Your quest for Irish luxury is over. You've found it in counties Kildare, Wicklow and Laois, deep in the Irish countryside but less than an hour from Dublin.
Welcome to an area of pure waters running freely, of swathes of lustrous green, of natural and historical wonder. Visitors can walk in the beautiful countryside, visit some of the best stately homes in Ireland, enjoy some of our most impressive gardens or take a tranquil cruise on an idyllic waterway.
For those who really like a challenge, you'll find excellent golf courses which will test the keenest golfers.
The dappling of a well-tied fly, combined with patience and skill, should help the eager angler to land a fat trout. And if your luck isn't on the river, why not experience the unique atmosphere of a horse-racing meeting at Punchestown, the home of national hunt racing in Ireland, or at The Curragh Racecourse, Ireland's flat racing headquarters.
For your first or last night's stay on your country house tour of Ireland, there is nowhere better than the comfort of the 4 star Barberstown Castle. Barberstown Castle is a member of Ireland's Blue Book, a collection of premier country house hotels and restaurants. With only a thirty minute drive from Dublin Airport and Dublin Port, the Castle is an ideal first or last stay over on your visit, avoiding all the stress of city centre traffic.
The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort
The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort is nestled in the quaint village of Killenard in the heart of Ireland. It is a dream that has been realised in truly remarkable detail. This unique resort comprises of a luxury 5 star hotel, 18 hole championship golf course co-designed by Seve Ballesteros and Jeff Howes, a wonderful spa featuring Pevonia Botanica spa products and over 70 treatments to choose from, The Seve Ballesteros Golf School, a health club, walking and jogging track, and a variety of bars and restaurants. The Resort is located one hour from Dublin and is easily accessed from all parts of Ireland.
Surrounded by over 550 acres of rolling Kildare countryside, The Kildare Hotel, Spa and Country Club – The K Club – offers the highest standards of comfort, service and cuisine, just 30 minutes from Dublin. The resort comprises an award-winning hotel which holds the prestigious AA 5 Red star rating, two championship golf courses - The Palmer and The Smurfit - the luxurious K Spa, a variety of restaurants, and facilities for fishing, clay pigeon shooting, horse riding and cycling.
Rathsallagh House Golf & Country Club
Winner of the prestigious Gold Medal Award for Country House of the Year 2007, and the Leinster Award for Best Restaurant in Food & Wine 2007, Rathsallagh is a large four star grade A country house converted from Queen Anne stables in 1798. Although it is located just one hour south of Dublin airport, Rathsallagh is set in a peaceful oasis of 530 acres of parkland, which incorporates an 18 hole championship golf course, recently rated as one of Ireland’s top 30 golf courses (Ireland’s Finest Golf Courses by John Redmond). Rathsallagh is also home to the Brendan McDaid Golf Academy.
The Curragh offers a unique experience: classic racing and classic hospitality set in the beautiful Kildare countryside. Few sporting events match the excitement, glamour and enjoyment of a day at the races. Less than an hour from Dublin, The Curragh hosts the best flat racing in the country from March to October including all five Classic races – the Irish Guineas Festival, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, the Darley Irish Oaks and The Irish Field St. Leger, part of the Autumn Festival of Racing.
The Village at Lyons, set along the Grand Canal and less than twenty minutes from the heart of Dublin, is a haven of meticulously sourced antiques, fabrics and accessories which come together to create a rare treasure of architectural features, master craftsmanship and decorative detailing.
Kildare Village Outlet Shopping
For the ultimate shopping escape from the city take a trip to Kildare Village Outlet Shopping. Less than an hour from Dublin city centre, Kildare Village offers an incredible shopping experience with a range of luxury goods reduced by up to 60% off the recommended retail price. There is over 60 designer boutiques in Kildare Village including 7 for All Mankind, DKNY, Juicy Couture, Superdry, L.K. Bennett, Ted Baker, Karen Millen, Cath Kidston, Clarks, Reiss, Wolford, Molton Brown and many more. Starbucks provides a welcome pit stop and L’Officina by Dunne & Crescenzi offers authentic Italian cuisine in their spacious restaurant.A Tourist Information Centre and tax refund facilities for non EU shoppers add to the appeal for the international visitor.
The Irish National Stud & Gardens
See the top quality thoroughbreds, mares and foals for which County Kildare is famous, or take a fascinating guided tour of the Irish National Stud farm. Then pop into the Horse Museum, where the ‘sport of kings’ is brought to life. Discover the Japanese Gardens, created between 1906 and 1910 by Japanese gardener Tassa Eida and his son.
The 4 Star Luxury Keadeen Hotel is situated in Newbridge town and in the heart of Co. Kildare. Just 30 minutes from Dublin City, hotel facilities include 75 luxurious bedrooms and suites, extensive conference, occasion and wedding suites, lounge bar, restaurant and leisure centre. Complimenting the luxurious interiors are the extensive and beautifully manicured gardens making it a total oasis of relaxation no matter whether your stay with us is for business or pleasure.
The Ballymore Inn is Ireland’s leading ‘gastro’ pub. Established 15 years ago and recently renovated, there are now two great spaces in which to enjoy really delicious food; have lunch or dinner in the Cafè Bar where the menu is strong on modern Irish cooking, or alternatively, try the extensive Back Bar menu - may we suggest the stone-baked pizza made with homemade sour dough or the avocado and orange salad?
St. Brigid’s Cathedral and Round Tower
St. Brigid’s Cathedral marks the original site of the Church of St. Brigid, which was established under the shade of a large oak tree and from which Kildare or Cill Dara in Irish (Church of the Oak) gets its name. The Round Tower at 108 feet high is the second highest in Ireland, but the highest that can be climbed and is open May to September.
Castletown is Ireland's largest and earliest Palladian style house. Built between 1722 and 1729 for William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and the wealthiest commoner in Ireland. The façade was almost certainly designed by the Italian architect, Alessandro Galilei, while the Irish architect Sir Edward Lovett Pearce added the wings. The house remained in the hands of the Speaker's descendants until 1965 when the house was purchased by a property developer Major Wilson. Fortunately the house was saved in 1967 when along with 120 acres of the demesne lands it was purchased by the Hon. Desmond Guinness, founder of the Irish Georgian Society for £93,000.
Russborough, designed in the Palladian style by German architect Richard Castle and built between 1741 and 1750, is often referred to as the most beautiful house in Ireland. Among its many draws are fine stucco ceilings by the Lafranchini brothers, marvellous plasterwork, a wonderful mahogany staircase and much of the Sir Alfred Beit collection of fine art. The beautifully maintained house contains fine furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain and silver.
Ireland's premier chocolatier, Lily O'Brien's started life in Mary Ann O'Brien's Kildare kitchen in 1992. Named after Mary Ann's eldest daughter, this family-owned company has since grown into one of Ireland's most recognised and celbrated brands.
.jpg)
