In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, we journey to the spectacular Causeway Coast in Antrim to explore one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting new luxury destinations: Dunluce Lodge.

Overlooking the 4th fairway of Royal Portrush Golf Club and the wild North Atlantic Ocean, Dunluce Lodge has swiftly earned its place among the region’s finest hotels. Opening its doors in April 2025, just in time for The Open Championship, the lodge welcomed hometown hero Rory McIlroy and his family during one of golf’s most celebrated weeks.

I sat down with General Manager Stephen Meldrum to explore the story behind this elegant 35-suite retreat with sweeping views of one of the world’s most iconic golf courses.

Stephen shares insights into the whirlwind first year—from achieving five-star status with Tourism Northern Ireland, to being named among the Irish Independent’s Top 50 Places to Stay and joining the prestigious Ireland's Blue Book. Stephen offers genuine insider insights, sharing the kind of local knowledge that only someone deeply connected to the area can provide.

This episode is about the power of Irish hospitality along a coastline that continues to captivate visitors from around the world. This is a story of vision, of place, and of the unmistakable warmth of Irish hospitality, set against a coastline that continues to captivate visitors from across the globe.

Whether you're a golf enthusiast, a lover of this stunning part of Ireland, or simply curious about Northern Ireland’s newest five-star retreat, this is a conversation not to be missed.

I love the Blue Book because they are often family-owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. A Blue Book voucher would always be my top travel gift recommendation and their website is https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie.

Check out the Dunluce Lodge here https://www.dunlucelodge.com

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

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In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, I’m joined by legendary Irish DJ, musician, author, photographer and rock’n’roll insider BP Fallon, known to many simply as “The Beep.”

With a career spanning decades at the very heart of music history - working with The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, T. Rex, U2 and more - BP Fallon has witnessed some of the most iconic moments in rock’n’roll firsthand.

In this conversation, he shares his five favourite gigs from a lifetime of extraordinary experiences, offering vivid stories from stages, studios and concerts around the world.

From unforgettable performances to behind-the-scenes encounters, this episode is a front-row seat to music history as seen by the guru BP Fallon.

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 140 countries worldwide. This award winning podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

Please follow me on

Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After staying in a luxury treehouse in France, I began to wonder what Ireland had to offer beyond the traditional hotel experience. The answer? Quite a lot. In this episode of Travel Tales with Fergal, I explore four truly unusual stays around the country — each offering something distinctive, memorable and a little out of the ordinary.

First, I revisit my summer stay at Trinity College Dublin Rooms. Available from May to August, the student accommodation within the historic college grounds offers a rare chance to wake up in the heart of Dublin, surrounded by tranquillity yet steps from the city’s buzz. There’s the novelty of morning coffee trucks in the square, after-hours calm once the day visitors leave, and of course the chance to explore the iconic Book of Kells and the magnificent Long Room Library. Visit https://www.tcd.ie

Next, I head to Mount Congreve Gardens in Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford. An 18th-century estate with extraordinary gardens, it offers everything from off-grid bell tents to stylish eco-cabins with hot tubs. I stayed in one of the atmospheric two-bedroom gate lodges — rich, gothic interiors, antique beds and velvet armchairs. With after-hours access to the gardens, direct links to the Waterford Greenway, and easy reach of the Comeragh Mountains and Mahon Falls, it’s an ideal blend of heritage and outdoor adventure. Visit https://mountcongreve.com

From there, it’s on to the forest escape that is Cabu by the Lakes in Co. Cavan. Set on the shores of Lough Oughter, these woodland cabins range from cosy one-beds to larger barn houses with hot tubs. Think wood-burning stoves, lakeside views, outdoor saunas and cold plunges tucked among the trees. With boating, kayaking and forest walks on your doorstep - and new cabins launching in 2026 - it’s a grown-up retreat designed for switching off. Visit https://holidays.cabu.co.uk

Finally, I visited Ballygarry Estate Hotel & Spa in Tralee, Co. Kerry, where I stayed in one of their distinctive Iglucraft woodland cabins. These Nordic-style pods combine craftsmanship and comfort, all set against the backdrop of the Slieve Mish Mountains. Family-run for three generations, the estate is also deeply committed to sustainability, with extensive rewilding, native tree planting and scenic walking trails woven through the grounds. Visit https://www.ballygarry.com

From college cloisters to woodland hideaways, lakeside cabins to historic estates, this episode highlights four unforgettable Irish stays that prove you don’t have to leave the country to experience something truly different. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next short break, this one is for you.

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.

Please follow me on

Instagram @traveltaleswithfergal

Facebook @traveltaleswithfergal

Twitter @FergalTravel

YouTube @traveltaleswithfergal

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.