From chilling out at a romantic fireside to full-on festive family fun, let someone else do the work this Christmas with an Irish winter minibreak.
Before the big day
Thank goodness Halloween keeps Christmas at bay until the end of October at least, but when you’re ready to dive into the fairy lights, here are some of the best spots to try.
Galmont Hotel, Galway
Galway throws itself right into the festive action with the surprisingly wonderful Christmas Market on Eyre Square, Santa’s mini train, and the big View Wheel offering glittering vistas of everything – highly recommended for all ages. Add mulled wine and snacks on site, and it’s seriously Christmassy craic. B&B at the nearby and very excellent Galmont Hotel from €219 per room, thegalmont.com
Wineport Lodge, Westmeath
“We must get together” is a frequent Christmas cry. Although billed as a “girls’ getaway”, the Wineport Lodge doesn’t exclude men, so all and any are welcome to its Festive Bubble Break. The name itself should help do a good job of luring your pals to join you. Includes a bottle of chilled bubbles and Irish chocolate truffles on arrival, a four-course dinner, B&B in a lake view room, and a lake side hot tub with (more) bubbles, both in the hot tub, and in your glass before you leave. Available December 1st to 22nd, from €524 for two sharing.
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Woodland Suite at the Montenotte, Cork
This Winter Escape Package is available on selected dates right through into January, but go before Christmas and you might find the hamper in your room takes care of some of your gifting dilemmas, as it includes a McNutt wool throw, tea blends and Champagne. Perched on the wooded banks overlooking the river Lee, the Montenotte’s new(ish) Woodland and River Suites are a glorious experience in escapist design. Two nights’ B&B, hamper, welcome Champagne, dinner for two on one night, sundowner cocktails and healthclub and on-site cinema access from €770 per night, for a two-night minimum stay. Book just one night without all the bells and whistles, though you’ll still get bubbles on arrival, from €600.
Number 31, Dublin
A place that makes you feel like you’re in on one of Dublin’s best-kept secrets, Number 31 is a hotel of two parts. One side is a lovely Georgian townhouse, beautifully done up with warm and witty design, while on the other is a modernist gem of a place in what was once the city pad of architect Sam Stephenson (of Central Bank fame), sunken fireside conversation pit and all. Christmas in the Capital gives you bed and very excellent breakfast from €199 per room.
Christmas
Spending Christmas in a hotel is generally either because the extended family member hosting this year simply can’t fit you all in, or because you’ve taken a firm stand against all that prep and catering, and are going to make sure everyone gets taken care of by someone else for a change. On a more serious note, Christmas hotel stays can be a wise way to start some new traditions if you have had a change in your family circumstances during the year.
Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford
The Ferrycarrig, one of those hotels that manages to make all the disparate family members feel welcome and happy (should you have a disparate family, that is), has a great location on the banks of the Slaney, a short spin from Wexford town. Christmas at the hotel starts on December 24th, and your package covers all meals, including Christmas lunch, plus a visit from Santa himself, €595pps for two nights, €695 for three. Children up to three years old are free, from €185 per child up to eight years old, and €215 per child up to 16 for the two-night package.
Park Hotel, Kerry
Go full deluxe, and utterly arty at Park Hotel Kenmare, where artists from the hotel’s extensive contemporary collection have been invited to join local artists and create bespoke baubles for the Christmas tree. As these include Sean Scully, Guggi and Dorothy Cross, it’s a lot to imagine. Three nights, starting on Christmas Eve, include cocktails, choral music, all meals, games and quizzes, a visit from Santa and all manner of other marvellous Yuletide treats. Three nights from €3,906 for two.
Glenlo Abbey, Galway
On the outskirts of Galway, as you take the road west, Glenlo Abbey sits you firmly in prime position on its 138-acre estate, on the shores of Lough Corrib. Check in on Christmas Eve with a mulled wine welcome, and enjoy festive themed things to do, including seasonal movies on-site, and serenity walks (handy for the overexcited). Includes music, a quiz, dinner, gifts, Christmas lunch, supper and more less festive activities such as golf. Two nights from €1,200pps, three from €1,650, reduced prices for children.
Carton House, Kildare
Head to Kildare for a stay fit for a queen: back in the day, the lords and ladies of Carton House even went so far as creating a lake to amuse Queen Victoria. Today you can stay over Christmas and be regaled with mulled wine and mince pies, a Christmas gift and a stocking full of treats hanging on your door. Then there’s a breakfast buffet, a nice festive stroll round the glorious grounds, and a five-course Christmas lunch, followed by a nice nap, or gentle board games. Evening snacks and live entertainment see the day out. Two nights from €1,240pps.
Twixtmas
“Twixtmas” must be one of the most hideous marketing terms ever coined for what is one of the nicest times of year. The week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve can feel like time stolen back from the noisy world. Steal your own time here.
Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa, Cork
It might be a clever ruse to name a minibreak after less than excellent weather, but there are fewer better places to watch a decent winter storm than west Cork’s Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa. Their Storm Watcher Package gives you two nights’ B&B, dinner on one evening, a warming Storm Watcher cocktail, complimentary yoga on selected days (check when booking) and indoor seawater therapy pool access, from €299pps, excluding New Year’s Eve.
The Merrion, Dublin
Bring the family to Dublin, whether for one of the pantos, or other seasonal theatre fun including The Gate’s The Borrowers (from €15, until January 12th), and stay over with interconnecting rooms at The Merrion, with The Winter Family Getaway offering B&B for four, plus free room service dinner for children under 12 for €1,050 on selected nights until January 31st.
The Johnstown Estate, Meath
Meath’s Johnstown Estate has two nights of Post Christmas Chill including strolling round the grounds, lolling in the outdoor hot tub, relaxing by the open fires and indulging in evening entertainment. You’ll get B&B dinner on both nights including one in the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Fire & Salt, from €680 per room for two. Check in December 27th or 28th.
The Westbury, Dublin
The sales don’t wait till January these days, and you’re in the heart of the action at The Westbury. It’s also a very nice place to sleep over if shopping isn’t a lure for you. The Festive Family Moments package includes B&B for two, plus a family portrait photo session for up to five people beside the hotel’s glitzy Christmas tree, so if you’re not feeling too haggard after the big day, this might be next year’s family card all snapped up. Check in dates December 27th to 29th, from €630 per room.
New Year’s Eve
For those of us who frequently peak too soon, here’s a tip: tune in to one of those countries that ring in the new year a couple of hours ahead – Greece, Finland, South Africa for starters – enjoy the celebrations, and be tucked up nicely, ready to wake up when you are good and ready for 2025. Or book a hotel, get your nap in and get ready to countdown to the cheers.
Ice House Hotel, Mayo
Don’t just say goodbye to 2024, but start 2025 right at Co Mayo’s Ice House. On the banks of the river Moy, you’re on the spot for fabulous winter walks. At the hotel, there is a five-course dinner, and a New Year toast in bubbles, plus late-night snacks (in case five courses weren’t enough). Book into the Chill Spa for the morning, and get ready to make resolutions in the outdoor baths as a new year dawns. Includes dinner, Champagne toast, snacks and B&B, €600 per room.
Culloden Estate & Spa, Belfast
Set in lovely parkland, just on the outskirts of Belfast the Culloden makes you feel like you’re in another luxurious world. Check in from 3pm with welcome fizz, then get your glad rags on to toddle down for cocktails and canapés, before dinner in Vespers for some fine-dining fun. Then hang out in the lounge to wait for the Piper to come and lead you into the New Year with yet more bubbles. From £290 pps.
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin
A stone’s throw from both Christ Church and St Patrick’s Cathedrals, and not too far from Dublin Castle either, you’re in the heart of the New Year action at the Radisson Blu Royal on Golden Lane. Overnight on December 31st lets you make your own plans for turn-of-the-year action, and gives you B&B from €255.50 per room if you sign up to membership when booking.
Ashford Castle, Mayo
Celebrate in the manner of movie stars, presidents and minor royalty, all of whom have graced the halls of Ashford Castle before you. They have the photos to prove it, and you’ll find them adorning the walls. They’ll be there, in spirit at least as you check in for mulled wine from noon on New Year’s Eve. Afternoon tea starts at one, and then it’s next stop pre dinner drawingroom drinks before a black-tie dinner, leading you into midnight celebrations with Champagne and dancing. The next day, after a leisurely brunch, your choice of complimentary estate activities includes a history walk, falconry, treasure hut and boat cruise on New Year’s Day and if you have any room left, more dinner. Two nights from €2,162.50pps.
Hotel gifts
Even if you’re planning to stay put for the season, don’t forget a hotel voucher makes a clever present, adding the gift of expectation to escapism. A good deal all round. Check out gifting options from hotels including goodies from Charlotte & Co at Dromoland Castle that range from the luxurious to the quirky, or foodie and wellness gifts, and otherwise highly covetable delights from the Cliff at Lyons.
