Blackberry craic on Inis Meáin
Could there be anything more wholesomely autumnal than attending Ireland’s very own blackberry festival? Add in the fact that the event is held on the Aran Island of Inis Méain and it just makes the prospect all the most special. Now celebrating its fourth year, Féile na bPuiteachaí will take place this month on September 20th and will feature a colourful smorgasbord of berry-based events from a baking competition to a blackberry ink-making workshop. Events are largely held as Gaeilge too, making it a wonderful way to immerse yourself in all matters sméara dubha! “We are so proud to be celebrating Féile na bPuiteachaí again this year in Inis Meáin. It’s a celebration of the bounty of nature, the culture and heritage of Inis Meáin and there is something for everyone to enjoy on the day. Beidh fáilte roimh chách!” says festival organiser and founder Aedín Ní Thiarnaigh.
Spot red deer in Killarney
Killarney makes a gorgeous place to visit at any time of year but wildlife wise, there’s something special about a visit here in autumn. That’s all down to the rut, the annual mating ritual among the park’s red deer, which sees stags dramatically lock horns to gain alpha status within the herd. You won’t necessarily need to trek too deep into the park to see some action either. Red deer are regularly grazing in the Knockreer area of the park, which is accessible from the Killarney House & Gardens gates in the town centre or if you’re heading to the main entrance of the national park, keep an eye out for deer as you drive along the Muckross Road. Many hotels in the town now offer complimentary bikes which is a great way to explore the area…just be sure to maintain a very respectful distance from the animals.
RM Block
Apple season in Armagh
Armagh’s Food & Cider festival may have just wrapped up for another year but the months of September and October still remain an excellent time to savour the fine bounty of apple-themed activities in the Orchard County. Visitors can enjoy the attractive smattering of orchards located amid the county’s rolling drumlins and partake in everything from blossom to bottle tours, orchard walks, or best of all artisanal cider tastings. Pop names like the Armagh Cider Company, Long Meadow Cider and Ballinteggert House in your itinerary. And if you don’t make a visit this autumn, don’t forget that the orchards make a great visit for their spring blossoms too. visitarmagh.com
Food workshop in Galway
Autumn is synonymous with the harvest season so why not connect with the land and its produce on your next road-trip west? Galway-based collective Hinterland hosts a number of food-focused workshops throughout the year and this October 5th will offer a full-day immersive food and farm experience, The Living Table. The event, set at Leaf & Root farm in Loughrea is designed to both nourish and educate, exploring resilient food systems through soil, stories, and seasonal flavours. The day’s schedule will include everything from wild food foraging, seasonal fermentation, and hands-on learning, all rooted in native produce. hinterlandwest.ie
Birdwatching in Wicklow
We often think of birding in Ireland as a summer pleasure— spotting puffins on Rathlin or the Saltees, for instance, has become an almost over-subscribed craze. But autumn and winter open up a whole new window for enthusiasts, with migrating visitors offering fresh faces to add to our checklists. Castle Espie in Co Down is a fantastic wetland centre, where hundreds of Brent and Canadian geese gather each season. While the postcard village of Avoca, Co Wicklow is another hotspot, watch out for the daily spectacle of red kites circling overhead at dusk.
Bee Wild in East Cork
East Cork farmer and environmentalist Kate Manning invites nadúr loving visitors to her farm near Inch Beach in East Cork to experience one of her immersive BeeWild Journeys throughout the season. Visitors will be guided through various aspects of life on the farm with multi-sensory experiences which include a beekeeping and premium honey tasting session before winding down with a calming forest bathing session.
“Nature is our place of refuge, our home and reminds us what we are connected to, and that must protected it at all costs,” says Manning. After your visit, why not pay a visit to the nearby Inch sauna to really soak in the East Cork coastal experience. Check out @beewild_with_kate on Instagram for the most up-to-date course info.
Leaf-peeping in Waterford
You don’t need to make a trip to Vermont to enjoy ‘fall foliage’, you know. That crisp autumn air (and fingers crossed, dry weather) make the perfect conditions for a fine kaleidoscopic display of colour, so it’s the perfect time to make tracks for Ireland’s deciduous woodland trails, where our native oak, ash and beech trees turn on the show. Some of the best broadleaf spots include the gorgeous Blackwater Valley in Co Waterford — with trails like Ballysaggartmore Towers or Lady Louisa’s Walk in Lismore, while Glendalough in Co Wicklow, a short spin from the capital, is a tree-lovers paradise. Elsewhere you’ll find incredible options north and south from Glenariff Nature Reserve in the Glens of Antrim to Glengarriff Nature Reserve in West Cork (best not to mix those up in your Google Maps!).
Pumpkin patch fun
Speaking of New England traditions, pumpkin patches have quickly become a staple of Ireland’s autumn calendar, as visitors seek family-friendly - and Instagrammable - outings on their staycations. And today you’ll find a growing crop of farm businesses across the country offering pumpkin-picking experiences, many with extra seasonal activities for Halloween including hay bale or corn mazes. You’ll find options across the island from Field of Dreams in Curraheen, Cork City (with all proceeds going to Down Syndrome Ireland), Killarney Pumpkin Farm in The Kingdom and Alright Pumpkin in Co Meath. A tip: do shop around with locations and booking options as prices can vary significantly.
