It is quite common for many Irish people to spend their summers moaning about the weather, usually about the rain, and giving out about the inevitable sun burn that is inflicted should they be exposed to the sunshine even for just an afternoon.
Friends post selfies of themselves lapping up the sun in the likes of Bondi Beach, Phuket and Miami are flicked through with deep envy as the countdown begins for our own escape to paradise. The pros and cons of a dip in the Atlantic during an a vacation in Ireland may be considered but the perishing swim is incomparable to Beyonce’s feeds straight from her St. Bart’s side yacht.
And yet while Ireland’s beauty and potential is often overlooked by the Irish themselves, it seems Hollywood’s A-listers have other ideas. An quiet escape from the bedlam that is life in Los Angeles is their ticket. Here are some of Hollywood’s most famous Irish holiday-ers.
Michael Jackson
The King of Pop arrived in Moate, County Westmeath with his children in tow shortly after his aquittal in 2006. Taking up residence in a converted cowshed, Michael remained in the country until the end of that year falling in love with the rich history and folklore of Ireland. During his long holiday, many high profile house guests made the journey to the midlands haven including Will.I.Am who was believed to be helping to whip up some new tunes. Bowling was a particular favourite for the Jackson clan, often heading to Tullamore Adventure Centre for a game or two.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
The Parker-Brodricks have been visiting Ireland each summer for a decade where they set up shop in their modest holiday home in Kilcar, County Donegal. With three kids in two, the family depart their New York City townhouse for greener grasses. SJP has often dreamt of making the move permanent. “”Financially, Matthew and I do not have to work as hard as we do,” she said.
“I feel I could learn to knit and earn a living in Ireland.”
John Slattery
The Mad Men star regularly boasts about his Irish roots and lapped up a holiday on the island of Inishbofin in County Galway in 2011.
Julia Roberts
She’s Hollywood’s ‘Pretty Woman’ but Julia spent a chunk of summer 2012 traipsing around Mayo with her young children. The Oscar winner and Co particularly enjoyed their visit to Westport House’s Pirate Adventure Park and spent their stay exploring the county’s enviable beaches. It is not the only time Roberts’ has escaped to Ireland, reportedly taking up residence in Palmerstown following her split with Kiefer Sutherland days before their wedding.
Liam Gallagher
When the ex-Oasis frontman visited Sligo last summer, he made the most of Ireland’s pub culture. The controversial musician supped down pints in Hargadons after lapping up Sligo’s surf offerings following revelations of a secret love child with journalist Liza Ghorbani.
Liam Gallagher outside The Strand in Sligo last summer
Beyonce
Beyonce may have only been in the country for a few days but it didn’t stop her making the most out of her time in the Emerald Isle. With Jay-Z and baby Blue Ivy in tow, Queen B spent her time getting to know the capital with trips to Phoenix Park, a personal tour of Dublin Zoo and a meal in Rustic Stone.
Angela Lansbury
The ‘Murder She Wrote’ star revealed that a trip to Ireland was a ‘sanctuary’ for her family following a fire in her Malibu home, and now she spends most of her time in her home in Ballycotton, County Cork. Some of her happiest times, she says, were spent with her late husband Peter Shaw in her south of Ireland haven.
Liam Gallagher used to regularly visit Lissard Estate in West Cork also!
Eyre Square is known as John F. Kennedy Square