It’s official, the mother of all festivals, St Patrick’s Day has been named one of the 50 best festivals in the world. Put that in your pint glass and drink it. A festival, according to Big7 Travel, “is a simple concept of bringing people together to have a good time”. And no one does that […]

7 years ago

Pigtown has hit Limerick to celebrate all things food and culture. Inspired by the history of Limerick’s famous bacon industry, the Pigtown Culture and Food Series kicked off on September 20 and will run up until October 25. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ttfNAnTVo/ Now in its third year, there’s a whole array of themed food and cultural events to […]

7 years ago

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has revealed plans to increase taxi fares by 4.5% due to the rise in the cost of running a taxi service. According to the National Maximum Taxi Fare Review Report 2019, which was published today, the cost of running a taxi service has increased by about 4% since the last […]

7 years ago

Galway, perched on Ireland’s west coast right where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean, is the place to go for all your seafoodie needs. Especially your oyster needs as the world’s longest-running oyster festival is back once again. The annual four-day event graces Galway’s shores on the last weekend of September each year. The […]

7 years ago

Reckon you have what it takes to venture into the darkest most isolated parts of the Antarctic? Well, this could be your chance to prove your salt as an explorer as Airbnb and Ocean Conservancy are looking for five volunteers to join scientist Kirstie Jones-Williams on a research mission to Earth’s most remote continent. The […]

7 years ago

The Amazon smart speaker has shown her allegiance to the boys in green by learning to sing Ireland’s Call. This, of course, coincides with the Ruby World Cup and is a celebration of the Irish team’s achievements. Used as Ireland’s anthem at away games, Ireland’s Call is sure to get you in the sporting mood. […]

7 years ago

It’s a big day for gig announcements, the latest being that Iron Maiden is coming to Belfast’s Belsonic in 2020. The heavy metal band announced that they’re set to return to Northern Ireland for a headline show at Belfast’s Belsonic in Ormeau Park on June 15. Iron Maiden achieved initial success during the 1980s but […]

7 years ago

You’ve heard of a battered sausage, and maybe even a battered Mars bar…but have you heard of a battered Jaffa Cake? Well, this is just the latest in the weird and wonderful things that a chippy has decided to douse in batter and deep fry. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2j_UfflOrM/ The Chippy on Railway Street in Antrim is known […]

7 years ago

Michael D Higgins is somewhat of a national treasure. People make tea cosies in his likeness (Michael Tea Higgins) and his furry friends cause more of an online frenzy than Kim K ever could. The nation loves Bród and Síoda almost as much as they love Michael D himself. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpexW6Yghmb/ We all know […]

7 years ago

Everyone’s favourite Scotsman, Lewis Capaldi, has confirmed plans for a major Irish concert in Cork’s Irish Independent Park next year. This won’t be the Scotsman’s first performance at the venue, however, having supported Walking On Cars there this past summer. He also played to a crowd of thousands at Indiependence Festival in Mitchelstown. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2kGUMLhnxX/ […]

7 years ago

Can you believe it’s Autumn already? Where did that year go? I’m in shock. That being said, I’m quite enjoying the change in seasons. There’s something fresh about Autumn that really gets me going. Crunchy leaves, butternut squash soup, chunky knits…just a few of my favourite things about this time of the year. Oh, and […]

7 years ago

I enjoy a certain type of lifestyle, one that revolves around food, and Belfast’s Restaurant Week is just the event to help me continue doing so. A whole week dedicated to eating out in restaurants sounds like the best week of the year to me. Not that I need encouragement, but another reason to justify […]

7 years ago

The importance of a city’s culture is a hot topic right now with Dublin folk up in arms about the closing of such institutions as The Bernard Shaw. And it looks like the issue is not restricted to the capital. Galway has been voted European Capital of Culture 2020, but now one of the art-forms […]

7 years ago

Two Galway restaurants were honoured at the Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards over the weekend. The 2020 winners were announced on Sunday, with Georgina Campbell warning of a lack of training among hospitality staff at higher-end hotels and a “worrying lack of hospitality in some cases”. Such was not the case out west […]

7 years ago

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum has been announced as a finalist in the annual World Travel Awards. One of fourteen finalists, the museum is up for the coveted title of World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2019. The World Travel Awards, now in their 26th year, are the most prestigious global travel awards in the industry. So, […]

7 years ago

You can’t get much more Irish than Tayto, they’re the nation’s favourite crisps and one of the things I miss the most when I’m abroad. We’ve all stuffed our suitcases full of them in anticipation, don’t lie. Well, Tayto has just unveiled two new limited-edition flavours to mix things up a bit. Mr Tayto has […]

7 years ago

Halloween is the one holiday (apart from Paddy’s Day obviously) that the Irish can claim as their own. So why not celebrate in style? After a year off, the Danse Macabre: Halloween’s Monster Ball is coming back from the dead and will be giving the RDS Concert Hall a spooky makeover on October 27. […]

7 years ago

It’s been confirmed. Westlife will come to Páirc Uí Chaoimh in summer 2020. Organisers hinted at who would be behind the stage doors, and while the rumour mill went into overdrive, it was only revealed this morning that it would be Ireland’s favourite boyband. Speculation was rife online, especially after the famous foursome teased a […]

7 years ago

Clear your schedules because Culture Night is coming up and there’s loads on that you’re going to want to pencil in.  Always one for the books, no matter where you are, Galway has a huge line up of events on to celebrate. That’s all well and good…but what exactly is culture night? Well, if you’ve […]

7 years ago

Interested in getting a peek inside monuments and spaces not otherwise open to the public? Of course, you are. Well, this weekend a whole list of sites and tourist attractions in Northern Ireland will be free, all thanks to European Heritage Open Day (EHOD). View this post on Instagram We open our […]

7 years ago

The legendary English rock band have just announced details of a massive Ireland and UK arena tour, complete with full orchestra. This coincides with the release of their brand-new album, set to hit shelves on November 22. Their new album entitled Who is the band’s first in 13 years. Ball And Chain is the first […]

7 years ago

Musical theatre fans of the cult classic Les Misérables will be happy to hear that it is coming back to Irish shores next year. The acclaimed production is set to perform in the Bord Gáis from August 25 to September 12 2020. An adaptation of an 1862 Victor Hugo novel, the epic musical tells the […]

7 years ago

Galway businesses are knocking it out of the park when it comes to sustainability, landing the City Of Tribes a coveted spot on the 2018 Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index. The GDS Index is a rating system designed to recognise responsible business practices, particularly in the tourism and events industry. And all of Galway’s hard […]

7 years ago

Students, listen up because this could be your golden ticket. I have to say that usually, the only association I make between Boojum and students is the burrito store’s unreal student deal. For Galway students, Spanish Arch (Sparch to locals) is synonymous with Boojum and having a burrito by the water is a rite of […]

7 years ago

Home Alone is one of the best movies around. Every year it’s top of my Christmas viewing list and I usually manage to watch it more than once. Priorities. Well, this December why not get the full experience and go to a live orchestral performance of the score? John Williams’ masterpiece will be performed live […]

7 years ago

Anyone who thinks an onion is the only vegetable that can make you cry has probably never taken part in the Ballydehob Turnip Races Festival. Yep, it exists, and it sounds savage. West-Cork is making headlines as of late, appearing on the front page of The Wallstreet Journal. The small coastal village of Ballydehob has […]

7 years ago

Reckon you have what it takes to make it in the acting biz? This could be your ticket to the Golden Globes. Wild Mountain Thyme, an adaptation of John Patrick Shanley’s Outside Mullingar, has issued an open call for extras to appear in the movie. The future Hollywood hit boasts a star-studded cast with […]

7 years ago

Calling all die-hard Beverly Hills 90210 fans. It seems that Ian Ziering was spotted out west last week, having a pint in The Front Door. When in Galway as they say. The actor was here on a trip with Team 90210, a beauty business company that helps others start their own businesses. But […]

7 years ago

What’s not to like? Pub – good. Quiz – good. Friends – goooood. The time has come to put all that niche Friends trivia knowledge you’ve amassed over the years to the test. The One With The Quiz, organised by Yellow Elephant Promotions, is coming back to Belfast next month and if that isn’t an […]

7 years ago

Galway has long been known as the ‘cultural heart of Ireland’, and it’s events like the Baboró Arts Festival that have earned it such a deserved title. As the European Capital of Culture 2020, the city is a hub of activity… even more so than usual. Baboró, now in its 23rd year, runs from October […]

7 years ago

Friday night. Cocktails. The Front Door. Galway. Be there or be very disappointed. Not usually how the saying goes, but most definitely how you’ll feel if you miss out on the Front Door Pub launching their new cocktail menu this weekend. Galway’s favourite late-night venue, almost a home of worship for some, is bringing out […]

7 years ago

Bombay Bicycle Club may have taken a brief hiatus from the music scene, but they’re back with plans for an Irish takeover. The band took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce details of their fifth album along with UK and Ireland tour dates. The new album titled Everything Else Has Gone Wrong is set for […]

7 years ago

Trees can be popular too, apparently. In somewhat bewildering news, the Witch’s Yew tree at Blarney Castle in Cork has been revealed as Ireland’s Tree of the Year 2019. The competition, dedicated entirely to choosing the Tree of the Year, is an annual event and sounds quite in-depth. Organised by the Tree Council of […]

7 years ago

Get them while they’re hot! With EP coming to a close and festival-goers wrapping up the fun (and hopefully their tents too) this morning, there’s sure to be a tear or two that festival season is well and truly over. View this post on Instagram Climate change requires urgent action – we […]

7 years ago

Join the people of Longford in running the Ray Flynn Mile this Tuesday September 3. Introduced first as a tourism initiative by Longford Tourism Board, it has now been taken over by Longford Athletics’ Club as a tribute to one of Ireland’s greatest ever athletes. Ray Flynn is the current holder of the Irish mile […]

7 years ago

It may seem that everyone and their mother is at EP, but don’t let FOMO stop you from having a ball this weekend. There’s loads on around the country and I’ve rounded up my top five things to do below! Dublin Vintage Treasures & Antiques Fair Open every Sunday, there’s something for every taste and […]

7 years ago

In very good news for the environment, it has been announced that there are plans to plant a mammoth 22 million trees a year on Irish soil! This comes in response to the ongoing crisis in the Amazon Rainforest, where it is estimated that over 18,000 square km of forest burned throughout July alone. The […]

7 years ago

For those of you who don’t know, today is International Dog Day. And what better way to celebrate than with a seven second clip of President Michael D Higgins’ dogs running outside Áras an Uachtaráin? The President took to Twitter to share the clip of his furry friends, simply captioning it ‘#InternationalDogDay’. This is the […]

7 years ago

A new poll published by the Irish Businesses Against Litter (IBAL) found that only a shocking seven of the 42 Irish rivers, beaches and harbours studied meet the minimum European standard of cleanliness. These waterways are: • Curracloe Beach in Wexford • Kilmore Quay Harbour in Wexford • Lough Rea in Galway • River Nore […]

7 years ago

First Big 7 Travel, now Condé Nast Traveller…everyone is going mad for Keem Bay in Achill! The west coast gem is in the headlines for the second time in a matter of weeks as it has been ranked in the top three beaches in the whole WORLD! Big 7 Travel placed it at number 11, […]

7 years ago

The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil is on fire. And has been for almost three whole weeks. Burning at the highest rate since 2013, it’s mad to think that some of us are only finding out about it now. In fact, things have gotten so bad that the extent of damage can be seen from space. […]

7 years ago

PJ and Maureen Heffernan have just buckled in for the trip of a lifetime. Travelling from the humble hills of Connemara all the way to Yokohama in Japan for the Rugby World Cup, the duo has chosen to forgo traditional modes of transport and are instead driving the 10,000 km. In a 16-year-old Chrysler Grand […]

7 years ago

Between Bumble, Tinder and Hinge; we’re a nation obsessed with swiping. But if you’re on every dating app known to man and are still having no luck finding ‘the one’, then this could be just the festival for you. So put your love goggles on and get yourself down to the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival. Classed […]

7 years ago

If Afternoon Tea Week (who knew such a glorious thing even existed?!) slipped by you unnoticed last week, fret not as there’s no time to celebrate like the present. Why not head to Lough Rynn Castle in Co. Leitrim and indulge your fancier side? As if we needed another reason to treat ourselves! Nestled deep […]

7 years ago

Feeling a bit discouraged by your Leaving Cert results? Well, if Eugene Greaney of The Dough Bros fame is anything to go by, then points aren’t everything. In other words, doughn’t worry (excuse the pun). Greaney went from failing maths to having a question about his business appear in the higher level business paper, so […]

7 years ago

The Donegal Youth Musical Theatre (DYMT) is putting its own spin on the ever-popular Oliver! Set in the Dublin of today, this production hones in on issues such as homelessness and domestic abuse, all very relevant to a modern audience. Following on from the roaring success of last year’s award-winning Jesus Christ Superstar, which had […]

7 years ago

The nation has been hoping that Curtis will teach them how to dance since Love Island left our screens earlier this month. Well, it seems we should have been looking to 99-year-old Irishman Jim McManus instead. The Waterford local showed his skills in Argentina at the World Tango Championships where he danced with Argentine partner […]

7 years ago

Ireland’s forgotten county has been put firmly back on the map and I am all in favour. Between local girl-turned-Love Island star Maura Higgins’ rise to fame and an article about the county in British Vogue, Longford is having a moment. Never been? Then this is the perfect time for a road trip, so get […]

7 years ago

We all know the unrivalled glory of a good Irish pub abroad. It’s ironic that we go on holidays to escape Ireland, and yet somehow manage to find ourselves downing pints in an Irish pub. Every. Single. Time. Without fail. Maybe it’s because we’re creatures of habit, maybe it’s because we know we’ll be guaranteed […]

8 years ago