Mount Juliet Estate

History meets contemporary design at this elegant hotel just outside of Kilkenny Centre. The carefully-restored 17th-century house makes a striking companion to the modern additions.

The hotel offers 139 rooms and suites with stunning views out over the estate or gardens, and many of them boast their own balconies or terraces. The rooms offer guests a private haven, situated away from the main body of the hotel. The design is luxurious, combining contemporary features with bold patterns and bright pops of colour.

Seasonal Irish cuisine, inspired by international trends, awaits at the inviting Yew Restaurant. An extensive wine list and beautiful views out into the gardens complete the unique dining experience. On the mezzanine level, you’ll find the Grill & Bar which boasts an open kitchen, cocktail bar and an eclectic menu. If you fancy a drink, make yourself comfortable at the stylish Tupper’s Bar in the manor house, and if the idea of a sumptuous afternoon tea with friends sounds appealing, head to sunlight-flooded Atrium.

Spread across 170 acres of mature parkland, the estate is home to a variety of native wildlife. Take a stroll along the signposted walking trails beneath ancient trees, and keep a lookout for ducks, rabbits, hares and squirrels. Make your way down to the dam, the ideal spot for a picnic, or explore a little further and discover many other picturesque places to make the most of the fresh country air. There are also several other outdoor activities to fill the time, including falconry and archery.

Finally, the multi-award winning Oasis Spa is a sanctuary of tranquillity offering various rejuvenating treatments.

A place of history, romance, tranquillity and beauty, Ballyfin is one of the most lavish Regency mansions in Ireland. Having fallen into disrepair over the years, the country house underwent almost a decade of painstaking restoration and refurbishment.

Standing proudly on a 614-acre estate at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, the luxury hotel boasts just 20 rooms and offers guests the best in Irish hospitality. Carefully chosen paint finished, wallpapers and fabrics have brought new life to the rooms, and around the hotel, you’ll discover a collection of Irish art and antiques from around the world. Fine Irish mahogany, French chandeliers and Thomas Chippendale mirrors complete the opulent picture.

When it comes to dining, the kitchen team uses the freshest local produce to create delicious meals. The Ballyfin hens provide fresh eggs daily, honey is produced on the estate, the finest Irish meats are sourced from across the country, and fish is caught off the south coast. The hotel’s gardens supply an abundance of fruit, vegetables, herbs and salads year round. Meals can be taken in the State Dining Room and the Van Der Hagen Room, or elsewhere upon prior arrangement.

There are a variety of activities which allow guests to make the most of all the estate has to offer. Head out onto the lake for some fishing or sailing, try your hand at archery or clay pigeon shooting, or simply explore the walking and mountain biking trails.