Brilliant bog lands: Lough Boora Discovery Park, Offaly
An arty wonder in all seasons, Lough Boora is particularly lovely in spring. The 50 acre sculpture park on a Bord na Móna cutaway bog was the brainchild of sculptor Kevin O’Dwyer, who invited artists to stay, get inspired, and leave something brilliant behind. Michael Bulfin’s Sky Train is a favourite, but Julian Wild’s sea monster of a sculpture, System No.30 is pretty brilliant too; as is Passage by Alan Counihan.
Some are vast, some are more subtle, but the real joy is exploring and discovering the 24 different art works for yourself. Nature also plays a starring role, with the drama of the bogland and the astonishing biodiversity it hosts. Spring is a good time for robins and red shanks, herons and hares. The catkins are out, and so is the viola. Admission is free, but expect to pay €4 in the main car park. Dogs are welcome, but they need to be on a lead. loughboora.com
While you’re there
Birr Castle, a 20-minute drive from Lough Boora, has 120 acres of gardens and parkland, a treehouse adventure playground, forest walks, and a science centre which is concentrated on the famous Great Telescope, the wonder of its day back in 1845. It also has a focus on photography and includes the oldest darkroom in the world. Like Lough Boora, Birr Castle is open year-round, but a spring visit to the gardens gives you the wonders of bulbs in bloom. Priced at €6/€10. birrcastle.com
And if all that has put a thirst on you, head to Tullamore, a 30-minute drive from Birr Castle, where the Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery, which reopened last year after a major makeover, offers a full-on visitor experience, including the opportunity to “dip the dog” (sample whiskey direct from the cask). You can also blend your own bespoke whiskey, using a beguilingly helpful interactive contraption. Tours on the hour cost €39, and are strictly for over 18s, but if whiskey making is an art, this surely is a cultural experience too. tullamoredew.com
Stay at the atmospheric Kinnitty Castle Hotel
With B&B in March from €149 for two, Kinnitty Castle Hotel has a hearty breakfast to set you up for a nice hike, as the hotel backs on to Slieve Bloom. Check out the 4.5km Kinnitty Castle Loop at slievebloom.ie.
Celebrating rabbits and saints, Dublin
January 21st-29th and February 1st-6th
In Dublin these days it seems that no sooner have you shaken off one festival, that it’s time to dive into another – which means there’s always plenty of reasons to visit our capital city. This Sunday ushers in the Chinese Year of the Rabbit, and the Vietnamese Year of the Cat, so clearly wishing to avoid any unpleasant animal incidents, Dublin City Council have dubbed the celebrations as marking the Lunar New Year – which also means that if you’ve already broken all your resolutions, now is a good time to remake them and have another go.
The festival includes storytelling, concerts, talks, foodie things, and art challenges such as painting on a grain of rice at the Chester Beatty and making rabbits hop by the magic of stop motion animation at the Hugh Lane Gallery. You can find the full programme at dublinlunarnewyear.ie.
Then it’s (almost) straight in to Brigit, marking our newest bank holiday, which this year falls on February 6th. It’s also the traditional Gaelic festival of Imbolc, so expect more walks, talks, poetry, art and music, with a focus on wonderful women. Make your plans at dublin.ie/whats-on/brigit.
While you’re there
Don’t miss the National Gallery’s Turner: The Sun is God, which closes on February 6th. nationalgallery.ie
Stay at the Iveagh Garden Hotel
At the Iveagh Garden Hotel, on Harcourt Street, you can pick up a Luas on the doorstep, or find most things within an easy walking distance. Classy and comfortable, the prices aren’t eye-watering either. Room only from €119, iveaghgardenhotel.ie
Careful now! Ted Fest: Inis Mór
March 2nd-5th
The Father Ted house may be in the Burren, but Inis Mór becomes Craggy Island for a weekend of lovely girl competitions, comedy, screeching in a dark cave and endless cups of tea. Tickets are €170, which gets you a wristband that lets you into pretty much everything, including the special sporting events. Not sure what to expect? Sure do your homework and watch some re-runs. You will, you will, you will. Accommodation is extra, but the clever Ted People have reserved plenty for festival goers, so get in early and you’ll have your pick – from the Aran Islands Hotel, to villas, pods, hostels and B&Bs. tedfest.org
While you’re there
Go early and give yourself a night or two in Galway itself. Get in the mood with the well-timed Father Ted celebration with Joe Rooney on February 28th at the Town Hall Theatre (tickets cost €20/€23, check tht.ie). If that’s too much Ted (if there was such a thing), catch a screening at the wonderful Pálás cinema, where the emphasis is frequently on the artier end of things. The National Theatre’s live screening of Othello runs on February 28th at noon (tickets cost €12/€15, check palas.ie). Whatever you do, don’t forget to eat at Ard Bia, just under Spanish Arch, where there’s great food on the tables, and some pretty decent art on the walls too. ardbia.com
Getting to Inis Mór
The trip is easy, as there are daily ferries from Rossaveel in Galway with Aran Island Ferries, who also run a shuttle bus from Galway city to Rossaveel Pier. From €25/€30 return; book in advance. aranislandferries.com
St Patrick and trad, Kilkenny
March 15th-20th
There was a time when the pubs were shut on St Patrick’s Day, and the parades were mainly driven by anyone who happened to have a flatbed truck. Not all change is for the better, but there’s definitely more sparkle these days. Kilkenny has the right idea, incorporating a traditional music festival into the celebrations. Tradfest includes the Kilfenora Céilí Band and Scullion – both at the Watergate Theatre. The heart of the festival is the free music trail of sessions taking place through Kilkenny’s atmospheric pubs. kilkennytradfest.com/stpatricksfestival.kilkenny.com
While you’re there
The Butler Gallery celebrates its 80th birthday with an exhibition showcasing new acquisitions and donations. Including works by Peter Bradley, Michael Beirne, Edward Delaney, Flor Garduño, Vera Klute, Sinéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Tony O’Malley, Gypsy Ray, Emma Roche, Blaise Smith and more, it looks very promising indeed. From February 11th to April 2nd, admission free. butlergallery.ie
Stay at Butler House
Stay here if you are looking for a location that is handy for exhibitions at the National Design and Craft Gallery and the lovely shops in The Castle Yard. B&B from €165 for two. butler.ie
Surprising dance, Limerick
March 30th
Part film, part performance and totally intriguing, Weathering is a new feature-length piece by artist, dancer and choreographer Mary Wycherley. Shown across screens, with dance, sound and voice performances, it tells the story of the last surviving oak forest in western Europe, which was felled in the 1950s to build hydroelectric systems. Expect something beautifully unexpected on at Dance Limerick. Tickets are priced at €12/€15. dancelimerick.ie
While you’re there
Check out Made of Earth at Limerick’s always excellent Hunt Museum. The exhibition explores the story of clay and ceramics, and includes a virtual reality experience, as well as plenty of the actual real thing. Runs until April 6th, tickets cost €12.50. huntmuseum.com
Stay at No.1 Pery Square
Take a break in this hotel, where a classic double in their lovely Georgian building on March 30th costs €245 B&B for two. oneperysquare.com
You’re overlooking the People’s Park, and the Limerick City Gallery of Art so it’s a prime position for culture vultures. Add a Discover Limerick Day Pass for €25/€45 for open access to King John’s Castle, the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, The People’s Museum of Limerick, the Lough Gur Heritage Centre, The Hunt Museum, walking tours and more. discoverlimerickpass.com
Follow a link below to read the other sections of this guide
Irish spring breaks: Eat your way around Ireland with these five weekend breaks for food lovers
Irish spring breaks: Outdoor adventures for all the family
Irish spring breaks: Five luxurious locations for an adult-only break
