Christmas and the days leading up to the holiday are a magical time to visit Ireland, according to Siobhan Byrne Learat, founder of Adams & Butler, a Dublin-based company selling trips to Ireland. “The Irish go all out for Christmas with décor and celebrations, and the mood is cheerful and generous,” she said. “And over the years, it has become more of a cultural holiday for us than a religious one.”

We’re surprised how many tourists are unaware that Northern Ireland, along with England, Scotland and Wales, make up the “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.” We share the island with our friends in the Republic of Ireland. The land that makes up Belfast has been occupied since the Bronze Age.

PART 2: Before I share with you the next two days of this exciting trip, here’s a brief recap of Part 1: On arrival, we spent our first night at O’Callaghan Hotel, St. Stephens Green in Dublin.  The next day, we were regaled with stories about Hurling, Ireland’s national sport, at The Marble Bar, followed by a visit to Kilkenny …

Abroad with Beverly Cohn PART 1:  DAYS 1-2 Question:  How many trips should a travel writer take to Ireland? Answer:  As many as you’re lucky enough to receive.  Just as though I carried around a four-leaf clover in my wallet, I was invited by Tourism Ireland to participate in my fourth press trip to the Emerald Isle, this time to …

My wife and I woke up to the smell of rich morning coffee. It was to be part of our breakfast on our first day in Ireland, always a dream in itself. It has been said that all Irish homes become a bed and breakfast during the summer, and this Donegal County cottage with one spare room was no exception. …