Winter in Ireland

Ireland is never too cold to enjoy, and we often get delightful winter mornings with clear blue skies and sunshine that inspire you to get outdoors. Make the most of the mild temperatures with cliff-top walks along the Wild Atlantic Way. Enjoy tall tales on the Causeway Coast or explore hidden mysteries as you hike around Ireland’s Ancient East. A crisp winter’s day is an ideal chance to discover the history and culture of cities such as Limerick and Derry~Londonderry on a walking tour. And if we do ever get a dusting of snow, well, just wrap up well and enjoy.

What can we say? The atmosphere in our cities is electric during winter. Dublin’s Grafton Street lights up with all things festive, while the New Year’s Festival rocks across the city for three action-packed days. As for TradFest, Ireland’s largest traditional music festival keeps the celebrations going well into January. In Belfast, catch a show at the MAC, browse to your heart’s content at the Christmas Market in Belfast’s City Hall, or enjoy A Magical Christmas Experience at Titanic Belfast. Meanwhile, Waterford’s Winterval transforms this Viking city into a twinkly winter wonderland.

With an emphasis on super-fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, it’s no surprise that Ireland’s food and drink scene excels when it comes to winter cuisine. From traditional pubs to Michelin-starred restaurants such as Homestead Cottage in Doolin, Ireland serves up elegant, delicious food that welcomes you in after a long wintry walk. Go for classics such as grass-fed beef and lamb, or dare to try the baked oysters. The island’s farm-to-fork and sea-to-plate ethos means exceptional flavours await, whatever your tastes. As for drinks, a creamy Guinness takes on a comforting quality at this time of year, while whiskey distilleries are a great way to beat the chill with delicious tour and tasting experiences.

There are some spots on the island that simply transform during winter. Take the white-capped Mourne Mountains in County Down, where author CS Lewis was inspired to create Narnia, a magical realm that’s about to get the blockbuster treatment in the hotly anticipated movie Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. Or see Mayo’s Croagh Patrick, glistening when snow finally settles on its scree-covered peaks. Further south, the rugged landscape of West Cork’s Beara Peninsula is only embellished by the bracing winds and crashing waves that whip along its incredible coastline.

On a cold night in Ireland, the pub is where everyone gathers – and everyone’s welcome. Check out The Oval in Cork, one of the city’s finest heritage pubs, with an open fire and an extensive selection of Irish whiskey on offer. Beat the chill with an Irish coffee at the Bushmills Inn in County Antrim. Or try The Cuan in County Down – a luxurious, award-winning stay with a casual yet chic bar, serving up live music and stunning views of Strangford Lough alongside all of your favourite tipples. From Dublin’s literary pubs to Belfast’s best bars, there’s no end of snug spots to cosy up in with a hot whiskey in hand.

One of the most spectacular winter solstice spectacles has to be Newgrange in County Meath’s Brú na Bóinne, where a lucky few are selected by yearly lottery to enter the burial mound during its phenomenal 5,000-year-old light show. There are other places that will make you go wow, too. At Slieve Gullion in County Armagh, the southern passage tomb has a winter solstice alignment at sunset; while at Beaghmore in County Tyrone, watch the sunrise align with the stone rows. Magical.

Staying in a lightkeeper’s cottage tops our list of wonderfully unique winter getaways: check out Galley Head Lighthouse in County Cork, where stunning seascapes are guaranteed. At County Sligo’s Temple House, the Percevel family offers a welcome as warm as their fireside. This historic pile overlooking Temple House Lake and the 13th-century Knights Templar castle has been in the family since 1655. Bliss. In lively cities such as Cork and Galway, treat yourself to a little luxury at the likes of The Dean Cork and The G Hotel Galway.

Think the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) only materialise in Scandinavia, North America or Greenland? Think again. Thanks to its location and its low levels of light pollution, Ireland’s northern coastline offers amazing opportunities to see this natural phenomenon. Try a visit to the Inishowen Peninsula or the Causeway Coast, where Aurora sightings are frequent.