I am just back from California after attending Global Traveler’s 2015 Leisure Travel Awards event at the sleek and lovely Hotel Shangri-La at the Ocean in Santa Monica. The Shangri-La team, headed up by managing director Henri Birmele, brought out their finest décor and cuisine for the evening’s festivities. Award winners represented the best in leisure travel, from destinations like New Zealand to top properties like Meliá Hotels and Vida Hotels. Hawaiian Airlines took top honors as the favorite leisure airline, offering a bit of “aloha” spirit before you leave North America.

My next trip is to Ireland to sample some of the island’s best destination castles. On my first stop, the recently renovated and magnificent Ashford Castle, I will play the nine-hole course and take a falconry lesson. I have always wanted to visit Ashford with its rich history. The Anglo-Norman de Burgo family founded the castle in 1228 after defeating the O’Connor clan of Connaught. Over the years, the castle saw many owners, landing in the loving arms of the Guinness family until 1939, when it became a truly unique castle hotel. John Ford and the cast of the 1952 Irish cult classic The Quiet Man stayed at Ashford while filming in the area. The Quiet Man tours are very popular, and this not-so-quiet man plans to experience Ashford and report back to you.

I will then drive north to Donegal, home of an ancient Gallagher and Lough Eske Castle, the only 5-star hotel in Donegal. The original castle was built in 1474; the current structure, erected in 1621, is fully renovated and frequently receives coveted awards. I plan to search Donegal for my double while rambling some of the greatest rugged countryside Ireland has to offer.

A real treat will be starting my Irish experience from New York aboard Aer Lingus. My last time on the airline, they flew huge Boeing 747s across the Atlantic. Aer Lingus replaced these aviation workhorses with Airbus A330s with a completely new flat-bed business class that includes free onboard WiFi, a must in today’s world. The carrier is opening a new lounge at JFK’s Terminal 5 and a new arrivals lounge at Dublin’s Terminal 2. Aer Lingus also offers great connections to Europe with competitive pricing.

This journey will take us into the summer, and for me and the clan that means beach time. More on that in the next issue. Until then, surf’s up in Santa Monica — and raise a pint to the Gallaghers.

Go gcasfar le chéile sinn arís — until we meet again!