STAYCATIONS CONTINUED >> By Day: Rising 600m above the waves, Sliabh Liag is one of Europes highest sea cliffs and served as a Christian pilgrimage site for over 1,000 years. Burren National Park With its limestone terrain, Co Clares Burren National Park is undoubtedly one of Europes most unique regions, and it also makes a perfect base for stargazing. In addition to its remote location, the rocky, expansive landscape contrasts beautifully with the sparkling skies, making it popular with photography enthusiasts. burren.ie Local Intel: The Burren is home to some of Irelands darkest and most pristine skies, says Niamh Farren of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which, together with its partners, including Clare County Council, is committed to keeping the skies above the Burren naturally dark for present and future generations to enjoy. Generally, the best viewpoints are at altitude, in areas free from or with little light pollution, and with good views of the southern sky. Recommended Viewing Spots: 1. Mullaghmore 2. Slieve Carran 3. Poulnabrone Dolmen car park 4. Fanore Beach 5. Black Head Where to Stay: The four-star Doolin Inn blends the relaxed charm of a country house with the professional service of a hotel. The propertys staff are happy to share their knowledge of stargazing and other local experiences. doolininn.ie Where to Eat: Housed in a charming Victorian property, The Wild Honey Inn is Irelands only Michelin-starred pub, specialising in bistro-style cooking with a twist. wildhoneyinn.com By Day: After admiring the dark skies, turn your attention underground to Doolin Cave, home to the Great Stalactite, one of the worlds longest known free-hanging stalactites. Connemara, Co Galway The many writers, poets and artists who have found inspiration here all agree that Connemara has something otherworldly about it. Maybe its the deep connections with the Irish language and culture. Or perhaps its the unique landscape that unfolds towards the dramatic coastline. Whatever the reason, this undefinable energy enhances every stargazing experience. With its long, crisp nights, November to April is the best time to visit, and if the gods are on your side, you could spot shooting stars and even the northern lights. connemara.ie Local Intel: ImincrediblyfortunatetocallConnemara home, as its one of the best places to experience the magic of the night sky, says TG4s long-serving weather presenter Fiona Ní Fhlaithearta. Whats more, the vast open horizons, framed by mountains,lakesandtheruggedAtlantic landscape, create the perfect setting for creative photography. Best Viewing Spots: 1. Connemara National Park 14 September 2026 (Diamond Hill) 2. Lough Inagh 3. Pine Island 4. Lettergesh Beach Where to Stay: The Connemara Coast Hotel is located at the gateway to Connemara, where the dark skies can be admired from the grounds. connemaracoasthotel.ie Where to Eat: Perched in the heart of the Ceardlann Craft Village, Spiddals Builín Blasta is many things at once a café, bakery, gourmet grocer and takeaway. The queues outside at lunchtime attest to its enduring popularity. builinblasta.com Nearby is the famous Standún Department Store, which serves hot refreshments and cakes in its café. standun.com By Day: Killary Fjord is the only one of its kind on the island. Killary Fjord Boat Tours offer a 90-minute trip departing from Leenane, with uninterrupted views of the spectacular scenery. killaryfjord.ie Co Cork Co Cork holds a special place in the hearts of astronomy enthusiasts. The region is home to many sites dedicated to or inspired by its dark skies. These include Blackrock Castle Observatory and the Wild Sky Dome in the Mealagh Valley, Europes first dark-sky-approved lodging. Elsewhere, at the Liss Ard Estate, is the Irish Sky Garden, created by the American artist James Turrell. purecork.ie Local Intel: While there are a few sites relatively close to Cork City, such as Rockey Bay, Nohoval Cove and Corrin Wood, for really dark skies you need to travel further from the city, says Declan Foley, secretary of Cork Astronomy Club, which is set to celebrate its golden anniversary. The ideal places are by the coast, with any light pollution behind you. Looking out over the sea gives you a great southeasterly, southerly and southwesterly horizon. Recommended Viewing Spots: 1. The Old Head of Kinsale 2. Ballycroneed Beach, Ballycotton 3. Long Strand, Beara Peninsula 4. Cape Clear, Sheeps Head 5. The Gearagh 6. Lough Hyne Where to Stay: Esk Mountain, a 270-acre nature restoration project near Glengarriff, offers unique studio apartments that blend indoor and outdoor living. eskmountain.com Where to Eat: The delightfully named Fishy Fishy Restaurant in Kinsale is an award-winning restaurant run by the husbandand-wife team Martin and Marie Shanahan. The kitchen follows an ethos of cooking local, fresh and seasonal fish, served in an informal setting. fishyfishy.ie By Day: While Gougane Barra is another favourite spot for stargazers, the glaciated mountain valley home to St Finbarrs Oratory is also popular with hikers. Co Meath Despite its proximity to Dublin, the Royal County of Meath offers some of the darkest skies in eastern Ireland, blending peaceful rural landscapes with Brú na Boinnes ancient monuments, which have been linked to the night sky for millennia. On the outskirts of Oldcastle, the mighty Loughcrew Cairns are rightly widely regarded as the countys best stargazing spot. At over 5,000 years old, Loughcrew is a focal point for visitors during the spring and autumn equinoxes, when the rising sun illuminates the inner chamber of the Cairn T passage tomb. Stargazers also view meteor showers in August, October and December. discoverboynevalley.ie Local Intel: Sitting atop the countys highest point, Loughcrew offers panoramic views, dark skies and a unique connection to Irelands ancient astronomical heritage, says Sarah Farrell from Loughcrew Cairns Megalithic Centre. Best Viewing Spots: 1. Loughcrew Cairns 2. Hill of Tara 3. Fourknocks Passage Tomb 4. Rathbeggan Lakes (a popular spot for the Meath Astronomy Group) Where to Stay: Open seasonally from March to October, Loughcrew Megalithic Centre invites visitors to bring their own campervan or tent, or to opt for glamping in one of the cosy yurt. loughcrewmegalithic centre.com Where to Eat: Nellys Café is the on-site tea rooms at the Loughcrew Megalithic Centre. It is open daily from 11am, serving a range of beverages alongside homemade cakes and treats. By Day: Every stargazer visiting Meath should arrange a trip to the world-famous Neolithic monument of Newgrange, which, among other purposes, served as a scientific instrument, recording the solar year. Its also an early example of a sundial and a calendar. The nearby sites of Knowth and Dowth are also worth a visit. Must-visit Irish Observatories 1. Birr Castle, Birr, Co Offaly: Birr Castle is home to the Great Telescope, once the worlds largest, which helped reveal the spiral nature of galaxies. Designed and built in the 1840s by the Third Earl of Rosse, the 72-foot-long feat of engineering drew visitors from around the world to observe the stars. Today, the Great Telescope sits at the heart of the castles demesne, while the Historic Science Centre demonstrates how the extraordinary telescope was constructed. birrcastle.com 2. Dunsink Observatory, Co Dublin: Dublins Dunsink Observatory has been a centre for astronomical research since 1785 and has been associated with many of our most renowned scientists, including Sir William Rowan Hamilton. The historic facility is open to the public for select, family-friendly events throughout the year, particularly during winter. dunsinkdias.ie 3. Armagh Observatory and Planetarium: Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is a leading centre for astronomical research and education. Its extensive grounds, which include Astro Park, offer opportunities to get closer to nature and space. In the Planetariums dome theatre, visitors can explore the night sky, while the exhibition area celebrates the regions rich celestial heritage. Irelands largest meteorite is also here. Elsewhere, the observatory features several historic telescopes and, although an active research facility, is open to the public for limited, scheduled tours. armagh.space STAYCATIONS September 2026 Gods own dining spaces Sensational destinations that put dining experiences at the heart of your Irish staycation Pages 28 and 29 Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa Unplug, unwind and reconnect with a staycation on West Corks blue-flag shores P erched between two sweeping Blue Flag beaches just outside the colourful town of Clonakilty, Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa is an Irish seaside resort that offers that unique West Cork welc STAYCATIONS CONTENTS Well-travelled Kiran Mehta on The Land of a thousand welcomes Page 8 The Deerstone in Co Wicklow, an ambient six-acre resort with pet-friendly shepherds huts and deluxe rooms. Irelands best spots to gaze at the skies Pages 12 to 15 Cosy breaks Victoria Square in Belfast, one STAYCATIONS Siren call of Clonakilty Glaswegian singer-songwriter Michael McGovern reflects upon the unique timeless charm of Clonakilty for musicians I ts 10pm on a dark January night. In a post-dinner haze, you decide to take a quick walk around town. A freezing sea mist hangs low across the e STAYCATIONS The highs of Wicklow From hikes short and long to peaks low and high, as well as music festivals and destination cafes, Wicklow is called the Garden County for a reason, writes Eoghan OSullivan F or visitors to Dublin as well as city dwellers themselves Wicklow offers the promise STAYCATIONS The famed Irish welcome Mumbai-based writer Kiran Mehta offers a view on Irelands reputation as the land of a thousand welcomes I was in the Middle East when I first read the words, Céad Míle Fáilte embossed on a tall, white ceramic cup. I am an Indian citizen, but I grew up in Kuwai STAYCATIONS Upwardly mobile Love the great outdoors? Jennifer Sheahan offers a personal selection of memorable Irish camping destinations T here has been a lot of talk this summer about what it costs to holiday at home; €2,000 per week seems to be the going rate for a house near a beach in Kerry STAYCATIONS the best coastal scenery in the country. Im a Galway native by birth and by university, and there are a million things I love about the county, not least of which is the seafood. A local fisherman rowed up onto the campsite beach one evening and sold us fresh fish straight off the boat, STAYCATIONS Skys the limit Look at the stars, see how they shine for you with our guide to Irelands dark skies, writes Domhnall ODonoghue O scar Wilde once mused that everyone was in the gutter, but the lucky among us had our gaze fixed firmly on the stars. And as an Irishman, the witty scribe k STAYCATIONS We have a range of night-time experiences available to book if you would like to join us on one of our night-time adventures, says Roisín Doyle, duty manager at OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory. From the darker nights to the brighter days, our skies are always offering us something spec STAYCATIONS CONTINUED By Day: Rising 600m above the waves, Sliabh Liag is one of Europes highest sea cliffs and served as a Christian pilgrimage site for over 1,000 years. Burren National Park With its limestone terrain, Co Clares Burren National Park is undoubtedly one of Europes most unique r STAYCATIONS LEFT: Aurora Borealis, Derryclare Lough, Connemara, Co Galway. Photo: Failte Ireland ABOVE: A comet soaring across the Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve. Photo: Michael Sheehan RIGHT: An image of the Rosetta nebula taken by Blackrock Castle Observatory. Photo: Blackrock Castle Observ STAYCATIONS Ten top trends in Irish holidays Sauna raves and chilli festivals are among the hot trends in Irish holidays this year, writes Thom Breathnach A new travel season means new trends, new openings and fresh festivals. So whats literally hot for autumn 2026? From country house escapes, g STAYCATIONS TOP: The annual Macnas Halloween Parade in Galway in October is a hugely popular free open air event. BELOW: Seeking a sweet getaway as part of a very tasty current staycation trend? Scéal Bakery in Dublin. travel for skin care and wellness is on the rise, not only for women but also f STAYCATIONS Wonderful Waterford Waterford is a rural gem that will keep you coming back year after year, as Mimi Murray discovers 18 September 2026 T here are two counties in Ireland that have it all, but dont get the attention of heavy hitters such as Galway or Kerry, Garvan Cummins from The STAYCATIONS MAIN PHOTO, LEFT: Young families love the Dunmore East Adventure centre, with great outdoor amenities and an indoor adventure area including climbing wall, Ninja course, Laser, archery and more. ABOVE: A section of the beautiful 46km Greenway from Waterford city to Dungarvan. LEFT: Come STAYCATIONS The people of Limerick have always refused to conform, a spirit wonderfully reflected in its blossoming cultural scene, writes Domhnall ODonoghue If the herd goes right, then here, we go left. Youd be hard-pressed to find anyone more enthusiastic about Limerick than Stephen Cunneen, o STAYCATIONS ABOVE: Pat Shortt, in a scene from Wreckquiem, by Mike Finn. Photo: Maurice Gunning BELOW: Blindboy in conversation. Photo: Fáilte Ireland and Barry Cronin made, theres a sense of striving in our work that I think makes it stronger. Daly is also a producer at the Limerick Literary Fest STAYCATIONS Spiritual journeys to sacred sites I s this the year that you will try at last one of the legendary pilgrim routes that are dotted across Ireland, a trip you always meant to make, but somehow never got round to? There are so many wonderful and fulfilling pathways to sites of saintly i STAYCATIONS fasting in the cave overnight, in the hope of seeing visions of the Otherworld. Todays pilgrims visit a vastly developed Station Island, with a huge basilica covering most of the original ground, and definitely stay above ground for their purgatorial rituals. Visits to the island are boo STAYCATIONS LEFT: Praying at St Patricks Purgatory on Lough Derg, Donegal, where pilgrims attend fasting, barefoot prayer and allnight vigils. Pic: Paul Faith / AFP RIGHT: A sheep at St Finbarrs Oratory in Gougane Barra, West Cork. Pic: David Creedon CONTINUED Ice Age, runs east to west across t STAYCATIONS neck Pass and along stretches of old pathways for some 96km (56 miles). This, it is said, was the route taken by Declan driving in his chariot to the royal court at Cashel. Although reverence for St Declan certainly cannot be denied, it is likely that this route was already well known fr STAYCATIONS Bookmark this guide to Dublin In the capital city, the stories of literary greats are whispered at every corner, waiting to be heard, writes Kiran Mehta W.B. Yeats, the trump of our hates; His early political views resting on, his love of Maud Gonne, who wouldnt go out on his dates! STAYCATIONS passions a quotation. His words seem truer today than when they were first uttered. With continuous exposure to rage tweets, satirical memes (which trend right before election time), a continuous stream of Instagram stories and posts, how much of what we think is actually our own though STAYCATIONS Gods own dining spots From train carriages to country estates, we take a look at some of the Irish dining spots worthy of a celestial visit. Words by Mimi Murray, Deanna OConnor and Marcus OLaoughaire Ómós First up on Gods food trail is recently opened Ómós in Abbeyleix, a visionary c STAYCATIONS home, rather than a hotel. The welcome is warm, and whether you come for the famed afternoon tea or stay on for dinner, you are guaranteed to feel entranced. On the menu is fine dining paired with a surprisingly reasonably priced wine list. The pan-fried duck breast with cherries and smo STAYCATIONS Buddies on tour Jennifer Sheahan serves up a guide to holidaying in Ireland with a convoy of chums and their families P icture this: its a cold, wet day in January. Youre lying on your couch binging re-runs of Arrested Development and avoiding reality, when your phone buzzes. You pi STAYCATIONS [SPONSORED] GUIDE TO GREAT BREAKS: continues overleaf DRUIDS GLEN HOTEL & GOLF RESORT noon to find my friends four-yearold had strewn the contents of my makeup bag across the ground floor. He enjoyed himself but I have since learned to shut the door. Plan food, but dont overthink STAYCATIONS [SPONSORED] Your guide to a wealth of great breaks, activities and Looking for an inspirational break in Ireland? Here is a guide to some of the best staycations currently on offer YOUR GUIDE TO GREAT ALL-ISLAND STAYCATIONS Fernhill Hotel & Estate offers a peaceful escape in the hear STAYCATIONS [SPONSORED] adventures Sligo Park Hotel Your Sligo starts here Take a break in Sligo Park Hotel, just minutes from Sligo town and the coast and countryside nearby. SLIGO PARK HOTEL each morning, a three-course evening meal each night, tea or coffee with a scone, evening music, a gu STAYCATIONS [SPONSORED] Magical breaks with the very best of food, fun and YOUR GUIDE TO GREAT ALL-ISLANDSTAYCATIONS Iveagh Garden Hotel, a short walk from iconic Dublin attractions like St Stephens Green, Dublin Castle and St Patricks Cathedral. IVEAGH GARDEN HOTEL T h e f o u r - s t a r I ve STAYCATIONS [SPONSORED] entertainment for all Slow the pace, take in the sheer beauty of this unique 500-acre estate MOUNT JULIET ESTATE stunning deluxe bedrooms Wake up and enjoy a full Irish & Continental Breakfast in the morning A Choice of either a 2Course Set Meal in Elles Bistro or Aftern STAYCATIONS Galway, the Venice of the West John Daly finds that Galway delivers plenty of reasons to be cheerful for staycationers looking to recharge their batteries Macnas performing An Treun - The Summoning Of The Lost for the 2025 Halloween parade in Galway city. Photo: Ray Ryan Galway Oyste STAYCATIONS Kylemore Abbey, a beautiful Benedictine monastery and iconic attraction set in 1,000 acres of mountainside in Connemara, Co Galway. memories regardless of the climatic pain endured. One vivid afternoon etched in my memory happened back in 2010 as we made our way down the Maumturks range STAYCATIONS Escape to The Lake Hotel STAYCATIONS STAYCATIONS 40 September 2026