1602 Hotels in Ireland

Discover the magic of Ireland

Take a literary tour among elegant Georgian houses in Dublin's Merrion Square; hop on a surfboard in Wicklow's Brittas Bay; or place a wee bet on the ponies at the Kildare racetracks in Punchestown or The CurragHP. Whatever kind of holiday you like, there's a place in Ireland that will give you the best time of your life! Fly to Galway, Cork, Shannon or Dublin or pop the car onto a ferry – Ireland is a small country and it's easy to get around. There are lots of friendly family B&Bs, farmhouses and guest rooms throughout the land just waiting to welcome you.

A hundred thousand welcomes

Ireland's catchphrase reflects the friendliness of its people in the provinces of Munster, Leinster, Connaught and Ulster. Each one possesses hospitable quality accommodation and wonderful attractions. If city tours are your favourite, then Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford, Sligo and Limerick delight, plus head north from Dublin and slide over the border to Belfast and Derry in Northern Ireland. If sea views are what you're after, there are delightful B&Bs all along the jagged coastline of the island, including in the stunning heritage town of Westport, County Mayo; at tranquil Dingle Bay, County Kerry, and Horseshoe Bay in Baltimore, County Cork.

The wearing of the green

The 'land of saints and scholars' reflects something of the heritage and history of Ireland, which is inextricably linked with St. Patrick, even though he wasn't a native. There's a glorious cultural tradition of producing great writers and poets, musicians, actors and artists, many of who are commemorated in Ireland's libraries, universities, museums and galleries. Great Irish heroes, heroines and tragedies are ecounted in countless traditional songs and stories, and Irish pubs up and down the country, including in Doolin and Castlemaine, host regular sessions featuring musicians performing fine Celtic songs and tunes.

A Celtic feast

Irish cuisine features hearty traditional meals, such as Irish stew, boxty and colcannon, as well as plentiful fresh fish and seafood, local pork, lamb and beef. Take a trip to Fair Trade town Kinsale, County Cork, for the annual Gourmet Festival devoted to fine cuisine, or sample oysters, salmon and trout, soda bread and local cheeses in quality restaurants all over the country. Dive into Dublin's oldest pub, The Brazen Head, for an enchanting candlelit dinner with a dash of entertaining folklore thrown in – the 'little people' or leprechauns may be mentioned in passing!