Advantages: Stunning scenery, good craic, not touristy
Disadvantages: Slightly inaccessible

...are immediately contrasted a little inland by the mystical lakes of the Donegal highlands”. It reminds me of Cornwall and the highlands of Scotland … so if you like either, you’ll love County Donegal. ++ WHERE IS IT? ++ Donegal is the most northerly part of Ireland (above Northern Ireland), which is a bit weird when locals talk about going ‘up’ to Belfast (which is geographically south). With a spectacular 200 mile coastline, County Donegal is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and north; Counties Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh to the east and Counties Leitrim and Sligo to the south. ++ TELL ME A BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY (BUT DON’T BORE ME!) ++ Donegal’s original name was Tir Chonaill, meaning “the land of Conal” (one of the 12 sons of Niall of the Nine Hostages). In the early seventeenth century, the English changed the name... Read review

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Advantages: Handy stop-off on your travels
Disadvantages: A busy venue at all times of the day

...Driving northbound on the Sligo to Donegal road (N15) you are sure to drive through the picturesque village of Drumcliff. The Churchyard here is internationally recognised as the burial place of the poet WB.Yeats making this the definitive heart of Yeats Country. Drumcliff is also home to The Yeats Tavern Restaurant & Davis's Pub. One of Sligo’s oldest drinking and eating establishments, this fine pub/restaurant has been owned and run by the Davis family for over thirty five years. From the drinking mans local of the 1960’s, progressing on to their first menu of fresh fish, soup and sandwiches in the 70’s, the new century has seen this pub evolve to become a quality venue for eating and socialising. Open seven days a week, and only five miles from Sligo town, this is a popular spot frequented by both locals and visitors alike... Read review

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Advantages: Very peaceful, gorgeous scenary, unspoilt landscape.
Disadvantages: Can be very cold/windy, not much in the line of 'shopping' except gift shops

...Being from Clare myself, it is an absolute pleasure to be able to tell you all about this wild, harsh but absolutly beautiful place in the North of the 'Banner County', in South West Ireland. The Burren comes from the Irish/Gaelic word Boireann, which means stony place, and is a massive area of hugh limestone pavements covering a vast plain of land, said to be about 300 sq. kilometres. It stretches for miles and miles, through valleys, up mountains and hills, and alongside rivers and streams. It features some of the rarest flora and fauna in the whole country, a spray of colour against the harsh, grey landscape. It offers absolute peace, a type of spiritual tranquility that you just want more of. You can stand in the middle of this land, and breath in all the fresh air you can take, and you may not see a single person for miles... Read review

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Advantages: Location, Service, Design, Pure luxury
Disadvantages: Expensive, Quite secluded location you'll need transport

...This is my second Hotel review in a matter of days, but I'm still trying to find the balance of useful detail and boring everyone to sleep. In September 2006 My Wife and I (it's starting to sink in now!), got married at the Clandeboye Lodge in Bangor Northern Ireland. As I spent a good few days in and around the Hotel I think I have gathered enough information to put something together! ~~~~Location Ok, so I guess the first thing is to explain where the Clandeboye Lodge is! The Clandeboye Lodge is situated in County Down, Northern Ireland, about 20 minutes from George Best Belfast City Airport. This means that it is only a few minutes from Bangor and within comfortable distance from Belfast City Centre. This is a good and a bad thing at the same time. If you are staying at the Clandeboye it is worth making sure that you... Read review

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Advantages: Away from every where for a break. stunning countryside
Disadvantages: it wasnt family friendly for us at all

...My Other half and I got married last week. As we have a one year old we were a little loathe to fly anywhere on honeymoon as he is quite lively and we wanted to relax, rather than spend a plane journey running up and down the aisles of a plane after him. So after some research we booked the Renvyle House Hotel in Connemara, Co.Galway, Ireland. It is a 4.5 Hour drive from our home and we had planned to take the journey in two stages while our little one was asleep. I had read reviews about the Renvyle and how family-friendly it was. This was the most important aspect of booking our honeymoon. So after a call we had booked four days there, although we did not realise it was a bank holiday in the Republic of Ireland when we had booked so we had no idea how busy the hotels all were. However the receptionist was very friendly and we booked... Read review

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Advantages: Central location, friendly attentive staff
Disadvantages: expensive drinks

...& parnips and banoffee pie to follow. We found the per head price which included half a bottle of pinot grigio was very reasonable compared to prices here in Scotland. Overall we had no complaints. the only downside was the price of drinks. Two glasses of wine cost almost £15. I would recomend anyone to use this hotel as a base for a weekend away. It is a two minute walk from Westminster tube, right next door to the BA London Eye and central for everything. If you are looking for a romantic weekend then the County Hall is the one for you. There is a spa on site to pamper you (payable directly) Or if you would like a very special wedding or civil partnership then use this hotel. The events team & banqueting manager do everything they can to help and nothing is too much bother. Whatever you do have a brilliant time at this hotel.... Read review

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Advantages: good location, good transport connections.
Disadvantages: irish "pub" restuarant, a bit noisey

...Arriving at Washington's Union Station we noticed two things; It was HOT,the temperature it was nudging 100oF. The place was full of Boy Scouts! We reached Washington at Jamboree time, where tens of thousands of Scouts converge on Washington for their jamboree in Caroline County just outside Washington. So navigating our way through sweaty Boy Scouts and trying to keep up with our Red Cap (station porter) we eventually made it out to the taxi rank. "whey-hedin Sur" , "Phoenix Park Hotel, please" , "Sure thang" The Taxi Driver had a wry smile on his face as he packed our luggage and we fell into the back of the cab , glad to be out of the heat. So we headed out into the mass of sightseeing buses and taxi's round to the left, off round the Capitol Building, back down Capitol St, and low and behold the Hotel infront of us. I... Read review

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Advantages: Classy, beautiful surroundings and pure opulance
Disadvantages: Expensive and outside Belfast City.

...Set in beautiful gardens and forest the Culloden hotel is the only hotel in Northern Ireland which has gained 5 stars. An ideal place to stay for those who want to be pampered and stay in luxury. The rooms are classy with differing levels of luxury from double rooms with 4 poster beds to full luxury suites. I found the level of service exemplary , the staff always helpful and smiling, all giving you a feeling of relaxing in great comfort in surroundings that made you feel totally at home. The food in the restaurent was superb - near Michelen star level and the hotel bar was welcoming with good local musicians playing nightly. The atmosphere was one of relaxing in opulance. The only downside was that the hotel was about 8 miles from Belfast - fine if you wanted to stay in the hotel relaxing in the spa and being pampered but if you wanted... Read review

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Advantages: Lots to do
Disadvantages: its rains quite a lot

...County Fermanagh is my own home county and let me take this opportunity to tell you how wonderful it is and about the loads you could do and visit while on a break here. Fermanagh is better known to many as the region in Northern Ireland known as The Lakelands. This beautiful county lies in the West of Northern Ireland. The main feature of Fermanagh is it's large lake called Lough Erne. The lough provides tourist with numerous activities to do such as sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing, swimming, fishing as well as other activities. The jet ski championship are held in Fermanagh every year and attract a large number of tourists. The county also has a lot of historical locations to visit such as Belleek Pottery, Enniskillen castle, Castle Coole, Florencourt House, Famine graveyard at Adress ( near the village of Kesh... Read review

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Advantages: Magnificent Links Golf Courses
Disadvantages: Bring your waterproofs

...-wide appeal fund was launched, resulting in thousands of pounds being raised. Sea ‘gabion’ wire baskets were laid, layered with stones, to defuse the in-rushing Atlantic breakers. However, the problem is not solved. It is still on going. Ballybunion is rated at number nine in the list of the worlds’ best courses. ROYAL PORTRUSH GOLF CLUB The Royal Portrush Golf Club was the first true links course in Ireland, opening for play in 1888. It is situated no more than a drive and a pitch from the town on the north County Antrim coastline, alongside the famous ‘Giant’s Causeway’. Similar in design and layout to the Old Course at Saint Andrews, Scotland, it boasts large, undulating putting greens, and fairways carved from the natural humps and hollows of the ever-present sand dunes. Precise accuracy is at a premium... Read review

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