Ireland Guide

Registration is now open for the Spring 2026 Sustainable Food Tourism Experience (SFTE) Development programme @Taste4Success which is CPD accredited & begins on 10th Feb. Places are limited & early registration is advised. For more info & to apply, visit

Some exciting openings are ahead too – the long-awaited Ómós at Abbeyleix is especially keenly anticipated. If you know of any other openings, please do share the details in the comments.

News Bites Some wonderful businesses were lost recently, including both landmark destinations like the larger-than-life @GazSmith_Chef Big Mike’s in Co Dublin, and many less well-known but equally treasured places around the country as well.

Don't miss the Ballymaloe Festival of Food from 16th-18th May. There’s a variety of dining experiences all hosted & cooked by renowned chef. The 3-days will be packed with demos, pop-up dinners, guided walks, talks, tastings & more @thegrainstore

Save the date for @WdFoodFestival one of Ireland's largest & longest-running community food festivals. The weekend (25th–27th Apr) promises a diverse range of events - guided taste tours, kitchen table talks, high-profile guest chef dining events & more

Application deadline 31st March

Are you an Irish food or drink producer looking to build a standout brand, refine your messaging, and grow your business? BrandBite – Building Your Brand for Business Success is back for 2025! More info-

A West Cork Collaboration - Rob Krawczyk of Restaurant Chestnut joins Meeran Manzoor at @RareKinsale in Blue Haven for one night only on April 13th Tickets are €125 pp. Seating is available from 5:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Book via or call 021 4772 209

Our collection of 10 of the Best Spring Getaways includes a range of mindfully-run destinations big and small that could provide just the treat for Mother’s Day and Easter all coming up in quick succession. 🔗Here are just a few of our favourites to try -

Mother’s Day & Afternoon Tea is a wonderful combination. Enjoy a special day celebrating the wonderful women in your life with an indulgent Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea in the Conservatory at @GalgormResort in Co. Antrim. More info & to book visit:

Planning for Mother’s Day? Ireland's oldest city's finest Georgian townhouse and the exquisite and stately 18th Century @MountCongreve_ Estate will jointly host 'The Bridgerton Experience' on Mother's Day, Sunday, March 30th 2025. More info here:

An exciting competition this month – a chance to win a VIP experience for two at the 2025 Punchestown National Hunt Festival Gold Cup Day in April, & a stay nearby at the O’Flynn family’s wonderful Rathsallagh House Enter here:

Elmgrove Irish Flower Farm special invite for School Tours! For years, they have raised thousands for charity & educated young minds on flower farming in Ireland Tour Dates: March 18-21 Schools interested, contact: 📩info@elmgroveflowerfarm.ie 📞041 9884389 @darraghmccullou

1/3 Featured in this month’s 10 of the Best are several of our 2024 Award winners who currently have some great early season value on offer. Another to add to your list is GCIGuides Seafood Restaurant of the Year 2024 - @QCstownhouse & Seafood Restaurant, Cahirciveen in Co. Kerry

2/3 With its striking zinc-topped bar, nautical antiques & pictures, Kate Cooke’s atmospheric seafood restaurant abounds with character. The ultra-fresh local fish & seafood are supplied by the family company Quinlan’s Kerry Fish.

3/3 Thanks to imaginative development by Kate and her late husband, Andrew - the splendid, quirkily stylish townhouse accommodation is now equally sought out. 🔗You can take a look at the full 10 of the Best list here:

You too can brew…LAST FEW PLACES LEFT on the @mescanbrewery brew course starting on Sat 22nd March - Cost €175 pp, €160 pp for groups of 2 or more. This is a full day course (incl. lunch) from 10am to 5/6 pm More info: OR email: mescanbrewery@gmail.com

Going on a break is much more fun if you can bring your 4-legged VBF. @museed in Ballingarry, Co. Limerick welcome pets by arrangement. A wonderful place with an ever-growing fan club - it should be on every discerning traveller’s wish list.

Airports tend to be depressingly samey. @CorkAirport is planning to open a new food & beverage experience, “Celebrating Cork's unique food culture & renowned cuisine” - CRAFT opens next month! They often do things better than most at Cork Airport - we await it with interest.

1/2🍕Galway’s fine dining maverick @mistereatgalway in Collaboration with Ronan & Eugene Greaney aka The Dough Bros has created a Special Edition Pizza - but hurry, this special is available in February only at The Dough Bros, Galway, price €16.50

2/2 This specially crafted pizza features Bolognese sauce with slow-cooked fennel sausage, smoked Gubbeen cheese béchamel sauce from West Cork, foraged & pickled wild ramsons, cold-pressed Irish rapeseed oil, & sprinkled with Achill Island sea salt.