Once described as a “capsule of social history” because of their collection of family portraits and memorabilia going back 250 years or more, the Madden family’s wonderful 18th century mansion is set in beautiful countryside, amidst 2 ... more...
Spas and retreats appeared all over Ireland in recent years, but few could rival the beauty of this magic place. This unique resort on the eastern shores of Lough Derg is modelled on the lines of a 19th century Irish village with quietly understated lu ... more...
This pleasant Dublin hotels relatively reasonably priced, and handy for both sides of the river.
Spacious reception and lounge areas create a good impression and bedrooms are generally larger than average, almost all with a double and single bed and g ... more...
Magnificently located right on the river and bang in the middle of Athlone town, this hotel has impressive public areas and great style: an expansive foyer leads off to an informal split-level restaurant one side, conference and meeting rooms on the ot ... more...
This cool hotel is part of a large waterfront development in Drogheda, about 30 minutes from Dublin Airport, and marks a period of rejuvenation in the centre of Drogheda.
The hotel’s contemporary lines contrast pleasingly with the old town, and ... more...
Despite recent development at this seaside village, Barna has retained some of its old charm around the harbour area – and its location, handy to both Connemara and Galway City, is a huge attraction. And so is this unique hotel which, although on ... more...
This beautifully located hotel overlooks the River Shannon, with a lovely view down to the famous old 13 arch bridge that joins counties Clare and Tipperary, and the twin towns of Killaloe and Ballina on either side.
It's handy to the twin towns and y ... more...
Originally Capella Castlemartyr, this luxurious East Cork hotel is now run by an Irish team.
It is a fantastically spacious, well-appointed hotel, built around a 17th century manor house and the ruins of an adjacent castle that belonged to the Knights ... more...
No need to seek directions for Athlone’s highest hotel, as the glazed 12-storey tower soaring high above the new town centre shopping complex makes finding this landmark building an easy matter.
Views from the tower take in the mighty Shann ... more...
Discerning visitors to Carlingford will love Peter and Irene Finegan’s fine 19th century house in the heart of this charming medieval village.
Once the local doctor’s house, it has been in the Finegan family for three generations and, foll ... more...
Whether for Christmas, New Year or that lovely Twixmas gap between them, this can be the perfect time for a short break with - or as a respite from - family and friends. That in-between time often offers great value for a refreshing post-Christmas recovery break and some hotels have interesting pre-Christmas packages on offer too. Many venues are offering surprisingly competitive prices given the current economic circumstances, and some have retained (or even reduced) their prices from last ...
The soothing surrounds of a beautiful garden are just what's needed for a break right now - and better still if al fresco dining is offered in this lovely setting. Here are just a few early summer garden stays with outdoor dining (and many also with self catering options, or own-door suites) to tempt you...
Lengthening days and spring in the air make a short break away from cities very appealing - especially with St Patrick's Weekend, Mother's Day and Easter all coming up in quick succession. A hotel is a good bet early in the year, offering plenty of comfort and facilities if the weather is disappointing, and it needn't break the bank. To get the best rates, give the special offers pages on hotel websites a good browse, take up holiday weekend offers or travel midweek if possible - and book di ...
It used to be all about St Valentine's Day but now it's February the Month of Love, which makes a lot more sense - and why not extend that to Spring of Love…There’s great value to be found early season if you navigate around Easter and other public holidays, especially if you can take a midweek break. From pubs with rooms to five-star hotels, this micro-collection highlights just a few of the most desirable destinations around Ireland for twosomes (among others) and it includes ...
Give yourself a break and take off for a few days this winter - there are cosy and relaxing places all over Ireland to tempt you, and some fantastic value to be enjoyed off-season too. And with Valentine's coming up, maybe one of these would be perfect for that romantic treat...So browse through this gloriously diverse collection and take your pick...
What better way to spend a few days away in some of Irelands most stunning landscapes than a short break at one of our famous fishing hotels? And, by a happy chance, they are all lovely places for non-fishing partners to visit too….
A short break can do us all a power of good, and picking a destination that's only an hour or 90 minutes from home means less stress, more chilling time - and better value all round. So, especially if you're based in Dublin, why not try one of our picks for a quick break within easy striking distance of home?
While many are open all year, this is perhaps the perfect time for garden visits - and some of Ireland's loveliest gardens offer accommodation too, so why not try one (or more) of these gorgeous garden getaways this year...
Thinking of a family get-together in Ireland, or want to meet up somewhere interesting with old friends? Destinations that can cater separately for families and other groups often offer a particularly relaxing stay. Here are just a few of our favourites to tempt you…
10 of the very best places to eat, drink & stay throughout Ireland. We are blessed with some outstanding places to eat and stay in Ireland and these are unquestionably some of the very best – and they’re all beautifully located too.
The Fennin family's welcoming 4* hotel on the edge of town gives out good vibes from the start - not many hotels say hello with a grassy enclosure where exotic animals like Jacobs sheep and alpacas happily graze...
Elephant Rock's hospitality expert, Joanne Boyle, has put together some top tips on how to squeeze every last drop out of summer - the ultimate end-of-summer to-do list!.
Find the spirit of Christmas at the charming Dunraven Arms Hotel - one of Ireland’s most popular Christmas break destinations, early booking is recommended for this festive getaway in the heart of Adare Village.
In a quiet corner of Clonakilty town, the four star Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens, a member of Ireland’s Blue Book is a destination worth seeking out.
Denotes genuine Irish food culture, ie special Irish food products/companies/producers, and highlights the best places to shop for regional and artisan ...
With a rich historical and maritime legacy, East Cork has a truly unique variety of attractions to offer the visitor.
It is a haven for family holidays with a huge range of activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained for hours.
In this extensive county, the towns and villages have their own distinctive character. In West Cork, their spirit is preserved in the vigour of the landscape with the handsome coastline where the light of the famous Fastnet Rock swings across tumbling ocean and spray-tossed headland. The county is a repository of the good things of life, a treasure chest of the finest farm produce, and the very best of seafood, brought to market by skilled specialists.
The town of Killarney is where the Ring of Kerry begins and ends for many, among the lakes and mountains where they are re-establishing the enormous white-tailed sea eagle, has long been a magnet for visitors. Across the purple mountains from Killarney, the lovely little town of Kenmare in South Kerry is both a gourmet focus, and another excellent touring centre. As one of the prettiest places in Ireland, Kenmare puts the emphasis on civic pride.
That Galway Bay coastline in Co. Clare is where The Burren, the fantastical North Clare moonscape of limestone which is home to so much unexpectedly exotic flora, comes plunging spectacularly towards the sea around the attractive village of Ballyvaughan.
Connemara, the Land of the Sea, where earth, rock and ocean intermix in one of Ireland's most extraordinary landscapes, and is now as ever a place of angling renown - you're very quickly into the high ground and moorland which sweep up to the Twelve Bens and other splendid peaks, wonderful mountains which enthusiasts would claim as the most beautiful in all Ireland. Beyond, to the south, the Aran Islands are a place apart.
Rivers often divide one county from another, but Fermanagh is divided - or linked if you prefer - throughout its length by the handsome waters of the River Erne, both river and lake. Southeast of the historic county town of Enniskillen, Upper Lough Erne is a maze of small waterways meandering their way into Fermanagh from the Erne'e source in County Cavan.
Co Cavan shares the 667 m peak of Cuilcagh with neighbouring Fermanagh. No ordinary mountain, this - it has underground streams which eventually become the headwaters of the lordly River Shannon, Ireland's longest river that passes south through many counties before exiting at the mighty estuary in Limerick. A magnet for tourism now with boating, fishing, cycling and walking-a-plenty.
Between the sheltered bays at the foot of the Glens of Antrim, the sea cliffs of the headlands soar with remarkable rock formations which, on the North Coast, provide the setting for the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Giant's Causeway.