Why a rainy day in Ireland could be just what you need

Posted on 14/10/202314/10/2023 by hiddenireland-admin

October in Ireland always brings what you could call a ‘mixed bag’ of weather conditions. This year, however, the month has been more mixed than usual, with some gloriously sunny weekends sitting in amongst the misty mornings and rainy days.

Despite the lingering sunshine providing a welcome extension of summer lasting well into this month, it can also be highly satisfying to enjoy the alternative attractions of a rainy day. Autumn is arguably the most ‘sensory’ season, with gorgeous colours in the trees to look at, the smell of rain in the forests to enjoy and the sound of millions of tiny water droplets hitting the ground in a gently hypnotising rhythm.

If you are visiting one of our Hidden Ireland properties for October half-term week, or are planning an intimate long weekend for two, don’t worry if the forecast is looking like rain. Here are some ways to enjoy your stay, whatever the weather decides to do.

No such thing as bad weather…

There is a lot of truth in the well-known axiom, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing?” The secret to heading out for a rainy day outdoors is to make sure you dress for the weather. Once you have done that, there should be nothing stopping you heading out into the Irish countryside for a forest ramble, bracing coastal hike or long amble across beautiful Irish grasslands. Ask at your accommodation if they have any walking trails that you can try out, especially routes with particularly firm ground underfoot.

Out and about

When you wake up and pull the curtains, only to be greeted by pouring rain, this can present an unexpected chance to pull on your coat and head into a nearby city, town or village. You will find numerous shops, tea rooms, restaurants, museums and other historical buildings to pop inside and wait out the worst of the weather. Take a moment to research the attractions of your local towns and villages – you may stumble across something fascinating that you would never have thought about visiting before.

Get lost in a good story

Ireland has produced a large number of brilliant playwrights, authors, poets, novelists, essay writers and screenwriters. A rainy day offers the perfect excuse to curl up in a library, or your own accommodation, to read a good book with a cup of tea and slice of cake. See if you can find something that is set in the area, or that has been produced by a local writer. Or, visit your nearest cinema or theatre to watch a film or play and immerse yourself in a compelling story while you wait for the rain to pass you by.

Shopping in the rain

Finally, a rainy day can be a great excuse to head for the shops to get ahead on the Christmas shopping, buy a souvenir or two from your stay in Ireland or look for some seasonal fashion ‘finds’ to take you into winter. Spending a couple of hours looking in antique shops can also be a real treat on a rainy day, as can discovering the different types of shops that line the high streets of your nearest town. Bad weather needn’t stop play – get out there and dodge the rain by popping in and out of any shops that take your fancy. Break for a spot of lunch or afternoon tea to make a full day of it. Perhaps you will find yourself a brand new raincoat or umbrella to remind you of how much you enjoyed your rainy day adventures in Ireland this October!

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Five ways to enjoy the Irish countryside this autumn

Posted on 18/09/202318/09/2023 by hiddenireland-admin

Summer may be almost at an end now, but that doesn’t mean that the holidays and excursions should stop. Many people list autumn as their favourite season of all. It’s not hard to see why with the glorious colours in the trees, cooler temperatures making it more pleasant to go for a long ramble and the prosect of delicious seasonal treats on the menu.

Many Hidden Ireland properties are located near beautiful woodlands, forests and countryside areas that show off their best side at this time of year. For autumn afficionados, Ireland offers a plethora of seasonal treats and experiences that will help keep the spirts high, right up until Christmas. Here are five ways to enjoy the Irish countryside this autumn.

· Autumn rambles
When it comes to finding the best walking routes around, visitors to Ireland are spoilt for choice. Ireland’s midlands are home to beautiful woodlands, forests and rural landscapes, all yours for the exploring. If you are staying nearer to the edge of the country, you can enjoy coastal walks that take in breathtaking vistas across the Irish Sea to the east, Celtic Sea to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west.

· Fun foraging
Foraging has become more and more popular of late, as people look closer into the bounty that nature can provide. From mushrooms and berries to leaves and herbs, you can find a host of delicious ingredients out in the open countryside. A very important proviso here is to never eat anything that you are not 100% sure is edible and safe to consume. Always check with an expert before tucking into your finds. The best way to enjoy this autumnal activity is to book a place on a foraging walk. This will ensure that you only collect and eat safe items – and only forage in places where it is permissible to do so.

· Changing views
The colours in the trees change many times as autumn progresses, and the same view or walking route can look very different, even within a few days. So, don’t assume that, once you have completed a walking route or admired a view that it will look the same until winter. Take time to return to favourite spots and enjoy the season and the trees changing before your very eyes. As some of the leaves fall towards the end of autumn, this will reveal previously hidden parts of a view and change the whole experience even more.

· Arts and crafts
Autumn’s rich and vibrant colour palette has inspired many arts and crafts activities for adults and children alike. Two creative hobbies that lend themselves perfectly to autumn are painting and photography. Mixing just the right oils or watercolours to capture the exact shade of an autumnal tree can be immensely satisfying, as can composing the perfect shots for some seasonally inspired photographs. Other countryside crafts include pressing leaves and flowers to make greeting cards, or finding the perfect fallen branch for your next woodturning project.

· Harvest feast-ival
Finally, the ice creams, cocktails and salads of summer are fast becoming a distant memory. The good news, however, is that in their place come pumpkins, breads, grains and soups. Warming, tasty autumn dishes can warm the heart every bit as much as fill the stomach and they are an undoubted benefit of life in September and October. Watch out for autumn-inspired dishes from your Hidden Ireland hosts, or on the menus of local cafes and restaurants to a truly authentic Irish experience. The perfect way to keep the first of the misty morning autumnal temperatures at bay .

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How to plan the perfect Irish country house weekend

Posted on 01/08/202301/08/2023 by hiddenireland-admin

Now that summer is well underway, many people’s thoughts turn to spending time away with friends and family.

When planning your next Irish country house weekend, it’s important to consider what everyone wants to get out of it – fun with friends? Sporting activities? A chance to escape the rat race for a while?

Whatever you decide to do, you will get the most out of it with a bit of prior planning.

Here are four top tips to help you enjoy the perfect country house weekend in Ireland.

Do your research

As with so many things, a little prior knowledge can make an experience so much more enjoyable. So, while you are preparing to go away, take a look ahead at what you might be able to visit, do and eat when you get there.

Read what your accommodation’s website or social media says about the area.

Check opening dates and times for local attractions – some places only open during tourist seasons. Work out whether you and your guests want to eat out or stay in. Does your accommodation offer in-house dining?

This can be a real treat for the whole party, when chefs use locally-sourced ingredients to provide delicious, authentically Irish meals.

Stay flexible

Plan a loose agenda if you wish, but don’t insist on your guests following it too rigidly.

Create lists of options for people to choose from, grouped under headings like ‘active’, ‘touristy’, ‘outdoorsy’ or ‘chilled’. While some things do need to be fixed, such as arrival and departure times or pre-ordered dining arrangements, everything else can be moved around to suit those present.

Keep an open mind – you may discover new things to do once you settle in.

Pack with precision

Don’t leave packing until the last minute.

The more time you devote to it, the less likely it will be that you will forget anything vital.

You can find packing lists online if that would help.

Some Hidden Ireland properties are located in quite rural settings without walking distance access to local shops, so the more prepared you can be with what you bring with you, the more relaxing your country house weekend will be.

Of course, you can always order anything online that you can’t be without for delivery to your holiday accommodation if you are going to be away for long enough.

Read – and leave – reviews

Always read the reviews for anywhere you are staying or planning to visit during your country house weekend in Ireland.

Not only will they tell you what other visitors have enjoyed doing and seeing, they can also provide other useful information.

For example, if previous guests mention the amenities available in your accommodation, you know what you do and do not need to bring with you.

Return the favour if you can – if you appreciated a place or an event local to where you have been staying, leave them a review to say so and share your good experiences with others.

If you need to contact Hidden Ireland to find out more about our country houses, cottage or properties please click HERE

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