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Our guide to luxury holidays in Ireland

Rugged coastlines, viridescent mountains, a thriving contemporary food scene, and a hearty dose of Irish charm. Here, soul-stirring natural landscapes and a rich cultural fabric go hand in hand. This is our Unique guide to luxury holidays in Ireland.

From the wild, wave-lashed coastline of County Kerry to the cultural buzz of Cork, the Republic of Ireland brims with character. While its rich cultural identity still runs deep in folklore, music, food and craft, Ireland is also embracing a vibrant new chapter. Across the country, inventive chefs are reimagining traditional Irish cuisine, artisanal producers and small-batch vintners are establishing roots, while independent boutiques and art galleries are springing up in historic harbour towns.

Whether you’re in Eire for a last-minute weekend or a long stay, we’ve covered where to eat, what to do and where to shop – from misty morning hikes up Macgillycuddy's Reek to the best spot for freshly caught seafood. As for where to stay? Expect everything from modernist architectural marvels to remote cottages set under dark skies, and a woodland lake house that was crowned ‘Ireland’s Home of The Year’. Céad míle fáilte, a hundred thousand welcomes await you.

Inspiration on where to stay

Where to eat & drink

Where to explore

Where to shop

Locations in Ireland

Take the scenic route to appreciate Ireland at its best; from the craggy mountain ranges of Cork to County Westmeath´s jade green glades and mystical lakes. Here, getting lost has never sounded so appealing.

Collections in Ireland

If you´re looking to down tools and hit the Irish surf, or need a wilderness escape (with high-speed WiFi) to wrap up that first novel, our curated collections add secret gardens and woodfired hot tubs to sweeten the deal.

Journals about Ireland

We´ve dropped the pin on Ireland´s best hiking trails, and where to treat weary limbs to cold water therapy. Plus, follow the story of a solo cross-country adventure, stopping at the country´s most coveted cottages along the way.

A lesson in restoration | Drift Farmhouse, Ireland
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A lesson in restoration | Drift Farmhouse, Ireland

This farmhouse, deep in Ireland’s wilderness, has been carefully treasured within the King family for over 160 years. Now posing as Ireland´s newest luxury wellness destination.

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New Year´s Eve 2025 | Eight of the best homes to celebrate in
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New Year´s Eve 2025 | Eight of the best homes to celebrate in

However you choose to spend New Year’s Eve, our homes are made for merrymaking. Here, we round up eight of the best celebration homes with availability to book for NYE.

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The Great British Spa-cation
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The Great British Spa-cation

Put the wrapping paper down and the feet up. This year, the most sought-after winter stays are all about warm water therapy, palatial living, and never missing out on poolside champagne.

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The big five: safari on home soil
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The big five: safari on home soil

These days, safari extends beyond the deltas and deserts of the Okavango and Kalahari. We’re rounding up our big five: the properties with a front-row seat to all that’s wildlife and wilderness.

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Ireland FAQ´s

Looking to map your route to the Emerald Isle? Want to know more about Ireland´s vibrant festival scene? If you have an Ireland-specific query, you might find the answer here. For everything else, visit our general FAQs.

Are there any famous Irish festivals or celebrations?

Ireland is famed for its festivals and celebrations. The most significant being Saint Patrick's Day, a religious and cultural holiday held on 17 March to commemorate the death of Ireland’s foremost patron saint. The streets are awash with green, and this iconic celebration of Irish culture involves parades, traditional dancing, folk music and feasts.

Held over two weeks in July, the Galway International Arts Festival is one of Ireland’s largest arts festivals, with live theatre, music, dance, visual arts, and street spectacles attracting crowds from across the globe.

Every October, the city of Cork plays host to the Cork Jazz Festival. There are over 90 venues – from concert halls to pubs – where visitors can watch traditional jazz, swing, and blues performances.

What is traditional Irish food?

Traditional Irish cuisine includes dishes such as Irish stew, colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale), boxty (a potato pancake, typically served with bacon and fried eggs, or sour cream and spring onions) and soda bread (every family cherishes their own time-honoured recipe, but this dense, unleavened bread is always served sliced and spread liberally with Kerrygold).

Surrounded by abundant seas and verdant farmland, Ireland enjoys some of the finest meat, dairy products, and seafood around (including Galway native oysters, Connemara clams, and Dublin Bay prawns), with a current total of 21 Michelin-starred restaurants across the country.

Can I visit filming locations of popular TV shows and movies in Ireland?

Ireland is a popular filming location for many famous TV shows and movies. Cross the border to Northern Ireland to spy scenes from Game of Thrones along the Causeway Coast, or trek the iconic landscapes of Skellig Michael, Malin Head, and Dingle Peninsula, as featured in the Star Wars franchise. The Cliffs of Moher have starred in many movies; most famously, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, while the backdrop to Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin can be found along the Wild Atlantic Way (with panoramic shots of Inis Mór and Achill Island stealing the spotlight – and film critic’s hearts, too).

How do I get to Ireland from the UK?

There are many ways to get to Ireland from the UK, including:

By air: Ireland has several international airports, with Dublin Airport being the busiest and most well-connected, followed by Shannon and Cork. Aer Lingus, Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways operate direct and regular flights between London and Ireland with a travel time of around an hour.


By sea: There are many popular ferry connections between the UK and Ireland. The most popular routes run from ports in England, Wales, and Scotland – such as Liverpool, Fishguard, Holyhead, and Cairnryan – to ports in Dublin, Belfast, and Rosslare. While flying might be the quicker option, the car ferry is scenic, cost-effective and enables you to bring the whole kit and caboodle (be that surfboards and SUPs or four-legged friends ready for adventure).

Own a property in Ireland?

Are you the keeper of a backcountry cottage? Or the custodian of a Grand Design by the water? From Wicklow to Mayo to Limerick, we´re seeking Ireland´s most unique homes to join our growing portfolio.

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