15 of the most romantic escapes across Ireland — with some great value options
Brilliantly located off Merrion Square, The Leinster hit the ground running on opening in 2024. With its vivacious yet respectful reinvention of a classic Georgian townhouse, lovely staff and the rooftop Jean-Georges restaurant, it brings something new to the city.
It used to be all about St Valentine’s Day but now it’s February, the Month of Love, which makes a lot more sense — and why not extend that to Spring of Love…
There’s great value to be found early season if you navigate around Easter and other public holidays, especially if you can take a midweek break.
From pubs with rooms to five-star hotels, this micro-collection highlights just a few of the most desirable destinations around Ireland for couples (among others) and, as well as must-haves like great food and ambience, they also have special activities on site and nearby, to enjoy together and create new memories…
A top food destination for many years, Simon and Freddie Haden’s quietly luxurious and restorative country house hotel is also loved for Freddie’s wonderfully thoughtful interiors, warming turf fires, views across the Burren, and this leading eco-destination’s commitment to schemes like The Burren Pine Project.
You don’t have to be a sustainability activist to love Gregans but it’s just the place for enthusiasts, and there are masses of activities (notably guided walks), attractions (Burren Geo Park) and exceptional food producers (The Burren Food Trail) to enjoy.
- Where: Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, County Clare
- Tel: 065707 7005
- Highlights: B&B from c.€345 per room. Feb-Mar special offers include ‘Sundays & Mondays’ and ‘Spring in the Burren’. Dogs allowed.
- gregans.ie
- burrenecotourism.com
Set in gardens just a mile from the city centre, Cork’s premier hotel feels like a large period house with its secluded ambience and a choice of restaurants (Perrotts Garden Bistro and the elegant Orchids fine-dining restaurant, where an excellent breakfast is also served).
Relaxation options include The Beautique Spa (with swimming pool) and nearby attractions such as The English Market and the Glucksman Gallery.
- Where: Hayfield Manor Hotel, Perrott Avenue, College Road, Cork
- Tel: 021 484 5900
- Highlights: Valentine Escape package from c.€496; also offers at sister properties Great Southern Killarney and Killarney Royal Hotel.
- hayfieldmanor.ie
Set in lovely grounds, including the organic kitchen garden that supplies head chef Angel Pirev and his kitchen team, John Edward Joyce’s welcoming country house is a magical and superbly comfortable place where dining is always a special treat.
There’s loads to do (do bring walking shoes) but we love that suggested activities include: “‘Do not disturb’ is often the most enjoyable option for our guests… We won’t disturb you unless you need your tea topped up or your glass refilled!”
- DB&B from c.€170pps; pets by arrangement.
- Where: The Mustard Seed, Ballingarry, County Limerick
- Highlights: Adare village; Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum.
- Tel: 069 68508
- mustardseed.ie
With its combination of an overnight stay (hotel or Old Bank Townhouse) and executive chef Meeran Manzoor’s exceptional tasting menu at Rare restaurant, the Blue Haven Hotel’s Rare Romantic Getaway is a sure-fire winner.
Offered Thursday-Saturday throughout February from €190 per person sharing, the package includes a glass of Moët champagne and you can add wine and extras from Kinsale chocolatier Koko, or local florist Daisy Chain as well.
Great value for a unique experience.
- Where: Blue Haven Hotel, Pearse Street, Kinsale, County Cork
- Tel: 021 477 2209
- Highlights: Kinsale off-season is always a treat.
- bluehavenkinsale.com
- rare1784.ie
Built by the legendary Breton chef Youen Jacob in 2008 and now run with informal style by his son, Youen, and his wife Kate, this well-named hotel has generous big rooms (with lovely bathrooms), warmth and vibrancy.
They reopen from February 13 (5 days a week until Easter). And, although The Lookout restaurant has been closed since the pandemic, some of the famous Chez Youen dishes are still on the excellent menu, including the giant Chez Youen Shellfish Platter (24 hours notice).
Seaview rooms from €160.
- Where: The Waterfront Hotel, The Square, Baltimore, County Cork
- Tel: 028 20600
- Highlights: Views over the harbour towards Sherkin Island.
- waterfrontbaltimore.ie
With its striking zinc-topped bar, nautical antiques and pictures, Kate Cooke’s atmospheric seafood restaurant abounds with character.
The ultra fresh local fish and seafood is supplied by the family company Quinlan’s Kerry Fish and — thanks to imaginative development by Kate and her late husband, Andrew — the splendid, quirkily stylish townhouse accommodation is now equally sought out.
The comfort and enjoyment of guests comes first there, making it a very special place.
- Where: Quinlan & Cooke Boutique Townhouse & QCs Seafood Restaurant, Cahirciveen, County Kerry
- Tel: 066 947 2244
- Highlights: Must-visits nearby include Skellig Six18 Distillery and Valentia Island (car ferry from Renards Point).
- qc.ie
Just five minutes’ walk west of Dingle Town, Brian and Helen Heaton’s luxurious purpose-built guesthouse is known for ensuring that their guests enjoy the very best of Irish hospitality — and that’s what keeps bringing them back.
Attention to detail is seen in everything the Heatons do, from the outstanding in-room facilities to the delicious breakfasts that are freshly cooked to order by Brian and served in the lovely bright seaview dining room.
Room rates from c.€120 including that special breakfast.
- Where: Castlewood House, The Wood, Dingle, County Kerry
- Tel: 066 915 2788
- Highlights: The Slea Head Drive is on the doorstep, Dingle Whiskey Distillery just across the bridge.
- castlewooddingle.com
Once home to the Clark linen milling family, this friendly Victorian property near the Causeway Coast is owned by Browns Bonds Hill Collection.
And, with chef patron Ian Orr overseeing the kitchen team, there’s a real buzz about the restaurant.
Atmospherically set in the former billiard room. It (like most of the luxuriously furnished guest rooms) features working fireplaces, and the excellent cooking showcases seasonal local foods.
A destination in itself and an excellent base for exploring this beautiful and unspoilt area.
- Where: Ardtara Country House, Upperlands, Maghera, County Derry
- Tel: 028 7964 4490
- Highlights: Early season Winter Warmer Offer from £134 pps, includes paired wines with dinner.
- ardtara.com
- brownsbondshill.com
Parkland designed by ‘Capability’ Brown in the mid-18th century creates a wonderful setting for the Sweeney family’s beautiful period house overlooking Lough Swilly.
Dating back to 1695 and with cosy fires in the gracious reception rooms; spacious antique-filled bedrooms; and delicious meals highlighting the good food of the area and produce from their own walled gardens, it makes a relaxingly romantic base for outdoor activities such as golf, and exploring the Wild Atlantic Way.
- Where: Castle Grove Country House Hotel, Letterkenny, County Donegal.
- Tel: 074 915 1118
- Highlights: Longer stays encouraging exploration and embracing the property’s tranquillity (2-, 3- & 4-night breaks from €470)
- castlegrove.com
The heart of this boutique hotel on Ashford Castle Estate is a fine period house with views down Lough Corrib from the front rooms, the bar and Wilde’s Restaurant — where head chef Jonathan Keane serves wonderfully imaginative cuisine based on the best seasonal local produce.
It’s a special dining experience and, together with spacious, comfortable and stylish accommodation and the unique setting, makes for a very
romantic break.
- Where: The Lodge At Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo
- Tel: 094954 5400
- Highlights: Access to Ashford Estate activities. Dogs welcome (charge). Re-opening offer Feb 16- Mar 2 (from €395 for two); Valentines one-night package (€500)
- thelodgeac.com
A 'hop, skip and a jump’ from its famous big sister, Virginia Park Lodge, Richard Corrigan’s atmospheric Deerpark Inn hosts private parties relating to weddings at the Lodge, but it’s also a proper rural pub known for its friendly staff, terrific upbeat traditional bar food,and the six lovely guest rooms upstairs.
With access to the VPL estate nearby (woodland walks, gardens, fishing on Lough Ramor, golf…) it’s a memorable destination, and you can sometimes stay at the Lodge too.
- Where: Deerpark Inn, Virginia, Cavan.
- Tel: 049 3893100
- Highlights: pop-ups at the Lodge, eg Valentine’s weekend (DB&B from €345 in Shepherds Hut)
- virginiaparklodge.com
As they say, “Perhaps the most magical aspect of a romantic break at Castle Leslie Estate is the opportunity it affords couples to simply be together, away from the distractions and demands of everyday life”.
So, just pick a room in the extraordinary Castle or The Lodge, with its Victorian Treatment Rooms. Conor’s Bar and Snaffles Restaurant serve very good food — perhaps from old recipes in the Castle Leslie Estate Cookbook.
- Where: Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough, County Monaghan
- Tel: 047 88100
- Highlights: Roses & Romance stay at The Lodge, from €390 (selected dates). Dogs welcome (Old Stable Mews only, no charge).
- castleleslie.com
A stunning place to visit at any time, Marlfield is a charming and romantic destination and first-time guests will soon discover that the Bowe sisters, Margaret and Laura, have hospitality in their bones.
As well as the magnificent main house with its Conservatory Restaurant, extra accommodation includes the gorgeous Duck Pond Suites — and an atmospheric informal restaurant, The Duck, overlooks the beautiful kitchen garden.
- Where: Marlfield House & The Duck Café-Restaurant, Courtown Road, Gorey, County Wexford.
- Tel: 053 942 1124
- Highlights: Good value offers include a Pond Suite Package (bubbles on arrival and dinner in The Duck) from €468. Dogs welcome (charge).
- marlfieldhouse.com
With its style, comfort, warm welcome, delicious food, delightful rooms and great value, the ‘new’ Coach House — re-opened a year ago by former Avoca boss Simon Pratt, his wife Monique McQuaid, and old Avoca colleagues Tara O’Neill and Teresa O’Byrne, is the inn that Wicklow had been waiting for— and a perfect complement to their adjacent bakery-deli-café Roundwood Stores, where breakfast is served.
The Cosy Escape — €250 for two (twin/double room with dinner) runs to the end of March.
- Where: Main Street, Roundwood, County Wicklow
- T: 01 224 8168
- Highlights: Outdoor activities, especially walking.
- visitwicklow.ie
- thecoachhouse.ie
Brilliantly located off Merrion Square, The Leinster hit the ground running on opening in 2024. With its vivacious yet respectful reinvention of a classic Georgian townhouse, lovely staff and the rooftop Jean-Georges restaurant, it brings something new to the city.
Romance is a theme here, and at very fair prices — a 1-night winter deal, for example, is about €378 for two, including dinner and breakfast in Jean-Georges, a cocktail in The Collins Club. Early check in and late check out too.
- Where: Mount Street Lower, Dublin 2.
- Tel: 01 2336000
- Highlights: Museums, art galleries, and the Grand Canal nearby.
- theleinster.ie
