GREAT ESCAPES FOR WINTER & EARLY SPRING - 10 OF THE BEST

Give yourself a break and take off for a few days in late winter or early spring - there are cosy and relaxing places all over Ireland to tempt you, and some fantastic value to be enjoyed off-season too. And with the February bank holiday coming up, as well as Valentine's, maybe one of these would be perfect for a family break or that romantic treat... So browse through this gloriously diverse collection of great places to stay and take your pick.

The Brooklodge Hotel & Macreddin Village
Macreddin Village Co Wicklow

A favourite destination for food loving folk and now dubbed ‘Ireland’s only luxury BIO hotel’, the history of this extraordinary food, drink and leisure complex is romantic and we visited often when it was under construction in the late ‘90s, to see the dream of the Doyle brothers - Evan, Eoin and Bernard - emerging on the site of a deserted village in this Wicklow valley. Today, it’s a spacious and welcoming ‘green’ hotel with a unique food offering, green events and a luxurious spa. Thanks mainly to Evan, who is the hands-on visionary, they have long since earned national recognition for their pioneering position on organic and wild food and - whether eating in The Strawberry Tree (Ireland’s first certified organic restaurant, dating back to its origins in 1980s Killarney), La Taverna Armento (authentic Italian alternative for dinner) or popping into the atmospheric Actons Country Pub (just the spot to enjoy their organic craft brews) - BrookLodge gives great value too. Just a short distance from Dublin, it’s always a wonderful place to visit - and, as the late great Gerry Galvin used to say admiringly, ‘much more than the sum of its parts’.

Galgorm Resort & Spa
Ballymena Co Antrim BT42 1EA

Set amidst beautiful scenery, with the River Maine running through the grounds, this former ‘gentleman’s residence’ outside Ballymena is now one of Northern Ireland’s most impressive hotels. Well known as a wedding venue (two separate facilities) and for short break. it has accommodation in the old house and newer deluxe rooms in the former walled garden area as well as - sad from a gardener’s perspective but it works well for the hotel, which is dog friendly. With an equestrian centre on site as well as a magnificent Spa & Thermal Village, there’s no shortage of things to do - and there are some good things going on in the food and drink department too. The Conservatory Cocktail & Gin Bar is a special experience in itself and there are several dining options to choose from, so there’s always something to suit the mood of the moment. As well as the Resort, the Hill family’s Galgorm Collection includes The Rabbit at Templepatrick, the Old Inn Crawfordsburn and two Belfast restaurants (Parisien and Fratelli) – and they have recently acquired the neighbouring Galgorm Castle Estate (golfing destination, restaurant, bar and event venue) and the Roe Park Resort at Limavady, which also has its own 18 hole golf course, which is all good news for Northern Irish hospitality.

Barberstown Castle
Straffan, Co Kildare

A hotel with a difference and very handy to Dublin, Barberstown Castle offers frazzled city folk an easy getaway with all the advantages of being in the country, minus the long drive. High on character, the Blue Book property has the distinction of having been occupied continuously for over 400 years, and now has sections from four different periods - the original castle keep, an Elizabethan house (16th century), a ‘new’ Victorian wing added in the 1830s by Hugh Barton (also associated with nearby Straffan House, now The K Club, with which it shares golf and leisure facilities) and a large sympathetically designed new wing. Some especially romantic rooms are in the Castle Keep (where private dining is also available), but most are more recent - stylish and spacious, some with four-posters. As well as the Barton Room restaurant offering fine dining of character (late week dinner, Sunday lunch & Afternoon Tea), changing menus are served in the Garden Bar all day from 8am and there are two drawing rooms with big log fires - a cosy scenario for a winter break.

The Lodge at Castle Leslie
Glaslough Co Monaghan

An extraordinary place, Castle Leslie Estate has been in the Leslie family for three centuries and, until recent years, it had changed remarkably little. The castle itself is perfect for private parties, although the accommodation is also open to individual guests. Except for Afternoon Tea at The Castle (and groups), dining options for both residents and non-residents are at The Lodge At Castle Leslie, an atmospherically designed 4-star hotel just inside the castle gates. It offers elegant, mainly contemporary, accommodation and good food in both the informal Conors Bar and Snaffles Restaurant, where you may be lucky enough to sample dishes based on old recipes from the Castle Leslie Estate Cookbook - and a very good breakfast is served here too. It’s a seriously appealing all year short break destination, especially if you can make full use of the hotel facilities (equestrian; Victorian Treatment Rooms) as well as the lovely surroundings. Off season breaks may be especially tempting – an Exquisite Early Year Promotion, for example, offers rooms from €235 with cocktails and canapés instead of dinner, which could please plenty of people.

Ashford Castle Estate
Cong Co Mayo

Famed for luxury, atmosphere and superb food and wine, Ashford Castle is a predictable favourite with international travellers - but it’s also one of Ireland’s great treat destinations for off-season breaks. With big fires and twinkling lights creating a cosy ‘away-from-it-all’ atmosphere at night, a stunning spa and plenty of outdoor activities including equestrian, golf, walking and falconry to sharpen the appetite for Executive Chef Liam Finnegan’s culinary creations, the castle is especially desirable in winter. And, with all of the improvements both large and (relatively) small that have been undertaken by the current owners to enjoy, plus some seriously tempting off-season offers at both the Castle (B&B from €245pps January-March) and the nearby Lodge (February breaks from €435 for two including an excellent dinner at Wilde’s prepared by Executive Head Chef Jonathan Keane and his staff) to lure us to this beautiful place, it is well worth considering - perhaps for that romantic getaway. Galway city’s only down the road too – and don’t forget to ask about the new Ashford Estate Kitchen Garden which supplies both the Castle and the Lodge.

Ballynahinch Castle
Connemara Co Galway

If you’re one of the many who love the wildness of Connemara out of season, Ballynahinch Castle – which is set in a private country estate in the heart of Connemara – could be just the place for you. Renowned as a fishing hotel, this unique place is much loved for its beautiful setting, high standards, excellent food and relaxed atmosphere. A crenellated Victorian mansion, it enjoys a most romantic position in 700 acres of ancient woodland and gardens (including walled kitchen gardens, now magnificently restored) on the banks of the Ballynahinch River. Despite the impressive scale, hands-on General Manager Eoin Walsh and his staff make sure the atmosphere is relaxed, and a high level of comfort and friendliness combined with huge open fires, delicious local food cooked with finesse by Danni Barry (our Chef of the Year 2024) and her talented team, plus a little quirkiness (and an invigorating mixture of residents and locals in the bar at night), keeps bringing people back. Great breakfast too, including their own rare breed pork products. Off season, the atmosphere is especially magical – all those crackling log fires are the business and the prices are much more reasonable, with rooms from about €315 from February to early April.

Harvey's Point
Lough Eske Co Donegal

This beautifully located hotel on the shores of Lough Eske was established by the Gysling family in 1989 and, although the property came into new ownership in 2019, the friendliness and helpfulness of its long serving staff remain its greatest asset under the guidance of General Manager Niall Coffey. The hotel is renowned for special activity breaks offered throughout the year; its exceptionally luxurious accommodation (including some new Balcony Suites, more recently opened) and a fine events venue, which is run seamlessly without affecting private guests. Great value midweek breaks (from as little at €119pps in January, with dinner) include complimentary in-house activities (cooking demonstrations and wine tastings on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a guided Walk with the wonderful Noel Cunningham on Wednesday, weather permitting). The food experience has always been special too - choose between classic lake view fine dining in the beautifully situated Lakeside Restaurant or informal waterside meals at Harvey’s Bar & Terrace. For many regular visitors Donegal is at its best in winter - and with its cosy fires and genuine hospitality there’s nowhere better to return to after a day in the great outdoors.

Ghan House
Carlingford Co Louth

Halfway between Dublin and Belfast, medieval Carlingford village is a dream destination off-season – while the narrow streets can be very busy in summer, a winter visit here is much more relaxed. And, for many, the Carroll family’s 18th century house is the only place to head for - set in its own walled grounds, with views across the lough to the Mountains of Mourne, it has earned a reputation for warm hospitality, comfort and good food. With a welcoming drawing room fire, a proper little bar where guests can mingle, and a first floor dining room where non-residents are also welcome, it ticks a lot of boxes. Accommodation - in a combination of pleasing rooms of character in the main house and newer bedrooms in a separate building – is very comfortable, and there are masses of activities and scenic drives to enjoy in the area, which now extends to south Co Down, thanks to the scenic (seasonal) ferry crossing between Carlingford and Greenore. And this is a place that is constantly improving. Following recent flood damage, for example, Paul Carroll took the opportunity to bring forward plans for big changes to systems and equipment (including the kitchen) that have greatly improved the sustainability of this lovely old property. Ask him about it when you visit, he loves to share the story!

The Cliff House Hotel
Ardmore Co Waterford

There’s a haunting wistfulness about seaside holiday resorts in winter that can be very appealing. Ardmore is a pretty little village, a traditional family holiday destination that fills up easily in summer with the bucket-and-spade brigade and their entourage, giving out all the happy vibes of people busy doing as little as possible. Yet in winter you could be the only people walking on the beach, and there’s a gentle melancholy about it which is very relaxing – and a great contrast to the bright lights and buzz of this very special hotel, which is built into steep cliffs overlooking Ardmore Bay and the Irish Sea. Having earned fame for its vibrant contemporary style and ambitious cooking, this once traditional seaside hotel now attracts appreciative guests from all over. There’s plenty to do in the hotel (a stunningly positioned outdoor infinity pool - and a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym - all overlook the bay) but it’s also an area to explore, as West Waterford is so beautiful and gloriously unspoilt: a visit to romantic Lismore is among the recommended outings. The smart contemporary rooms all have sea views, and many have a private balcony for those warmer days – and plenty of special offers to tempt you to spend a couple of nights in this foodie paradise, including Winter Tides (from €530, Deluxe Sea View Room DB&B for two) and Couples Retreats (2 night stay from €1073).

Dunraven Arms Hotel
Adare Co Limerick

The Dunraven Arms is renowned for the quality special offers that the Murphy family keep dreaming up to tempt visitors to head for the pretty village of Adare for a cheering break. They’ve managed to maintain the comfortable feel of a small, family run, village hostelry, although it’s actually a large hotel - with all of the associated facilities such as a gym and leisure centre that you will find time to enjoy if staying several nights. Bedrooms are spacious and luxuriously appointed and guests’ sitting rooms with open fires are dotted about the hotel, providing oases of calm; it’s easy to understand how regular guests quickly begin to see it as a home from home - and retaining something of that ‘old inn’ feeling is a remarkable achievement, especially as the food and service are excellent. It’s a good base for a whole range of interesting days out. The village itself is charming, of course, and there are lovely riverside walks nearby too – and the value of their famous special offers can be really exceptional. An overnight stay, including dinner, may be offered on certain dates for as little as €218 for two, for example, and there is no feeling of corners being cut.