Travel – Ireland holidays

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

City Guides Destination Ideas Family Holidays Hotels Irish Holidays Sun Holidays Back to Travel home page
Van life: How to rent a van, what to see and do on the road, where to stay, and what to pack
Van life: How to rent a van, what to see and do on the road, where to stay, and what to pack
Caroline Delaney discovers that the ‘wheel’ fun begins when you hire a camper van and head off on an adventure 

Sat, 17 May, 2025

'It is the Holy Grail': locals fear for tourism future as Skellig Michael stays shut
S 'It is the Holy Grail': locals fear for tourism future as Skellig Michael stays shut
Tourism operators and business owners across South Kerry warn of major losses as permit dispute delays Skellig Michael's visitor season into next month

Sat, 17 May, 2025

The Hotel Examiner: Read our reviews of some of Ireland’s top-rated hotels
The Hotel Examiner: Read our reviews of some of Ireland’s top-rated hotels
Tripadvisor recently shared its top-ranked Irish hotels, with Adare Manor coming out on top. Here, we share Hotel Examiner reviews of some of those on the list – including one that didn’t quite impress

Wed, 14 May, 2025

Munster
Skellig Michael: Tourism chiefs plead with OPW to issue temporary boat permits
Unesco World Heritage site may not reopen until June — 'a complete disaster' which risks 'lasting damage to businesses and Ireland’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination'

Sun, 11 May, 2025

Skellig Michael will not reopen to visitors due to legal challenge by boat operators
Skellig Michael will not reopen to visitors due to legal challenge by boat operators
Iconic 'Star Wars' location and Unesco World Heritage Site cannot open for the 2025 season as three boat operators whose permits were not renewed have taken a legal challenge

Fri, 09 May, 2025

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

Latest

Lifestyle

Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

IE Logo

Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

Start Exploring
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited