Mayo’s historical Bridgemount House has been seriously damaged in an overnight fire. Mayo Fire Brigade were called to the “architectural treasure” at Belcarra near Castlebar on Tuesday evening, May 5, and battled the blaze overnight. They were called by the current occupiers of the house who managed to escape uninjured after smelling smoke. A series […]

6 years ago

Emergency services have been called to tackle a large gorse fire in Donegal this morning. According to Donegal Daily the fire broke out at 11am in Rann na Fast, in a location near to outbuildings and a house. Gardai and Fire services are both reportedly at the scene attempting to tackle the blaze. Breaking: Emergency […]

6 years ago

Have you found yourself fantasising more and more about life after lockdown? Readers are used to coming to Lovin to get inspiration for their next destination spa break – this is a community of spa junkies and some of our most popular articles have been those that list the very best in the country. So […]

6 years ago

Parenting four children through lockdown, including twin babies, has been testing to put it lightly. It’s that time of day, again, early morning.  I adore mornings in our house, the morning breakfast routine gives me comfort and I like the feeling the start of a new day brings.  I press the coffee machine button; the […]

6 years ago

Megan: In the last few weeks, I’ve found myself with more time to muse on my diet, the ethics around it, and how I should be eating for optimum wellness. For a long time I’ve struggled with the conversation around meat-eating, veganism, and sustainability. As someone who battles with niggling autoimmune issues, I have found […]

6 years ago

For such a small island, there’s a never-ending bounty of cultural treats to discover in the space of a weekend. That’s the beauty of Ireland – it takes no more than five hours to traverse the country, so there isn’t a corner that’s out of reach for your precious two days off a week. The […]

7 years ago

There are just a few short weeks of summer left, and we’re not gonna lie… we’re *starting* to fantasise about Autumn hibernation a little bit. But it’s not too late to make some more summer memories that will last a lifetime – without booking any flights. Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (the region surrounding Carrick-on-Shannon, Athlone […]

7 years ago

You won’t regret taking on this beautiful Tipperary walking trail. Trail: Rock an Thorabh Loop, Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary Distance: 6km Terrain: Forest track, woodland trail Difficulty: Moderate Duration: 90 minutes Trailhead: Christ the King statue, Gortavoher West, Co. Tipperary. There is parking at the trailhead. Recommended Gear: Hiking boots, rain jacket, water, snacks, […]

7 years ago

Trail: Killeshandra Loop, Co. Cavan Distance: 6km Terrain: Lakeshore paths, forestry roads, grassy paths and minor road Difficulty: Easy Duration: 90 minutes Trailhead: Town Lough, Killeshandra, Co. Cavan Recommended Gear: Hiking boots, rain jacket, water, snacks, phone Ireland is a treasure trove of nature walks just waiting to be discovered. Our little island is home […]

7 years ago

Trail: Lough Easkey Loop Walk Distance: 6km Terrain:  Lakeshore tracks, laneways and minor roads Difficulty: Moderate Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Trailhead: Lough Easkey, County Sligo Recommended Gear: Hiking Boots, phone, raingear, water When you think of the Wild Atlantic Way, you probably imagine beautiful nature, unbelievable views, and fantastic experiences. And that’s exactly what […]

7 years ago

The sheer beauty around every corner of the Amalfi coast almost renders the idea of ‘recommendations’ null and void. It is impossible not to stumble upon a beautiful church, view or meal at every turn – such is the relentless charm of this Italian destination. Nevertheless, I will try to compile what I reckon […]

7 years ago

For a recent romantic trip to Paris, I wanted three things from my hotel. A central location, so that we could explore the best of the city by foot and not waste too much time with public transport Comfort and space – so that we could spend some real time there (a rare find among […]

7 years ago

Electric Picnic just added 40 new acts to the lineup, and we are officially going into planning mode. *Brief journey back in time* – My first music festival was Oxegen in 2006. I decided that because my tent was SO small, I’d leave my bags outside it while I slept. Yep. All of my best […]

7 years ago

Breakfast is the last meal you have before leaving a hotel. Unless of course you’re the type who would rather sleep in than avail of the buffet (monster!). It’s what sets you up for your journey home and can leave a seriously sour taste in your mouth if it’s not done right. Saying that, the […]

7 years ago

It may sound like a fictional Irish village from some pisstake Hollywood movie, but Ballydehob in West Cork is fast becoming a popular foodie destination. The recent opening of Restaurant Chestnut by acclaimed chef Robbie Krawczyk has only consolidated this fact, but there are plenty of other great reasons to pay this trendy village a […]

7 years ago

“For most people, going to register the birth of their baby is the happiest day of their life. But for us, those were two of the worst days.” Pride month is a time to celebrate how far we’ve come, but an Irish couple are working hard to remind us how much work is left to […]

7 years ago

Screw the Seychelles… The weather so far this summer has been unbelievable, and we’ve managed to fall even more in love with our country because of it. If you’re like us and you never want to leave, you might be interested in this STUNNING West Cork airbnb that may as well be an exclusive […]

7 years ago

Much to my mother’s dismay, I was ignoring the red weather warning and hightailing it down to Kerry to get to my destination… the five-star Muckross Park Hotel and Spa. Storm Hannah was terrorising the Killarney countryside by the time I arrived in The Kingdom, but there was no stopping me. Dreams of a fluffy […]

7 years ago

Dublin’s EPIC Emigration Museum has just been voted Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2019 at World Travel Awards. Beating off competition from the Colesseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Buckingham Palace in London, the museum took the prize at the event held in Madeira, Portugal, yesterday. The museum has enjoyed enormous popularity since […]

7 years ago

Two beaches in Co Mayo and one in Co Donegal have failed to retain their blue flag status for 2019. Bundoran Beach in Co Donegal, and Bertra Strand and Golden Strand in Co Mayo did not meet the strict criteria for Blue Flag status this year, according to a report in The Irish Times.  While […]

7 years ago

Any podcast marketing expert will tell you that to achieve chart success, you should ‘go niche’. Unfortunately, Georgie Crawford’s massively popular podcast, The Good Glow, deals with a topic that can no longer be considered “niche”. Almost everyone has been touched by cancer in some way – whether they’ve been diagnosed themselves, or sat in […]

7 years ago

As a nation, we struggle a bit with confrontation. We’ll go to town on Mary behind her back, but face-to-face? Sure, there’s no point in starting an argument… A skill we have honed to a fine art, however, is that of the passive-aggressive comment. (Did I mention you look tired today?) We are at our […]

7 years ago

Britain’s Oldest twins have thanked the black stuff for their longevity. We always knew our lifeblood, Guinness was the elixir of a long and happy life, and it seems the Brits are copping on. Phyllis Jones and Irene Crump, both 102, have said the secret to a long life is a Guinness “every night”. Phyllis […]

7 years ago

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin has been voted Best Gin at the prestigious 2019 Flaviar Spirit Awards in New York. Flaviar is one of the world’s most competitive drinks contests, which awards ‘Best Spirit’ gongs to only 5 of the 22,000 eligible premium spirits brands each year. The significance of the award for the Irish Gin […]

7 years ago

If you’re planning on blowing your paycheck in Penneys this weekend, take heed. While the bargain retailer is great for grabbing all the latest trends without doing too much damage to your wallet, it’s fair to say the experience can be quite spirit-crushing, especially if it’s busy. Elbows in the ribs, piles of knickers all […]

8 years ago

It’s now easier than ever to enjoy a vegan lifestyle in Ireland without any sacrifice, and more people are dabbling in veganism every day. That’s the thing – it doesn’t have to be hardcore, balls to the wall veganism to make a difference, whether your goals are health or environment related. Our Vegan Guides […]

8 years ago

Mother’s Day can be really difficult. While it’s a day of celebration and love for most, others feel lonelier than ever as their newsfeeds fill up with smiley throwback photos and fancy afternoon teas. Whether you’ve lost your mother, your child – or are even grieving the children you’ve never had – take a minute to look […]

8 years ago

The joys of being Taoiseach. On one hand, your position comes with lots of perks – like, say, meeting your favourite pop star when they’re in town. On the other hand, if anyone finds out about it? You will be ripped to shreds. Leo Varadkar is the subject of a heated debate on Twitter today, after a […]

8 years ago

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Winter weather was well and truly behind us after the amazing few days we’ve had. Beer gardens were packed, the light jackets got their first outings and everyone was happy. But all good things must come to an end – and unfortunately, according to Met Eireann, it’s set […]

8 years ago

It was the first time a hawk had ever gone rogue. Day two at The Lodge at Ashford and I was trying to decide whether my country estate vibe was more Kiera Knightly or Jessica Browne Findlay when it became apparent that my boyfriend had lost one of the birds from the School of Falconry. […]

8 years ago

A blogger has unveiled the grim truth behind one of the world’s most famous beaches in an Instagram post that’s going viral. Travel blogger Amelia Whelan AKA Salt, Sand & Smoothies shared a photo from a beach in Bali, Indonesia, to highlight the damage plastic is really doing to our environment and some of the […]

8 years ago

If you’re heading in to see the parade today, make sure to wear your wet gear as it’s set to rain this afternoon. After a dry start to the day, Met Eireann are forecasting wind and rain with lows of 1 to 5C. A forecaster said: “Cold and bright this morning with showers in the […]

8 years ago

Iconic landmarks are lighting up green all over the world, and if there’s anything that will bring a proud tear to your eye this weekend – it’s this. Tourism Ireland’s unique Global Greening initiative is taking off across the world, with around 470 iconic landmarks and sites in 56 different countries lighting up green. The initiative, which celebrates […]

8 years ago

Ryanair has just launched a massive Paddy’s weekend sale, with flights to London as low as €9.99. If anything will make you crave a getaway – it’s a wet weekend watching the parade. So before you throw on the wellies and raincoat to brave the throngs, give yourself a little treat to look forward to. […]

8 years ago

You do not want to cross angry Irish fans. The mob were out in earnest last night as Nicki Minaj cancelled her 3 arena show less than two hours before the concert was due to start. The US rapper cited “severe weather conditions” on the Irish Sea, meaning that her equipment trucks could not safely […]

8 years ago

At Lovin HQ, we’re all about celebrating the unsung heroes in life. Sure, flowers and pressies are nice, but big gestures don’t come close to the small ways Irish friendliness can lift your spirits. Here’s ten tiny gestures that mean the world to an Irish person. Thanks for being sound. 1. Saying thanks to […]

8 years ago

January just got a whole lot better. Is there anything in the world better than a dirty Dominos when you’re dying? The correct answer is no. And if you’ve been missing your weekly pig-out thanks to this “healthy January buzz”, you’re in for a treat. The pizza peeps have just announced a new range of […]

8 years ago

If there’s anyone you can trust to point you in the direction of absolute luxury – it’s Gwyneth Paltrow. Her lifestyle website, Goop, is unashamedly “aspirational” – translate: you can’t afford anything on it. Still, we were delighted to stumble upon our own little national treasure, Adare Manor, listed as one of Goop‘s favourite European […]

8 years ago

It’s officially the gloomiest day of the year. The third Monday in January has been declared the ‘most depressing day of the year’ due to a variety of grim factors including money woes, grey weather and a lack of motivation. To beat the blues, property advisor Savills Ireland aims to turn this concept on its […]

8 years ago

Here we go, folks. It may be the middle of January, but it feels like winter is only just beginning. Chapped lips? Check. Blue toes? Check. Hands feel like they’ve been bashed with hammers while you wait for the bus? CHECK. Well, it looks like the cold weather is showing no signs of easing off […]

8 years ago

If you’ve fallen out of love with Valentine’s Day… this will definitely reignite the spark. We get it – years of spending a fortune to squeeze into expensive restaurants alongside endless tables for two isn’t exactly the dream. But this Kildare getaway sounds like absolute perfection – and it might just make for your best […]

8 years ago

Don’t have to tell us twice! The founder of Astronomy Ireland, David Moore, has advised people to take time off from work or school to witness an “amazing” lunar eclipse – the likes of which won’t be seen in Ireland again until 2032. According to the Irish Examiner, Moore said: “There will be other total […]

8 years ago

There’s another Ghostbusters movie on the way next year… And fans of the original eighties movies will be delighted to hear that it is set in the OG universe, completely separate from the female-focused 2016 iteration. The third instalment of the Ghostbusters franchise will be directed by Jason Reitman, son of Ivan Reitman who directed […]

8 years ago

A UL student has become the first Irish Traveller to graduate with a PhD this week. Dr. Sindy Joyce was among 1,715 students who graduated from the University on Monday, and has been described as “a great role model and an inspiration” for the travelling community. Joyce received her PhD from UL’s Department of Sociology, […]

8 years ago

“I want to get fit, I’m just SO broke after Christmas”. This excuse is no longer going to fly, my friend. Because from next week, for the princely price of €15, you’ll be able to grab yoga pants, a yoga vest AND a yoga mat at Lidl. One more time for the people at the […]

8 years ago

It’s… TREEEEEAT TIME!! Yep, it’s officially treat time for the people of Ireland who are now thoroughly fed up of their New Year’s resolutions, according to a recent survey by Deliveroo. (Convenient for them, we know). This Wednesday is a double hump day – it’s the middle of the week and the middle of the […]

8 years ago

This sounds like a complete nightmare. A Royal Carribbean Cruise has been cut short after more than 270 passengers and crew members contracted a gastrointestinal virus on board. The trip through the Carribbean started on Sunday and will return to Florida a day ahead of schedule after the ‘Norovirus’ began to spread as early as […]

8 years ago

At first glance, this photo of a clamped car sparks outrage. The poor soul is trying to reduce their carbon footprint by going green, and then gets shafted by the clampers when charging the car. What gives? But there’s a valuable lesson to be learned from this. The photo, shared on Reddit, is captioned: ‘It’s […]

8 years ago

How many people signed off on this, though? Saoirse Ronan’s Harper’s Bazaar cover landed this morning and it’s already getting a lot of attention for various reasons – and none of them very positive. Here is the cover in question, which features Saoirse dressed up in her Mary Queen Of Scots garb to coincide with […]

8 years ago

Veggies, rejoice. There was a time when being a vegetarian in Ireland meant sacrifice and a lot of tupperware lunches. But veggies no longer need to miss out on the wonders of a cheeky drive-thru or a quick junk food fix, with vegan and vegetarian fast food spots popping up in their droves. McDonald’s Ireland […]

8 years ago