Reader Travel Awards 2024


The results are in! After thousands of nominations, and tens of thousands of comments, our readers have given us a fresh burst of insight into how and where they holiday. The winners of our awards are revealed today, and feature as many of your comments as possible. Congratulations to all of the winners, and thank you for taking the time to share your treasures and tips!

Pól Ó Conghaile
Travel Editor







How does it work?

Readers enter nominations across a range of categories together with comments on their picks (nominations are now closed for 2024). Only one entry is allowed per person. Entries are free and open to all readers in Ireland and overseas. Once entries close, the top nominees are tallied and our judging panel adjudicates on the readers’ shortlist — choosing the final winners and runners-up from your favourites. The final lists of winners and runners-up will be published in the Irish Independent's Weekend magazine and online in the New Year.

What are the categories?

- Ireland's best hotel
- Best Irish small stay
- Best holiday county
- Best overseas city break
- Best fly 'n' flop holiday
- Ireland's best beach
- Best Irish spa
- Ireland's best hotel restaurant
- Top travel influencer
- Best visitor attraction
- Best Irish walk or trail
- Best pet-friendly cafe or restaurant
- Ireland's best airport
- Best Newcomer (Judges' Award)
- The Green Light (Judges' Award)

Prizes

Sunway

Sunshine in Spain

A weeklong holiday with Sunway to Spain’s Costa del Sol, including flights and 4-star accommodation. sunway.ie
Winner: Suzanne Morrin, Co. Kildare

Monart

Magnificent Monart

A two-night spa break including B&B, one dinner and a signature spa treatment for two. monart.ie
Winner: Tina Bergin, Co. Kildare

Click & Go

A stellar city break

A four-star city break to Prague, Berlin, Budapest or Vienna for two, including flights, with ClickAndGo.com
Winner: Tracy Long, Co. Donegal

Ireland's Blue Book

Blue Book bliss

Two nights’ B&B with dinner on one night for two at Barberstown Castle, Co Kildare. irelands-blue-book.ie
Winner: Megan Gibbons, Galway

Dromoland Castle

Divine Dromoland

An overnight stay with dinner at the Earl of Thomond restaurant in the five-star Dromoland Castle. dromoland.ie
Winner: Patricia O'Connor, Co. Dublin

Killarney Plaza

Killarney dine around

Two nights and two dinners with Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa’s tasty package for two. killarneyplaza.com
Winner: Martha Potter, Co. Limerick

Wineport

Wineport wow factor

An overnight stay with dinner for two at Wineport Lodge, on the shores of Lough Ree. wineport.ie
Winner: Agnes Folan, Co. Galway

Galmont

Gorgeous Galmont

An overnight stay with dinner for two at The Galmont Hotel & Spa in Galway city. thegalmont.com
Winner: Aisling Corcoran, Dublin 11

The Hendrick

Hendrick heaven

A two-night stay at The Hendrick in Dublin, with two tickets to Jameson Distillery Bow St. hendrickdublin.ie
Winner: Trish Gavigan, Co. Westmeath

Farnham Estate

Fab Farnham Estate

An overnight stay with dinner for two people at Farnham Estate Spa & Golf Resort. farnhamestate.ie
Winner: Mags Guilfoyle, Co. Cork

Mount Congreve Gardens

Wonderful Waterford

A two-night stay in the historic Gate Lodge at Mount Congreve Gardens. mountcongreve.com
Winner: Barbara Stanley, Co. Tipperary

Lyrath Estate

Lovely Lyrath

A two-night stay at the five star Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny, with one dinner, for two sharing. lyrath.com
Winner: Margaret Buckley, Co. Dublin

Dunadry

Delicious Dunadry

An overnight stay with dinner for two guests at Dunadry Hotel And Gardens, Co Antrim. dunadry.com
Winner: Diane Cannon, Co. Donegal

Judges

Pól Ó Conghaile

Pól Ó Conghaile

Pól Ó Conghaile is Travel Editor with The Irish Independent. He has been Travel Journalist of the Year in Ireland and the UK.

John Brennan

Francis & John Brennan

John and Francis Brennan are hoteliers and hosts of RTE's At Your Service.

Roz Purcell

Roz Purcell

Roz Purcell is a best-selling author and founder of The Hike Life. She encourages people to experience Ireland through adventure.

Niall Treacy

Niall Treacy

Niall Treacy is Fáilte Ireland's Director of Demand Development.

Rachel Duggan

Rachel Duggan

Rachel Dugan is Editor of the Irish Independent’s Weekend magazine.

Katy McGuinness

Katy McGuinness

Katy McGuinness is a food writer and restaurant critic with the Irish Independent’s Weekend magazine.