
Brew with a view: Wicklow beermakers open taproom experience in stunning mountain surroundings
Belmont Demesne, now a popular outdoor adventure destination with numerous biking and hiking trails, sits right next to the historical grounds of Killruddery estate, which too is well-known for its activity pursuits, but of a different nature. Thousands crawl through the muddy swamp waters each year on the obstacle course known as Hell and Back. But there is nothing hellish about the heavenly surroundings of Belmont. And for brothers Barry, Brian and Paddy O'Neill, and sister Orla O'Neill Byrne, nothing has been squandered.

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Irish Examiner
12-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Me and My Travels: Amy Huberman on Wexford, America and food fare in Valencia
One of Ireland's best-loved actors and writers, Amy Huberman has a love for life and the world around her. From summers in Wexford to beach days in Australia, her favourite trips have always been about fun, a little bit of mooching around, and a glass or two of wine. Here, she shares the holidays that shaped her, and ponders where she'd like to go next. Favourite childhood holiday memory When I think of holidays, I think of Rosslare and Wexford. We spent most of our summers down there. It was freedom, playing with our pals, getting chipper chips, going down for a 99. My granny was from Wexford, so we'd go into town, and that always felt special. Then we'd keep going down to Rosslare. We also did trips abroad, to campsites in France. I remember the car packed up, wedged with everything. My dad had The Furey Brothers on repeat. It was a lot of time listening to that, but it was so exciting. You'd just spend full days on the beach, probably getting sunburned and sand whipped into your face, but they were such happy memories. Most memorable trip The Whitsundays, Australia The one I was most excited about was my J1. I'd never been to the States before, and I nearly lost my mind with excitement. We even slept out overnight to make sure we got our place. It was such a formative trip. The summer before, I went to Jersey — the Channel Islands, not New Jersey! — to work in a hotel. We thought we'd be earning a fortune, but I think we were making about a pound an hour! We had no clue what we were doing, but it was so much fun. Later, I went to Australia for the first time with my best friend. We did the Whitsundays, and I've never been on beaches like that: white sand, snorkelling, everything. Those trips were the furthest I'd ever been, and they felt like a real adventure. Most surprising destination Ghent at evening, Belgium Ghent was a real surprise. We'd gone to Bruges for my husband, Brian's birthday. We flew midweek and stayed the night, but Bruges is quite small, so someone suggested we get the train to Ghent on the way back. I'd never even heard of it. I fell in love with it; it was like a little Amsterdam, the canals, the old buildings, the food. It just had such a lovely vibe. Sometimes all you need is a night away, and it's only an hour flight to Brussels. I really recommend it. Favourite city in the world Amy Huberman in New York It has to be New York. Every time I go, I fall more in love with it. It feels like its own bubble, this really special place. I love the West and East Village, walking the cobbled streets, going to Chelsea Market, the High Line, and the Meatpacking District. A friend of ours has a bar there, Brass Monkey, so we get to go to restaurants we'd never get into otherwise. I love wandering from SoHo up to the Meatpacking District, coffee in hand, just pottering around. One year we went in the spring, and it was perfect. When I'm there, I always feel like I'm somewhere else. Favourite hotel I can't remember its name — sorry! —but there was a hotel in Verona that really stuck out. It didn't feel like a hotel; it felt like staying in an old Italian grandmother's house. Every room was different, and you could just tell the building had hundreds of years of history. It was beautiful. The food was incredible, and you felt like you were part of the fabric of the city. Verona itself is stunning with the Romeo and Juliet balconies, but that hotel felt like stepping into an old Italian film. I'd love to go back. Most memorable food experience That would be Valencia. We visited the vineyard where our Ah! Cava is produced. Drinking our own cava with locally sourced Spanish food was so special. It's such a Spanish thing to order loads of dishes to the table. At first, I'd think, 'What if I don't like it?' But it was amazing, beautiful meats, fish, cheese. That shared experience of eating together, chatting, and drinking cava where it's made; that's what makes travel memorable. Valencia itself is gorgeous. There's a huge old magnolia tree in the middle of the city that I always think of when I remember that trip. Favourite thing to do while travelling It's a mix — pottering around, a bit of mooching. I love cities, but I also love local markets, especially in France. You'll find vegetables, fruit, little clothes, and someone playing guitar. It's that market vibe I love, just seeing what you come across. My bucket list trip Wat Phra Kaew, Temple of the Emerald Buddha. I've never been to Thailand, and I'd absolutely love to go. Maybe when the kids are a bit older. Amy Huberman has launched Ah! Wines, a new range designed to be easy to enjoy and full of personality. The range includes Ah! Sauvignon Blanc (€17.95), with light hints of tropical fruits, apricots and peaches with a long smooth finish, and Ah! Cava Brut Rosé (€24.95), fresh with subtle red berry notes. Both are now available in Tesco, and selected Dunnes Stores nationwide.


Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Brew with a view: Wicklow beermakers open taproom experience in stunning mountain surroundings
O Brother Brewing, the family-owned business that began life in an industrial estate in the village of Kilcoole, County Wicklow, has recently taken up residence in one of the most picturesque areas of the county. And if authenticity was something the three brothers were striving for when they ditched their jobs just over 10 years ago, then they have surely found it here. Belmont Demesne, now a popular outdoor adventure destination with numerous biking and hiking trails, sits right next to the historical grounds of Killruddery estate, which too is well-known for its activity pursuits, but of a different nature. Thousands crawl through the muddy swamp waters each year on the obstacle course known as Hell and Back. But there is nothing hellish about the heavenly surroundings of Belmont. And for brothers Barry, Brian and Paddy O'Neill, and sister Orla O'Neill Byrne, nothing has been squandered.


RTÉ News
25-06-2025
- RTÉ News
Watch: news2day Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Making a splash in Dún Laoghaire. The Ark celebrates 30 years. News from the Ireland WNT camp. Two bears have a bath. Stream the show on RTÉ Player or watch it now by pressing play on the image above. Florence takes to the water to paddle along with some new friends at a DLR Sportsability Water Camp. Barry goes to The Ark in Dublin as they celebrate their 30th birthday. RTÉ's Tony O'Donoghue is in Denver with a report from the Ireland WNT camp. And we see two bears who are cooling down with a bath!