Autumn Weekend Escapes
There’s a bit of a nip in the air as autumn sets in, with crisp mornings and mellow evenings. As the leaves turn gold, now is the perfect time for a glorious escape to recharge and celebrate the season of colour. - Norah Casey charts a selection of great stays and seasonal offers in Ireland.
Faithlegg, Co Wexford
The picturesque Faithlegg House Hotel at the head of Waterford Harbour is nestled where the three sister rivers of the Barrow, Nore and Suir meet. With a history that dates back to legends of Fionn of the Fianna and the arrival of the Norman Strongbow in 1170, the house is steeped in legends. It’s the perfect bolthole for country walks and just a five minute drive away from the Passage East car ferry which brings you directly to the Hook Penninsula, home of Ireland’s oldest operational lighthouse. Hook Lighthouse has been voted number one lighthouse in the world and is well worth a visit. Unwind in the leisure centre, visit the Treatment Suites or just curl up with a book in a cosy armchair. Head Chef Jenny Flynn serves up delicious food using the finest of ingredients from local producers.
Visit faithlegg.com
Cliff House Hotel, Co Waterford
This is a stunning seaside boutique hotel with just 39 bedrooms that boasts a One Star Michelin Restaurant. Perched at the end of Ardmore village, the Cliff House Hotel is nestled into the coast with incredible sea views from every room. The Well by the Sea spa makes the most of the location with a pool, outdoor baths and a hot tub overlooking Ardmore Bay. The interior is swish and the food even more so. Walk the beach, enjoy some sea-inspired treatments and let the waves lull you to sleep.
From €514 for a one-night stay with breakfast, a three-course dinner in The Bar Restaurant and a 45-minute organic seaweed bath for two people in a deluxe sea view room, visit cliffhousehotel.ie
Dunmore House, Co Cork
This charming West Cork hotel enjoys a pretty picturesque setting overlooking Clonakilty Bay. Pet-friendly, family-run, Dunmore House is one of the nicest spots to enjoy the Wild Atlantic coastline. Blow the cobwebs away with a bracing walk on the beach, take a stroll through nearby Clonakilty and enjoy wonderful fresh seafood (Dunmore is a welcome addition to the Michelin Guide 2022). It’s a perfect escape.
From €250 per night, visit dunmorehousehotel.ie
Knockranny, Co Mayo
Expect beautiful log fires and breathtaking views of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay’s islands to the west and the Nephin Mountains to the north at this lovely Westport hotel, owned and run by Adrian & Geraldine Noonan. Set on its own secluded grounds on a hillside, this luxury hotel is renowned for the warmth of its service and the spectacular food served up by award-winning chef Seamus Commons.
Enjoy three nights bed and breakfast, an evening meal in La Fougère and complimentary use of Spa Salveo Vitality pool throughout your stay. From €325 per person in September and from €295 per person in October, visit knockrannyhousehotel.ie
Harvey’s Point, Co Donegal
An oasis of tranquility and comfort overlooking the Bluestack Mountains and picturesque Lough Eske, Harvey’s Point makes the most of its stunning setting. Resident swans, fabulous chandeliers and quirky art all add to eclectic glamour of this lovely destination. Fireside relaxation, autumn walks and spacious rooms combined with exceptional service add to the homlieness and warmth of Harvey’s Point. The Lakeside Restaurant serves up great seasonal ingredients from local and regional artisan producers and the breakfast is certainly worth waking up for.
Prices start from €298 for bed and breakfast, visit harveyspoint.com.
Galgorm, Co Antrim
Just a half hour’s drive from Belfast, the River Maine flows through Galgorm’s lush 380-acre parkland guaranteed to transport you to a whole different world. If golf is your thing then it has a Par-72 championship course and a thermal spa that is a cut above the rest. With incredible views of the estate, Galgorm’s 125 bedrooms feature marble bathrooms and contemporary style. There is so much to enjoy, a spell at the riverside vitality pool, a stroll through The Palm House, an ornate botanical structure set among olive trees and apple orchards in The Serenity Garden. Soak in the outdoor jacuzzi and hot tub to ease tired muscles after a brisk walk. There are plenty of food offerings and more than 450 varieties of gin to choose from in the Gin Library. Fine-dining is served up in the three AA Rosette River Room Restaurant while Fratelli Ristorante serves casual Italian. Local food is on offer at Gillies Grill overlooking the stables. You can choose from a one-bedroom or two-bedroom Shepherd’s Hut, a secluded space to bask in the colder evenings next to your very own firepit on the terrace. charming views of the Resort’s stables, even in the autumn fog. Choose from an extensive selection of classic brasserie dishes, a grill selection and Asian-inspired creations, accompanied with a satisfying wine list that’s sure to warm your bones.
Spa days from €80 per person, overnight stays from €230 based on two people sharing, visit galgorm.com
Liss Ard Estate, Co Cork
Mother nature provides the stunning views at Liss Ard Estate near Skibbereen, a perfect sojourn for great local food and music in a beautiful setting. Lush forests, a huge expanse of sky and sparkling lakes are the sensational setting for American artist James Turrell’s remarkable installation, the Irish Sky Garden, a living sculpture carved into the landscape. A perfect autumn retreat.
From €199 per night for two people sharing, visit lissardestate.ie
The g Hotel, Co Galway
The g Hotel & Spa is offering a New Leaf Package this autumn, so why not treat yourself to a little trip to the west with two nights bed and breakfast at the five-star hotel? Enjoy a pre-dinner autumn cocktail in the lounge, followed by dinner in Restaurant gigi’s on one night of your choice. Guests can also pre-book a complimentary BMW chauffeur car to the city to dine out in style.
From €145 per person sharing, visit theghotel.ie
The Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin
The Luxury City Autumn Escape at Dublin’s five-star Intercontinental includes an overnight stay for two in a spacious classic guest room. Start your morning with a dip in the 14-metre heated pool and enjoy the relaxation area before breakfast. You can also enjoy 10 percent off ESPA Treatments and for a stress-free stay, on-site car parking is also included. The Garden Terrace and the new covered Veranda are perfect outdoor spaces to enjoy balmy autumnal evenings with plenty of dining options in The Lobby Lounge and Seasons Restaurant. The location is just a short distance from the city centre if you fancy visiting the city’s museums and art galleries but also a stroll away from Sandymount Strand for a bracing beach walk.
The Luxury City Autumn Escape is from €420 for two people, visit intercontinentaldublin.ie
Redcastle Oceanfront Hotel and Golf Resort, Co Donegal
Redcastle Hotel’s Spacation autumn package is the perfect escape in this luxurious north Donegal destination. Wellness and vitality go hand in hand with the stunning views of Lough Foyle and the ocean in this wild and beautiful spot. Redcastle Hotel is only 20 minutes from Derry city and recently unveiled a €500,000 refurbishment of the bedrooms. On offer is an award-winning restaurant The Edge, a nine-hole golf course, spa and leisure facilities with a pool and thermal suite.
The Spacation includes one-night bed and breakfast, three-course dinner in The Edge Restaurant, a 30-minute spa treatment of your choice and a €20 spa credit to put towards another treatment.From €199 per person, visit redcastlehoteldonegal.com
Ice House Hotel, Co Mayo
A luxurious little gem of a boutique hotel perched on the banks of the River Moy, the Ice House Hotel is all about the incredible views both inside and out. The Moy Estuary and Belleek Woodlands offer the vistas while the comfy chic interiors ooze style, with a relaxing vibe. Great seafood, wonderful nooks and crannies and don’t miss the Chill Spa’s Relaxation Room offering divine floor-to-ceiling views of the surrounding area.
From €240 per night for two people sharing, visit icehousehotel.ie
The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat, Co Antrim
This quirky and still relatively new little boutique destination is just 10 minutes from Belfast International Airport and has been rapidly growing a fanbase. The über cool hotel is beautifully designed with four different room types from ‘Snug’ rooms, just big enough for two, to the ‘Attic’ rooms featuring original pitched ceilings. The extra-spacious ‘Comfy’ rooms feature countryside tree-top views and the addition of an outdoor bath with private courtyard for your own corner of cosy and calm in the cool autumn air. The outdoor spa offers all the drama of its lakeside location nestled among the trees and wildlife, with Roman baths and hot tubs, Swedish sauna, an aromatherapy steam room and halotherapy salt chamber. The Rabbit is the first hotel on the island of Ireland to have an exclusive lakeside heated pebble beach, so you can enjoy a feeling of pure relaxation and comfort. Dinner is dished up in a space that honours its hunting heritage with a warming roaring turf fire.
From €199 for two people sharing, visit rabbithotel.com
Castlemartyr Resort Co Cork
Yet another reason to visit the grand 17th-Century Manor House of Castlemartyr Resort. French Chef Patron Vincent Crepel opens Terre there this month, his first restaurant in Ireland. Chef Crepel promises to treat his guests to a modern and immersive dining experience. The evening begins with an aperitif followed by a tour of Chef Crepel’s kitchen where guests enjoy a glass of champagne and snacks interacting with the culinary team. The journey towards dinner offers a sneak peek of the dry-ageing fridges and fermentation rooms as well as the ice bar and store of rare and specialist raw ingredients. Then comes the three-hour tasting menu. Expect age-old French cooking methods coupled with a strong Asian influence.
Terre restaurant has sittings from Wednesday to Saturday. The Tasting Menu is from €140 per person, visit terre.ie
Carton House, Co Kildare
The last roses of summer might well be still on display at Carton House, which is offering a rose-themed escape at the five-star Georgian estate in Kildare. The gorgeous 1,100 acres of sweeping parkland, ancient woodlands, lakes and the meandering River Rye is perfect for a lovely autumn stroll. The special package includes a tour of the Rose Garden and afterwards, a signature Aromatherapy Associates Rose Indulgence treatment and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Rosé Champagne on the lovely terrace of The Courtyard Bar before a delicious dinner in Kathleen’s Kitchen.
From €345 per person for overnight stay with breakfast in a luxurious Garden Wing bedroom and all of the above,
visit cartonhouse.com
Sheen Falls Lodge, Co Kerry
Located in the heart of the Kerry countryside overlooking the Sheen Waterfalls and Kenmare Bay, Sheen Falls Lodge is welcoming back the renowned The Celtic Tenors for a night of music and fine dining with chef Mark Treacy on November 19. Guests will enjoy a performance by the trio while enjoying a five-course set dinner menu with complementing wine pairing in the Falls Restaurant. After dinner, there will be another and more intimate performance with The Celtic Tenors in the Sheen Lounge.
A one-night stay for two on Saturday November 19, from €550 includes a welcome reception, five-course set dinner menu with wine in The Falls Restaurant and a performance following dinner by The Celtic Tenors. Visit sheenfallslodge.ie
The Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast
Gin and whiskey lovers are in for a treat at the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast which is offering a Flights with Fitz overnight package this autumn. Sample and learn more about some local spirits during the tasting session while also enjoying all that the hotel and Belfast has to offer. Early Christmas shopping, city sights and a little tipple before bedtime - a perfect break.
From €155, the Flights with Fitz package includes a bed and breakfast overnight stay in a city view room for two people including six tasting samples. Book before September 30,
visit fitzwilliamhotelbelfast.com.
Ballymaloe House, Co Cork
This glorious foodie escape is home to some of our best known cooks, but that is not all that’s on offer for your autumn break. The end of autumn is a gorgeous time at Ballymaloe, the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold before they finally fall from the trees. Enjoy crisp, leaf-carpeted walks around the grounds, observing nature, the light and the end of the harvest season at Ballymaloe farm. During your stay enjoy a tour of the Jameson Distillery in Midleton only 15 minutes from Ballymaloe House and learn more about the hard-working people and field-to-glass processes responsible for the whiskey that bears John Jameson’s name. Check out also the three-night Samhain Yoga Retreat at Ballymaloe from October 23. Dearbhla Glynn will lead calming, grounding yoga sessions focused on mindfulness, and guide you through deeply relaxing Yin and Restorative practices while Niamh Fox will nourish your body with delicious and healthy food, using the best of what Ballymaloe Gardens have on offer.
For full details of Samhain Yoga Retreat, from €78 per person sharing a standard twin or double room,
visit ballymaloegrainstore.com
The Jameson Distillery package includes the tour, one-night midweek B&B, five-course dinner followed by Irish Coffee. From €555, visit ballymaloe.ie
The Mountain Lodge, Co Kerry
The Mountain lodge is home to Ireland’s foremost explorer, Pat Falvey. The lodge is full of incredible memorabilia and photographs from 30 years of Pat’s expeditions and treks around the world. The walls take you on a journey from Mount Everest to the North and South Pole, Greenland, West Papua New Guinea, The Seven Summits and over 100 other expeditions to the highest, coldest and most remote regions on Earth. You can stay for a weekend, or a longer holiday, a great starting point for exploring the beauty of Kerry, climbing Carrauntoohil, enjoying the Gap of Dunloe, Dingle or Skellig Michael. This tranquil place has breathtaking views of the hills, perfect for retreats, yoga sessions, meditation lessons, mindfulness, and just to have great chats with Pat himself - who knows he might persuade you to climb Kilimanjaro, hike to Everest base camp or el camino de Santiago on one of his many guided trips.
From €65 per person sharing, visit patfalvey.com