Ireland and the Irish people will never stop surprising you!

How do you like the idea of having a pint or a delicious meal in a bar and restaurant that used to be St Mary’s Church (Dublin) from the beginning of the 18th century? You can still enjoy its magnificent well preserved interior, including the organ played by Handel, metal spiral staircase, stained glass windows and much more!

Thinking about shopping in style for authentic Irish designs?

Don’t miss Powerscourt Townhouse Centre!

Tucked away off Gratton street, this gorgeous Georgian house will offer you an enjoyable mix of history, shopping and dining, and a feast for your eyes and a sense of beauty.

Very green, very luminous and specious, with a buzzing vibrant atmosphere - it’s like an oasis in the centre of Dublin. You can find both antique shops and proud Irish brands, such as Chupi Jewelry, Cloon Keen perfume etc.

In addition to looking around and (window) shopping, you can also treat yourself to a scrumptious lunch or just go for a coffee and soak up the atmosphere.

Did you know this? Long before he became famous, JRR Tolkien used to correct English exam papers at University College Galway.

He loved the Burren landscape and spent much of his time driving around the hills and coast. Many people say that the landscape in his books, and even some of the creatures and their homes, were influenced by what he saw in the Burren. Eg, Gollum’s cave, as the Burren has the longest cave system in Ireland!

Did you know that the main ingredient in a pint of Guinness comes from Wicklow? And it’s water!

This is where Lough Tay (or the Guinness Lake) is located, which is, along with Glendalough, one of the most photographed locations in Wicklow. The stunning scenery of the lake, surrounded by the mountains and magnificent views of its inky black water, makes it one of the most iconic locations in Ireland.

The lake is said to look like a pint of Guinness when viewed from above (the water is inky black and there’s white sand at the top)

Nearby is the Luggala Estate, a historic country house built in 1787, which has been owned by the Guinness family since the 19th century. 

Lough Tay, famed for TV series 'Vikings' and movie 'Excalibur,' is a popular filming location.

Chasing rainbows in Ireland!! There’s something truly magical about the way the Irish landscape transforms when the rain clears and the sun peeks through the clouds. Ireland wouldn’t be Ireland without its spectacular rainbows. It’s like a reminder that even on the rainiest of days, there’s always a chance for a beautiful surprise.

Comprising a mix of the tragicomic and the macabre, The Banshees of Inisherin, a raw and uncompromising film, received nine nominations at this year’s Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay.

As in many of his plays, The Banshee’s director and screenwriter Martin McDonagh chooses the west coast of Ireland where his family is originally from to be the main setting for his film, namely Inis Mór and Achill Island.

In the pictures you can see some views of Achill Island, including one of the most famous houses in the world right now on the legendary Keem Beach.

If you’re planning your trip to Ireland, will you include these iconic spots into your must visit list?

There is a legend about the ghost of Lady Ida, who is said to haunt the main house of Powerscourt Estate. Lady Ida was a young woman who lived in the house in the late 19th century and died under mysterious circumstances.

Whether it’s the same story or not but a similar one revolves around the ghost of a woman who died at Powerscourt and is said to haunt the estate. According to local legend, the Lady in White was once a resident of the estate who died a tragic death. She is said to appear at night, dressed in a white gown, and wander the grounds, particularly near the waterfall on the estate. Some say that she is searching for her lost love, while others claim that she is seeking revenge for a wrong that was done to her in life.

Some facts about Trim castle:

It was the center of administration for the Lordship of Meath, which covered a large portion of the province of Leinster.

It was used as a location in the film adaptation of Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" (1995), representing the location of York.

It has a unique feature in the form of a circular tower known as "King John's Tower." This tower is one of the earliest examples of circular tower construction in Ireland and is believed to have been built as a keep for King John of England during his visit to Ireland in the early 13th century.

It has undergone numerous renovations and restorations throughout its history, including a major restoration in the 19th century that involved the reconstruction of several sections of the castle using local sandstone.

So why do we have snow in March?

Snow in Ireland is usually the result of cold air masses from the Arctic region colliding with moist air from the Atlantic. When these two air masses meet, the moisture in the air can freeze and fall as snow.

Additionally, Ireland’s climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico towards Europe. This current helps to keep Ireland’s temperatures relatively mild compared to other countries at similar latitudes. However, if the Gulf Stream weakens or changes course, it can result in colder temperatures and more extreme weather conditions, including snowfall.

Such weather will not last long though. As resilient local people joke: “If you don’t like the weather in Ireland, just wait five minutes.”

Have you started planning your summer holidays in Ireland yet? If you are thinking of visiting north Donegal, make sure not to miss Downings Beach! Blue flag, tucked in a harbour,  very clean and warm water guaranteed. Perfect for swimming, strolling along, SUP boarding, and occasionally for surfing and you will enjoy some amazing views on your way to Downings Village.

Dublin has the largest architectural ensemble of straight Georgian streets in the world (uninterrupted until the 1960s - when they demolished one of the buildings and put in the ESB Headquarters).

In Dublin, you can also find the world's biggest group of Georgian streets. It was uninterrupted until they demolished a building and replaced it with the ESB Headquarters.