The Hotel Examiner: Read our reviews of some of Ireland's top-rated hotels
Adare Manor, Co Limerick
Impressive and opulent with wonderful staff, this luxurious hotel wants you to have fun while enjoying serious comfort. Our reviewer, travel editor Jillian Bolger, clearly aligns with Adare's ranking as the best hotel in Ireland. Her 10/10 review says the landmark property delivers 'everything you'd expect from a leading five-star estate'.
Read our review here.
The Merrion, Dublin
Fashioned from four adjoining Georgian townhouses, built in the 1760s as the homes of nobility and notable merchants, the handsome heritage property looks across to Government Buildings and is a saunter to St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street. Earning a 9.5/10 score from our reviewer, Jillian was particularly taken by The Merrion's style and design. 'Comfortable and elegant, it offers a stylish cocoon away from the city centre's busy-ness.'
Read our review here.
Harvey's Point, Co Donegal
A warm welcome was among the standouts for Jillian at Harvey's Point, which she awarded 8.5/10. 'The welcome at Harvey's Point is just as I'd hoped. Warm, emphatic and authentic, we are greeted by concierge Ailish McGlone, sister of former owner Deirdre and Marc Gysling,' she writes.
Read our review here.
Hayfield Manor, Cork
Old world elegance and brilliant staff make Cork city's five-star Hayfield Manor shine, Jillian writes after her 9.5/10 stay. 'Despite being walking distance from the city centre, this Ireland's Blue Book property offers a real sense of rural escapism, thanks to private and fabulously leafy grounds in a mature, residential area.'
Read our review here.
Dromoland Castle, Co Clare
Dromoland Castle scooped a 9/10 rating from reviewer Thom Breathnach earlier this year, for whom iot was love at first sight. 'Winding down its woodland and fairway-flanked driveway, Dromoland Castle emerges across the lake and fluttering bulrushes with legendary impact prompting, in my case, an audible 'wow' moment,' he writes.
Read our review here.
Intercontinental Dublin
Dublin's Intercontinental Hotel, ranked 19th in Ireland by Tripadvisor, failed to elicit such a positive response from Jillian last September after the dinner service left a sour taste.
'Things fall apart at dinner where service swings between friendly, forgetful, and careless,' she writes, adding: 'Dirty tables pile up around us and the staff seem more intent on clearing these than looking after diners.'
Read our review here.
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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Three new family-friendly summer events that kids will love from obstacle courses to circus classes
AS June emerges and the school summer holidays loom, The National Trust has revealed its top events for the summer. From houses to gardens, The National Trust has hundreds of sites - all with different histories and stories. Advertisement 5 The National Trust will be hosting 'Summer of Play' across 180 places this summer Credit: ©National Trust Images/Paul Harris Across 180 National Trust places for the six weeks of the school summer holidays, there will be Summer of Play. This includes gardens and parks jam-packed with free drop-in activities and playful experiences. Some venues will have mini stages, others will have meadow mazes. Families will also be able to build dens, experiment in Advertisement Read more on activities Summer of Play activities are included within admission and there's no need to book. Tom Freshwater, head of visitor programming at The National Trust has picked out some of the Summer of Play at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland Seaton Delaval may have been one of the architect Sir John Vanbrugh's smallest country houses, but it was home to the larger-than-life Delaval family. Tom explained: "Known as the 'Gay Delavals' due to their high spirited and flamboyant lifestyle, an invitation to one of their parties was the hottest ticket in town. Advertisement Most read in News Travel "In an age notorious for extremes of behaviour, they stood apart as the most notorious of all Georgian partygoers and pranksters. "Like a party from the Delavals' Georgian heyday, expect the unexpected with pop up Summer of Play activities throughout the summer." The pretty pink UK castle that is loved by Disney and Britney Spears There will be drop-in In addition, children can head to the Delaval Playdium play area with multi-level stages, pulleys and leavers which allow 'productions' to be brought to life. Advertisement Tom added: "See who's competitive in hobby horse races, or delve into a chest full of sports kit and ball games, plus table tennis and badminton and traditional games like tower block building or four-in-a-row." Also, every Friday in the Community Kitchen Garden, there will be the chance to harvest and get crafty with nature - or curl up in the sheltered story corner, with Young Gardeners. 5 Activities include crafting, outdoor games and book nooks Credit: ©National Trust Images/James Dobson Summer of Play at Chirk Castle, Wrexham Steeped in 700 years of history and nestled in the atmospheric Welsh Marches, Chirk Castle is a magnificent 13th Century Medieval fortress that later became a family home for over 400 years. Advertisement Tom shared: "With far-reaching views over the Cheshire and Shropshire plains, 480 acres of working farmland and 4.5 acres of award-winning gardens, Chirk's estate makes for a stunning backdrop to the perfect summer adventure. "And of course, no visit would be complete without an exploration of the Medieval castle itself, with This summer, families can head to Chirk Castle's Big Play Adventure - an 5 There will even be opportunities to harvest from gardens or participate in a hobby horse race Credit: ©National Trust Images/Paul Harris Advertisement There will be four "Each zone is packed with interactive activities designed to spark imagination and encourage active play," Tom added. "From den building and designing your own obstacle course to relaxing in the "Finish your adventure by climbing the straw bale lookout posts to admire your creative efforts from above." Advertisement Summer of Play at Hanbury Hall, Worcesterhsire Hanbury Hall is a country retreat in the heart of Worcestershire. "This year's Summer of Play [at Hanbury Hall] is inspired by the magnificent wall paintings inside the Hall, and the 5 There will be areas for smaller children too Credit: ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor "Challenge your family to play traditional fete games including coconut shy, hoopla, and tin can alley. Advertisement "Dance around a giant maypole, dress up as historic characters and put on your own show, and get your heart pumping with games of football , badminton, and cricket ." Amongst the activities, there will also be opportunities for smaller children to let off steam , including a Events include circus skills, face painting and bracelet making too. The National Trust also recently revealed its Advertisement Plus, 5 All activities will be included in admission and do not need to be booked Credit: ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Happily ever after with greener bites — staying sustainable on your big day doesn't have to be difficult
A wedding is a joyful opportunity to celebrate two people who want to spend their lives together. It's a special occasion, tied up with hope and tradition. But you don't have to buy in to every tradition. Neither do you have to compromise your 'green' ideals. There are ways to avoid food waste and over-consumption, an especially pertinent topic during this National Food Waste Recycling Week. A 2019 report, published by the Environmental Protection Agency, estimated that the annual cost of food waste (food wholesale, food retail, and food service) was €300m. Hotels have the highest level of food waste, and two-thirds of food waste from this sector can be avoided. Reducing food waste is crucial in tackling climate change, and Ireland is committed to cutting food waste in half by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.. The number of couples who consider sustainable practices when choosing a wedding venue is increasing, according to WedPro's annual industry report. One of the first places to start is to have a conversation with hotels and venue operators. This eco-awareness is something that Michael O'Neill, manager and part-owner of the family-run Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens, in Clonakilty, has noticed in recent years. 'Customers are more aware now and they're looking for more sustainable weddings,' O'Neill says. 'It's much more common than 10 years ago. We've been doing it for ages, and no one cared. Now they're asking for the hotel's sustainable credentials, and the odd couple would even calculate their wedding carbon footprint.' Eco-awareness is something that Michael O'Neill, manager and part-owner of the family-run Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens, in Clonakilty, has noticed in recent years. Picture: Andy Gibson. The Georgian mansion house at Fernhill has been in the family since Michael's great-grandfather, butcher MJ O'Neill, bought it in 1946, with each generation improving what's on offer in this relaxed and comfortable space. A walkable 2km from Clonakilty town centre, the hotel is set in a naturally landscaped garden developed by renowned designer Mary Reynolds, which encompasses a river valley with old woodland. The hotel has always drawn water from an on-site well, and its solar panels, as O'Neill says, have been 'hopping with the sunshine over the last month'. This area of sustainability is something with which O'Neill is well acquainted. He is a former director of Sustainable Clonakilty, a community-led initiative formed in 2006 that promotes sustainability and energy independence through various initiatives, including energy efficiency and local food production. He was also a board member of EDEN Ireland, an EU project that highlights sustainable tourism destinations. Clonakilty won Ireland's first EDEN sustainable tourism award for outstanding emerging rural destination in 2007. The West Cork town has a long-standing record of community activism, much of it centred around food. In 2003, it became the first Fairtrade town in Ireland. Earlier this year, the Kids Food Revolution embarked on an ambitious drive to create a healthier food environment for children, locally and nationally. Fernhill is one of five West Cork wedding destinations — including Dunmore House Hotel, Camus Farm, Celtic Ross Hotel and Dunowen House — that joined together last year to promote their Waste Not, Want Not sustainable wedding offerings. The recently launched Waste Not, Want Not food waste campaign is a collaboration between Irish environmental charity VOICE, Clonakilty Tidy Towns, and Clonakilty Community Resource Centre. Not surprisingly, Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens was named as one of its Food Waste Champions. Fernhill is one of five West Cork wedding destinations — including Dunmore House Hotel, Camus Farm, Celtic Ross Hotel and Dunowen House — that joined together last year to promote their Waste Not, Want Not sustainable wedding offerings. The team at Fernhill keeps a close eye on food waste. 'The worst things for waste at weddings are vegetable bowls,' says O'Neill. At Fernhill, they do silver service — where waiters serve food from large platters — which cuts down on discarded food. Similarly, the wine is also poured by staff. O'Neill says that the hotel is keen to improve further. 'We brought new things in to try and take it to another level. We encourage couples to let us pick the canapés, vegetables, and desserts, so that we can use foods that are in season locally. Fernhill has worked with local producers for many years: O'Neill still sources meats and black and white puddings from the butcher shop established by the man who bought Fernhill. "You don't want something like broccoli in winter — that's not coming from Ireland. Then, in the summer, if there's a glut, we can use that up to reduce food waste.' 'We watch the bins ourselves,' says O'Neill. 'There's never been a wedding that my family hasn't been here for. We check food waste to see what's going out and always assess what happened. We're able to cut down on a lot of waste by retaining a well-experienced chef — head chef Lukasz Tomaszewicz has been here for 15 years.' On the day of a wedding, understanding the number of main course portions between, for instance, beef and local cod can be difficult and wasteful. 'But,' according to O'Neill, 'Lukasz has it down to a fine art.' Rather than sticking with traditional meat or fish as the two main-course options, it's possible to prioritise vegetarian dishes by having a vegetable dish as one of the main choices. 'Couples can also ask their guests to pre-order their main course. It's something that's common in other countries,' says O'Neill. 'No one is forced to do it, but it does cut down on waste.' If you're planning for future nuptials, opting for a green wedding is more about picking good alternatives, rather than sacrificing ideals. Local sourcing is also vital for sustainability: 'In Ireland, with our climate, we can get amazing vegetables, fish, and meat. Where we are in West Cork is like the craft food capital of Ireland. We're very lucky that it's so easy to work with local suppliers: Glenmar Shellfish in Union Hall for local fish; Clona dairy for our milk; Irish Yogurts Clonakilty, Clonakilty Free Range Eggs, and Mologa honey for breakfast in the morning; and, at this time of the year, we're full up to the brim with Bushby's strawberries.' Fernhill has worked with local producers for many years: O'Neill still sources meats and black and white puddings from the butcher shop established by the man who bought Fernhill. MJ O'Neill Butchers is now run by Haulie O'Neill, a first cousin of Michael's father. 'It's natural to us. Our great-grandfather had his own butcher shop, and he founded our food philosophy here, keeping it local and keeping down the food miles.' If you're planning for future nuptials, opting for a green wedding is more about picking good alternatives, rather than sacrificing ideals. 'It's a nice way to start your married life,' says O'Neill, 'consciously choosing to be more sustainable.' National Food Waste Recycling Week runs until 8 June. More information at Read More Eat your way to the best results — nutritious food to help exam students succeed
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Irish Independent
Irish citizens travelling to Georgia to obtain a fast-track driving licence in loophole
Tonight Prime Time on RTÉ will explore how Irish citizens were travelling, in an agreement the that is no longer in operation. Last week, Prime Time travelled to a driving school in Rustavi, a city near the Georgian capital Tbilisi, to look into the trend. Many Irish people travelled there after contacting Mika Vincheuski, a Belarusian living in Georgia who facilitates driving lessons and arranges test dates for non-Georgians who want to get their licence quickly. 'It's a fully legal process,' said Ms Vincheuski. 'People arrive in Georgia, take lessons, pass the tests, and get their licence. We just help them navigate the system.' Georgia's fast and efficient process for driving tests has brought people to the country from all over the world, including some from Ireland. Some companies offered licenses to Irish people in approximately 14 days, with applicants completing a theory test, parking exam and city driving exam for approximately €800. Currently, the average waiting list in Ireland to get a driving test appointment is over 20 weeks. This is after you have completed a theory test, applied for a learner's permit and completed 12 lessons over the course of several months. Ireland is also experiencing a large backlog of driving test applications with more than 83,000 applicants waiting for a driving test in April. Prime Time met a number of Irish people who were in Georgia, who explained why they chose to make the journey. Among those who travelled to the country was Laura, who had passed her motorcycle test and received her licence. She plans to exchange it for the Irish equivalent within weeks of returning home. "I did the motorcycle one, so it's been a success three days in: theory on the first day, on the third day then I did my test - passed, licence in hand," she said. Prime Time has since learned that this process has been officially closed. The Georgian Ministry for Internal Affairs has confirmed to Prime Time that new legislation was enacted last week, requiring applicants for Georgian driving licences to have resided in the country for a minimum of 180 days. This move effectively halts a workaround increasingly used by Irish people facing long delays in the Irish driving test system. The programme will also feature a follow-up to RTÉ Investigates: Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes.
