Win a Break for Two in Gregans Castle

Gregans CastleIn addition to offering simple joys like warming turf fires and unparalleled views across the Burren landscape, this quietly luxurious country house in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare has earned a reputation in recent years as one of Ireland's top food destinations.

It has been run as a country house hotel by the Haden family since 1976, and is currently owned by Simon Haden and his wife Freddie, who have been proprietors since Simon’s parents retired in 2003 and whose fresh vision is bringing many new visitors to this fascinating area.

Surrounded by trees and gardens, in sharp contrast to the stark lunar landscape of the surrounding Burren, this peaceful place is an oasis of warmth, comfort and hospitality, and can be seen from miles around.

It has a uniquely serene atmosphere, and garden flowers throughout the house reflect the personal style of the owners, who have deftly added light and colour to the period interior, artfully blending antique furniture and paintings with stylish contemporary textiles and interesting modern Irish art.

Gregans Castle SuiteThe accommodation is simply lovely: 21 spacious rooms with unique landscape views are thoughtfully furnished by Freddie with understated, yet luxurious, contemporary style - and deliberately left without the worldly interference of television.

Such immaculate surroundings are not, perhaps, a destination likely to come to mind for people travelling with dogs. But, while the public areas of the hotel are not suitable for pets, ‘particularly loved four-legged friends’ are welcome to stay with their owners in a "doggy" room with its own sheltered outdoor area, an outdoor kennel and an indoor play pen/bed for inclement weather.

In the morning, allow time to linger over an excellent breakfast - a delicious buffet set up with fresh juices and fruits, organic cereals, freshly baked bread, home-made preserves and local produce including Burren Smokehouse organic smoked salmon, Burren Gold organic cheese and Limerick ham; the menu of hot dishes reads very simply - but the secret is in the quality ingredients, which sing with flavour.

Gifted chef, David Hurley, currently heads up this famous kitchen - and, having been Paul Flynn's Head Chef at The Tannery in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, prior to joining the team at Gregans as Sous Chef in 2011, he has an enviable pedigree.

The 50 seater restaurant enjoys lovely views over the Burren (where there can be very special light effects as the sun sets over Galway Bay on summer evenings), and Freddie has created a calm and serene room in beautiful tones inspired by the landscape; the atmosphere is intimate, yet fresh - a perfect setting for a unique dining experience that is often accompanied by a pianist or, more unusually, a hammer dulcimer

Dinner at Gregans Castle is a real treat, but an attractive short à la carte lunch menu is also offered (very nicely served in The Corkscrew Bar) and delicious Afternoon Teas too.

The lucky winner of this free competition will have a short break for two people sharing (subject to availability), to include:

•  2 nights accommodation
•  full Irish breakfast on both mornings
•  dinner for two people on one night

Read more about Gregans Castle on their website.

To enter the competition simply tick the answers to the questions below (you must be a member, click here to join, it's free):


Question 1. In which county is Ballymaloe House Hotel located?
Co Mayo
Co Cork
Co Dublin

Question 2. What is the approximate drive time from Cork city to Ballymaloe?
1 hour
2 hours
30 minutes

Question 3. How does Ballymaloe House Hotel describe the ethos of their restaurant?
Farm-to-fork
Tide-to-Table
Nose to-Tail
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