-in-pink horse box café satisfies caffeine cravers in the most scenic of settings.
- @scaldcoffee
The departure of Sage in Midleton had left big dining boots to fill, but the relocation of Ballycotton’s Cush to the very same setting leave’s the town’s foodie rep in good hands.
The now-seasoned Michelin Guide bib gourmand winner offers lunch and dinner with two-course early bird menus for €38.
- @cushmidleton
You’ll find another great road-trip fuel spot in Hospital, Co Limerick.
This drive-thru coffee spot, set at McNulty’s petrol station features Insta-perfect concoctions from mango matchas to oat milk flat whites with coffee by Keith Earls’ Eleven14.
Save room for their white chocolate and pistachio millionaire shortbread.
- @pumpd_coffee
One of West Cork’s food escape treasures has reopened for summer 2025.
This wholesome offering on Heir Island offers delicious local set-menu specials, like fillet steak with garden potatoes, hot lemon soufflé and filter coffee for €25pp.
Get there by ferry.
One for the barbecue lovers! Kerry’s first smokehouse has just opened at the Fairtree Village in Tralee.
Enjoy all your barbecue favourites like brisket and jerk chicken with moreish sides including apple chimichurri slaw.
- @daddylonglegs_kerry
A new coffee bar has opened its door in Tipperary Town.
The Gable, run by Stuart and Laura Agar, will be serving up Badger & Dodo coffee and scrummy baked treats from the likes of Sinéad Delahunty’s The Little Deer in Fethard.
- @thegablecoffee
Dingle’s newest coffee stop in the heart of town tempts with speciality coffee provided by Mean Bean of Waterford, artisanal sandwiches and delicious to-go treats like Biscoff protein balls.
Puppuccino also available by hot demand.
- @piccolo.dingle
Kallam Moriarty and Clíona Walker, the pairing behind Éalú chocolates, have established a food-lover’s gem to relish with The Stonehouse on Slea Head.
Expect fresh, flavour-burst menus with dishes like gochujang buttermilk chicken burgers or their signature lemon desserts.
Handmade chocolates and Champagne hallmark this escape from the ordinary too.
- @ealuatthestonehouse
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