Hike
Slieve Gullion, Co Armagh
Located in the Ring of Gullion, Co Armagh, – an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) – at 573m above sea level Slieve Gullion is the centrepiece of this landscape. There is an eight-mile moderate looped walk to the summit of Slieve Gullion. Start at the carpark near the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre and follow the path, leaving the information panel behind you. This should take you, including breaks, roughly four and a half hours. The Ring of Gullion as a whole has many hikes to suit many abilities, from one-mile forest trails to the 36-mile Ring of Gullion waymarked way.
Cycle
The Great Western Greenway, Co Mayo
One of the first greenways to be completed in Ireland back in 2011, Mayo’s Great Western Greenway stretches from Westport to Achill along the old Midland Great Western Railway, which closed in 1937. It’s 42km along the coast of Clew Bay and offers breathtaking views.
Cyclists enjoy the beautiful landscape at the Burrishoole Bridge section of the Great Western Greenway. \ Michael McLaughlin
There are entry points at both Newport and Mulranny too, which allow you to do it in smaller sections if you wish. Both Westport Bike Hire and Clew Bay Bike Hire rent bikes and you can use drop-off points and shuttle bus services along the way, allowing you to do as much or as little as
you like.
Explore
Galway City Museum, Co Galway
In the sun there’s no better place to be than Galway (even not in the sun some would say), but when it rains in the city of the Tribes you need to have a plan B. And Galway City Museum is a good option, especially considering the west’s tendency towards rain.
Galway City Museum.
Located on the far side of the famous Spanish Arch coming from the city side, Galway City Museum houses many interesting collections. Across three floors the collections explore archaeology, history and sea science, with a particular focus on Galway.
Experience
20 May - 11 June: Looking Forward, Looking Back art exhibition, An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, Co Louth
The exhibition will be hosted by the North Louth Artists in the Basement Gallery in An Táin to celebrate 54 years of the group in operation. The theme is Looking Forward, Looking Back and will feature a collection of paintings, including everything from abstract to realism, as well as printmaking and sculpture. The exhibition will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm everyday. For more about the exhibition visit www.northlouthartists.com
Theatre
Waiting for Gateaux, Co Laois
19-21 May: Featuring Mary Byrne of X-Factor fame and Mrs Brown’s Boys star Eilish O’Carroll, Waiting for Gateaux is a new production that will run in Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portalaoise for three nights and one matinee before embarking on a nationwide tour.
Eilish O'Carroll.
The plot of this comedy follows dysfunctional health and fitness club Mo-Tivators, whose clientele come for eclectic reasons – none of which are health and fitness related! With such a cast, there is sure to be plenty of laughs. For more info visit www.mansworthproductions.com/waitingforgateaux
Festivals
Gardens of Waterford, Co Waterford
21-29 May: One for the green-fingered enthusiasts, Gardens of Waterford hold an annual festival at the end of May each year. Some of the well-known houses and gardens of the Déise hold events for this festival. These include Wisteria Week at Fairbrook Gardens in Kilmeaden, foraging for herbs at Dromana House and Gardens in Cappoquin, an annual charity day at Abbey Road Gardens, Waterford city, and a very special tour of the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens in Tramore. These events are sure to be a hit with avid gardeners. For moreinfo visit www.facebook.com/gardensofwaterfordireland
Music
Dan McCabe in concert, Co Cavan
26 May: For many, their first-time hearing Dan McCabe was on the Late Late Show on St Patrick’s Night when he sang Song For Ireland. His excellent vocals captivated many. However, Dan is by no means an overnight success, he has been building up his fanbase for years. He worked fulltime as a musician pre-pandemic and then began posting YouTube videos during the pandemic, which now have amassed over 12m views. The folk singer is touring the country at present and will play Hotel Kilmore in Cavan on 26 May and the Patrician Hall in Co Tyrone on 28 May, with further dates around the country following these performances. To find our more visit www.danmccabe-music.com
Philomena Begley Concert, Co Wexford
25 May: A woman who needs no introduction, Tyrone country music powerhouse Philomena Begley is celebrating 60 years in the music business with this tour. This midweek concert in the National Opera House in Wexford is her last Irish date of this tour for some months. She will bring it to Donegal in October for her 80th birthday celebratory weekend.
Philomena Begley.
The Queen of Country, as Philomena is affectionately known, is being joined by multiple guests on this tour, including Ray Lynam, Aidan Quinn, Frank McCaffrey and Sandy Kelly. For more on this gig see www.nationaloperahouse.ie
Read more
Staycation: Limerick, you're a lady
Travel: exploring Virginia and Maryland
Hike
Slieve Gullion, Co Armagh
Located in the Ring of Gullion, Co Armagh, – an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) – at 573m above sea level Slieve Gullion is the centrepiece of this landscape. There is an eight-mile moderate looped walk to the summit of Slieve Gullion. Start at the carpark near the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre and follow the path, leaving the information panel behind you. This should take you, including breaks, roughly four and a half hours. The Ring of Gullion as a whole has many hikes to suit many abilities, from one-mile forest trails to the 36-mile Ring of Gullion waymarked way.
Cycle
The Great Western Greenway, Co Mayo
One of the first greenways to be completed in Ireland back in 2011, Mayo’s Great Western Greenway stretches from Westport to Achill along the old Midland Great Western Railway, which closed in 1937. It’s 42km along the coast of Clew Bay and offers breathtaking views.
Cyclists enjoy the beautiful landscape at the Burrishoole Bridge section of the Great Western Greenway. \ Michael McLaughlin
There are entry points at both Newport and Mulranny too, which allow you to do it in smaller sections if you wish. Both Westport Bike Hire and Clew Bay Bike Hire rent bikes and you can use drop-off points and shuttle bus services along the way, allowing you to do as much or as little as
you like.
Explore
Galway City Museum, Co Galway
In the sun there’s no better place to be than Galway (even not in the sun some would say), but when it rains in the city of the Tribes you need to have a plan B. And Galway City Museum is a good option, especially considering the west’s tendency towards rain.
Galway City Museum.
Located on the far side of the famous Spanish Arch coming from the city side, Galway City Museum houses many interesting collections. Across three floors the collections explore archaeology, history and sea science, with a particular focus on Galway.
Experience
20 May - 11 June: Looking Forward, Looking Back art exhibition, An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, Co Louth
The exhibition will be hosted by the North Louth Artists in the Basement Gallery in An Táin to celebrate 54 years of the group in operation. The theme is Looking Forward, Looking Back and will feature a collection of paintings, including everything from abstract to realism, as well as printmaking and sculpture. The exhibition will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm everyday. For more about the exhibition visit www.northlouthartists.com
Theatre
Waiting for Gateaux, Co Laois
19-21 May: Featuring Mary Byrne of X-Factor fame and Mrs Brown’s Boys star Eilish O’Carroll, Waiting for Gateaux is a new production that will run in Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portalaoise for three nights and one matinee before embarking on a nationwide tour.
Eilish O'Carroll.
The plot of this comedy follows dysfunctional health and fitness club Mo-Tivators, whose clientele come for eclectic reasons – none of which are health and fitness related! With such a cast, there is sure to be plenty of laughs. For more info visit www.mansworthproductions.com/waitingforgateaux
Festivals
Gardens of Waterford, Co Waterford
21-29 May: One for the green-fingered enthusiasts, Gardens of Waterford hold an annual festival at the end of May each year. Some of the well-known houses and gardens of the Déise hold events for this festival. These include Wisteria Week at Fairbrook Gardens in Kilmeaden, foraging for herbs at Dromana House and Gardens in Cappoquin, an annual charity day at Abbey Road Gardens, Waterford city, and a very special tour of the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens in Tramore. These events are sure to be a hit with avid gardeners. For moreinfo visit www.facebook.com/gardensofwaterfordireland
Music
Dan McCabe in concert, Co Cavan
26 May: For many, their first-time hearing Dan McCabe was on the Late Late Show on St Patrick’s Night when he sang Song For Ireland. His excellent vocals captivated many. However, Dan is by no means an overnight success, he has been building up his fanbase for years. He worked fulltime as a musician pre-pandemic and then began posting YouTube videos during the pandemic, which now have amassed over 12m views. The folk singer is touring the country at present and will play Hotel Kilmore in Cavan on 26 May and the Patrician Hall in Co Tyrone on 28 May, with further dates around the country following these performances. To find our more visit www.danmccabe-music.com
Philomena Begley Concert, Co Wexford
25 May: A woman who needs no introduction, Tyrone country music powerhouse Philomena Begley is celebrating 60 years in the music business with this tour. This midweek concert in the National Opera House in Wexford is her last Irish date of this tour for some months. She will bring it to Donegal in October for her 80th birthday celebratory weekend.
Philomena Begley.
The Queen of Country, as Philomena is affectionately known, is being joined by multiple guests on this tour, including Ray Lynam, Aidan Quinn, Frank McCaffrey and Sandy Kelly. For more on this gig see www.nationaloperahouse.ie
Read more
Staycation: Limerick, you're a lady
Travel: exploring Virginia and Maryland
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