Ireland's best of the best are...

The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

We've rounded up just some of the wonderful accolades that our lovely island has been awarded by the travel experts – just in time to plan your 2018 trip!

Lonely Planet loves Belfast and the Causeway Coast

Lonely Planet loves Belfast and the Causeway Coast

Number one region in the travel bible’s Best in Travel list for 2018, Belfast and the Causeway Coast blends Titanic history, delicious restaurants and friendly spirit with a coastline so dramatic it’s wowed fans of HBO’s fantasy hit Game of Thrones®. Not forgetting, this little slice of heaven can be served with some of the world’s finest whiskeys. Enjoy.
National Geographic Traveler loves Dublin!

National Geographic Traveler loves Dublin!

National Geographic Traveler’s 21 ‘Best of the World’ regions for 2018 included Dublin. The was made by the publication’s worldwide network of writers, editors and explorers, with the “destinations selected and reported on by our editors that reveal the beauty of the wild, the creativity of our cultures and the superlatives of our cities,” said George Stone, Editor in Chief, National Geographic Traveler.

More Michelin Stars

More Michelin Stars

Looks like Ireland's reputation as a delicious destination is alive and kicking! All 12 stars kept their awards, but new kid on the block is a lovely pub on the Wild Atlantic Way. County Clare’s Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna is run by chef Aidan McGrath and his wife Kate, and its inclusion brings the number of stars in on the island to 13! A taste of Ireland, with landscape and personality to match!
Best Place to spend Halloween

Best Place to spend Halloween

After USA Today named Derry~Londonderry the world's best spot to celebrate the spookiest time of the year, the city's festival has kept on growing and growing: tens of thousands of people attended the 4-day DerryHalloween Festival in 2017, with the Releasing the Moon Carnival Parade, ghost tours and fireworks: this walled city has it all.
Rough Guides Readers voted for Ireland!

Rough Guides Readers voted for Ireland!

The travel guide of choice for backpackers included Ireland in its Readers’ Choice top places to visit, saying: “Ireland might be a short flight away from mainland Europe’s well-trodden backpacking trail, but you agree it’s always worth the trip…Ireland’s rugged landscapes – steeped in myth and sublime in their beauty – are what capture most people’s hearts.
Friendly cities!

Friendly cities!

Readers of Condé Nast Traveler included Dublin in its friendliest cities in the world round-up yet again! If you've visited, you'll know what they're talking about: the locals LOVE a chat – and the longer your story, the better. The friendly face of this island has seen awards for our welcoming nature pile up, year after year. Will you be popping over for a cup of tea? Sure, it would be rude not to!
TripAdvisor adores Ireland’s Beaches

TripAdvisor adores Ireland’s Beaches

TripAdvisor names its Top 10 beaches in Ireland with Banna Strand in Tralee, County Kerry, topping the lot! As an island, we’re blessed with plentiful beaches – so many, you could lose count, but at the end of every little laneway, you’ll find ancient castles, colossal cliffs, Hollywood histories and even a few Roses of Tralee. It’s not all about sun, sand and sea when you head beach-side in Ireland!

Europe's top hotels!

Europe's top hotels!

Ashford Castle, County Mayo (above), scored a spot in Condé Nast Traveler's Top 10 Resorts in Europe for its "crown jewel" of a spa; while TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Awards named Harvey's Point as number one in the Top 25 Hotels in Ireland. The Donegal hideaway is well used to plaudits: leading hospitality guru, Georgina Campbell, also named it Ireland's Hotel of the Year 2017. Phew!

The BEST golf course in the world

The BEST golf course in the world

Golf Digest’s number 1 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."
Best holiday homes…

Best holiday homes…

We have a few finalists in the Holiday Home Awards this year, including the historic Helen’s Tower in County Down for its unique perch in Northern Ireland’s Clandeboye Estate; the Ballyhoura Mountain Lodges in Limerick for family friendly bliss (wake up to wake up to birds singing, and cows grazing in the field next to your house), and the Decoy Country Cottages in the picturesque Boyne Valley on the list for eco-friendly places to stay!
One of the 40 Beautiful Countries in the World

One of the 40 Beautiful Countries in the World

According to Conde Nast Traveler, “The Emerald Isle has the kind of beauty you’ll want to write home about. You'll find it along the staggering Cliffs of Moher, a stretch of 400-foot-high cliffs just south of Galway; and in the still reflections of Killarney National Park's lakes. Or just head to the Dingle Peninsula, an incredible stretch of sheep-strewn fields and Crayola-green hills.” Seeing is believing!

Galway is European Region of Gastronomy 2018

Galway is European Region of Gastronomy 2018

Located along the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way, Galway has solidified itself as a food-lover’s paradise further by becoming the first region in Ireland to be announced as a European Region of Gastronomy. A hub for fine dining in the West of Ireland, it currently boasts two Michelin star restaurants – Aniar and Loam – as well as a raft of impressive eateries using the finest locally sourced produce.

Spike Island No 1 in Europe

Spike Island No 1 in Europe

Cork fortress Spike Island has been named as the leading tourist attraction in Europe at the World Travel Awards 2017 in St Petersburg. The monastic settlement previously acted as a defence and prison site and has now been developed as a heritage tourist attraction after a whopping €5.5m was invested prior to its reopening in 2016. Another exciting attraction added to Cork's already booming tourist scene.

2020: A Galway Odyssey

2020: A Galway Odyssey

Beautiful Galway has been named European Capital of Culture for 2020! But don't worry: there's plenty going on in the City of Tribes before then. It's a foodie haven, a bohemian dream and Ireland's festival capital. Take your pick of the Galway Film Fleadh, the Galway International Oyster Festival, or a trad music session at Taaffes pub. No wonder National Geographic picked out Galway as the Best Fall Trip for festivalgoers!
The Best International Destination in the World

The Best International Destination in the World

Group Leisure & Travel magazine announced Ireland as the world’s Best International Destination for the second year running, as thousands of readers voted to name this little island in first place ahead of – well, everywhere else! And it isn't just our rich history, charming culture and verdant landscapes: visitors love how easy it is to get here as well, voting Irish Ferries best ferry operator.
That's not all...

Explore the very best of Ireland

Ireland.com uses cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies from Ireland.com.

Continue Learn more about our cookie policy