Ireland’s Blue Book
Hotels & Restaurants
Choose Destination
Ireland’s Ancient East
Stretching across 17 counties, Ireland’s Ancient East connects a patchwork of mythology, medieval castles, and sacred landscapes.
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Laois
Ballyfin Demesne
Exploring the demesne is a delight: from the walled gardens; the fernery and the restored Edwardian rock-garden; a stroll around the lake; discovering quiet bluebell glades and special areas of conservation; foraging for mushrooms and autumn berries, or simply marvelling at century-old trees and climbing the path to the tower, which is located at the highest point of the estate, to enjoy the stunning views. Please pick up a map from the Butler’s desk and enjoy your journey. Around the Demesne you will meet the gardeners who will be delighted to chat with you if you have any questions. Guided Garden tours are also available.
discover
Cork
Ballymaloe House Hotel
Nestled in a 400-acre estate in rural East Cork, there is always something in flower in Ballymaloe House Hotel, be it a carpet of bluebells or vibrant rhododendrons. Short walks can be taken around the ponds and woodlands and helpful maps are available for longer walks around the grounds.
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Kildare
Barberstown Castle
Barberstown Castle in County Kildare is an internationally known, historic castle and country house hotel. Built in the 13th Century, the castle is situated only 30 minutes from Dublin Airport and Dublin City Centre, thus making it the ideal first or last stop on your tour of Ireland and the perfect castle to stay in while visiting Dublin.
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Kilkenny
Butler House
In 2000, The Kilkenny Civic Trust had the gardens at Butler House landscaped, in order to return them to their original splendour. The gardens have since become an attraction for the many visitors to Kilkenny.
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Kilkenny
Campagne Restaurant
Campagne restaurant is a top Michelin Star restaurant in Kilkenny city. The emphasis is on serving food that is based on high-quality seasonal produce, with French influences, in a relaxed and comfortable dining area.
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Tipperary
Cashel Palace Hotel
Set within a magnificent 1732 Palladian manor, and with views of the iconic Rock of Cashel, this landmark address has been meticulously restored to create a truly desirable destination hotel in the heart of Ireland.
discover
Laois
Castle Durrow
Built by Capt. William Flower in 1716 as his family home in the Midlands of Ireland, the castle’s pre-Palladian design and formal gardens were the height of fashion in their day. Time has added nothing but charm to the pleasure gardens that surround the castle.
discover
Monaghan
Castle Leslie Estate
With its 1,000 acres of undulating Irish countryside, ancient woodlands and glittering lakes, Castle Leslie is a picturesque rural destination. The Estate features unique flora and fauna, an interesting Integrated Wetlands project and many historical ruins and sights including the Gothic Lodge, the Walled Garden and the Pinetum.
discover
Kildare
Cliff at Lyons
Nestled in the heart of Kildare, Cliff at Lyons is a hotel and country retreat encapsulating an exquisite selection of historic rose-clad buildings. Within its idyllic bounds lie the botanically inspired Well in the Garden Spa, period-styled Mill Restaurant, an artisanal gourmet café The Pantry, the luxury retail store CLIFF Home, and a plush suite of event venues. Accommodation includes elegantly furnished rooms and quaint cottages steeped in country charm. Capturing a riveting tale at every turn, this magnificent estate is a true celebration of Irish culture and heritage
discover
Wexford
Dunbrody Country House Hotel
This captivating 1830s Georgian manor house hotel hiding amid 300 acres of tranquil parkland on the idyllic Hook Peninsula yet is less than 1 km from Waterford City. A chic yet informal ambience permeates Dunbrody, where guests have the opportunity to experience sheer indulgence coupled with a tradition of courteous attentive service.
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Cork
Hayfield Manor Hotel
Hayfield Manor Hotel is tucked away in a leafy corner of mature private gardens only a 15-minute walk from Cork city centre. Family owned and managed, Hayfield Manor is the ideal retreat to experience Cork’s great art galleries, opera and historic university.
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Wicklow
Hunter’s Hotel
Hunter’s Hotel is set in 2 acres of award-winning gardens on the banks of the river Vartry in Co. Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland.
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Wexford
Marlfield House
Marlfield House is a fine Regency period house set on 36 acres of grounds, close to several renowned golf courses and miles of golden beaches. Formerly the residence of the Earls of Courtown, it was built in the 1830s and opened to guests by the Bowe family in 1978. The 19 bedrooms are filled with flowers, fine antiques and paintings.
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Meath
Tankardstown House
The estate at Tankardstown covers 80 acres of parkland and woodland, complimented by two walled gardens. One of these is perfect for leisurely walks or a glass of wine in the summer house, or a dip in the hot tub, which is tucked away behind a Portuguese laurel hedge. The second walled garden is the kitchen garden, where guests can see Donal the gardener lovingly sowing and reaping herbs, salads and vegetables at various times of the year. He is always happy to walk with guests through the garden and chat about his labour of love. Guests can then take off on the Boyne Valley Garden Trail which takes in 11 historic gardens in counties Meath and Louth.
discover
Meath
The Station House Hotel
Originally built in 1862 as a busy railway junction, The Station House Hotel in County Meath took on a new life in 1984 as an award winning, family owned boutique hotel in the lush Boyne Valley, less than an hour from Dublin.
discover
Cavan
Virginia Park Lodge
Strategically planned clumps of exotic trees and winding paths guide you round to unveil amazing architectural or lake vistas. The deer park walks, with bridges, follies and seemingly undiscovered waterfalls are a stunning reminder of this type of ‘naturalistic’ garden. Walk along the tranquil park and hear the sounds of silence, laced with the chirpings of Cavan’s thriving birdlife, it feels unspoilt and unchanged for nearly 300 years and will leave you wondering how this part of Ireland has remained such a well-hidden and undiscovered secret for so long.
discover
Laois
Ballyfin Demesne
Exploring the demesne is a delight: from the walled gardens; the fernery and the restored Edwardian rock-garden; a stroll around the lake; discovering quiet bluebell glades and special areas of conservation; foraging for mushrooms and autumn berries, or simply marvelling at century-old trees and climbing the path to the tower, which is located at the highest point of the estate, to enjoy the stunning views. Please pick up a map from the Butler’s desk and enjoy your journey. Around the Demesne you will meet the gardeners who will be delighted to chat with you if you have any questions. Guided Garden tours are also available.
discover
Cork
Ballymaloe House Hotel
Nestled in a 400-acre estate in rural East Cork, there is always something in flower in Ballymaloe House Hotel, be it a carpet of bluebells or vibrant rhododendrons. Short walks can be taken around the ponds and woodlands and helpful maps are available for longer walks around the grounds.
discover
Kildare
Barberstown Castle
Barberstown Castle in County Kildare is an internationally known, historic castle and country house hotel. Built in the 13th Century, the castle is situated only 30 minutes from Dublin Airport and Dublin City Centre, thus making it the ideal first or last stop on your tour of Ireland and the perfect castle to stay in while visiting Dublin.
discover
Kilkenny
Butler House
In 2000, The Kilkenny Civic Trust had the gardens at Butler House landscaped, in order to return them to their original splendour. The gardens have since become an attraction for the many visitors to Kilkenny.
discover
Kilkenny
Campagne Restaurant
Campagne restaurant is a top Michelin Star restaurant in Kilkenny city. The emphasis is on serving food that is based on high-quality seasonal produce, with French influences, in a relaxed and comfortable dining area.
discover
Tipperary
Cashel Palace Hotel
Set within a magnificent 1732 Palladian manor, and with views of the iconic Rock of Cashel, this landmark address has been meticulously restored to create a truly desirable destination hotel in the heart of Ireland.
discover
Laois
Castle Durrow
Built by Capt. William Flower in 1716 as his family home in the Midlands of Ireland, the castle’s pre-Palladian design and formal gardens were the height of fashion in their day. Time has added nothing but charm to the pleasure gardens that surround the castle.
discover
Monaghan
Castle Leslie Estate
With its 1,000 acres of undulating Irish countryside, ancient woodlands and glittering lakes, Castle Leslie is a picturesque rural destination. The Estate features unique flora and fauna, an interesting Integrated Wetlands project and many historical ruins and sights including the Gothic Lodge, the Walled Garden and the Pinetum.
discover
Kildare
Cliff at Lyons
Nestled in the heart of Kildare, Cliff at Lyons is a hotel and country retreat encapsulating an exquisite selection of historic rose-clad buildings. Within its idyllic bounds lie the botanically inspired Well in the Garden Spa, period-styled Mill Restaurant, an artisanal gourmet café The Pantry, the luxury retail store CLIFF Home, and a plush suite of event venues. Accommodation includes elegantly furnished rooms and quaint cottages steeped in country charm. Capturing a riveting tale at every turn, this magnificent estate is a true celebration of Irish culture and heritage
discover
Wexford
Dunbrody Country House Hotel
This captivating 1830s Georgian manor house hotel hiding amid 300 acres of tranquil parkland on the idyllic Hook Peninsula yet is less than 1 km from Waterford City. A chic yet informal ambience permeates Dunbrody, where guests have the opportunity to experience sheer indulgence coupled with a tradition of courteous attentive service.
discover
Cork
Hayfield Manor Hotel
Hayfield Manor Hotel is tucked away in a leafy corner of mature private gardens only a 15-minute walk from Cork city centre. Family owned and managed, Hayfield Manor is the ideal retreat to experience Cork’s great art galleries, opera and historic university.
discover
Wicklow
Hunter’s Hotel
Hunter’s Hotel is set in 2 acres of award-winning gardens on the banks of the river Vartry in Co. Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland.
discover
Wexford
Marlfield House
Marlfield House is a fine Regency period house set on 36 acres of grounds, close to several renowned golf courses and miles of golden beaches. Formerly the residence of the Earls of Courtown, it was built in the 1830s and opened to guests by the Bowe family in 1978. The 19 bedrooms are filled with flowers, fine antiques and paintings.
discover
Meath
Tankardstown House
The estate at Tankardstown covers 80 acres of parkland and woodland, complimented by two walled gardens. One of these is perfect for leisurely walks or a glass of wine in the summer house, or a dip in the hot tub, which is tucked away behind a Portuguese laurel hedge. The second walled garden is the kitchen garden, where guests can see Donal the gardener lovingly sowing and reaping herbs, salads and vegetables at various times of the year. He is always happy to walk with guests through the garden and chat about his labour of love. Guests can then take off on the Boyne Valley Garden Trail which takes in 11 historic gardens in counties Meath and Louth.
discover
Meath
The Station House Hotel
Originally built in 1862 as a busy railway junction, The Station House Hotel in County Meath took on a new life in 1984 as an award winning, family owned boutique hotel in the lush Boyne Valley, less than an hour from Dublin.
discover
Cavan
Virginia Park Lodge
Strategically planned clumps of exotic trees and winding paths guide you round to unveil amazing architectural or lake vistas. The deer park walks, with bridges, follies and seemingly undiscovered waterfalls are a stunning reminder of this type of ‘naturalistic’ garden. Walk along the tranquil park and hear the sounds of silence, laced with the chirpings of Cavan’s thriving birdlife, it feels unspoilt and unchanged for nearly 300 years and will leave you wondering how this part of Ireland has remained such a well-hidden and undiscovered secret for so long.
