As part of our 100 Best Places to Stay series, here we have the best spots in Ireland for a gourmet sleepover. Tasting menus, Michelin stars and dessert trolleys of legend, these are the standout destinations where the restaurant’s credentials makes it worth the journey.
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Alumni Kitchen Table and Rooms, Co Kildare
Barry Murphy
The name Alumni comes from the Latin alere, to nourish, a philosophy taken seriously at one of Ireland’s most distinctive overnight dining experiences. Three nights a week, eight guests gather at a communal ironwood table in this purpose-built Kildare kitchen for a 14-course tasting menu led by the chef Philip Mahon, with Kathy, his sommelier wife, guiding the wines. Four minimalist guest rooms turn it into a true destination stay.
Rathangan, Co Kildare
alumnikitchentable.com
Ballymaloe House, Co Cork
Joleen Cronin
Unapologetic in its traditional approach, Ballymaloe House treats the best local produce with simplicity and respect. The same gospel Myrtle Allen wrote for this, her country house restaurant more than 60 years ago stands to this day. The head pastry chef JR Ryall’s legendary dessert trolley is reason enough to visit, while Friday evenings bring a spectacular hors d’oeuvres spread in place of starters. This is a pilgrimage worth making repeatedly.
Shanagarry, Co Cork
ballymaloe.ie
Carton House, Co Kildare
Fairmont
This 300-year-old Kildare estate sits on the outskirts of Dublin yet feels a world removed. The Morrison Room is one of Ireland’s most opulently styled dining rooms, where a Michelin-starred kitchen delivers a refined, skilful experience matching the grandeur. Don’t sleep on the supporting act, though — the more casual Kathleen’s Kitchen, set in the reimagined servants’ quarters, will tempt you to stay another night. With two championship golf courses and a superb spa, Carton House is pure class.
Maynooth, Co Kildare
cartonhouse.com
Castlemartyr Resort, Co CorkÂ
Barry Murphy
This manor house in east Cork — part 17th-century splendour, part sleek contemporary wing — has long been a five-star benchmark, but it is Terre that truly defines it as such. The restaurant, with its two Michelin stars and led by Lewis Barker, delivers an 11-course tasting menu that weaves Irish produce, French technique and southeast Asian flavour into something memorably distinctive. A world-class spa, an art collection and a Ron Kirby-designed golf course complete the picture.
Castlemartyr, Co Cork
castlemartyrresort.ie
Dunmore House Hotel, Co Cork
EMMA JERVIS
This cliffside gem in west Cork boasts the kind of familial warmth that’s impossible to manufacture. Now led by the fourth generation of the same family, what began as a private home overlooking Clonakilty Bay in the 1930s has evolved over the decades into a cherished hotel of 30 bedrooms with a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant, Adrift. Leaning heavily into its surroundings, the unfussy menu champions local producers, punctuated by ingredients grown in the organic kitchen garden.
Clonakilty, Co Cork
dunmorehousehotel.ie
Ghan House, Co Louth
A special find in an underrated corner of Ireland, the family-run Ghan House is charming, cosy and refreshingly unpretentious. The handsome Georgian manor, dating to 1727, sits at the edge of medieval Carlingford. It’s known for its food, particularly seafood and shellfish, and the walled garden provides most of the herbs, fruit and vegetables that make up the menu. Dinner is served in the Regency-style dining room with views towards the moody Mourne Mountains.
Carlingford, Co Louth
ghanhouse.com
Glenlo Abbey, Co Galway
ANDREW DOWNES
Galway’s newest Michelin-starred restaurant happens to be one of Ireland’s most singular dining experiences: two beautifully restored Orient Express carriages parked on the grounds of an 18th-century estate overlooking Lough Corrib. The Pullman, led by the Greek-born chef Angelo Vagiotis, earned its Michelin star this year and shows no signs of slowing. Just ten minutes from the city, this gracious base is set on a sprawling 138-acre estate with a championship golf course.
Bushypark, Co Galway
glenloabbeyhotel.ie
MacNean House, Co CavanÂ
In 2001 Neven Maguire and his wife, Amelda, took over the business his parents had run in the border town of Blacklion since 1970. Celebrating 25 years steering the ship in 2026, the team at MacNean House owes its success to loyal, repeat custom. Once guests experience Maguire’s tasting menu, superb breakfast and service that never misses a beat, they flock back for special occasions or annual stays.
Blacklion, Co Cavan
nevenmaguire.com
The Olde Glen, Co Donegal
A quiet corner, a great bar and one of Co Donegal’s oldest and most celebrated restaurants, the Olde Glen makes a compelling case for staying over. Ciarán Sweeney, one of Ireland’s finest chefs, offers a four-course menu from iconic local ingredients, from Burtonport crab and Mulroy Bay scallops to Ballyholey vegetables. Retire nearby to Clara’s Cots and wake up well rested and very well fed.
Carrigart, Co Donegal
oldeglen.ie
Vaughan’s Anchor Inn, Co Clare
For more than 45 years Vaughan’s Anchor Inn has been a defining seafood destination on the Clare coast. Built on a family tradition, now led by the third generation, what sets it apart is its absolute commitment to using not only locally landed fish and shellfish but local dairy, beef and vegetables. Like the cooking, the rooms are simple yet considered, making this a perfect perch for exploring the Burren and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Liscannor, Co Clare
vaughans.ie
Milestone gatherings
Big birthdays, hen do’s and landmark occasions call for a special setting for the whole gang to celebrate in style. These are the spots to consider for your next bash, says Elaine Prendeville.
Ard na Sidhe Country House, Co Kerry
Those content to push the boat out might consider this dreamy hotel on the banks of Caragh Lake in Killorglin. Dating from 1913, Ard na Sidhe is an Arts and Crafts-style country house with 18 bedrooms and it is available for exclusive use based on a two-night minimum stay. With excellent catering options too, this is quite the catch for a milestone celebration.
Killorglin, Co Kerry
ardnasidhe.com
Ballyeriston House, Co Donegal
From the drive in it’s clear that you’ve made a good decision: Ballyeriston is a place where happy memories are made. This private venue is ideally suited to groups of eight to ten guests and it’s all about the detail: the art and furniture feel homely yet elegant, the piano plays note-perfectly, the open fire makes this a Christmas favourite, and the short amble down to the private beach at Gweebarra Bay provides a gild to the lily. With 400 years of history behind its doors, Ballyeriston is a simply unforgettable experience.
Portnoo, Co Donegal
ballyeristonhouse.com
Bothar Bui, Co Cork
A small grouping of modernist buildings overlooking Kenmare Bay, Bothar Bui (or yellow road) was designed by the Irish architect Robin Walker and can count the poet Seamus Heaney among its former guests. Suited to groups of ten, and entirely tucked away from view, it’s little wonder that Bothar Bui has attracted artists and writers for whom a like-minded gathering often turns into a proper party.
Beara, Co Cork
botharbui.com
Currarevagh House, Co Galway
There’s a Saltburn vibe at Currarevagh House: minus the horror and more in the sense that anything could and probably does happen here. A Victorian house set in 180 acres of parkland, Currarevagh is ideal for a big birthday, and can sleep 18 guests comfortably. Take some time in the lakeside sauna then launch yourself into said lake for a swim before returning to this unpretentious pile for drinks and a long night of laughter. Not suitable for younger kids, Currarevagh is a strong bet for a bohemian, adults-only weekend.
Oughterard, Co Galway
currarevagh.com
Dromgarriff Rainforest, Co Cork
reserved
This could be the place we’d most like to spend a roundy birthday: Dromgarriff Rainforest in Glengarriff includes five houses, two of which feel closer to mini, private hotels. The Linden House is spectacular, with uninterrupted views over Bantry Bay and Garinish Island on the near horizon. This ten-bedroom and ten-bathroom, mid-century furnished house features a yoga room, indoor and outdoor sauna, plus every mod con a discerning bunch of your favourite adults could wish for, wine fridge included. It’s secluded, special and totally stylish, and its owners also operate the Park Hotel Kenmare, with every touch of their excellent taste in art and interiors in evidence. Around the property expect beautiful walks among ancient trees, plus that rare sense of being utterly divorced from the everyday.
Glengarriff, Co Cork
dromgarriff.com
Dunowen House, Co Cork
Have you ever been experienced? It’s safe to say the former denizen of Dunowen House, the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s bassist Noel Redding, had. Redding lived at Dunowen in this picturesque curve of west Cork for three decades, with his ashes now interred in the garden. You can experience the rock’n’roll lifestyle with a private hire of the house for 15 guests staying over in the main house on a self-catering basis. The cute Orchard Cottage also offers some availability for up to five guests.
Ardfield, Co Cork
dunowenhouse.ie
Glasson Lakehouse, Co Westmeath
JASON ENNIS
At an easy 90-minute drive from Dublin, or an hour from Galway, Glasson Lakehouse is a savvy choice for location alone. This hotel offers 70 bedrooms, each decorated in a laid-back, rustic style, and with dining, hot tubs, bicycles and more on site, there is ample opportunity for guests of all ages to let loose. We like the group packages available at the spa, which include a treatment, lunch and a glass of bubbles. Our choice for a getaway with pals, especially when there is a special success to be toasted.
Glasson, Co Westmeath
glassonlakehouse.ie
Kelly’s Resort, Co WexfordÂ
Ger Lawlor
Kelly’s holds legendary status in Irish hospitality. There’s its setting, right on Rosslare Strand. Then there’s the fact that every conceivable age and taste is catered to, from the cards room for bridge to the children’s playroom for Lego, with dancing, swimming and playing crazy golf in between. Over the road from the main hotel is Leinster Lodge, a pretty blue house that easily accommodates a dozen guests, with six bedrooms and plenty of living space. Rent the Lodge with half-board at Kelly’s, giving the whole group an intimate experience with all the benefits that the resort hotel has to offer. It’s a no-brainer, this one.
Rosslare, Co Wexford
kellys.ie
The Lake House at the Rabbit hotel, Co Antrim
This place has all the ingredients of great fun: a spacious house with five bedrooms, a lakeside terrace and a private hot tub. With glitter balls a go-go the Rabbit is not for the faint of heart, and this sister property, a three-minute walk from the hotel, offers the same main-character energy without the crowds. Spot on for a 30th birthday celebration with gregarious friends.
Ballyclare, Co Antrim
rabbithotel.com
Marlfield House, Co Wexford
While multigenerational celebrations are challenging to accommodate, Marlfield House nails the brief. Older relatives will appreciate the traditional luxury of the main house, while a younger generation will enjoy the calm, contemporary Pond Suites situated on the grounds. With afternoon tea, fine dining, and a resident peacock named George, Marlfield is your fanciest aunt’s favourite hotel — and, as ever, she’s correct.
Gorey, Co Wexford
marlfieldhouse.com