Ireland
Disarming. Vivid. Idyllic. Nobody can resist the raw allure of Ireland.
Legend and fable, cosmopolitan urban centres and film-set rolling hills – for a small country, Ireland packs an enormous punch. Be swept away by the dynamism of Dubliners, the passion of the horse races, the battered, rugged coastline and the savage beauty of the undulating landscapes, punctuated by gothic castles and geological wonders.
Experiences
Explore Killarney National Park - a wonderland of mountains, lakes, and woodlands - to spot red deer and the white-tailed sea eagle; drive through the Gap of Dunloe, a majestic mountain pass, by pony-and-trap helmed by a charismatic jarvey; take to the skies and explore the dramatic west coast with a helicopter; swing your glass and join in with the chorus of traditional Irish music in a Dublin pub; investigate the myth and legend of Brú na Bóinne necropolis in County Meath, predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids; walk across the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO-listed geological wonder; learn to pour the perfect pint of Guinness; hike or mountain bike in the raw landscapes of the Connemara Peninsula, a kaleidoscope of rusty bogs, enchanting valleys and shimmering black lakes; picnic on the Maumturk Mountains under the quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens mountain range; go to the races in Leopardstown with a trainer and back a winning horse.
Where to Stay
Contemporary and boutique luxury hotels; sprawling castle estates; stately homes and peaceful coastal cottages.
When to Go
Visit between June and September to catch the best weather.