Whisk her away from the daily grind with some great trips, treats and events, selected by Pól Ó Conghaile

Pól Ó Conghaile has just been named the Travel Extra Travel Journalist of the Year, awarded for “his exceptional body of work” including articles written for the Irish Examiner and the National Geographic.

Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin

From budget breaks in Bodrum to direct flights to Canada, Travel Writer of the Year Pól Ó Conghaile picks his top overseas destinations for 2014.

Irish cities have plenty of famous sights, says Pól Ó Conghaile. He focuses on smaller, off-radar discoveries in his new book, Secret Dublin.

Hoping to surprise your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Pól Ó Conghaile suggests a raft of romantic breaks at home and abroad.

Travel may broaden the mind, but travel writers can broaden smiles and two of the Irish Examiner’s nomadic scribes have been honoured for bringing cheer to our readers through their excellence in chronicling trips home and away.

So just how much does eyesight determine the flavour of food? Pól Ó Conghaile pulls on a blindfold for a tasting menu with a difference.

Having regained his decorum, after a bout of illness, it is straight back to business for The Menu.

Planning a hen weekend or girlie getaway with a difference? Pól Ó Conghaile has a pamper-tastic selection of weekend breaks at every price point.

A weekend of cooking with Sarah Baker isn’t just a relaxing getaway, says Pól Ó Conghaile. You may come home with plans for the kitchen and garden, too.

Looking to take the little monsters away for Halloween? Pól Ó Conghaile has some frighteningly good fun for those travelling with or without the family.

By Declan Burke, Pól Ó Conghaile, Richard Fitzpatrick, Ed Power, Marc O’Sullivan, Anne Marie O’Connor and Des O’Driscoll

The secret to any great Electric Picnic lies in the preparation. Here, Pól Ó Conghaile shares his top tips for getting the most out of summer’s final festival ...

It’s Saturday and the sun is shining. What more could you want? A good beach bar, that’s what. Travel writer Pól Ó Conghaile picks 10 of the best from around the country

Work-life balance is a box most fathers will never tick, says Pól Ó Conghaile. What’s important is that we keep trying — and have as much fun as possible in the process.

Looking for somewhere novel to bring your dad this father’s day? Pól Ó Conghaile has 10 great suggestions to suit all budgets.

Breaks this Easter include a sweets splurge, a courtyard picnic, two nights in a lakeside room, over-55s specials, a chocolatier masterclass and surfing, says Pól Ó Conghaile

t’s a time for seeing family, friends and loved ones again. Claire Droney and Pol Ó Conghaile catch a few pre-Christmas flights at Cork and Dublin airports.

You don’t have to spend a sleigh-load of money to visit a Christmas market. Continental-style chalets are popping up all over Ireland. Pól Ó Conghaile picks some of the best

Got a big family or group of friends looking to spend Christmas or New Year together? Pooling the cost of a big house could be the best gift of all, says Pól Ó Conghaile

Looking for something creatively creepy to do this Halloween? Pól Ó Conghaile scours the country for a round-up of mid-term’s most macabre events...

It’s hard to imagine that just six years ago we were living in a world without Twitter. Pól Ó Conghaile asks top Irish tweeters for their favourite follows — and lists the 20 people everyone should be following.

Nostalgia is a great thing.

Desperately seeking a sweetheart deal for Valentine’s Day? Pól Ó Conghaile has a round-up of romantic breaks no matter what your budget …

Fed up with forced family frolics and catty couples on Christmas Day? Pack your bags, says Pól Ó Conghaile Christmas is the ideal time for solo travellers to get away

Costing north of €500, daytrips to Lapland aren’t exactly a holiday for the masses. Not to worry, writes Pól Ó Conghaile, there are lots of winter wonderlands right here at home

It’s served by dozens of direct flights, and spilling over with great shops, restaurants, museums and shows. It’s London, baby, and it’s time you paid another visit, says Pól Ó Conghaile.

Its capital, Kuala Lumpur, may feel like the set of Bladerunner, but Malaysia has a rich cultural and culinary mix, great beaches and amazing sights, including orang-utans, writes Pól Ó Conghaile

Behind the clockwork-efficiency of the state dinner for Queen Elizabeth lay tales of last-minute mercy flights to Dublin, six-hour dashes across the country with smoked salmon and ‘forever secret’’ ingredients. Pól Ó Conghaile gets the real story

Pól Ó Conghaile visits a manor with the X-Factor and a ‘gourmet summer’ to savour

Aer Lingus is celebrating 75 years in the air next Friday. Pól Ó Conghaile looks at the special role the iconic airline has played in the history of the state

Despite the high prices in Disneyland Paris, Pól Ó Conghaile was won over by the endless fun and his daughter’s delighted reaction to the thrilling rides and friendly characters

Chef Catherine Fulvio’s Ballyknocken House is very tempting, says Pól Ó Conghaile

With 333 islands to choose from, Fiji’s welcoming Bula, beautiful beaches, coral waters and slow pace of life are a welcome distraction for weary travellers. Pól Ó Conghaile reports.

IRISH Examiner contributor Pól Ó Conghaile has been named Travel Writer of the Year for the second time in a row.

WITH reference to the article by Pól Ó Conghaile (Irish Examiner, September 26), there is more than one exception to the fact that Elizabeth St Leger was the only lady freemason ever admitted.