Ireland continues to make headlines across various sectors, from cultural achievements to tourism innovations. The latest updates from the Emerald Isle showcase why this European gem remains a top destination for travelers seeking authentic experiences, world-class festivals, and culinary adventures. Here’s what’s happening on the green island in summer 2025.
Cultural excellence and peace recognition in Ireland
Ireland’s commitment to cultural diplomacy has earned international recognition with the “Zeitgeist Irland 24” project receiving top honors at the 10th Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards. This collaborative initiative between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Tourism Ireland successfully showcased contemporary Irish culture throughout Germany.
Minister Jack Chambers highlighted that the award “demonstrates what’s possible through cross-sector collaboration,” noting how the project strengthened Ireland’s cultural profile in Europe while creating new connections between tourism, culture, and diplomacy. Tourism Ireland’s contribution was particularly significant, using authentic cultural experiences as invitations to visit Ireland, especially targeting culturally-engaged urban audiences.
In global recognition of a different kind, Ireland has secured an impressive second place in the 2025 Global Peace Index, trailing only behind Iceland. This prestigious ranking by the Institute for Economics & Peace analyzes 163 countries across 23 indicators, including societal safety, international conflict extent, and militarization. Northern Ireland, listed as part of the United Kingdom at position 30, also benefits from this positive peace climate, outranking even Norway.
The peace index recognition comes at a time when global tensions are rising, with 87 countries showing deterioration compared to previous years. This makes Ireland’s stability even more remarkable and attractive to international visitors seeking safe travel destinations. Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have emerged as peaceful havens for conscious travelers looking for cultural immersion with peace of mind.
| Top Peaceful Countries (2025) | Global Peace Index Ranking |
|---|---|
| Iceland | 1 |
| Ireland | 2 |
| New Zealand | 3 |
| Austria | 4 |
| Switzerland | 5 |
Festival season showcases Ireland’s vibrant cultural landscape
Summer 2025 brings an exceptional lineup of festivals across Ireland, offering visitors immersive experiences in literature, traditional music, and the arts. The West Cork Literary Festival (July 12-19) transforms the coastal town of Bantry into a hub for book lovers with readings, discussions, and workshops. Festival highlights include live interviews with internationally acclaimed authors, outdoor yoga sessions, and refreshing morning swims overlooking Bantry Bay.
Shortly after, Northern Ireland hosts the Belfast TradFest (July 27-August 3), celebrating traditional Irish music through concerts, céilís, pub sessions, and workshops for music enthusiasts of all ages. The entire city becomes a stage for authentic musical experiences where visitors can play, dance, and celebrate together.
For art enthusiasts, three major festivals showcase Ireland’s creative spirit:
- Galway International Arts Festival (July 14-27): Ireland’s largest arts festival featuring over 110 events including eight world premieres, an underwater theater piece by Mikel Murfi, and concerts from Mogwai and Sophie Ellis-Bextor
- Earagail Arts Festival in Donegal (July 12-26): A bilingual celebration of Gaeltacht culture with music, dance, circus arts, and environmental themes
- Kilkenny Arts Festival (August 7-17): Where classical and avant-garde merge in a medieval setting, featuring three world premieres including an opera by Kamala Sankaram and Paul Muldoon
Food culture takes center stage at the Cork on a Fork Fest, returning August 13-17 with over 100 events celebrating Cork’s diverse culinary scene. Now in its fourth year, this gastronomic highlight offers street food festivals, cooking demonstrations, pop-ups, food trails, and family-friendly activities throughout the city.
Innovative additions to this year’s program include a Zero-Mile Dinner in Glenbrook Farm’s cowshed, a Fashion & Food Brunch, a whiskey podcast with Master Cooper Ger Buckley, and a collaborative BBQ from Smokin’ Soul and Cask. The festival honors Cork’s historic role as a center for specialties and sustainable production—from seafood and cheese to traditional dishes like Spiced Beef and Drisheen.
Gastronomic adventures and cultural experiences across the island
Galway has emerged as Ireland’s culinary hotspot, offering exceptional dining experiences along the Wild Atlantic Way. The most unique among them is the Pullman Restaurant at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, where guests enjoy fine dining inside two original Orient Express carriages—”Leona” and “Linda.” These lovingly restored wagons provide a nostalgic setting for regional cuisine at its finest, featuring classic techniques and carefully selected local ingredients.
Downtown Galway shines with culinary gems including:
- Aniar, a Michelin-starred restaurant working with wild herbs, fermentation, and traditional methods
- Oscar’s Seafood Bistro, offering freshly caught fish prepared by chef Michael O’Meara
- Blackrock Cottage in nearby Salthill, an award-winning restaurant in a restored 1830s cottage
- Galway Food Tours, led by passionate food expert Sheena Dignam, taking visitors to the city’s best culinary addresses
Beyond gastronomy, Ireland’s cultural landscape continues to gain international attention. How to Train Your Dragon, the beloved animated classic, is coming to life as a spectacular cinematic experience under the direction of Dean DeBlois. Filmed partly in Northern Ireland’s breathtaking landscapes, the movie tells the story of young Viking Hiccup (Mason Thames) who challenges centuries-old hostility between dragons and humans after rescuing the feared Night Fury dragon, Toothless.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the new MARCO POLO OUTDOOR GUIDE “Ireland and Northern Ireland” by Ireland expert Sandra Kathe offers 232 pages of unforgettable experiences. Whether hiking between the Cliffs of Moher and Dublin Bay, cycling the Wild Atlantic Way, or climbing with sea views in Fairhead, this compact guide provides maps, GPX tracks, tour tips, regional specialties, and a suggestion for five perfect vacation days.
With its peaceful reputation, vibrant cultural scene, exceptional cuisine, and stunning landscapes, Ireland continues to reinvent itself while honoring its rich traditions—offering visitors authentic experiences that blend the historic with the contemporary in uniquely Irish ways.
- France played a different sport in first half, admits Ireland coach after Six Nations loss - February 8, 2026
- France U20 defeat Ireland U20 in Six Nations tournament opener - February 8, 2026
- France defeats Ireland in Six Nations opener despite uneven performance - February 6, 2026
