Coast boast
The Skellig Ring has been named one of the top 10 travel regions in the world by Lonely Planet in its annual Best in Travel 2017 awards. The travel guide also listed The Azores, Portugal, Aysén in Chile and Coastal Georgia, US, among the most scenic and trip-worthy destinations in the world, describing the Kerry Unesco World Heritage Site as a "remote, wave-pounded hunk of rock rising out of the Atlantic like a giant triangle".
Dublin Airport hotel planned
Dublin Airport has announced its plans to build one of the biggest hotels in the country adjacent to Terminal 2. The anticipated four-star will be 11 storeys high with 402 bedrooms, a bar, restaurant, cafe, conference facilities and a fitness suite. It is not yet confirmed which hotel group will operate the property, but the proposed opening date is 2019.
Story-full
Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival takes place this weekend, offering a host of tales told by professional storytellers around the world. Rhode Island's author and teller Mark Binder, Kilkenny's Jim Maher, Cork's Pat Speight and Kerry's own Batt Burns are just a few of the performers who will take to the stage over two days. With adult and children's workshops, story swap sessions and music, it's set to be a fascinating weekend for the whole family. See sneemstorytellingfestival.com for more.
Feast Fests
Wild & Slow Festival: Europe's largest wild foods festival takes place this weekend at BrookLodge & Macreddin Village, Co Wicklow, with food stalls, workshops and the annual much buzzed about Wild Food Dinner. See wildandslow.com for more.
Beer & Cider Festival: The 17th annual Belfast Beer & Cider fest takes place November 17th-19th in the city's Ulster Hall, toasting the most delicious tipples with tutored tastings, music and more. belfastbeerfestival.co.uk.
Listowel Food Fair: As the longest-running food festival in Ireland, hungry attendees can expect the best in local produce as well as guided Wild Food Walks, Taste Trails and plenty of entertainment. See listowelfoodfair.ie for more.
Get ‘Appy
Onavo Extend: This smart app dramatically reduces the amount of data you waste abroad while using email and social networking apps. One of the most useful apps of the year. Available on iPhone and Android.
Frontline
Cottage Cool / Cliff Cottage
Fans of Ardmore's five-star Cliff House will love the hotel's on-site cliff cottage, a New England-style three-bedroom seaside escape overlooking the Atlantic ocean.
The cottage sleeps six (including a bunk bedroom and a children’s den), and has a state-of-the-art dining space, though with the Michelin-starred House Restaurant on your doorstep you may choose not to cook at all.
Request a cocktail-making class, hot chocolate and cookies for smallies, or get out on to the strand with local forager Andrew Malcolm for beach combing before availing of a choice of two treatments for €99 per person in the spa. Rent the cottage from €450 per night for with a two-night minimum stay. For more see cliffhousehotel.ie.
