The Hot Press Best of Ireland Special is out now!

What are the best 200 restaurants in Ireland? Where are the top places to stay, visit and shop? Which are the hottest bars and venues? Who does the best coffee or afternoon? How can you keep the kids entertained?

All those questions – and more! – are answered in the Hot Press Best Of Ireland Special, out today with IFTA Best Actress nominee Seána Kerslake on the cover.

In a wide-ranging interview, the A Date For Mad Mary and Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope star talks to us about the booming Irish film industry, lists her favourite shops, pubs, theatres and weekend getaways, and explains why she’d probably be a gibbering wreck if she ever met Neil Jordan!

There are home thoughts from abroad as we catch up with her fellow screen siren, Ruth Negga, in Hollywood.

“There weren’t that many black people in Ireland,” the Ethiopian-born, Limerick-raised Loving star reflects. “I moved there when I was three or four, so I suppose there is an exoticism to someone who is not from Ireland, but I never felt uncomfortable in any way. I have a large family who were protective of me and I felt very welcomed in Ireland. I identify as Irish, because that is where I feel most at home – and it has contributed most to who I am.”

RTÉ, George Best, the Peace Process, social media and family are all on the menu as we do lunch with Miriam O’Callaghan.

“Seven of my children still live at home,” she notes. “When they were younger, I did get people calling to the door asking to enlist their child in this creche! It’s like Heuston Station, it’s a very busy house.”

Miriam goes on to list her favourite Irish restaurant, view, retreat and song, and pick her four Irish heroes.

Also giving us their top tips are Catherine Fulvio, Al Porter, Kevin Dundon, Bláthnaid Treacy, Cassie Stokes, Sebastian Barry, Sharon Shannon, Aiden Gillen, Dermot & Dave, trans-Atlantic rowing hero Gavan Henegan and the aforementioned Neil Jordan.

Best Of Ireland is the definitive insider’s guide to the island. Out now!