AUTUMN BREAKS - 10 OF THE BEST

Autumn is perhaps the loveliest time of the year to enjoy gentle outdoor pursuits like woodland walks and foraging, and there are plenty of tempting places to stay that are surrounded by wonderful forested grounds or with parkland or gardens to visit nearby - and maybe some more challenging routes for dedicated walkers too. Here are just ten of our favourite destinations to tempt you…

Marlfield House & The Duck Café-Restaurant
Courtown Road Gorey Co Wexford

Often quoted as ‘the luxury country house hotel par excellence’, this impressive property was once the residence of the Earls of Courtown and, since Mary and the late Ray Bowe opened it as an hotel in 1978, it has been a benchmark for luxury, with outstanding hospitality and service. Now celebrating 45 years in business, guests continue to be pampered in sumptuous surroundings by their daughters Margaret and Laura who run the business with verve and vision. As well as the traditionally elegant main house, there's the lovely informal café-restaurant, The Duck, with a terrace alongside the kitchen garden - and also Duck Lodge, some lovely Pond Suites (set privately in the garden), and a contemporary self-catering cottage. These are available when Marlfield House & The Duck are closed (Mon & Tue) and an Antipasti board, dips and wine are included, along with continental breakfast. * 2024 midweek offers include ‘Wednesday Falconry Display’ with B&B and breakfast in The Duck from about €169.

Renvyle House Hotel
Renvyle Co Galway

In one of the country’s most appealingly remote and beautiful areas, the Coyle family’s house has a romantic and fascinating history, having been home to people as diverse as a Gaelic chieftain and Oliver St John Gogarty. Its setting and quirky charm is unrivalled in Ireland and, with a well-deserved reputation for outstanding hospitality and great local food from a dedicated kitchen team, it’s no wonder that it has developed a cult following.A wonderfully away-from-it-all place, with on-site attractions like golf and hot tubs on the Atlantic and all the outdoor activities of Connemara on the doorstep, it has cosy indoor treats too, beside the fire or in the sunny conservatory. Just a great place for an autumn break or to call into when touring Connemara. * 2024 Autumn In Connemara September Specials are offered, including 2B&B+1D from about €299pps.

The Old Inn
Crawfordsburn Co Down BT19 1JH

Oak beams, antiques and gas lighting emphasise the natural character of this famous and hospitable 17th century inn – the oldest in continuous use in all Ireland, there’s always a welcoming fire, polished brasswork and fresh flowers in the old world foyer. Although very handy to Belfast it’s in a pretty village setting and close to the sea – and you’ll find miles and miles of scenic walking nearby at Crawfordsburn Country Park and the North Down Coastal Path. The Old Inn is known for its good food too, whether in their fine dining destination The Restaurant, or the characterful 1614 Bar, which is a popular casual dining place with locals. Now owned by the Galgorm Collection – who have added a cleverly designed spa area at the back but retained the inn’s olde-world ambience – and a member of Ireland’s Blue Book, this remains one of Northern Ireland’s most charming destinations. *Special breaks offered include an Autumn Escape Package, Sun-Thu 1Sep-7Nov 2024. B&B+D for two with bottle of house wine and access to the Treetop Spa, from about €325 per room.

Sheen Falls Lodge
Kenmare Co Kerry

The waterside location of this famously stylish yet relaxed hotel just across the river from Kenmare town is beautiful, and it is set in a 300-acre estate of woodland, riverside walks and gardens. Paths take you through lush woodland which, although renowned for exotic tree ferns and spring-flowering cultivars (rhododendron, azalea, camellia), is lovely in autumn too, and you can meander quietly along the riverbank and enjoy the wildlife. There are plenty of more challenging walks to enjoy in the area too, of course (with guides available), but there are times when it’s hard to beat a woodland stroll. Accommodation is contemporary classic, offering traditional luxury with a modern lightness of touch, and –as well as dinner in The Falls Restaurant, overlooking the tumbling water, which is always a treat – there are two newer casual dining options, The Stables Breasserie (on-site, in a building that’s full of character), and the nearby Nua Vista Restaurant (scenically located at Ring of Kerry Golf Club). * 2024 autumn breaks include Sheen Magic 3-night package with Afternoon Tea, dining at The Falls Restaurant & €50 spa credit, from about €904pps.

Mount Juliet
Thomastown, Co Kilkenny

The distinctively lush beauty of County Kilkenny lies in its rivers and woodlands - and there’s no better time than autumn to visit Mount Juliet House, set on 1500 acres of unspoilt woodland, pasture and formal gardens beside the River Nore. Although now perhaps best known for golf, this is one of Europe's greatest country estates and offers many activities, including beautiful walks, fishing, horse riding, and a Spa & Health Club for pampering. Excellent food too: choose between some of the best fine dining in the country at the classical Lady Helen Dining Room in the manor house, or contemporary style in The Hound restaurant at the adjacent Hunters Yard Hotel. * 2024 autumn offers include Stay at Hunter’s Yard and Dine in the Hound, from about €249pps.

 
Roundwood House
Mountrath, Co Laois

A classic Hidden Ireland property, the Kennan family’s unspoilt early Georgian house lies secluded in mature woods of lime, beech and chestnut, at the foot of the Slieve Bloom mountains. A sense of history and an appreciation of genuine hospitality are all that is needed to make the most of a stay here – it is a much-loved, living family home, so just relax and enjoy walking in the grounds (and the nearby hills), good home cooking and the company of other likeminded guests. Frank and Rosemarie Kennan put over a quarter of a century of renovation work into this wonderful property, and it is now run by their daughter Hannah and her husband Paddy Flynn - who “retain the philosophy of the old, with no introduction of wide screen televisions or trouser presses”, much to Frank and Rosemarie's delight. It’s a magic place - and don’t leave without visiting Frank’s Library: “A History of the Evolution of Civilisation”, it is simply wonderful. *A 2024 Midweek Special offers 2 B&B+1D at about €250pps.


Castle Leslie Estate
Glaslough, Co Monaghan

Choose between rooms in the extraordinary Castle or in The Lodge, a sensitively designed and atmospheric modern hotel built around a stable courtyard, complete with an equestrian centre and Victorian Treatment Rooms. Except for Afternoon Tea at The Castle and group bookings (also breakfast for Castle guests), dining options for both residents and non-residents are the hotel’s informal Conor’s Bar or Snaffles Restaurant, where old recipes from the Castle Leslie Estate Cookbook may serve to inspire the good cooking that has always been a feature here - and a very good breakfast is served. A lovely destination in itself - and a great base for exploring an area that deserves to be better known. *Autumn 2024 offers include Overnight Escape at The Lodge, from about €420 B&B+D for two.

Cliff House Hotel 
Ardmore Waterford

A bold modern boutique hotel overlooking Ardmore Bay, this chic five-star bolthole draws guests as much for the culinary offerings as the setting. The Well spa’s stunningly positioned outdoor infinity pool may be a close rival, but the meticulously sourced local and seasonal produce that’s transformed into memorable fine dining and excellent informal fare by an ambitious kitchen team has many fans - and the attentive staff and discreet customer care have also earned this luxury hotel a reputation for service. Some stylish self-catering properties are offered nearby too. *2024 ‘Autumn Offer’ Cliff Bed & Breakfast by the Sea, from c.€379. ‘Autumn Solstice’ offer from about.€639.10 includes D, Cocktail on arrival, Outdoor seaweed baths in The Well by the Sea, Guided Cliff Walk. *Similar offers available at sister hotel Cliff at Lyons, Co Kildare; www.cliffatlyons.ie

Gougane Barra Hotel
Macroom, Co Cork

In one of the most peaceful and beautiful locations in Ireland, this delightfully old-fashioned family-run hotel is set in a Forest Park overlooking Gougane Barra Lake, famous for its monastic settlements. The Lucey family has run the hotel since 1937, offering simple, comfortable accommodation as a restful base for walking holidays - rooms are comfortable and have been given a gentle upgrade but not over-modernised. But, since Neil Lucey and his wife Katy (who is a chef) took over management of the hotel in 2005, their energy has brought a fresh approach. While respecting its special timeless qualities, they are constantly upgrading and refurbishing the property, including the lovely and very comfortable rooms - Katy has recently given them a smart upgrade, but they are not over-modernised. Walking holidays remain an important part of the business, but there’s now a stronger emphasis on food. Visitors are encouraged to drop in for informal meals - Katy’s delicious bar meals are just the ticket after a long walk in the Forest Park. *Autumn 2024 offers include 2 nights B&B+1D from about €210pps.

BrookLodge & Macreddin Village
Macreddin Co Wicklow

Evan Doyle and his brothers, Eoin and Bernard, built this extraordinary food, drink and leisure complex on the site of a deserted village in a Wicklow valley in 1999. Today, it is a beautifully spacious and welcoming ‘green’ hotel offering everything from conferences and events to a sumptuous spa and wonderful food. Its main restaurant, The Strawberry Tree, was Ireland’s first certified organic restaurant and - with an exceptional offering in the hotel itself and in the ‘village’ that makes the complex so individual - it is rightly famous for promoting organic and wild food. La Taverna Armento (an informal authentic Italian alternative for dinner), the atmospheric Actons Country Pub (just the spot to enjoy their organic craft brews) and The Orchard Cafe, with its abundant grapevine, all serve memorable meals - delicious, and great value too, especially given the outstanding quality of the ingredients and the consistently excellent standard of cooking. Relaxing and inspiring, it makes a great base for walking, hiking, cycling or simply exploring the wonderful Wicklow hills. * 2024 ‘Autumn Escape’ offers include B&B from c.€210 for two sharing.

Huntington Castle & Gardens
Clonegal Co Carlow

Ancient seat of the Esmonde family and now home to their descendants, Alex and Clare Durdin Robertson and their young family, the castle dates back to 1625 and is full of surprises - not least in the basement, where an exotic Temple to the Goddess Isis replaces the old dungeons - and, like all the very best castles, it even boasts a cast of resident ghosts. Add very special gardens, an adventure playground, gorgeous accommodation and a charming café and Huntington Castle adds up to a perfect destination. It even has Henry and Stephanie Stone’s wonderful Sha Roe Bistro in the village, just at the end of the driveway… [*Contact the castle directly for details of any off-season special offers.]