10 things you have to do in Ireland in autumn

Nestled away in the County Cork countryside, just outside the city, is the majestic Blarney Castle. One of the most famous castles on the island, Blarney is a romantic partial ruin set in glorious countryside. Built on the site of a 10th century wooden structure, the castle grounds are filled with wooded hollows, strange rock formations and a glistening flowing river.

It should come as no surprise that the island of Ireland's rugged coastlines and deep dark waters are teeming with wildlife – but did you know that it is also one of the best spots in the world to whale watch? Autumn just happens to be a great time to see nature at its most dramatic. Humpbacks, minke and even the occasional orca can all be spotted doing their aquatic acrobatics along the Wild Atlantic Way. You’ll also spot seals all around Ireland’s coastlines, with County Kerry’s Great Blasket Island home to one of the island’s largest colonies of grey seals. Visit in late summer to early autumn and you may see hundreds of these curious creatures basking on the beach during breeding season!

You can’t journey around Ireland in autumn without stopping into a cosy café for a drop of tea or coffee. Preferably accompanied by some cake and pastry loveliness. Take an indulgent pitstop at Malahide’s Garden Café, Avoca’s Fern House in Wicklow, Established Coffee in Belfast or Thyme Out in picturesque Dalkey village to rest those weary bones.

“Is this Brazilian coffee?”, someone asked. “No,” replied Joe, “that’s Irish coffee.” It’s one of the many tales you’ll hear at the Flying Boat and Maritime Museum in County Limerick. Invented in 1942 at Foynes Port, where planes en route from Europe to America would stop to refuel, the Irish coffee was whipped up by Chef Joe Sheridan one chilly evening for passengers delayed due to bad weather. Wind blowing outside? Take a sip of this classic.

No denying, there’s something wonderful about a walk through our kaleidoscope of coloured forests, glens and coastlines. Autumn in Ireland is Walking Festival Season, with organised trails turning a simple walk into something special. Try the Wicklow Walking Festival, County Wicklow or the Wee Binnian Walking Festival in the Mournes, County Down. The Slieve Bloom Mountains are also renowned for their beautiful walking trails and are not to be missed.

From the breathtaking Downhill Beach on the Causeway Coast (a filming location for the hit TV series Game of Thrones®), to the wilds of Keem Strand on Achill Island (one of the island’s five Blue Flag beaches), you won’t be short of choice of beautiful beaches in Ireland. Impressive sand dunes, gentle lapping waves and soft golden sand that stretches farther than the eye can see – these aren’t the teeming beaches of the Med, so you’ll have plenty of space to choose where to lay down your towel! Cute, thatched cottages, fishing villages and harbours and some of the finest surfing conditions you’ll find this side of the equator – come and experience the seaside with us.

Ah, the Irish pub, no better place to duck inside on a cold day! Blazing open fires, warm welcomes and old-world knick-knacks aside, make sure to catch a traditional music session to get the complete experience. Here, among wooden corner booths, snugs and pints of Guinness, friends old and new trade melodies and ancient songs on an assortment of native instruments.

Autumn is harvest time, and there’s nothing quite as tasty as heading to farmers markets – big and small – to pick up food fresh from the farm! Two special treats, though, have to be St George’s Market in Belfast and the English Market in Cork, which have both been serving organic goods for centuries. Alternatively, head to the orchard county of Armagh, the home of the Bramley Apple, which has PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status from the European Commission, and learn how to make your own cider, jam and juice. Yum.

The island goes into overdrive as it hosts some of the biggest events on the cultural calendar, with a fantastic line-up for the autumn festival season. Check out the Dublin Theatre Festival, the Belfast International Arts Festival or the smooth sounds of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Delve into the world of Dracula's creator at Dublin's Bram Stoker Festival; head to the Wexford Festival Opera or tuck into delicious food and drink at the Dingle Food Festival, Savour Kilkenny and the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival. Decisions, decisions, decisions…

Did you know that Halloween was invented in Ireland? Which is why we celebrate it in style! Voted the world’s best Halloween spot in a poll by USA Today’s 10 Best online poll, Derry Halloween festival in Derry~Londonderry beat out ghoulish competition including witch trial capital Salem, Massachusetts, and even Transylvania! Want to be even more spooked? Take a paranormal tour around Belfast’s Crumlin Road Gaol or Offaly’s Leap Castle. Boo!