Girls' trip: 12 weekend breaks across Ireland for you and your best friends

The Europe, Killarney, Co Kerry

For rooms with views across the Killarney lakes and mountains (or the golf course, if that’s more your bag), and one of the best facials I can remember having, The Europe has to be top of your mini break list. Spa treatments do all the usual things, beautifully; from relaxing to perking up, and adding radiance to releasing your inner beauty. And who doesn’t want that? Treatments from €60 for a hot stone manicure, to €390 for a full day ritual. Or go crazy and hire a private couples suite for €470. Afterwards, bob about in the infinity pool with one of the finest views in Ireland. Dinner, B&B, plus pool and thermal suite access from €565 for two, single rate €390.

theeurope.com

Ice House, Ballina, Co Mayo

Hang out on the banks of Mayo’s River Moy in beautiful bathtubs filled with yummy stuff on a raised riverbank deck. Choose to ooze in detox seaweed, organic peat mud, or Himalayan salt, with a nice cup of herbal tea and sorbet on the side. The Ice House also has a thermal suite, barrel sauna and outdoor hot tub to add to the chill. B&B from €200 per room. Or take the summer Wellness on the Moy package with two nights B&B, an 80 minute treatment, plus dinner on one night from €413 per night. Discounts available for groups of ten or more on selected packages.

icehousehotel.ie

Best for Pure Laziness

Ard na Sidhe, Killorglin, Co Kerry

The art of laziness is getting yourself somewhere so lovely you really can’t bring yourself to budge. Step up Ard na Sidhe Country House, just outside Killorglin. From cosy lounges with log fires to picturesque terraces, to lavish rooms with deep beds and deeper baths, it’s got it all. If you can muster the energy, you can bob about on a boat, knock some croquet balls around, or just imagine that you might — in a minute. Two nights B&B in the main house, dinner one night, champagne in-room and a picnic or afternoon tea for two, from €1,080 pps. Or stay in the adjacent Garden House from €275 per room B&B.

ardnasidhe.com

Woodland Suites, Montenotte Hotel, Cork

Sleep in a luxury tree house without the climb at the Montenotte’s Woodland Suite Experience. Róisín Lafferty did the luxurious interiors, complete with a bath at the foot of your bed, AND a TV that pops up and turns around so you can binge watch from the bubbles, or the comfort of your pillows. A mini buggy brings you about, and sundowners are served in the private clubhouse each evening. Stretch yourself to make it to the hotel’s private cinema, and your bliss is complete. Sleeps two, so commandeer a few for all your pals. From €610 per suite per night. Room rates at the hotel itself from €245 B&B.

themontenottehotel.com

Best for Gourmet Girls

Mount Juliet, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny

With a Michelin star under its beautifully appointed belt for yet another year, chef John Kelly rustles up wonders at Mount Juliet’s Lady Helen Restaurant. Expect a succession of tasting plates, and add wine pairings for the full-on gastronomic extravaganza. The private dining room can seat up to 36, and group activities including archery, angling, horse riding, picnicking, golf, trad sessions and even a barbecue can be arranged on request. Two nights B&B with an eight-course tasting menu at the Lady Helen on one night from €449 pps. Still got room for more? Afternoon tea is from €50 per person – but the estate is beautiful and extensive, so you can always walk it all off.

mountjuliet.ie

OHK, Kinsale

In the same family since 1864, O’Herlihy’s used to be the kind of pub where, the current generation tells me, you

used to be able to barter fish for pints. These days it’s a very buzzy breakfast and brunch spot with fabulous food. Upstairs is a three-bed self-catering apartment sleeping up to eight people, from €495 per night for six, two nights minimum stay. Note, access is via stairs, with no lift. Kinsale itself is dripping with Michelin mentioned restaurants including the one-star Bastion, or simply get fish and chips at Shirley’s van above Charles Fort and head down to The Bulman for spectacular sundowners.

oherlihyskinsale.com

Best for Outdoorsy Types

Full Circle at Wineport Lodge, Glasson, Co Westmeath

Wake up to the sound of lapping waters and the rustling of reeds outside your window on board the Full Circle. Permanently moored at Wineport Lodge, and sleeping up to six, you can make like an episode of Below Deck, without actually having to know a rope. B&B from €325 for two. Add bubbly on arrival, dinner — in the restaurant or on board — and a spa treatment from €645 for two. On-site activities include paddle boarding, kayaking, whaly boating and leaping into the lake.

wineport.ie

Finn Lough, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh

From lakeside villas to bubble domes, Fermanagh’s Finn Lough brings new meaning to sleeping surrounded by nature. The Weekender package includes two nights for two people in a bubble dome, with a hot tub session, kayaking, breakfast hamper delivery, and morning yoga. Plus complimentary bike hire, evening movie screenings and mid-morning pastries and mimosas. From £250 per night, minimum stay two nights. Lake Villas sleep up to six, and you get your own firepit with s’mores, from £498 based on three sharing.

finnlough.com

Best for a City Break

River Lee Hotel, Cork

Stroll along the lovely Lee to the heart of the city, check out neighbouring galleries The Lavit and The Glucksman, get your shop on, see a show, or simply hang out and have the craic at the hotel’s River Club. Rooms from €245 per room including breakfast — and you can even choose a room with three single beds for sleepover chats into the night. Book directly for 15% off all your food and drinks during your stay. The hotel’s Grill Room restaurant can seat tables of up to 12, so there’s plenty of space for all.

doylecollection.com/cork

Number 31, Dublin

With its little gateway on a lane off Leeson Street, a stay at Number 31 makes you feel like you’ve been let into a city secret. Once the town pad of architect Sam Stephenson, rooms range from a James Bond villain vibe in the mews, to ultra luxe rooms in the adjacent Georgian townhouse. Go as a group and hang out in the sunken living room and firepit, sipping tipples from the honesty bar. From €219 per room with Delia Behan’s famous and fabulous breakfast.

number31.ie

Best for a Special Occasion

Ashford Castle, Cong, Co Mayo

If it’s good enough for princes and pop stars, it should fill the bill for your own special moments. Take over the private dining room at this very special hotel, or book a tasting menu in the wine cellars, where private hire for a wine tasting costs from €2,500, with the tasting menu with wines from €290pp. The Great Escape package includes two nights B&B, a five course dinner on one night, cellar wine tasting, massages and clay shooting, from €1,260 for two. Or take a few rooms at The Lodge at Ashford Castle, and enjoy all the amenities of the Estate. Dinner, B&B from €395 pps. 

ashfordcastle.com

Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara

Let it all hang out at Lettery Lodge, with five bedrooms of untold loveliness in the grounds of gorgeous Ballynahinch Castle. It’s self catering with a fully equipped kitchen, but there’s nothing to stop you wandering the three minutes’ walk to the hotel and dining in style. Minimum three night stay, from €4,000 for three nights. Add a bit extra, and they’ll do the shopping for you, and cook you dinner too. Got a larger group? Owenmore cottage has six bedrooms all on one level, so it’s ideal for all the generations, from €2,500 for three nights.

ballynahinch-castle.com