Sheep crop the grasses in the parkland around Roderick and Helena Perceval’s classical Georgian mansion overlooking a lake and a ruined 13th-century castle – a working private estate rather than romantic Grand Tour fantasy.

On the Wild Atlantic Way, with views across the ‘dramatic’ Burren Hills to Galway Bay, ‘delightful’ Gregans Castle is ‘the epitome of understated country-house hotel luxury,’ writes a Guide regular this year.

‘As the owners claim, this is neither B&B nor hotel, but a family home that welcomes guests,’ writes a Guide insider, of this ‘classic Georgian manor house, deep in the countryside’ beneath Mount Nephin.

Reputedly Ireland’s longest running hotel under one family’s ownership: its ‘true country house’ atmosphere and easy access to rural pursuits draw back guests year after year.

A beautiful formal garden greets visitors to the O’Haras’ otherwise laid-back and informal Georgian mansion.

‘Remains a flagship in its idiom,’ writes a trusted reader, of this legendary enterprise, centred on a wisteria-draped Georgian house grafted on to the remains of a Norman castle.

A mildly bohemian air filters through the Green family’s wisteria-hung Georgian country house hotel, bordered by bluebell woods.

‘In rolling countryside with views of mountains and hills’ Anne and Warwick O’Hara run their 19th-century mansion–turned–guest house with a commitment and enthusiasm that delighted our inspectors.

Built by a Spanish merchant in 1750 and, as you would guess, once home to the parish priest, this smart town-centre B&B has been run for more than 20 years by ‘likeable’ hosts Philip and Noreen McEvoy.

‘Tranquil air of relaxed calm’, ‘Good for the soul’, ‘An oasis of peace’. We hear perennial praise for John Edward Joyce’s country house hotel.

Scottish Baronial meets Italian Renaissance in Samantha Leslie’s Victorian pile on one of the last great Irish castle estates still owned by the founding family.

A long drive through parkland brings guests to this Georgian mansion beside the golf course on the edge of town, where Beryl and James Kearney are the ‘warm and friendly’ hosts.

Afternoon tea is taken by a turf fire in the drawing room of this ‘beautiful’ 19th-century granite rectory at the foot of the Blackstairs mountains.

‘A beautiful place with great hosts.’ Guide readers ‘highly recommend’ this well-located former Norman castle-turned-farmhouse-turned-country guest house in Ireland’s Ancient East.

Small wonder visitors linger at this inviting, creeper-covered Georgian mansion on the Clew bay shoreline.

There are diversions aplenty at this much-refurbished 17th-century former fishing lodge on a tranquil estate overlooking Kenmare bay and the Sheen waterfalls.

A short stroll from the world’s oldest distillery, this amiable 17th-century coaching inn on the Causeway Coastal Route is an eclectic jumble of ancient and modern.

‘Great Atlantic views’ and beach walks await at Antoin O’Looney’s ‘wonderfully hospitable’ small hotel.

A tree’s length from medieval Carlingford, this pretty Georgian house sits in mature walled gardens.

High above Cork harbour, the flower-laden garden of this grand Victorian house creates a cheering welcome on the outskirts of a historic port town.

Four generations of Verity Butterfield’s family have lived in this ‘impressive’ Georgian house, with ‘divine’ views down rolling meadow to the lough.

Lavish, ‘prompt and very attentive’ hospitality is the order of the day at this ‘distinguished’ family-run hotel in an ‘imposing’ Regency house surrounded by 36 acres of grounds.

‘It doesn’t seem to change,’ says a reader who first stayed some 30 years ago at this pink-washed Georgian country house ‘in a glorious setting’, with gardens bordering Ballinakill Bay.

Infused with warmth, Paddy and Hannah Flynn’s Georgian mansion beneath the Slieve Bloom mountains may be a little lived in, but few hotels can touch it for character.