8 Nights
From Dublin, travel through southern Ireland while traversing counties Laois, Kerry, Cork and Wexford. Travel back and forth along ridges and crests, where you can play on the most beautiful golf courses in the world and visit centuries-old castles that tell the unique story of a country like no other.
At the mouth of the River Liffey, Dublin sits facing out towards the Irish Sea. Although you’ll certainly be seduced by its rich historical heritage, a young, dynamic city full of charm is also waiting to be discovered. From Temple Bar to Smithfield via O’Connell Street, you’ll find a cheerful air everywhere you go. And its true treasure? Its inhabitants, who make Ireland’s capital the friendliest city in Europe. ... Learn moreless
Trinity College, considered one of the best universities in Europe, was inaugurated in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Among the campus’ Victorian-style buildings, the old library still holds manuscripts that date back to the 15th century, as well as the Book of Kells. This 9th century manuscript is a masterwork...
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One of the most important cathedrals in the country, it was built in 1192 in honor of Ireland's patron saint, Saint Patrick, on the spot where he baptized the first converts to Christianity. Restored and enlarged over the centuries, the cathedral has remained a beautiful example of Gothic architecture....
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Hotel and restaurant in the country. To arrive in this part of Ireland from Dublin, pass through the magical countryside of Wicklow, a county nestled between the sea and the mountains and boasting some of Ireland’s most stunning landscapes. Rosslare port is also very close to Marlfield House. It is in this unspoilt, yet easily accessible region that the Bowe family chose to create their gem of a hotel, a model of conviviality and elegance complete with a rose garden and woodland walks. Dining in the conservatory is delightful. Here, life is about enjoyment, don’t we call the Irish “the Latin people of the North”? ... Learn moreless
The coast’s rugged landscapes still bear the mark of the Normandy invasions of the 12th century. This abbey, founded by Hervé de Montmorency, is an excellent example. It helped spread Catholicism throughout the country. Impressive due to its size and austere character, the ruined building blends elegantly...
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It’s a road to explore slowly. You continually stop and leave the car to admire the many panoramas along the coast. The peninsula stretches from Waterford Harbour in the west to St George in the east (stop at Duncannon Fortress on the way). At the end of the road, the black and white lighthouse of Hook...
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Restaurant and hotel in town. The Heritage town of Kenmare, in mystical Kerry, is home to this Victorian gem. Dating from 1897, the hotel enjoys a splendid location, with manicured gardens running to the lapping shores of Kenmare Bay. This is the Ireland of which you have always dreamed with its rugged coastal drives. Outdoor lovers will enjoy the many mountain and coastal walks in the area, championship golf links and fishing nearby. The SAMAS spa offers a wide range of personalised treatments. At the end of an idyllic day you can watch a classic in the hotel’s small private cinema, enjoying a very rare aged, peaty malt. ... Learn moreless
The famous golfer and winner of 8 Majors, Tom Watson, thinks the Ballybunion course is one of the finest in the world. Located in the Shannon estuary, it runs along this piece of windswept coastline. A few kilometres away, the Waterville course is also very popular with golfing fans. The view from the...
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Taking the time to sail the lakes of Lough Leane, Muckross and Upper is discovering some of the magic of Killarney National Park. You move over the water on flat-bottomed boats between the superb arbutus trees, even crossing the aptly named "Meeting of the Waters" on foot between two lakes. Amid unspoilt...
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Hotel and restaurant on a river. Surrounded by purple heather-covered mountains, Kenmare is one of the spots in Ireland that the Irish themselves like best. Sheen Falls Lodge is not only perfectly placed for exploring the southwest, the Ring of Beara, Ring of Kerry and the famous Killarney Lakes, but it is also known for its piano-jazz ambience, its collection of old Irish whiskeys, and the dishes prepared with the salmon caught in the nearby river. There are unrivalled views of Kenmare Bay, the McGuillicuddy Reeks and cascading Sheen waterfalls. All of this, combined with outstanding Irish hospitality and Celtic legends, creates a sense of magic that pervades. ... Learn moreless
Every Jameson fan has heard of this place. Founded in 1825 by the Murphy brothers, the site remains a point of reference. With almost 20 million litres distilled annually, it is furthermore the country’s biggest distillery. The old building is home to a museum where amidst the old stills, we learn about...
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The port of Cobh (formerly Queenstown) was where the Titanic made its final port of call on April 11th, 1912. 123 passengers were embarked before the liner set out again to sea. Three days later the Titanic would sink in the Atlantic. Titanic Experience guides us back to this piece of history. The museum...
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Built in the 16th century to defend Cork City, the castle was redeveloped under a joint venture between the Cork Institute of Technology and the Cork City Council to create an observatory and interactive astronomy center. The castle visit and interactive “Cosmos at the Castle” exhibition will entice...
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Hotel and restaurant in a village. At the foot of a hill — in the shadow of Ireland’s most iconic medieval site, the Rock of Cashel — stands another architectural masterpiece, Cashel Palace. Built in 1728 by Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, the architect who designed the Parliament House in Dublin, this red brick manor was once the residence of Ireland’s archbishops. It is a brilliant blend of classicism and sophistication, with a façade that hides behind its symmetrical layout a world of surprises: a majestic colonnaded hall, walls covered in detailed wood panelling, staircases with handrails carved in the shape of candy canes, and rooms that seem to have been taken from a fairy tale. With its English-style gardens, comfortable sofas warmed by the cosy fire of the bar, and a spa bathed in light, Cashel Palace takes its guests on a magical journey. It is an idyllic refuge where you can recharge your batteries before plunging into the area’s Celtic history or wandering through the enchanting moorland. ... Learn moreless
Built over the foundations of an ancient Viking fortification, King John’s Castle dates back to the early 13th century. Its impressive round towers and high wall in the Anglo-Norman fortress architectural style still dominate Limerick’s old medieval quarter. The new design launched in summer 2013 uses...
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This majestic castle was built in the Middle Ages. The Butler family transformed it into a Victorian palace in 1391 and lived in it for 5 centuries. Visiting the fortress will provide you the opportunity to admire its Chinese tapestries, Pre-Raphaelite paintings, and other works by Irish artists in the...
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Hotel and restaurant in a park. “Yesterday, I saw a most delightful place indeed, much beyond any place I have seen in Ireland – Ballyfin”. The observation by an aristocratic 18th century visitor is still there today. The 600 acre demesne is a place of tranquility and great natural beauty. Created and refined over the past 400 years with its woodlands, lake, water features, grottos, follies and walled gardens, it provides an idyllic private world for guests to explore and enjoy a range of activities. At its centre is the late Georgian House which has been carefully and thoroughly restored to provide an exceptional level of comfort and luxury combined with all the facilities to be expected in a grand hotel. ... Learn moreless
This fortress, built in County Offaly in the 12th century by the O’Carroll family, has always been inhabited. The wonderfully manicured grounds around its lake is alone worth the visit. It is also home to the Leviathan, the longest telescope in the world. This historic 19th-century instrument made the...
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The Slieve Bloom mountain range is not very extensive but its wild look attracts a large number of hikers. They all follow a beautifully marked trail, 77 kilometers long, which crosses relatively gentle terrain with a succession of pastures and peat bogs, streams and forests. From Mount Arderin (527...
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**Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments before December 31, 2021, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges from June 25, 2020, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Total price communicated as an indication, based on a stay of the number of nights recommended on this webpage, taking place in the next 3 months, and based on double occupancy (excluding recommended activities, excluding properties not bookable online).
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur:
Suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
** Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments before December 31, 2021, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges from June 25, 2020, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Call our concierge to tailormade your booking and itinerary*. *Price of a local call
“I was born in Dublin and for as long as I can remember I always wanted to work in hospitality. Was it because my parents dreamt of building a hotel in the west of the country but never managed to do it? Or because of the suit my grandfather wore that I wanted in a child’s size so I could wear it wandering the corridors of my place. After living overseas, I returned to Cork to work as a hotel manager and then I settled for good in Kenmare, in the south of the country. I got to travel a lot around Ireland when I was presenting “At Your Service”, a hit TV show here in this country. The South I would like to show you has immense treasures. Roam the length of its crests, play golf on the finest courses in the world, and enter century-old castles that recount the very particular history of a country quite unlike any other …”
