Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are set to begin a three-day Ireland vacation today. Their trip to Ireland will be based on a visit to the counties Waterford and Tipperary and its expected to deliver a multi-million-euro tourism bonanza for the south-east.
Specific details of their Waterford and Tipperary visits are being kept a secret however, it is understood that the visits will involve the interests of the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall – ranging from heritage, farming, gardens, architecture, equestrian sport, arts, crafts and community development.
County Waterford will host the bulk of the royal itinerary & tourism officials of the county are hopeful the visit will match the tourism boom that Cork enjoyed following the state visit by Queen Elizabeth II, in 2011.
Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city and it boasts strong historic links to previous British monarchs. The Viking Triangle in Waterford city centre, dating back to when the Vikings founded Waterford as Ireland’s first city – is expected to form part of the royal tour as well as the Rock of Cashel. The Rock of Cashel is an ancient royal site of the Kings of Munster and first attained importance as a fortress.
The Viking Triangle area features a number of museums and is also close to both Waterford City Hall, Waterford’s Church of Ireland cathedral and Waterford Crystal.
Outdoor dining has become the norm in Ireland in the past 18 months or so, due to the pandemic. Even during the impending cold weather, we anticipate that outdoor dining will be as popular as the previous year, as many restaurants and bars have installed heated outdoor areas. So where are the best spots in Ireland to enjoy a great outdoor dining experience with family and friends?
Here we have put together a list of the top spots:
Harrisons Bar & Restaurant & The Terrace, Cliffoney, Sligo
At Harrisons in Co. Sligo, the stunning outdoor décor is urban yet cosy and their heated terrace makes it a popular choice for locals and visitors alike. Try their Terrace Bottomless Brunch menu, with special sharing boards, traditional breakfasts, healthy sandwiches or delicious burgers and more on offer. One thing’s for sure you won’t go hungry! To top it off, choose from Prosecco, Posh Mimosas, Aperol Spritz or Bloody Marys (supplementary) to add some pizazz to your leisurely outdoor brunch.
An Púcán, Galway City
This vibrant gastropub in the heart of Galway city has a colourful outdoor dining experience in their Heineken Green Room, serving up power salads, classic toasties as well as mouth-watering steak sandwiches and more local specialities, such as Galway Bay smoked salmon. An Púcán is first and foremost a traditional Irish bar that just happens to serve amazing food too. If you’re looking for a lively evening out enjoying a fantastic meal with friends you can be sure the craic will be had at An Púcán!
Covey’s Gastro Bar, Westport Co. Mayo
Covey’s is part of the Westport Plaza hotel in the bustling town of Westport near the famous Croagh Patrick. While we can’t promise views of the famous reek, Covey’s doesn’t disappoint on the food front. The Garden Bar is their offshoot of the main Covey’s Restaurant, with a casual and homely vibe, serving up the same great menu as their indoor restaurant. We highly recommend their authentic Italian stone baked pizza before a night on the tiles in lively Westport.
Langtons, Kilkenny City
Langtons is a well-established hotel in Kilkenny, that also has a variety of outdoor spaces for guests and non-residents to enjoy during their trip to the Medieval City. Encouraging biodiversity, Langton’s gardens are an oasis in the middle of Kilkenny, with lush gardens full of wonderful flowers and plants that allow wildlife to thrive. In 2021, they even started their own herb garden for their in-house chefs to use in their cooking, helping to reduce their carbon footprint. Choose from Bridies Garden, cocktails on the Garden Terrace or lunch in the Set Courtyard.
Cask, Cork City
Cask is a funky and fresh food & drink offering in Cork city with an emphasis on great music and even better cocktails. Their new cocktail menu is sure to thrill even the most discerning cocktail aficionado, with Autumn flavours such as blackberry, apple, sloe and pumpkin featuring on the ingredients list. For ‘Eats’, think small plates, tapas and street food to complement your big night out. For ‘Beats’ check out the website for their latest eclectic music selection. Featuring music from jazz to hip-hop and everything in-between, you can bop along to some beats outside in their stunning Courtyard after enjoying some gorgeous food and drink.
Fish City, Belfast City
Heading up North, we recommend this popular seafood restaurant, which has won numerous ‘best restaurant awards’ as well a recent accolade for its sustainability efforts, for championing responsible fish sourcing. The terrace is a casual food spot, with snacks and drinks served outdoors from 2pm to 5pm daily, with tempting offerings such as their famous oysters served with a pint of Guinness and tasty home cut chips in garlic butter.
La Peniche, Grand Canal Jetty, Dublin City
Our list wouldn’t be complete without a visit to our capital, and we believe this is one of the more special outdoor dining experiences in Ireland. La Peniche is a wonderfully restored cargo barge moored on Dublin’s Grand Canal on the Mespil Road in South Dublin. Ideal for a romantic meal or a fun dinner with friends, you can float along the canal whilst enjoying your evening meal and taking in the sights and sounds of the famous Dublin waterway.
Outdoor Dining in Autumn in Ireland
So there you have it, a handy list of some of the best outdoor food spots in Ireland for your next trip to the Emerald Isle.
Getting out and about is very important during these unusual times. Whether you are working from home or just bored of being at home and looking at the same four walls, then we have some great ideas for socially distanced experiences to enjoy. Here is a great list of places you could visit to get some much needed fresh-air and time outside of the house, but more specifically in the Rebel County of Cork:
Fota Gardens
Fota Gardens is located on Fota Island, Carrigtwohill, located about 16 kilometres from Cork City. Their arboretum is internationally recognised and there is also a 19th Century estate located at the centre of the garden which houses the Bakestone Café so you can get a takeaway coffee while you go for a stroll through Fota’s beautiful gardens.
Barleycove Beach
Barleycove beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in County Cork and is located between the headlands of the Mizen Peninsula in West Cork. The beach is great for surfing, swimming or if you just want to simply go for a walk or get some fresh air before you go to your next destination…. Mizen Head.
Mizen Head
Mizen Head is Ireland’s most south westerly point, and as you would guess, yes Mizen Head is located in West Cork. A full visit to Mizen head takes about 2 hours with absolutely stunning views on offer. There is also a café and a gift shop located here to remember the trip.
Ballycotton Cliff Walk
The Ballycotton Cliff Walk is a 4.6 mile trail located in the beautiful Ballycotton in East Cork. It offers breathtaking views like no other. The walk might be slightly too long for some people but trust us the time flies. The walk ends at the gorgeous Ballyandreen beach which is perfect for a picnic to end your walk.
Fitzgerald’s Park
This one is for the city dwellers. Fitzgerald’s Park is located in Cork City Centre on the Mardyke. The perfect place to go and just chill out. Just a short distance from the UCC campus this beautiful park is open to the public and is perfect for social distancing.
Old Head of Kinsale
Old Head of Kinsale is one of the most scenic places in the whole of Ireland nevermind Cork. Start your 10 kilometre walk at the car park, to Garrettstown beach. The walk will take you approximately 3 hours. It might sound like a lot but if you are in the mood for a walk then look no further than the Old Head of Kinsale. We promise you won’t regret going to this gorgeous location.
*Please bear in mind the latest COVID – 19 restrictions when considering these suggestions. Please visit www.gov.ie for the most up-to-date guidelines.
How can you see the length and breadth of Ireland in a limited number of days with comfort, safety and peace of mind? Our escorted bus tours are the perfect way to see a number of key locations and attractions without the hassle and fuss of planning routes, organising tickets and sourcing convenient accommodation. A vacation is supposed to be a carefree and relaxed excursion and at Discovering Ireland we take pride in making your enjoyment our priority. We also have amazing tours of Britain and Scotland.
One of our most popular packages is the ‘Taste of Ireland’ which is a 5 day vacation. This tour allows visitors to see popular sightseeing locations such as the Guinness Storehouses in Dublin, but also bespoke and intimate experiences such as sheepdog trials in the Ring of Kerry. Below we have listed just a few of the benefits of an escorted tour with Discovering Ireland.
1. Carefree Vacation Experience
The planning, organising and effort of personally trying to see Ireland in under one week can be a daunting task. Attempting it without help has a significant chance of sucking the joy out of the experience. Ireland has ever changing weather conditions, small narrow country roads and despite our size on a map, it can take some time to see it all! Taking a package with us ensures that you have expert advice at all times with proven enjoyable and experience driven schedules that work! In 2021 there is no reason to leave your enjoyment and experiences to chance. From the Ring of Kerry to Dublin and Connemara to Blarney Castle we have it all.
2. Sightseeing in comfort and style
Whether it’s your first trip to Ireland or a seasonal visit, Ireland has so many things to see and do, it can be difficult to get around to everything. From Dublin city centre to Killarney National Park and everything in between, our Irish tours are packed with attractions and activities. Our private tours come with first class, superior hotel rooms and our fleet of coaches are best in class ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience from start to finish. Meals are also included in this package, meaning you can tuck into tender Irish Angus beef in the Merry Ploughboy Pub in Dublin, eat like royalty at the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet or enjoy a delectable table d’hote dinner in Killarney.
3. Expert Knowledge
Our escorted tours are accompanied with an expert guide ensuring that you gain the absolute most out of every minute. We have learned from thousands of vacations what works and what doesn’t. Within each package is a clearly set out itinerary that ensures you have the most optimal and engaging experience, getting insider local knowledge about sights and beating the queues. We have done all the hard work so you can simply sit back and take it all in without missing a moment!
4. Make Unforgettable Memories
Travelling on our coach tours is an amazing group experience. Friendships blossom and many activities are made all the richer when enjoyed as part of a group. Whether travelling alone or as a couple, having that added social experience is a true joy when in the company of fun, like minded travellers. You will never be stuck for a person to take a photo of you, watch over your items for a minute or share a laugh and a story with while taking part in an activity or visiting the many attractions.
5. Value for money
At Discovering Ireland we have long-established working relationships and agreements with key players in the hospitality industry, to get the best deal on ticket prices and tourist attractions. This, along with our group sizes allow us to avail of unique discounts and added perks for our customers to enjoy. Don’t let the cost steal the enjoyment from your vacation, book with Discovering Ireland to get the best Irish vacation rates possible.
Email: info@discoveringireland.com or call us on one of our Toll Free Numbers found on our website.
Sit back, relax and let someone else take the wheel this vacation. Chauffeur driven tours would have been seen as quite exclusive in the past, but they are steadily becoming more popular with visitors embarking on trips to Ireland as each year passes. We think of it as the clever choice; enjoy Ireland tours in the comfort of our modern fleet of exclusive vehicles from a driver with expert local knowledge. Never let unpredictable weather, road conditions, a wrong turn or a drink with your meal phase you again. Whether you would like to do sightseeing Ireland vacations or if you have a customized trip based around your areas of interest, we have something for everyone. Popular hobby tours include golfing tours and whiskey tours! A frequently asked question, especially from American guests is “how much should I tip a chauffeur ?”. Generally tips are not expected but if desired at the end of a tour it is always greatly appreciated by drivers. Below we have listed 5 amazing scenic drives and ideas to inspire you when planning an Irish chauffeur driven tour.
Ireland is full of incredible experiences and hidden gems perfect for those considering embarking on Ireland tours. When looking for things to do in Ireland in 2021 look no further! We have compiled a list of perfect Irish vacation ideas for you to choose from for your next holiday. Ireland has some of Europe’s best tourist attractions but there are some exceptional hidden gems located on the road less traveled.
The Wild Atlantic Way is a 2600 km touring route along the West Coast of Ireland. A popular choice for those on a vacation in Ireland and for self drive tours, it it known to be one of the longest defined coastal route in the world. The route winds it’s way all along the Irish west coast from the Inishowen Peninsula in the north down to the picturesque town of Kinsale, County Cork, in the south. Here we have put together our top picks for things to do along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Ireland has some incredible outdoor dining locations that can be enjoyed whilst on Ireland vacations. From country house hotels to award winning restaurants and castles in Ireland there really is something for everyone. With this in mind we have have compiled into a list of outdoor dining options for your enjoyment. Each of these eateries can be enjoyed whilst on Ireland tours however pre booking is advised.
A popular choice for those considering a Ireland vacations, the East Coast of Ireland is breathtakingly beautiful no matter the weather. Ireland’s Ancient East is home to some of the country’s most incredible natural vistas, ancient historic locations and most famous tourist attractions. When embarking on Ireland tours a road trip through this scenic and captivating destination is a must. We have created several Ireland trips which you may choose to pick from or use as a combined break!
When it comes to trips to Ireland, uncover the incredible ‘banner county’ of Clare. This incredible location is the perfect destination for a self drive tour of Ireland with widely varying and breathtakingly stunning views, rugged coastlines and remarkable wild terrain. Clare’s rugged coastline is also part of The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s first long-distance touring route stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in Co Cork. A popular choice for those on Ireland tours, it is the world’s longest touring route through some of Ireland’s most beautiful places. Fill up your, grab some snacks, plan your playlist and buckle up as you will love this exceptional driving route.
