Co. Kilkenny THOMASTOWN

Ballyduff House

Hudsons

Mount Juliet

Mount Juliet Golf Club

Opened in 1991 with a match featuring golfing legends Christy O'Connor Snr. and Jack Nicklaus, the beautiful and challenging Nicklaus designed Mount Juliet course located 19km (12 miles) south of Kilkenny City has established itself as one of Ireland's premier parkland courses. To the delight of a big attendance, O'Connor won.

The course measures around 7,300 yards from the medal tees to a Par of 72 and is unique in Ireland due to its hosting the World's Top 50 golfers in the American Express World Golf Championship in 2002, and again in 2004. The event was a fantastic success on both occasions with the courses reputation being greatly enhanced by the quality of the golf being played. The titles went to Tiger Woods and Ernie Els respectively.

The layout boasts rolling fairways, many feature water hazards and contoured greens (greens superintendent, Aidan O'Hara, is acknowledged as the best in Ireland at his craft), all superbly blended into the spectacular setting of this famous old Irish Estate. It presents a fair challenge, which rewards good play but punishes errors with strategically placed bunkers demanding a thinking game is played, water is also in play on seven holes.

The course is invariably presented in excellent condition and feature holes abound on the course, but the 3rd hole, a stunning par 3 from an elevated tee to a green guarded by a natural stream and lake is one that golfers always remember. The par 5 10th hole with its copse of trees which tests the golfers strategy is also a favourite. The final hole, a long par 4 with water all down the left and a narrow approach to the green has decided many a tournament result.

Distance and driving times (traffic dependent):
                                 
Mount Wolseley Golf Club       55km (34m), 47 mins
Carlow Golf Club                   40km (25m), 25 mins
Druids Glen Golf Club           152km (95m), 1hr 37 mins
The European Club              113km (70m), 1hr 30 mins
Waterford Castle Golf Club    39km (24m), 28 mins
Faithlegg Golf Club               44km (27m), 39 mins     
West Waterford Golf Club     80km (50m), 53 mins
Seafield Golf Club                96km (60m), 1hr 15 mins
Old Head of Kinsale GC       180km (112m), 2hrs 14 mins

Other distances, times and route planning

Ethos

Mount Juliet

Lying amongst 1500 acres of unspoilt woodland, pasture and formal gardens in a walled estate beside the River Nore, this Georgian Manor is an 18th century gem - a charming and graceful house, very traditional in style with beautifully restored original features and antique furniture. Wedding blessings are not possible here, but there are numerous churches nearby and it is one of Ireland’s most beautiful and unashamedly romantic places for a fairytale wedding.

There are several distinctive wedding venues to choose from: The House offers a choice of smaller reception rooms for pre-dinner drinks and The Lady Helen Dining Room, overlooking the river, is perfect for 60 people, with dancing afterwards in The Major’s Room; there is even a cellar bar with patio doors, and spectacular views.

Exclusive use of Mount Juliet House is available (minimum booking of 28 of the 32 bedrooms required in high season, 25 bedrooms off season). The Hunter’s Yard was originally the estate courtyard and overlooks the championship golf course and countryside; here Kendals, with its high-beamed ceiling and atmospheric lighting, is the largest of three rooms available - smaller wedding parties can choose the rustic charm of either The Loft or The Open Room, with band and dancing in the Presidents Bar.

Pre-dinner drinks can be served outdoors on the veranda or in the Conservatory.  Yet another option was added in 2006, when Mount Juliet started offering marquee weddings for larger numbers - a fully glazed marquee is set up on the river side of the house, which is magical at night when the riverside and trees are floodlit.

The hotel’s Conference & Banqueting Coordinator works closely with the bridal party in the lead-up to the wedding and an exceptional range of services is either included or can be arranged full details are available from the hotel. At the top end, a Luxury Summer Package at €130 kicks off with a champagne reception and has extras like late evening finger food included - and, by contrast, a midweek Winter Wedding Package offers menus at €75 per person [(T&C’s) Sunday to Thursday inclusive only, not inlcuding holiday periods. Available from November 2010 to March 2011] complimentary room hire of Kendal’s and accommodation for the bridal couple, and is extremely good value.

Mount Juliet is in a very beautiful area and the amenities and activities are exceptional - everything, from E’SPA beauty treatments at the spa to every imaginable sporting activity, is offered on site - so wedding guests will undoubtedly enjoy staying on a day or two.

Kilfane Glen & Waterfall

Kilfane is Ireland’s answer to Marie Antoinette’s Petit Trianon. This rediscovered treasure of gardening history was originally designed in the 1790s in the fashionably romantic style to embellish the gothic wonders of nature. Paths and rides had been laid out through the wooded demesne in the 18th century, with an attractive glen and stream with a series of pools and cascades forming the centrepiece.

This romantic garden was rescued from the undergrowth by Bennettsbridge potter, Nicholas Mosse, and his wife Susan. In the process, the couple rediscovered a grotto and the ruins of a cottage orné, all part of the idealised rural idyll - and an artificial waterfall opposite the cottage, fed by water diverted via pumps and canal. The cottage was restored with thatch and leaded window panes in keeping with a 1921 print, and with interiors designed by the late Sybil Connolly.

The other attractions of the garden include a sculpture trail through the woods and a series of contemporary gardens laid out around the Mosses home. There is a formal pool garden, a white moon garden, a blue orchard, a mysterious hall of mirrors and a wildlife pond.
 

Mount Juliet & Garden

Lying amidst 1500 acres of unspoilt woodland, pasture and formal gardens beside the River Nore, Mount Juliet House is one of Ireland’s finest Georgian houses, and one of Europe’s greatest country estates.

Even today it retains an aura of eighteenth century grandeur, as the elegance of the old house has been painstakingly preserved - and the gardens, which are still in the care of Paddy Daly who looked after them when the property was in private ownership, remain reassuringly complete.

Staying here should be a joy for any guests, but garden lovers find a day or two spent here especially enchanting; suites and bedrooms in the main house have period decor with all the comfort of modern facilities and there’s additional accommodation in the Club Rooms at Hunters Yard, which is very close to the main house, and where most of the day-to-day activities of the estate take place.

There are three main elements to the gardens, beginning with an informal stream and rockery area near the drive as you approach the house; then there’s an old walled rose garden which has been replanted relatively recently with a mixture of modern and old-fashioned roses and, the highlight, a walled ornamental garden that has many charming features and is especially famous for its stunning double herbaceous borders which provide an ever-changing spectacle of colour from early summer to late autumn.

The gardens at Mount Juliet are also maintained with the needs of the kitchen in mind, and include one of Ireland’s largest herb gardens; good cooking based on the best of local produce is a point of pride at Mount Juliet, and there is a choice of fine dining in the Lady Helen Dining Room (a graceful highceilinged room in the main house, softly decorated in pastel shades and with sweeping views over the grounds.

Although now best known for golf, the hotel is well located for exploring this beautiful area and there are woodlands to wander, new sports to try, and a spa/for pampering.

Gardens open by appointment only
 

AA THOMASTOWN

Ballyduff House

Set in fine rolling countryside in its own farmland and grounds, Breda Thomas’s lovely 18th century house overlooking the River Nore is blessed with an utterly restful location. Ballyduff House offers exceptionally spacious and comfortable accommodation in four large period bedrooms with generous bathrooms and beautiful views over the river or gardens.

This wedding venues guests also have the use of large well-proportioned day rooms furnished with family antiques - and many return often, finding this rural retreat a warm and welcoming home from home. Beautiful walks on the estate. Fishing (salmon, trout). Riding, hunting and other country pursuits can be arranged.

Ballyduff House is available only as an exclusive wedding venue with a hire charge of €2,500-€3,000. The couple then have the responsibility of arranging the whole event themselves - from the marquee for the walled garden to all food and drink, entertainment etc. Access to the house is only allowed for the initial champagne reception after the service.

Ballyduff House provides a beautiful location to have your wedding, and as you are organising all the food and drink you can have the wedding reception of your dreams at a fraction of the price that it would be in a hotel.

Blackberry Cafe, The

Sol Bistro

Goatsbridge Premium Irish Trout

Knockdrinna Café

Jerpoint Abbey

An outstanding Cistercian abbey founded in the second half of the 12th century that is notable for its stone carvings, including one at the tomb of Felix O'Dulany, Bishop of the Diocese of Ossory. The church with its Romanesque details dates from this period.

There is a well-proportioned, square, embattled tower that dates from the 15th century. In the Abbey is the sculptured cloister arcade with unique carvings that also dates from the 15th century. In the transept chapels the visitor can see 13th to 16th century tomb sculpture.

The Visitor Centre houses an interesting exhibition and guided tours are available.

Truffle Fairy

Bassetts

Barrows Keep