A castle for all the ages
WHAT we all really want from a stay at a castle is to be transported back in time... but yet, we still want to keep all the mod cons of the 21st century.
Well get yourself off to Clontarf Castle which seamlessly blends the 12th-century castle and 18thcentury manor with modern elements.
And while the hotel doesn’t offer a pool or spa, don’t let that stop you.
The rooms might just be the best part. Opulent but not tasteless and still very modern, you’ll feel right at home in the fourposter beds.
Except it will be nothing at all like home. I was greeted by chocolate treats and with room service from the hotel’s excellent restaurant, it took several ounces of self-control not to grab my robe and slippers and lock myself inside for the entire weekend.
If it’s afternoon tea you want, Clontarf Castle offers an experience that ranks in my top 5 choices available in Dublin.
Their ‘Fusion Tea’ (€36.95) is served by the magnificent open fire in the stunning Atrium Lobby, where hanging tapestries and suits of armour meet plush purple and a glass ceiling bringing in tons of light.
Firstly you’ll be served a glass of bubbly (if you wish), followed by a short education on the teas on offer and then comes the food – and once it does, you’ll be surprised at just how much there is.
The courses of savoury and then sweet treats are stylishly delivered on what could be described as the cross-section of a doll’s house and the entire delightful event spans approximately two hours. They even offer you a doggy bag if you can’t finish it all.
The afternoon tea can also be tailored to your needs and I have it on good authority that the vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are absolutely up to scratch and just as delicious.
If you’re feeling festive, the ‘Sparkling Fusion Tea’ comes with Prosecco or if you’ve little ones, you can get a ‘Mini Fusion Tea’ especially prepared for children with homemade hot chocolate or pink lemonade.
In their own words, they’ve ‘taken the principle of afternoon tea and raised the bar a little bit’ and ‘created a little bit of magic for whatever the occasion is.’ I wholeheartedly agree.
Adding another layer to the aesthetic experience of the hotel, you can take a guided tour of the eclectic and carefully curated, contemporary art ‘gallery’ spread across the floors of the castle.
All of the art won’t be to everyone’s taste, but there will be something for everyone.
To top it all off, the award-winning Fahrenheit restaurant recently awarded its second AA Rosette for culinary excellence in Ireland, serves mouth-watering dishes from Chef Stuart Heeney.
I had roast monkfish with crab ravioli and would happily eat nothing else for the rest of my life.