Footie flyer
As sponsors of the Icelandic national team, this summer Icelandair is offering its customers the opportunity to try a 90-minute football-inspired experience all included in the price of its stopover flight ticket. Players from the men and women's football teams have co-created a series of experiences, so whether you want to relax like a pro or learn about the skill and strength it takes to be a world-class player, there's something for everyone. An average return flight from Dublin to New York via Iceland starts from €366.50 per person return, and Icelandair has just launched a six-times weekly, year-round service from Dublin to Reykjavik. Visit icelandair.com for more.
Fit for a queen
In celebration of the impending royal nuptials, Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa has devised a special afternoon treat. Its new Royal Tea is available throughout May with a menu of fancy finger food and regal-inspired sweet cakes and buns including a royal biscuit cake and shortbread crowns. Enjoy it from €40 for two or €54 for two to include a glass of Prosecco each. Call 01 801 3500 for reservations.
Read all about it
This year's Borris House Festival of Writing & Ideas takes place June 8th-10th, with more than 60 speakers taking part in 50 events over the weekend. Now in its seventh year, the festival has become a mecca for the culturally curious, with artisan food and a beautiful setting to top it all off. Visit festivalofwritingandideas.com to book tickets.
Shore thing
With news of Ballynahinch Castle joining the McKenna Guide as one of Ireland's top 100 places to stay, now's the perfect time to visit the Victorian country house and estate in Connemara. Outdoorsy types will love their Islands and Lobster package, which invites guests to uncover their very own piece of the Wild Atlantic Way. Spend a weekend with their local skipper visiting the grey seal colony, spotting seabirds and visiting the deserted island of Inishlacken during a three-hour expedition. Then pull up some lobster pots and fish for mackerel before returning to Roundstone for some lunch or afternoon tea. Stay for two nights bed and breakfast and a half-day guided sea trip from €345 per person; ballynahinch-castle.com.
