BEST CHRISTMAS SHOPPING BREAKS - TEN OF THE BEST

For a well-earned relaxing short break before the seasonal madness really kicks in - and Christmas shopping without the pain - top up your credit card and head for one of these great destinations.

The BrookLodge & Wells Spa EAST
Macreddin Village Co Wicklow

Evan Doyle was a pioneer of the new organic movement when he ran The Strawberry Tree restaurant in Killarney in the 1990s, and his vision is now coming to full fruition at this extraordinary hotel that he and his brothers, Eoin and Bernard, have created over the last twelve years. Beautifully located, and famous for its wonderful food (choice of restaurants), little street (which includes their own craft brew pub) and wide range of activities (everything from pampering to horse riding), BrookLodge is also earning a reputation for its events – including the regular organic farmers’ markets and, increasingly, food-related conferences and get togethers. A very special one, which combines an unusual shopping expedition with the possibility of attending some very instructive workshops, is the Slow food Ireland Wild&Slow Festival (19th & 20th November); celebrating “all that is good about Irish foods – fresh, local, traditional & wild - in a WinterFest Style Market.” With hundreds of homemade foods on display, it’s the perfect place to buy those foodie gifts, and there will also be Wild Workshops, Tastings, Talks and Demonstrations – and the wise slowie will arrive early or stay on a night or two when it’s quieter, to enjoy the countryside (and the gorgeous food) at a slower pace. And there are other temptations in the Garden County too, such as the Kilruddery Christmas Fair at beautiful Kilruddery House & Gardens, outside Bray (18-20th November, Admission free, with Simon community collecting €2 in the carpark).


Marlfield House SOUTH-EAST
Gorey Co Wexford

Any excuse to visit the Bowe family’s magnificent Regency House just outside Gorey (R742, Courtown Road) will do just fine, and their adults-only ‘Winter wonderland shopping extravaganza’ planned for Wednesday December 7th 2011 (4pm to 9pm) is a seriously tempting one, especially as it includes a seasonal cookery demonstration with that great chef Paul Flynn, of The Tannery Restaurant & Cookery School in Dungarvan Co Waterford. Marlfield is renowned for its tastefully luxurious décor and you can be sure that the Bowe girls – sisters Margaret and Laura, and mother Margaret – will have plenty of treats in store when they promise a ‘treasure trove of hand selected gifts and pressies’, including jewellery, skincare products, manicures and makeovers, designer gladrags, sassy shoes and hand bags, cashmere throws and baby clothes, cushions, candles, cakes and hampers and all sorts of other irresistible goodies. It’s good value too, as the €25 ticket price for the evening includes a glass of wine or prosecco and a light fork supper; a special overnight package is also available, from €115pps all inclusive – call or email to reserve tickets and/or accommodation. Raffle tickets for great prizes, including a Weekend in Marlfield for two people, will be sold on the night proceeds will go to the Wexford Hospice And for those who can’t attend on the night, the Marlfield Christmas Collection, artisan food and hampers remains open until December 19th.


Wineport Lodge MIDLANDS
Glasson Co Westmeath

Familiar to viewers of RTE’s popular show, The Restaurant, Ray Byrne and Jane English’s lovely lakeside lodge styles itself ‘Ireland’s first wine hotel’ and it is nothing less than stunning. It simply oozes style and comfort, with thirty beautiful rooms (all with private balconies overlooking the lake), a hot tub and treatment rooms. All this, plus one of the most beautifully located restaurants in Ireland, make a stay at Wineport tempting at any time, but coming up to Christmas it’s pretty irresistible for a mixture of shopping opportunities and relaxation. Glasson Craft Gallery has lots of Christmas Gift ideas, from locally produced jams, preserves and festive goodies, to works by local artists, ceramics, glassware etc, and Athlone Town Centre, with over 60 shops, is nearby too – and, as guests can sometimes feel strangely reluctant to leave this place at all, Wineport itself will have a gift emporium onsite. For family outings, there are seasonal Sunday lunches (Santa in attendance) and, only a few minutes away, Glendeer Pet Farm is transformed into Ireland's Lapland for the month of December - children can see all the animals, meet Santa and feed his deer, Dancer and Prancer. Or, of course, you could always combine an adult shopping expedition with one of the Wineport Christmas Party nights, on Friday December 2nd & 9th, Saturday, December 17th and Wednesday December 21st. Prices for seasonal packages on application – and, to celebrate the Irish Jobs Initiative, there’s 10% off all customer bills until December 31st.


Ashford Castle NORTH-WEST
Cong Co Mayo

Who wouldn’t relish the thought of a day or two being spoilt rotten at Ireland’s grandest castle hotel? Set in 350 acres of beautiful parkland beside Lough Corrib, its immaculately maintained grounds and real ‘castle’ interior never fail to impress – and, with panelled walls, oil paintings, suits of armour and magnificent fireplaces allowing the guest to share its long history, a stay here is always a very special experience. And the clever people at the Castle have come up with the tempting idea that you might give someone (yourself, perhaps?) an early Christmas present of a night or several here, away from the hustle and bustle of seasonal demands - beginning with a relaxing fireside afternoon tea overlooking the formal gardens and lough. Renowned for its exceptional range of activities, warm hospitality and Chef Stefan Matz’s superb cooking, it’s a place to spend a few days if you can, but even one night always recharges the batteries. And, for that Christmas shopping that’s still on your mind, Galway city is only a short drive away – or you could hop down there for a night or two as well; the Castle’s sister hotels, the iconic Philip Treacy designed ‘g’ and former Great Southern, the Meyrick, offer the same philosophy in contrasting styles. Pre-Christmas breaks at Ashford Castle from €147.50 per person sharing to include - deluxe accommodations, full Irish breakfast, afternoon tea and an evening meal in George V Restaurant. Christmas and New Year packages also available.


Hayfield Manor Hotel SOUTH-WEST
Perrott Avenue College Road Cork

Cork has a unique character that makes it a brilliant shopping destination at any time – sure didn’t the Queen herself feel all the better for a bit of banter at the English Market – but the pre- Christmas period is really special, particularly on Grand Parade. Here, for the four weekends leading up to Christmas, it’s one big festival space, with a food and craft market open each day, and Bishop Lucey Park magically transformed into an illuminated Christmas wonderland by Peter Kelly of Weddings by Franc (www.cometocork.ie/Christmas). And, after a busy day’s shopping, the five star Hayfield Manor in two acres of gardens near UCC provides the perfect oasis of calm – and at the right price, from as little as €135 (room only, online pre-purchase). Other specials include dinner and/or use of the Beautique Spa and there’s even a 4 night Cork & Killarney break, staying the other two nights at the sister hotel Killarney Royal, in Ireland’s tidiest town!


Brooks Hotel EAST
Drury Street Dublin 2

Located between Grafton and South Great Georges Streets (and just across the road from a multi-storey car park), the Sinnott family's discreetly luxurious hotel near St Stephen's Green is perfectly situated for a shopping break. And what a restful retreat to return to after shopping ‘til you drop! Bedrooms even have a pillow menu (choice of five types) so the good night’s rest so essential to the success of shopping expeditions is pretty much guaranteed. There are plenty of temptations in the capital, including the FOOD & WINE Magazine Christmas show, at the RDS 25th-27th November and the National Crafts & Design Fair, RDS 30th November to 4th December. And don’t miss the return of the legendary Marvel Room at Brown Thomas - which not only offers a host of magnificently indulgent designer gifts for friends and relatives but, in The Dog House at The Marvel Room, you’ll also find an unbelievable collection of accessories for your canine friends - coats, leads and collars like nowhere else! The hotel’s special offers include 1 and 2 night ‘Dublin Can be Heaven’ breaks from just €95pps including dinner at Francesca’s Restaurant, where Euro-Toques chef Patrick McLarnon’s menus focus on foraged wild foods until the end of November. As available, he’ll be using game (mallard, pigeon, venison, pheasant and other birds); fungi; sorrel picked in the Dublin mountains to serve with fish, dillisk from the west and berries from Dublin hedgerows, such as haws, rosehips, blackberries, sloes, rowans, and elderberries which he has semi-dried to preserve flavour and texture. The hotel is also open for Christmas.


The Ice House Hotel NORTH-WEST
The Quay Ballina Co Mayo

A funky mix of ‘heritage’ (in the original house) and contemporary style (in the main hotel), this unusual hotel and spa has given the traditional town of Ballina a fresh, more youthful, feeling – and earned an enviable reputation for the good food served in its atmospheric light-filled Pier Restaurant. Always game for a party, they’re in their element coming up to Christmas, with a series of themed events planned for December, including very attractively priced Christmas Party Nights (only €45 to include bubbly on arrival, festive 5 course banquet, a boogie courtesy of the in-house band, and mulled wine at midnight; B&B also available at €45pps). Other options for locals and residents include festive dinners (from €28.50 for two courses), from 5.30pm daily excluding scheduled party nights, and ‘Santa Visit’ on two Sundays, 4th &11th December. There’s some good shopping in the town – Clarkes Salmon Smokery (www.clarkes.ie) for some very special foodie gifts, for example – and the famous Foxford Woollen Mills is just a short drive from The Ice House. Their Christmas craft fair, where local craft producers display their products, is on the 3rd & 4th December and, throughout the month, the Woollen Mills store is converted into a festive emporium with a vast array of beautiful Christmas gifts. Special Offers are also available at Chill Spa at The Ice House throughout the party season.


Longueville House SOUTH-WEST
Mallow Co Cork

The O’Callaghan family’s beautiful north Cork home is a particularly elegant Georgian mansion of 1720, (with wings added in 1800 and the lovely Turner conservatory - which has been completely renovated - in 1862), and it overlooks the River Blackwater, their own farmland and the ruins of their original home, Dromineen Castle. A fine place to linger awhile at any time of year, it has become a mecca for pre-Christmas shoppers in recent years. “No traffic jams, no queues, plentiful car parking. Wonderful gifts, services, delicious food and wines all under one roof...” These are the promises that have made the exclusive annual Longueville House Christmas shopping night the event where the girls just have to be. Fashionable and affordable, there are carefully collected designer items and trinkets for the home and thoughtful Christmas gifts. There’s a bubbly, mulled wine, or non alcoholic punch and tasty nibbles reception on arrival, and then guests wander through the beautiful rooms of Longueville House and choose from a host of glad rags, sassy shoes and handbags, kiddie's toys and clothing, beauty products, fragrances and candles, interior design accessories, Irish designed lingerie, Longueville artisan festive food and more. Now in its sixth year and the event for serious southern socialisers and shoppers, the Longueville ‘Girls Night Out in Style’ is on November 24th 2011 at 7.30pm and tickets covering entrance and the drinks reception (pre-purchased directly from the hotel) are €35. If you can’t make it on the night, William O’Callaghan’s range of in-house products - including apple brandy, as well as lots of other interesting goodies - make lovely gifts to take home at any time.


No. 1 Pery Square Hotel & Spa MID-WEST
1 Pery Square Limerick

‘Let Limerick Surprise You!’ is a great marketing tag line for a city and county that has far more to offer visitors than many people imagine, and there’s no better time to find out for yourself than the coming up to Christmas, when the city is a-buzz with preparations. It’s a good shopping city, especially for food. The Christmas Market at the historic Milk Market will be a wonderful place to shop for gifts, with 60 stalls and shops, all packed with crafts, gifts and artisan food, with lots of tastings to enjoy. In the Georgian district, Patricia Roberts’ boutique hotel, No.1 Pery Square, also hosts a picturesque market (18th-20th November), with stalls offering local artisan foods, arts and crafts, toys and Christmas cards, with Christmas carols every day to jolly up the spending. They have some fantastic special offers too, including: dinner bed & breakfast from 99pps; 2 night wine & dine package from 149pp; room-only €99 for two.


The Brehon SOUTH-WEST
Muckross Road, Killarney

If you’ve always thought of Killarney as a summer destination, think again – and take a look at the imaginative special breaks offered by hotels such as The Brehon, where a thirty foot Christmas Tree sets the tone on arrival. Their range of seasonal packages begins with a ‘Christmas Prep Break’(5-9 Dec, two nights or more, from €169pps), which includes a Christmas Dinner Demonstration with Head Chef Mike Hayes, a Christmas Decoration Workshop and discount shopping vouchers for some of Killarney’s most popular gift shops and boutiques. Aside from that there’s plenty of the usual magical Kerry relaxation to be done, with good food and wine, the Killarney National Park just along the road and The Angsana Spa to chill out in. Other packages include a Christmas Party Night (Dec 9th, or exclusively tailored), pre- and post-Christmas family (or romantic) breaks, a 3-day Christmas package, and a New Year Brazillian Ball.


Park House Hotel WEST
Forster Street Eyre Square Galway

Known with good reason as the city of fun, Galway is renowned for its good shopping and markets – especially the Saturday food market – and they’ve recently added an atmospheric Continental Christmas Market to their portfolio of must-visit attractions. Held in Eyre Square, it has been taken over this year by the local team who ran the hugely successful 2009 Volvo Ocean Race stopover. For three weeks (November 25th-December 18th), they promise around 70 stalls and a great Christmas atmosphere - so, no need to jet off abroad to enjoy a traditional continental Christmas market, just head for Galway and spend the money there instead (thereby injecting an estimated €10m into the local economy). Great places to stay include Park House Hotel, just off Eyre Square and handy to the main shopping area (and the station); it has the individuality that comes with owner-management and makes a lovely base. Special offers include midweek/weekend breaks from €135/165pps; discount for online pre-purchase.


The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast NORTH
1-3 Great Victoria Street Belfast BT2 7BQ

Right beside the Grand Opera House in Belfast city centre, this stylish five star hotel is in an enviable location near the city’s main rail and bus station and its friendly concierge (valet parking) and understatedly sumptuous foyer always give a good first impression. It has the trademark chic Fitzwilliam modern classic style and public areas include a bar that (as in its Dublin sister property) has become a fashionable meeting place for lunch or a drink after work or shopping. And, capitalising on the great location - only a couple of minutes walk from the main shopping and business areas - the hotel’s special packages include a 2-night shopping break, "The Fashionista", which includes a 2 course evening meal at the hotel’s celebrated smart casual restaurant, Menu by Kevin Thornton, on one evening and a £50.00 voucher for Victoria Square shopping centre (package from £150.00 per room until 23rd December, subject to availability). The Fitzwilliam is also very handy to a special seasonal attraction, the Christmas Continental Market; held in the Belfast City Hall grounds, speciality foods are the main attraction but there are also gifts and crafts, a Santa and other family entertainment (runs 19/11-19/12, daily times vary). The Fitzwilliam is also open over Christmas, when special room-only rates are offered.