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What the Dickens! it's a victorian christmas complete with a Christmas Carol at tankardstown

November 2010:There are many strands to winter at Tankardstown – select Christmas parties, spooky murder mystery weekends and delicious evenings showcasing game and local ingredients, to name just a few. One event on Novemerb 27th that reflects all the appropriately historical elements of this glamorous country estate in the winter season is a proper Victorian Christmas evening, a grand Dickensian dinner in the uniquely sophisticated and luxurious atmosphere of Tankardstown.

The evening takes place in the main house, against a backdrop of the huge, traditionally decorated Christmas tree in the hall scenting the air with fresh pine, and the antique-filled dining room entirely candle lit and with glorious open fires.

An actor by the fire will read the version of A Christmas Carol which Dickens himself condensed to do his public readings from, with one of each of the four sections being read at various points in the meal, to set the tone for this Victorian extravaganza!

At the end of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge proposes that he and Bob Cratchit will discuss all that Scrooge will do for Bob's family in the evening "over a bowl of Smoking Bishop", so before dinner, everyone enjoys a bowl of the same traditional deep purple Christmas punch, made of red wine with sugar and spices.

Roasted chestnut and mistletoe sellers in period costume will also sell their wares before dinner, not charging money, but asking for a favour in return for a sprig of mistletoe or a paper twist of chestnuts – a kiss, a joke, a song – an ideal ice-breaker!

Enjoy the appropriately festive drama of the lovely candlelit rooms and sit down to a seasonal 6 course Victorian dinner specially prepared by Tankardstown’s talented team of chefs, with much of the produce coming from the estate’s own walled gardens.

This luxurious Dickensian evening costs just €69 pp, with the additional treat of staying the night in this gorgeous estate for a very special price of €80 pps, an offer that is only available for guests dining.

As it says in A Christmas Carol, “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour" so set the tone for a traditional Christmas, with Dickens at Tankardstown!

For further information contact Tankardstown House on 041-9824621or email info@tankardstown.ie