20 beautiful hotels in Ireland
Temple House
Ballymote
A private drive loops through native woodland and pastures to this classical mansion overlooking a ruined Knights Templar castle and teeming fishing lake in W B Yeats country.
Gregans Castle Hotel
Ballyvaughan
It may not be a castle but this rambling 18th-century manor house, wrapped in gardens and with views over the otherworldly karst landscape of the Burren, has its own romantic charm.
Enniscoe House
Ballina
Solitary Nephin, Ireland’s highest stand-alone mountain, provides a dramatic backdrop to this classic, pink-washed Georgian country house in wooded grounds on Lough Conn.
Rathmullan House
Rathmullan
Pass the little gate lodge to drive up to this bay-fronted country house in wooded grounds edged by a beach on Lough Swilly.
Ballyvolane House
Fermoy
With breakfast served until noon, afternoon tea by the drawing room fire, shooting, fishing and communal dining, a house-party atmosphere prevails at this Georgian country house.
The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge
Ballingarry
Every painting, sculpture and piece of furniture feels cherished and chosen at John Edward Joyce’s Victorian country mansion in landscaped gardens.
Newforge House
Magheralin
There is a happy sense of continuity at this classic Georgian country house, where sixth-generation owners Louise and John Mathers have been welcoming guests since 2005.
Rosleague Manor
Letterfrack
There are wonderful views from this pink-washed manor house in gardens edged by Ballinakill Bay, with interiors full of antiques and curios, imaginative menus and personable third-generation owners.
Roundwood House
Mountrath
Hannah and Paddy Flynn are warm hosts at their Palladian villa in native woodland, filled with heirloom antiques and auction finds, where singing chef Paddy cooks with brio, breakfast brings eggs from the ducks and hens, and a good time is had by all.
Currarevagh House
Oughterard
‘A winding drive through woodland takes you back in time’ to Henry and Lucy Hodgson’s Victorian country house on a 180-acre estate on the shores of Lough Corrib.
Coopershill
Riverstown
Simon and Christina O’Hara welcome guests to their Georgian ancestral home on a wooded estate with deer park, where guests sit down to a three-course dinner and awake to an Aga-cooked breakfast.
Ballymaloe House
Shanagarry
Set on a 300-acre working farm, this legendary Irish country-house hotel has grown from being a restaurant with rooms that is passionate about locally sourced food into a thriving business, with cookery school, café and arts venue.
Castle Leslie Estate
Glaslough
Gorgeous interiors and a friendly, informal ambience are a winning combination at Susan Stuart’s beautiful B&B, where every bedroom has a sea view, and breakfast is quite special.
Lorum Old Rectory
Bagenalstown
Overlooking the River Barrow, this Victorian rectory B&B is a cherished home, with the style of a small country house, and welcoming hostesses who will cook dinner by arrangement.
Stella Maris
Ballycastle
The sea is a powerful presence at this former coastguard’s HQ overlooking Bunatrahir Bay, with fascinating architectural features, of cosy public rooms, blazing fires, an ocean-view sunlounge, antique furniture and contemporary Irish cuisine.
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