Forts of nature
A splendid Victorian residence on acres of woodland
THERE is no such thing as silence in Killashee Hotel. But this is not the drone of an earlymorning vacuum or the screeches of unruly children running about.
Rather, it’s the cacophony of birdsong that echoes around the grounds like its own personal soundtrack. The stunning gardens are the perfect place to relax and just absorb nature, from the beautiful foliage to the peace and quiet of the Butterfly Garden.
Set in over 80 acres of gardens and parklands, no matter how busy the hotel gets, you can always find a little corner of solitude, amid immaculately cultivated gardens and intricate sculptures.
For those seeking more adventure, there’s an outdoor playground with nets, slides, climbing walls, swings, tunnels and even a zipline. The little ones will also appreciate the Teddy Bear Picnic House and the enchanted Fairy Forest.
Beginning life as an 18th century Georgian house, Killashee was transformed by renowned architect Thomas Turner and became a grand Victorian residence, set in the heart of Kildare Stud farmland.
Woodland walks take you through some of the country’s most evocative forest trails, and delicious picnics are available from the hotel to take with you on your travels.
We also ventured a little further afield and took the 25-minute drive to the start of the Blessington Greenway Trail. This 6.5km walk weaves between the water and the wood and is an absolute haven of tranquility.
It leads to The Avon, a lakeshore resort that caters to all sorts of water-based activities. We shunned such adventure for a seat at a picnic table with beautiful views over the lake and a delicious pizza from the Big Blue Pizza Bus. There’s also a Texas BBQ Bus if pizza is not your thing.
WE then hit the road back to the start of the Greenway with full bellies. On our return to the car, we’d clocked up more than 20,000 steps, which may be more than my cumulative total since lockdown began!
Killashee is also in close proximity to Kildare Village and Newbridge Silverware, should shopping be more your pursuit of choice. A midweek break is the perfect time to pick up bargains in both as the lack of crowds makes it easier to browse as well as making you feel safer.
Although safety is not an issue at all, with everyone we saw from hotel to walkways to restaurants adhering to social distancing.
The hotel is also very close to Naas and we ventured there for a meal in Rustic, an Italian restaurant in the centre of the main street, where the friendly staff talked us through the menu.
The bruschetta al funghi with wild mushroom, goats’ cheese, rocket leaves, crispy Parma ham drizzled with truffle oil was divine enough as a starter, but the pasta all’anatra — slow-cooked shredded duck in a ragu sauce with garlic, onions, carrot and rosemary, served with pappardelle pasta will definitely have me returning.
We also ate at the hotel’s beautiful Terrace hotel, where a warming, cosy vegetable soup was just what we needed after our 20,000 steps. A rib-eye steak with garlic butter helped too, while a mango and passionfruit cheesecake was the treat we deserved.
In line with Covid guidelines, the hotel is asking that guests book breakfast and leisure centre slots, so make sure to do this before you arrive to ensure you get your desired time.
The breakfast buffet is not exactly gone so much as altered and you now simply ask a server to load up your plate for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for extras, there’s no judgment here.
If your trip is a relaxing one, book some time in the pool area — though the sauna and steam room are closed, it’s still a haven of tranquility.
If family adventures are higher on your list, you can pre-book games of football, badminton, boules or table tennis, or rent bikes to venture further afield.
There is also an evening movie club and the Children’s Passport, which encourages kids of all ages to explore the hotel to get all nine stamps to receive a treat from reception.
According to folklore, when the race of the chieftains died out, the descendants of the Thutha de Danann crowded into ring forts in the area and if you put your ear close to the ground at night, you may hear sweet fairy music rising up.
It’s definitely worth a go, but with the other sounds of nature ringing around you, I’m not sure you’d even hear them!
THE Halloween break package at Killashee Hotel costs €360 and includes two nights for two adults and up to three children B&B plus dinner on one night, with access to the swimming pool and discounts on the likes of Russborough House and the Irish National Stud Visitor Attraction Centre, where there are lots of activities for the all the family. There will also be a pumpkin walk and other family activities This is available from October 23-30, inclusive. Visit killashee hotel.com