There’s nowhere better than Ireland when the sun shines. And oh, have we been treated to some amazing weather over the last few days. We may not have the guaranteed summer that other countries have, but we sure know how to appreciate it when it arrives!

Here are some suggestions for a great staycation in Ireland, come rain or shine.

Indulge in Irish food

This is the perfect way to appreciate the best that the country has to offer. If the sun is shining, pop into a market to pick up the best local produce and head to the nearest park for a picnic. We love the English Market in Cork, where you can find the amazing Gubbeen Smokehouse Chorizo among breads, cheeses and incredible salads (read our piece about the 5 foods you have to try in Cork here) https://www.doylecollection.com/blog/foods-to-try-in-cork

If you’d rather have the hard work done for you, then book in for lunch or dinner in a restaurant that takes pride in local ingredients. The River Lee has an amazing terrace so you can soak up the sunshine as you eat, as does The Croke Park. In The Westbury, you can eat outside at Balfes or enjoy the fantastic new terrace-style seats in Wilde.

Enjoy the museums

Ok, the weather may not be playing ball. But this just means it’s the perfect time to explore some of the great museums we have in our cities. When something is right on your doorstep, you mightn’t always get a chance to pop in. A staycation is the perfect excuse. The Little Museum of Dublin offers a fantastic insight to the city over the last 100 years, and the bog bodies in the National Museum on Kildare Street are always captivating.

Take a Tour

You might have been to Dublin a hundred times, but take a guided tour and you’ll likely find spots you’d never noticed before. One of the best tours to take involves nibbles along the way, with a foodie tour of Dublin taking in all the best culinary hotspots. Read our post about the foodie package here.

Get out to the sea

One of the best things about Dublin is its proximity to the sea. So many amazing beaches are just a short hop away on the DART – from the cliff top walks and seafood restaurants of Howth, to the wide stretches of sand at Portmarnock. The beach is an easy day trip from the city, which makes it the perfect last minute idea when the sun is inexplicably splitting the sky.

There are some fantastic Staycation breaks available in The Westbury, The Croke Park and The River Lee, which you can see more about on our website.