Awards & Accolades

Ireland's Blue Book is delighted to announce that Cork member Longueville House has made it onto the prestigious 2010 Condé Nast Gold List.
Published in the January edition of the magazine the Condé Nast Gold List, a readers' poll of the “Best Places to Stay in The World”, is one of the most highly regarded lists of its kind.

The magazine describes Longueville House as surrounded by "Verdant valleys, salmon-stocked rivers, and rolling hills near Blarney Castle. Specializing in fishing trips, it has rooms in gold, raspberry, and green that are personalized with family photos. Dishes like oyster mushroom risotto are served in the restaurant. Hunting and fishing are available."

Longueville House is not the only Blue Book member named on the 2010 Gold List, The Merrion Hotel, Dublin was also named.

Kilgraney House

Ireland’s Blue Book is delighted to announce that three Blue Book Hotels are on the Marie Claire Magazine “Best Hotels in Ireland” list. The Merrion Hotel in Dublin, The Merchant Hotel in Belfast and Kilgraney House in County Carlow all made it onto the list.
The Magazine highlights what it considers special about each of these hotels and country houses.

The Merchant Hotel in Belfast is special according to Marie Claire because, "They pull out all the stops to ensure your stay meets your every need. Want your favourite kind of pillow? They'll source it. Want your room temp to be 28 degrees? It's done already. The 'Tailor Make Your Stay' service allows for truly bespoke travel."

Marie Claire describes The Merrion Hotel in Dublin as "a traditional beauty bang in the centre of Dublin". The Merrion is special "for boasting an unrivalled collection of contemporary Irish art, the hotel has turned its hand to reflecting the same cultural experience in it's afternoon tea, by offering up mini-masterpieces in the form of art-inspired pastries. The quirky treats are served as part of a traditional tea in the hotel's elegant gallery come drawing room. What's more, you can follow up your Yeat's inspired mousse or Woman in White macaroon with a relaxing trip to the hotel's spa."

The third Blue Book house to make the list is the beautiful Kilgraney House in County Carlow.

Marie Claire describes Kilgraney House as "Georgian elegance meets quirky Irish charm."

According to Marie Claire "The aroma spa and treatment rooms are super-relaxing, but it's the stunning Kilkenny countryside that'll take your breath away."

Maire Claire Magazine is a worldwide icon with editions in 36 countries and is published in the UK in partnership with French publishing company Groupe Marie Claire.

Ardtara Country House

National Geographic Traveler Magazine will published their list of “Best Places to Stay” in Britain and Ireland in their April edition. Out of the 89 places mentioned in Britain and Ireland, 15 are members of Ireland's Blue Book.

The roster of 89 authentic places in Britain and Ireland features probably the greatest collection of historic accommodations in the world. Most began as something else and have evolved into unique lodgings. Criteria for places on the “Stay List” include being fully engaged with their surroundings, tied to community, and tuned to the environment.

To create the list, local experts, hotel pundits, and globetrotting journalists offered up hundreds of nominees in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland—most rich in history to National Geographic for consideration.

For Northern Ireland, Blue Book Houses had a clean sweep with the five properties mentioned all Blue Book Houses. Recommended for Northern Ireland were Newforge House, Belle Isle Castle, The Merchant Hotel, Bushmills Inn and Ardtara House.

In the Republic of Ireland out of the 28 Hotels named ten were Blue Book Houses. Making it onto the list were, Cashel House Hotel, Gregans Castle, Moy House, The Merrion Hotel, The Mustard Seed, The Park Hotel Kenmare, Rathsallagh House, Rosleague House, Stella Maris and The Wineport Lodge.