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Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers' Choice Awards selected Adare Manor in County Limerick and Dromoland Castle in County Clare as two of the best resorts in the world. The magazine described Adare as “a delicious mix of old and new” that manages to retain its “old-school, aristocratic vibe”, while Dromoland Castle is like “travelling back in time”. The Westbury in Dublin was also honoured with a spot on the list, and Ballyfin in County Laois was included in the Gold List, described as a place of “comfort and grandeur”.

Everyone loves Galway!

To celebrate its status as European Capital of Culture 2020, Galway city and county will host an array of events and performances throughout the year, and the travel experts are loving it! Lonely Planet called Galway one of the best cities in the world to visit, describing it as “Ireland’s most engaging city” and “brilliantly bohemian” in anticipation of its “year long, city-wide, arty party”! And Condé Nast got into the spirit, too, calling Galway one of the best holiday destinations for 2020: “Ireland’s effervescent west-coast city will throw its arms open wide to the world.”

More Michelin stars

Looks like Ireland’s reputation as a delicious destination is alive and kicking. This year, Ireland’s 16 Michelin-starred restaurants all retained their awards, but there are now five more to rave about! Dublin’s Greenhouse secured its second star while fellow Dublin spot, Variety Jones, picked up its first star. The Oak Room at Adare Manor, Bastion in Kinsale, and The Muddlers Club in Belfast were the other new recipients! The big winner was Aimsir in County Kildare. The restaurant received two Michelin stars less than five months after opening its doors.

Best Place to spend Halloween

There's a good reason USA Today described Derry~Londonderry as the "best Halloween destination in the world": Northern Ireland's vibrant second city mixes Celtic traditions and modern ghoulish fun to perfection. Everyone dresses up, the celebrations are second to none and a carnival atmosphere infuses the streets. Take it from us — this Walled City has it all!

Everyone loves Spike Island

Spike Island continues to make news, being named this year’s Best Attraction at the International Travel and Tourism Awards. The island historically housed a 6th century monastery, was used as a fortress to defend Cork from invasion, and eventually became a prison. When it ceased operations in 2016, it became a tourist attraction and has been soaking up acclaim ever since.

Big 7 loves our friendly cities

The island of Ireland has a reputation for warm welcomes, so it’s no surprise that it features in Big 7 Travel’s list of the friendliest cities in the world! Big 7 Travel describes Cork on the southwest coast as a “charming and compact riverside city, where the chances of a stranger saying hi to you on the street are likely”, while Dublin packs a “serious punch when it comes to friendliness”.

The Aran Islands are a must see

Famed for their wild landscapes, traditional culture and distinctive knitted jumpers, the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway have drawn many admirers over the years. And it looks like Big 7 Travel has joined the fan club! It describes the trio of islands as some of the best in the world, like “stepping back into time, with a rural charm and stunning scenery that will take your breath away”.

The BEST golf course in the world

Golf Digest’s number one golf course on the planet is Royal County Down. The experts say: "On a clear spring day, with Dundrum Bay to the east, the Mountains of Mourne to the south and gorse-covered dunes in golden bloom, there is no lovelier place in golf than our new No. 1." Champion golfer, Rory McIlroy is a fan, too: "The more you play it, the more you recognise it for the class place it is."

County Clare holiday home a gem

Marino has been named as Ireland’s best holiday home in the Sykes Gems awards! Set in the cosy fishing village of Liscannor, County Clare, this comfortable cottage comes with spectacular views of the sea. Marino is the perfect base from which to explore Ireland’s west coast, with stunning attractions like the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and Lahinch only a short distance away.

The best food experiences

Loam, based in Galway city, is the most recent recipient of RAI’s Irish Restaurant of the Year award. The Michelin-starred eatery opened in 2014, and holds a strong sustainability ethos, specialising in ingredients sourced local producers. Winners in the other regions included Dax in Dublin, Eastern Seaboard Bar & Grill in Leinster, Wild Honey Inn in Munster and OX in Ulster.

Good Hotel Guide loves County Galway

Following the award for Gregan’s Castle in County Clare last year, the Good Hotel Guide continues to love the west by naming The Quay House in Clifden in Connemara, one of this year’s best. Loaded with “immense character” and “generosity of spirit”, The Quay House is praised for its warm reception, as well as the comfortable beds and delicious fresh breakfasts.

Two Dublin parks win awards

Home to the President of Ireland, Dublin Zoo and a herd of wild deer, Dublin’s Phoenix Park has won the International Large Parks Gold Award: “Phoenix Park provides invaluable health, recreational and environmental benefits for so many communities.” Meanwhile, St Anne’s Park in north Dublin has been named among the world’s top five Green Flag award parks!

Carrickfergus gets Tourism Attraction award!

One of the best-preserved medieval structures on the island of Ireland, County Antrim’s Carrickfergus Castle boasts a rich and vivid history. In its more than 800-year history, the castle had been besieged by Scots, Irish, English, and French armies. This imposing monument has been voted Tourist Attraction of the Year 2019 at the Northern Ireland Hospitality Awards, another addition to its already formidable reputation.

The world's most beautiful airport

"You fly in low over the tiny airport building [...] with the perma-white frost of the Wild Atlantic Way lashing the many tiny rocky islands in a turquoise sea... Then the pilot dashes back towards the crescent of golden sand that is Carrickfin beach." These stunning views are just some of the reasons why Donegal Airport has been voted in the annual PrivateFly poll as the most scenic airport landing in the world.

Condé Nast loves Ireland

Readers of Condé Nast Traveler included Ireland as one of their Top 20 Countries in the World to visit. Condé Nast’s highlights include Galway’s food scene, the wild landscapes of Connemara and the pristine sands of Dunmoran Strand, Keem Bay and Murlough Beach. Cork’s Cobh also gets a mention in its most beautiful small towns in Europe category as it “redefines charming with its rows of candy-coloured homes along the water.”