The Banner County: Where Grassroots Skills and Sustainable Tourism Meet
In a world full of trendy destinations filled with overpriced avocado toast and Instagram models, we often forget the beautifully understated places that whisper to us through their lush landscapes and authentic cultural experiences. Enter County Clare, dubbed ‘The Banner County’—not to be confused with your aunt’s crochet club, but rather a place that’s **smack-dab on Condé Nast Traveller’s** “Best Places to Go in 2025” list. Yes, it’s official! The world is waking up to the beauty of traditional Irish music, ecotourism, and, dare I say, real craftsmanship. And you thought they only made good whiskey!
The Armada Hotel, Ireland’s pioneer B Corp certified hotel
While other places like the Athens Riviera and the stunning coast of Portugal may steal the spotlight, Clare has quietly become a hub for a “grassroots revival of other skills”. And what does that even mean? Think of it as a hipster latte without the pretentious foam art. We’re talking about a blooming ecotourism scene, where walking tours led by marine biologists are all the rage (not to name drop, but Cormac McGinley‘s tours are apparently worth the walk).
And if you’re thinking more along the lines of a Michelin star, you’d be wise to make a reservation at the **Homestead Cottage** in Doolin. Yes, that’s the same Doolin that every Irish band claims as their roots. But let’s be real; if you’re not sampling fresh seafood and avoiding the usual tourist traps, are you really in Ireland?
Homestead Cottage: Where Michelin stars meets homely comfort.
You might think a county nestled along the famous **Wild Atlantic Way** would drown out in the noise of its mountainous neighbors like the Cliffs of Moher, but it seems Clare is thriving. It’s even managing to sneak into a vacationer’s must-visit list without mentioning that famed cliff or this year’s All-Ireland. What a genius move!
So, What’s Cooking?
The **Condé Nast** list isn’t your run-of-the-mill holiday brochure. They’ve cherry-picked places “experiencing a renaissance”. This hotlist strikes gold—meticulously crafted experiences that don’t just scream “look at me,” but rather invite travelers to dive deep. It involves learning how to build a dry-stone wall—because nothing says “I had a productive holiday” more than a structural masonry skill you’ll never use again.
The inclusivity of the **Burren Ecotourism Network** is another feather in Clare’s cap, previously recognized as one of **Lonely Planet’s** top spots to visit. Getting two nods for global travel? Now that’s something a high school dropout like me could aspire to, if only tourism were on my résumé.
And What About All Those Awards?
As if that title wasn’t enough to entice you, it’s worth noting that Cork has also been labeled among the best places to visit by **National Geographic** in 2025. It’s almost like Ireland’s gearing up for a travel renaissance rivaling a rock band’s comeback! Adare Manor snagged the title of **European’s finest resort**, and let’s not gloss over the Armada Hotel’s prestigious B Corp certification. Gosh, it’s like Ireland is the new California—without the wildfires and overpriced gardens!
In Conclusion: Don’t Just Follow the Trend
As Condé Nast succinctly puts it, “All this and you’re still never far from a toe-tapping céilí and the craic.” Clare isn’t just a whimsical footnote on your travel journey; it’s where you can experience the authentic Irish spirit without the tourist flair. Whether you’re there for the music, the food, or the immersive experiences, there’s no better time to explore the rich tapestry of County Clare.
So pack your bags, grab your walking shoes, and head west. You might just find that this hidden gem was just what you needed all along—or who knows? You might just get wrapped in the charming embrace of the **Banner County**.
Curious about the full ⭐️ ‘Best of’ list? Click here.
Condé Nast Traveller recently spotlighted Banner County for its brilliant sustainable tourism and grassroots skill initiatives.
The Armada Hotel is Ireland’s first to achieve B Corp certification
The recent issue of Condé Nast Traveller features an extensive list of top travel destinations in Europe for 2025, showcasing a vibrant variety of experiences from city life to serene coastal landscapes.
It also includes the Banner County as a notable destination.
“Long known as the cradle of traditional Irish music, County Clare is now emerging as a central hub for a grassroots revival of various skills, setting a benchmark for ecotourism along Ireland’s captivating Wild Atlantic Way,” as described by the prestigious travel magazine.
Culminating in a rich tapestry of cultural events, it’s noteworthy that the feature doesn’t even touch upon the allure of the Cliffs of Moher or this year’s thrilling All-Ireland achievements.
The highly anticipated list of ‘The Best Places to Go in Europe in 2025’ was revealed this month, highlighting 11 exquisite destinations “worthy of your precious annual leave and hard-earned spending money,” according to the renowned UK edition of the travel staple.
Focusing on exciting places that are poised for a renaissance in the upcoming year, the shortlist is culled from the insights and experiences of the magazine’s contributors.
Recommended experiences include marine biologist Cormac McGinley’s insightful walking tours (cormacscoast.com), the distinguished Michelin-starred Homestead Cottage in Doolin (homesteadcottagedoolin.com), and the educational Common Knowledge Centre (ourcommonknowledge.org), which offers guests the chance to camp, stay in lodges, and learn traditional crafts such as dry-stone wall building and furniture-making.
Co Clare’s reputation in the global travel scene has been on the rise, highlighted by the Burren Ecotourism Network being recognized among Lonely Planet’s top places to visit in 2021.
The recognition from Condé Nast adds another feather in the cap for Irish tourism as the new year approaches, following cork’s mention on National Geographic’s travel hotlist for 2025, along with Adare Manor’s distinction as Europe’s best resort by their US edition.
Homestead Cottage in Doolin, Co Clare
Conde Nast Traveller’s ‘Best Places to Go in Europe in 2025’
Autumn and early winter see a wave of travel awards and ‘best of’ lists, and those by the likes of Condé Nast can be heavily influential among travellers.
The European list also pays tribute to the vibrant, surf-style escape offered by the Armada Hotel, which stands out as the first hotel in Ireland to achieve B Corp certification for its commendable environmental and social responsibility efforts.
Notably, the hotel ranked No 2 on the Irish Independent’s Hot 100 list of Ireland’s best hotels for 2024, further solidifying its status in the hospitality industry.
Gregans Castle is noted for its luxurious eco-friendly experience and its charitable donation of land to the Burren Pine Project, which aims to restore a lost tree species to the area’s native ecosystem.
“All this and you’re still never far from a toe-tapping céilí and the craic,” Condé Nast summarizes.
Find the full ‘Best of’ list online here.
What are the top attractions to visit in the Ahr Valley, Germany?
It looks like you’ve provided a list of travel destinations in Europe, each highlighted with an icon. Here are the locations mentioned:
1. Ahr Valley, Germany
2. Albania
3. Arrábida, Portugal
4. Athens Riviera, Greece
5. Co Clare, Ireland
6. Faroe Islands
7. Geneva, Switzerland
8. Marseille, France
9. Matarraña, Spain
10. Sussex, UK
11. Vienna, Austria
Additionally, it seems to mention the influence of travel award lists, such as those from Condé Nast, on travelers’ choices. If you’d like more information about any specific location or aspect of travel, feel free to ask!