The Club at Goffs

Open since March 2023 this new Thoroughbred Country 4-star is very handy to Dublin and yet with a truly rural feel once on-site - and, remarkably, free of traffic noise from the nearby N4 - it's an ideal meeting place for business or pleasure.  

While the property is still mellowing, the bar and restaurant quickly found a niche, as did the deluxe rooms - all of which have balconies overlooking the paddock. Configured for double or twin occupancy, the pleasing guest rooms feature Respa luxury super king size (or twin) beds, 50-inch smart TVs, air conditioning, high-speed internet and beautiful equine artwork - and, while there are no baths to soak in, bathrooms feature Voya toiletries, which are always a treat 

At the impressive smart-casual restaurant, ingredients-led all-day food is served every day of the week. Except for Sunday Lunch, menus are à la carte, with the evening menu starting at 5pm -  but there is likely to be a buzz here in the handsome horseshoe-shaped bar at any time, especially on big race days when there's always a good crowd gathered around the big screen sipping the tipple of choice - champagne, perhaps, or something from the extensive cocktail menu which includes a good choice of non-alcoholic options....

All menus are available online and they are designed to showcase the best locally sourced and other Irish in-season ingredients, including the famed Kelly's oysters from Galway, Feighcullen duck from up the road at Rathangan and the excellent Gilligan’s Dry Aged Beef from Co Roscommon. In keeping with the smart-casual tone of the restaurant (which has doors opening onto extensive terrace seating in fine weather) there are tempting snacks (ham croquetts ox tongue tarlet...) small plates and sharing platters in the mix, along with flavour-packed mains such as the very popular Ribeye steak, with Roscoff Onion, Mushroom, Béarnaise...

Add the X factor of well-trained staff, who match professionalism with warmth, and this gently equine-themed destination looks like being a longterm favourite for visitors and locals alike. Being just a short hop from Dublin and with loads to do in the area, The Club at Goffs is sure to have a great buzz, especially at weekends.