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My Ireland

Looking for inspiration? Planning a trip? Or just want to scroll yourself happy? We'll show you an Ireland that's tailor-made for you.

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    Having the craic in Ireland

    You can’t capture Ireland’s spirit, you just have to experience it. The friendly atmosphere, sense of humour and laid-back way of life are what bring people back to this island time and time again…

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    If there was a single word to sum up the feeling of Ireland, it might well be the Irish slang term “craic”. In the strictest sense of the word, it means “fun”, “news” or "gossip", but it’s also just an experience, a sensation, a feeling, an Irish expression of a great time.

    Colin Farrell has described being nominated for an Oscar as “a bit of craic”, but you’ll also hear friends asking each other “what’s the craic?” when they meet up. And one of the biggest insults the Irish people could say about someone in Ireland is that they are “no craic at all”.

    There's only one word for a trip like that... absolutely cracker!

    Saoirse-Monica Jackson describes a holiday in Northern Ireland

    The craic in Ireland

    L-R: Harry's Shack, County Londonderry; Barrow Princess Cruise, County Carlow; Lough Tay, County Wicklow; Mussenden Unwind, County Londonderry

    Sharing moments

    Notoriously hard to define, the word craic is many things. It’s a shared joke. It’s the buzz of an Irish festival and the characters you meet at them. It’s a toe-tapping music session in a traditional, wood-panelled pub where the beats of the bodhrán stir your soul. It’s the chat and camaraderie at a winter sea-swimming spot. It’s laughter and spontaneity and warmth.

    But most importantly, it’s about sharing moments with other people. You can’t have “the craic” on your own. No matter how hard you might try…

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    Oysters at The Queens, Dalkey, Dublin


    Where to find it...

    There’s a free-spirited and unplanned element to craic, which feels particularly Irish. You’re as likely to find it in a random interaction on a wild Atlantic island as you are to experience it in the middle of a monster music festival, so it’s always best to expect the unexpected here – you never know what might happen along the way! That said, there are certain places that have a particular reputation for being great craic.

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    Dive into Dublin

    Meet Dublin's most vibrant swimming spot!

    Chasing the craic

    Cities-wise, Dublin is known the world over for the wit and warmth of its people, Cork is the place for banter and storytellers, and Belfast is famously friendly. But travel around Ireland and you’ll find a ton of towns and villages where the “craic is mighty”, as we like to say.

    There’s Westport in County Mayo, with its great pubs and vibrant music sessions. There’s Dingle in County Kerry, filled with colourful houses, craft shops and affable people. And there’s Cushendall in County Antrim, with its lively pub scene that takes in everything from karaoke to folk singing.

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    Rouse's Bar, County Mayo

    The buzz of the pub

    And of course, wherever you are on the island, a great place to experience good craic is always in a pub. The Irish pub has become famous (and exported) all over the world – and there’s a good reason for that. These are places where conviviality and chat come first and foremost. Usually, there’s no music (unless it’s a traditional session), there are no TV screens and there’s nothing to interfere with the good old art of conversation.

    We couldn’t possibly pick out the best pub for craic on the island of Ireland, but you’ll find great pubs (traditional, literary, thatched or grocery-style) everywhere, from the wilds of Connemara to the buzzy vitality of Derry~Londonderry. Put simply, the pub is a cultural institution – a place where great ideas are born and great friends are made. And they’re always great craic.

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    New Year Festival, Dublin

    Festival fun

    Finally, one place you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a bit of craic is at a festival on the island of Ireland. Famous for knowing how to have a good time, the Irish bring a real sense of fun and entertainment to festivals, and you can experience everything here from spirited celebrations of Halloween to electrifying traditional music events such as Tradfest. Is it time to fill your heart with Ireland?

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    St Patrick's Festival, County Kilkenny

    5 great festivals

    A brilliant mix of Irish and Ulster-Scots music traditions are celebrated at talks, concerts, lectures, sessions and céilís in the city of Belfast.
    The original and still the best. St Patrick’s Day in Ireland is an event not to be missed, whether you’re going big in Dublin or going local in Dingle.
    This buzzing arts festival lights up the city of Belfast with music, comedy, theatre, visual art and literature.
    Often referred to as “Ireland’s Mardi Gras”, the Galway Races has an electric atmosphere that can’t be beaten.
    Culture Night takes place all over the island, but the Dublin event is one of the biggest and sees the city streets throng with creativity and craic.

    The craic in Ireland

    Don't miss these things to see and do

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    Limerick Whiskey Experience

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    Donegal Music Trails

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    Vintage Tea Trips

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    Doolin Music House

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    Belfast Music Walking Tour

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    The Crosskeys Inn

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    Sean's Bar

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    Westmeath

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    Cork Butter Museum

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    Viking Tours

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    The Irish Soda Bread Way

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    Cobblestone

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    Dublin

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    Afternoon Tea at The Everglades Hotel

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    Londonderry

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