Experience Ireland

Experience Ireland Experience Ireland, by Live It Experience It - Join us as we tour for food and drink, culture, craic, music and characters.

Led by experiential travel journalist Eleanor McGillie, we showcase what Ireland has to offer. 🏍️✈️ 💚[email protected] ‘Live It Experience It’ is an Ireland based travel blog which is written by me, Eleanor McGillie, a brand journalist and former news editor. I have travelled to many exclusive locations as well as many hidden gems during my career as a guest of tourism boards and busine

ss owners. I love nothing more than writing about places to stay, places I have enjoyed, food and drink and I love taking part in outdoor activities. As people plan to holiday at home again in 2021, I will write as much travel content as possible in my spare time which will hopefully inspire you to also visit these places. If you run a tourism business and would like to collaborate with me email [email protected] and we’ll see how we can work together. I look forward to sharing my stories with you all.

02/06/2026

This is Magheracross View Point which is situated on the Dunluce Road, Bushmills, County Antrim.

The purpose-built viewing platform offers panoramic views and aren't they just stunning?

Lots of tourists already from all over the world admiring the place we call home.

31/05/2026

Gosford Castle, Co Armagh, from the air.

I flew over it today during my second flying lesson with Kernan Aviation, and what a view.

Built in the 19th century for Archibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford, Gosford Castle was designed by architect Thomas Hopper in Norman Revival style.

Game of Thrones fans may recognise it as Riverrun, with exterior scenes filmed here for Season 3. I was actually in the castle on one of the days they were filming.

A brilliant way to see one of Co Armagh’s most recognisable landmarks from a completely different angle.

Visit Armagh Gosford Castle

Connemara has beautiful way of stealing the scene. With its wild Atlantic light, stone walls, misty mountains and meande...
18/05/2026

Connemara has beautiful way of stealing the scene. With its wild Atlantic light, stone walls, misty mountains and meandering roads which seem to roll straight into story, it is no surprise film producers have long been drawn west.

The Quiet Man, released in 1952, is perhaps the most famous. John Wayne stars as an Irish-American boxer who returns to Ireland and finds romance, conflict and a new home among the lush countryside and village life.

The Field, based on John B. Keane’s powerful play, brought a much darker edge to the landscape, with Connemara’s rugged beauty helping to frame a story of land, pride and obsession.

Tristan and Isolde also found inspiration here, with the drama of the scenery lending itself beautifully to an old tale of love, loyalty and heartbreak. Filming locations included Killary Harbour, Renvyle Peninsula as well as Glassillaun and Lettergesh Beaches.

And then there is this place: The Quiet Man’s Bridge. Still standing. Still tranquil. Still proving Connemara does not just make a backdrop - it is a huge part of Ireland's film story. It's a beautiful bridge and what a wonderful place to stop and pause.

18/05/2026

Lough Neagh from the air gives you the scale of the place but the real story lives around the shore.

For generations, this lough has fed families, shaped trades and held communities close to its edge. Its waters are home to the world-famous Lough Neagh eel, a delicacy with a heritage rooted in the working lives of the fishermen who know these waters by season, weather and instinct.

From above, the shoreline curves beautifully through fields, farms and quiet townlands.

This is Lough Neagh - not just a landmark, but a living landscape of food, heritage and community.

It's the largest freshwater lough in the UK and Ireland and is a vital ecological site. Its wetlands, reed beds, islands, and surrounding grasslands provide a home for rare wildlife, important fish species, and internationally significant populations of waterfowl. To safeguard its biodiversity and natural features, Lough Neagh is designated under several conservation protections.

17/05/2026

We wanted to try somewhere we have heard about for years but have just never before made the journey to Ballygawley in Co Tyrone to try it out.

Our destination this time was The Tailor's House where guests can enjoy authentic, high-quality food, draft beers, wines and signature cocktails in a relaxing atmosphere.

For starters, we enjoyed confit duck, fig and grape chutney, cauliflower purée and sourdough; and Squid - crispy squid, peanut salsa and lime mayo.

For mains - pea and mint risotto and herb crusted lamb; and 10oz sirloin steak, onion rings, herb and garlic butter, cashew nut salsa, peppercorn sauce and bacon and leek mash.

For dessert - we shared a cookies and cream baked Alaska with raspberry, two spoons, followed by few Old Fashioned cocktails and a 00 Bramble.

This is a place where the front of house team welcome you in like a friend, nothing is too much trouble, they know the menu, know the food and are happy to share their knowledge.

Well done to you all and thank you for the craic and great experience. We'll be back.

10/05/2026

Castle Grove Country House Hotel in Donegal will always be at the top of my list.

I was back midweek for dinner and an overnight stay at this beautiful, award-winning Irish country house, and once again, it was everything I love about great hospitality: a warm, family welcome, elegant surroundings, excellent service and food cooked with the utmost care and attention.

To start, we had the seafood chowder, rich, comforting and full of flavour with a slice of beautiful homemade wheaten bread.

For mains, we chose the pan-seared fillet of salmon with pickled cabbage and pea lemon hollandaise, and the sugar pit bacon loin with spiced couscous, tomato chutney, charred onion and chorizo chickpea stew. My goodness - the flavours were intense.

On the side came roasted vegetables and potatoes, simple, seasonal and beautifully done. Dessert was a delicious chocolate brownie with hot chocolate sauce followed by the most amazing homemade marshmallows.

It was superb to taste quality produce cooked to perfection by the wonderful kitchen team. Every plate was thoughtful, generous and rooted in good ingredients.

The overnight stay was as beautiful as ever in this fine Irish country house, with that calm, timeless charm Castle Grove does so well.

The display of classic cars outside only added to the magic of this highly regarded Donegal property which is a home away from home for many discerning travellers from all over the world.

A special place, a special stay, with special people and a table I’ll happily return to again and again.

Thanks Team CG. You are truly special. You are the heart of Irish hospitality.

05/05/2026

Fields of gold over the orchard county - one of the many benefits of learning how to fly.

03/05/2026

I had my first official flying lesson on Saturday. Last week's was more of an experience flight - this week was flying and learning - straight and level!

But I did manage to capture this magnificent looking castle near Tandragee - I think. Does anyone recognise it?

What a stunning looking property.

Kernan Aviation

28/04/2026

Killiane Castle Country House & Farm in Co Wexford is the place where I reckon it's safe to say I had the best breakfast ever.

I'm a big lover of family run properties which are steeped in history and so this five star rated bed & breakfast was a perfect choice.

Having returned on the night ferry from Bilbao recently we wanted somewhere near the port as we didn't want ride our motorbikes back to Co Armagh at night and we also wanted our gastronomic adventure to continue from Basque & Beyond - the whole way back to Ireland.

Rated as a five star bed and breakfast by Failte Ireland, this 17th-century Country House, 15 minutes from the port, certainly was a welcome sight as we made our way down the driveway. It exudes an exquisite castle / country house feel and a relaxed atmosphere amidst its idyllic tranquil rural surroundings yet it's only minutes from Wexford town.

The house adjoins the 15th-century Norman castle which stands proudly alongside. It's stunning.

I'll be writing a travel feature on Killiane Castle Country house & Farm because it warrants it - not just for the welcome by Paul, but for the great night's sleep we had after a few glasses of wine while lounging in the honesty bar chatting to the other residents who were from Lithuania, America and Ireland.

And furthermore, for the absolute legendary breakfast prepared by Paul's wife Patrycja. My goodness - I'll never forget it.

Put this place on your must stay list! It's worth it. What a find.



Brittany Ferries Visit Wexford

28/04/2026

I flew over Coney Island on Lough Neagh on Saturday morning - the biggest freshwater lough on the island of Ireland and British isles.

The island is off the shores of Lough Neagh and has a rich history spanning many centuries, with evidence of human occupation dating back to Mesolithic times 8000 years BC. It is considered to be one of the most westerly outposts of the Normans during their occupation of Ireland from the 12th Century.

There are many interesting things to see and experience on the island, natural and historic, including Saint Patrick’s Stone, Coney Cottage, O’Neill’s Tower, and the Anglo/Norman Motte.

The Island has a humble campsite which sailors and boating enthusiasts can enjoy during the summer months. Boat rides are available from Kinnego Marina. (Seasonal). I remember being on the island when I was a child but I'd love to go back.

This was my first time ever taking the controls of a plane during my first flight on Saturday with Kernan Aviation.

Isn't it beautiful? 💚💙



Kernan Aviation

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Caledon

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