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Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Irish Independent
‘It checks all the boxes' - Tripadvisor reveals its top 25 Irish hotels for 2025
So says Tripadvisor of its annual Travellers' Choice 'Best of the Best' awards. And when it comes to Ireland, the 'Best of the Best' for 2025 is Adare Manor in Co Limerick, where remaining B&B rates are listed from over €1,400 this summer. The resort, set to host the 2027 Ryder Cup, is described as 'a beautiful retreat in a picturesque setting' with stunning grounds, 'exceptional attention to detail' and "top-notch service'. Tripadvisor's Top 25 Irish hotels 2025 Adare Manor, Co Limerick Herbert Park Hotel, Dublin The Merrion, Dublin Clanard Court Hotel, Co Kildare Harvey's Point, Co Donegal Ballygarry Estate, Co Kerry Hyatt Centric, Dublin The Green Hotel, Dublin Pembroke Kilkenny Hayfield Manor, Cork Granville Hotel, Waterford The Killarney Park, Co Kerry The Mont, Dublin Markree Castle, Co Sligo Dromoland Castle, Co Clare The Alex, Dublin Mespil Hotel, Dublin Marlin Hotel, Dublin Intercontinental Dublin Cork International Hotel, Cork The Rose, Tralee, Co Kerry Hotel Riu Plaza (Gresham), Dublin Powerscourt Hotel, Co Wicklow Trinity City Hotel, Dublin The Davenport, Dublin In another nod to Ireland's high-end hospitality, Ashford Castle is named the top 'One of a Kind' resort in Europe, and number two in the world behind Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, India. When you think "castle hotel," you're probably picturing Ashford, with its stately canopy beds, manicured grounds, and slew of regal activities (think: falconry, archery),' it says. 'Bonus: It's also kid-friendly.' Its website lists remaining B&B rates from €945 this summer. Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards are based on 'the quantity and quality" of reviews collected from travellers over a 12-month period, it says. Over 1.6m global hotel listings were analysed, with "fewer than 1pc' achieving the 'Best of the Best' tag. The world's top hotel was named as Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya in Tulum, Mexico, while a list of Ireland's 'Best of the Best' luxury hotels was topped by Ballyfin in Co Laois. Ireland's best 'Small & Boutique' hotel for 2025 is The Ross in Killarney, Co Kerry, according to Tripadvisor – it also ranks at number 13 in the category in Europe. ADVERTISEMENT The travel website also published a list of Ireland's best B&Bs for 2025, with four of the top 10 in Co Clare and all but two on the west coast. Tripadvisor's Top 10 B&Bs 2025 Sheedy's, Doolin, Co Clare Dingle Garden Townhouse, Co Kerry Daly's House, Doolin, Co Clare Oranhill lodge, Oranmore, Co Galway Wild Atlantic Lodge, Lahinch, Co Clare Fiddle & Bow, Doolin, Co Clare Sea-Breeze Lodge, Galway The Tides B&B, Ballybunion, Co Kerry Bethel Guesthouse, Rosscarbery, Co Cork Caroleville B&B, Cork Sheedy's in Doolin also ranks sixth in Europe and number 23 in the global list of 'Best of the Best' B&Bs and inns. A separate list celebrating Tripadvisor's 25th anniversary ranks 'travellers' all-time favourite spots', with Pax House in Dingle ranking fourth in the world, and the Lake Hotel in Killarney at number 23. For a full list of winners, see
Dublin Live
10-05-2025
- Dublin Live
'I left Dublin for Portugal and discovered the secret to a better family life'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Portugal, with its golden beaches, endless sunshine and relaxed lifestyle, is a top holiday spot for many Irish people. Thousands of us flock to the Algarve each year for a bit of R&R. But one Dublin woman decided to turn her holiday into her everyday life. Dubliner Kelly Murtagh packed up her life and moved to Portugal with her young daughter 15 years ago. Now living in the Algarve with her husband and three kids, Kelly says swapping the grey skies and hustle and bustle of Dublin for Portugal was a game-changer. "The Algarve has so much to offer when it comes to family life", Kelly shares. "The fact that it's sunny almost all year round means you can enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle with a really good work-life balance. "You can swap being cooped up indoors with the heating on or sitting in traffic in the rain for beach time and playing sports in the fresh air. The quality of life is just top-notch. "There are so many stunning places to explore. We love hopping on the boat to the car-free island of Armona. The kids can be so free-spirited there. It's lovely to see." Kelly's journey from Ireland to the Iberian Peninsula will be one of the success stories shared at the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars at the Herbert Park Hotel in Dublin on May 22, 2025. Kelly will join a panel of Irish movers sharing their personal experiences, tips and words of encouragement, reports the Irish Mirror. Kelly, now a familiar face in her local community, opens up about the ups and downs of adapting to a new lifestyle. She shared: "Probably the thing that took me most by surprise was slowing down to the pace of life. "In Dublin I was always on the go - I felt like I was in a constant state of flight or fight. That's not the case here, and it took me a good 12 months to properly integrate in terms of slowing down my pace. "Doing so has reduced my stress levels dramatically. I didn't realise what a big impact that would make. The Algarve frees you from that cycle of a rigid routine. "The other thing I hadn't anticipated was how long the days feel here. You can switch off your computer after work and still have hours to enjoy the sunshine. In the summer, you can go to the beach at 6pm and still enjoy a good few hours of relaxing and swimming with the kids." She also offers some pearls of wisdom for those considering a similar move: "Finding a lawyer and an accountant will make everything so much easier in terms of navigating the Portuguese fiscal system." Her children, including one who emigrated with her at age six and two born in Portugal, are flourishing. Kelly speaks highly of the educational opportunities available, noting: "The Algarve has a good mix of state schools and international schools", which offer various options for families who don't speak Portuguese. Kelly, who swapped Dublin's bustling streets for the Algarve's serene shores, is raving about her new way of life, bursting with outdoor fun, fab fresh grub, and Zen vibes. Gushing over her stress-free existence, she shared: "The relaxed pace of life is wonderful. "You're not rushing home to get dinner and then herd the children into bed. There's so much less stress. "And the food is so healthy - it's all very fresh and seasonal. The range of sports is another plus - here we can sail, swim, kayaking, go paddle boarding. Cycling and paddle tennis have really become popular over the past number of years." Taking a break from the notorious Dublin commute, Kelly's loving her newfound freedom on wheels. She said: "I love how many travel options there are for holidays and work. "From the Algarve, you can drive to Seville in two hours, to Lisbon in two and a half and to the south of Spain in five. In a little over six hours, you can be skiing in the Sierra Nevada. "There's plenty to discover by car or campervan in both Portugal and Spain. I visited Porto recently, which is such an amazing city. "Faro is also great for flight connections. You can get back to Ireland easily, as well as travelling all over Europe and further afield." And eager to spread the good word, she's now urging others to dive in. She said: "It's hard to keep something good to yourself! I want to show people that it's not scary to move to Portugal and that it can have so many life-affirming benefits." Anyone interested in exploring the idea of relocating to Portugal is invited to the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars. Registration is free and available at here via this link. Or for more details, visit the Moving to Portugal website here. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I moved from Dublin to Portugal and found the secret to a better family life'
For many Irish people, Portugal is a favourite holiday destination. With its golden beaches, long sunshine hours and laid-back lifestyle, it's no wonder thousands of us head to the Algarve every year to unwind. While most return home, one Irish woman decided to make that dream her everyday reality. Fifteen years ago, Dublin native Kelly Murtagh packed up her life and made the move to Portugal with her young daughter. Now settled in the Algarve with her husband and three children, Kelly says the decision to leave behind the grey skies and fast pace of Dublin was life-changing. "The Algarve has so much to offer when it comes to family life", Kelly explains. "The fact that it's sunny almost year-round means you can enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle with a really good lifestyle balance. You can swap sitting indoors with the central heating on or sitting in traffic in the rain for spending time at the beach and playing sports in the fresh air. The quality of life is just superb. There are so many beautiful places to discover. We love catching the boat to the island of Armona, where there are no cars. The children can be so carefree there. That's lovely to see." Her journey from Ireland to the Iberian Peninsula will be one of the Irish success stories shared at the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars at the Herbert Park Hotel in Dublin on May 22, 2025. Kelly will join a panel of Irish movers sharing their personal experiences, tips and encouragement. Now fully integrated in the local community, Kelly speaks candidly about the challenges of adjusting to a new way of life - and the unexpected benefits. She said: "Probably the thing that took me most by surprise was slowing down to the pace of life. In Dublin I was always on the go - I felt like I was in a constant state of flight or fight. That's not the case here, and it took me a good 12 months to properly integrate in terms of slowing down my pace. Doing so has reduced my stress levels dramatically. I didn't realise what a big impact that would make. The Algarve frees you from that cycle of a rigid routine. "The other thing I hadn't anticipated was how long the days feel here. You can switch off your computer after work and still have hours to enjoy the sunshine. In the summer, you can go to the beach at 6pm and still enjoy a good few hours of relaxing and swimming with the kids." Offering advice to others, she said to embrace the challenge but to come prepared. Kelly added: "Finding a lawyer and an accountant will make everything so much easier in terms of navigating the Portuguese fiscal system." Kelly's children, one who moved with her at age six and two born in Portugal, are thriving and she praises the range of education options in the Algarve, saying: "The Algarve has a good mix of state schools and international schools", providing a range of education options that cater to non-Portuguese speakers. The family's days are filled with outdoor activities, good food and a more relaxed rhythm. She said: "The relaxed pace of life is wonderful. You're not rushing home to get dinner and then herd the children into bed. There's so much less stress. And the food is so healthy - it's all very fresh and seasonal. The range of sports is another plus - here we can sail, swim, kayaking, go paddle boarding. Cycling and paddle tennis have really become popular over the past number of years." Kelly has described a lifestyle far removed from her days in Dublin traffic. She said: "I love how many travel options there are for holidays and work. From the Algarve, you can drive to Seville in two hours, to Lisbon in two and a half and to the south of Spain in five. In a little over six hours, you can be skiing in the Sierra Nevada. There's plenty to discover by car or campervan in both Portugal and Spain. I visited Porto recently, which is such an amazing city. Faro is also great for flight connections. You can get back to Ireland easily, as well as travelling all over Europe and further afield." She is encouraging anyone curious to take the leap, saying: "It's hard to keep something good to yourself! I want to show people that it's not scary to move to Portugal and that it can have so many life-affirming benefits." Anyone interested in exploring the idea of relocating to Portugal is invited to the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars. Registration is free and available at here via this link. Or for more details, visit the Moving to Portugal website here.
