Travel Romantic breaks
Celebrate love with a romantic break this St Valentine’s Day
Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin
What could be more romantic than a stay in a 12thCentury castle? Even better, this castle is just minutes from Dublin city centre. Once through the dramatic atrium, you step into a magical world, with chilled champagne and decadent chocolates in your room on arrival. Take the time to check out the Castle’s art trail, before the Fusion Afternoon Tea experience, and then relax until dinner in the double AA Rosette-winning Fahrenheit Restaurant. The Spellbound Valentine’s package is available from €260 pps (minimum two-night stay) and includes bed and breakfast, with dinner on one night in Fahrenheit Restaurant, chilled champagne and handmade chocolates on arrival. clontarfcastle.ie
Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara
The When You Love Someone package at Ballynahinch Castle is the perfect romantic escape, spending two nights in a riverside room with four-poster bed, with champagne and chocolates on arrival, and breakfast in bed on both mornings. Then, there’s dinner for two on one night in the Owenmore Restaurant. During the day, relax over lunch in the Fisherman’s Pub and explore the hotel grounds or the nearby Connemara Greenway. Afterwards, warm up in a cosy nook by the re back at Ballynahinch. The two-night When You Love Someone break with bed and breakfast, dinner on one night, and champagne and chocolates on arrival costs from €295 pps. ballynahinch-castle.com
the George Hotel, Limerick
Located in the heart of Limerick, this boutique four-star hotel makes for a perfect romantic city break. The St Valentine’s Day package at The George Hotel starts from €180. Raise a glass of bubbles and indulge in a cupcake, while checking out the city views from your room. Explore shopping and cultural activities before dinner in the hotel’s Da Vincenzo’s Italian restaurant. Next morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast (with a 1pm late check-out). georgelimerick.com
Delphi Resort, Connemara
Surely the Delphi Valley is one of the most romantic spots on the west coast? At the heart of 300 acres of forest and on the Wild Atlantic Way, enjoy a two-night stay in a beautiful room overlooking the Mweelrea and Twelve Bens. Spend the day exploring the landscape or relax in the Delphi Spa with a one-hour thermal suite experience. Or you could just cosy up in front of the re. Later, enjoy dinner made with locally sourced ingredients in the hotel’s 814 Restaurant. A Romantic Escape at Delphi Resort costs from €245 pps for two nights, including a couples’ Thalgo bath, massage, complimentary one-hour Thermal Suite experience, three-course dinner, two nights bed & breakfast plus a complimentary room upgrade, when available. delphiresort.com
the Ice House Hotel, Ballina
With a unique combination of contemporary chic and traditional elegance, the wonderfully situated Ice House in Ballina, Co Mayo makes for a great getaway. Enjoy a one-night stay in a luxurious river view room with chilled bubbles and chocolate treats on arrival, a leisurely breakfast, a romantic table d’hôte dinner and an outdoor couples’ seaweed bath overlooking the River Moy. The little touches make all the di erence at the Ice House, from goosedown duvets and Foxford Woollen Mills blankets, to the riverside relax hot tub and sauna. The Valentine’s Day package is available February 14 to 17, starting from €355 pps. www.theicehouse.ie
Muckross Park Hotel & Spa, Killarney
The ve-star Muckross Park Hotel & Spa’s Valentine’s Escape o ers two nights in the heart of Killarney National Park. After a day out and about in the stunning scenery of those famous lakes, enjoy a four-course dinner in the 2 AA Rosette Yew Tree Restaurant, with a complimentary glass of bubbles and a menu lled with seasonal local ingredients. Pamper yourself in the Spa and unwind in the pool, Jacuzzi, outdoor hot tub and relaxation area. The Valentine’s Escape (February 14-17) costs from €220 pps, including two nights’ bed and breakfast, four-course dinner, complementary bike hire, use of the vitality area in The Spa and a glass of bubbles. muckrosspark.com
Faithlegg House, Co Waterford
Feel like the lord or lady of the manor at this four-star property just outside Waterford city. Take a walk in the woodlands, play a round of golf, or chill out in the treatment suites. For dinner, chef Jenny Flynn is preparing a special Valentine’s Day menu at the Roseville Rooms Restaurant, best enjoyed with a glass of bubbles. This Leisurely Lovers Valentine’s package at Faithlegg includes two nights’ bed and breakfast and dinner on one night with a glass of bubbles. One-night prices start from €105 pps. faithlegg.com
Hunter’s Yard Hotel, Mount Juliet, Co Kilkenny
Just ve minutes’ walk from the manor house at Mount Juliet, the courtyard rooms at Hunter’s Yard are a cosy way to enjoy the picturesque 500-acre country estate. The Hearts package at Hunter’s Yard, (from €295, valid from February 14 to February 27) includes an overnight stay, a bottle of bubbles and a red rose on arrival, dinner in The Hound at Hunter’s Yard and breakfast the following morning. mountjuliet.ie/hunters-yard