21 cosy Irish hideaways to escape to this winter

It may be a little more far-flung than most, but the Bushmills Inn on Antrim’s Causeway Coast is well worth the road trip north.

This historic property, which dates back to the 1600s, is steeped in cosy character from its inglenook turf fires to its hayloft snugs – even the inn’s more recent extensions seem to have nailed down the old world charm.

The hotel’s Gas Bar is lit by real gas to this day and the hotel’s tavern-like dining room makes a wonderful spot for breakfast.

You can expect blockbuster attractions, from Dunluce Castle to the Giant’s Causeway, at your doorstep too.

Winter rates, including a 3-course dinner start from €257 per night for two. You’ll also save 10% if you linger for three nights.

• bushmillsinn.com

2. Dromana House, Waterford

One of my favourite properties, in one of my favourite pockets of the country, Dromana House — outside the village of Villierstown — makes a truly memorable base to explore the Blackwater area.

The house has been home to the Villiers Stuart family for 800 years and these days, Barbara Grubb and her family offer two options within their property for private rental; the four-bedroom east wing and the two-bedroom duplex. Both are loaded with period delights and jaw-dropping Blackwater views and can sleep from four to eight people.

Beyond the demesne, West Waterford is loaded with character from the mountains to the coast; make sure to add the beautiful Lismore Castle, Dromana Bridge, and Ardmore’s cliff walk to your itinerary!

€380 per night for the East Wing.

• dromanahouse.com

3. Castle Leslie, Monaghan

Monaghan inexplicably remains one of Ireland’s less visited counties.

If you’re looking for a dream base to explore this beautiful region and its many attractions, think of Castle Leslie.

The Ireland’s Blue Book property is particularly inviting during the festive season, from its twinkling lights and turf fires burning in the manor’s drawing room to delicious seasonal fare served in its cosy bar, Conor’s, or its award-winning Snaffles Restaurant.

Castle Leslie also features an elegant spa, the Victorian Treatment Rooms, while outdoors guests can don their boots to walk the estate’s frosted forests or enjoy horse rides around Glaslough lake.

B&B rates at Castle Leslie start from €185. A pre-Christmas package is available on December 11, 12, 13, which includes dinner and a trove of festive perks from €350.

• castleleslie.com

4. Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, West Cork

A favourite luxury escape for many an Irish traveller, this month Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa in West Cork received a global gong after being named Ireland’s Leading Hotel for 2023 at the World Travel Awards, in Georgia.

You can see the allure. The stylish lodge imbues coastal sanctuary vibes in a dramatic setting … think a touch of Cape Cod meets the Wild Atlantic Way. Rooms have a calming decor with many offering terraces or balconies, to really soak up those ocean views. The hotel has a fine spa, while the hotel’s Gulfstream restaurant offers excellent local fare and makes a fine setting for breakfast too.

The hotel has a number of winter packages, not least a storm watcher deal where you can enjoy a signature cocktail while you wonder at the power of the sea. B&B rates start from €195.

• inchydoneyisland.com

5. Cabü, Cavan

Ireland’s cabin craze has been one of the greatest accommodation trends to emerge in recent years. And perhaps the dreamiest of them all is Cabü, by the lakes in Cavan. The rustic resort’s 28 cabins, fashioned from original Coillte buildings, are beautifully designed with supremely aesthetic interiors worthy of the Cabin Porn books which adorn their coffee tables.

On-site, you can toast marshmallows or play oversized Connect Four in the communal sitooterie lounge, book a woodland hot tub, or explore the area aboard a self-captained boat around Lough Oughter.

Winter offers include four nights for the price of three over selected dates; three-bedroom boat houses are available from €714.

• cabubythelakes.ie

6. The Merrion, Dublin

If budgets are a little loftier this winter, then a break at one of the capital’s most luxurious hotels should make your shortlist.

Located in the heart of Georgian Dublin (just opposite Government Buildings), five-star The Merrion is an old-world haven of decadence.

The main house and garden wing rooms remain sympathetic to its 18th-century townhouse heritage, while being awash with modern luxuries.

The hotel’s pool makes for a gorgeous sanctuary, the spa offers a trove of treatments to ramp up the indulgence, with The Merrion is home to the two-star Michelin restaurant Patrick Guilbaud for the ultimate festive feast.

B&B rates for a Merrion Queen start room from €395.

• merrionhotel.com

7. The Ebrington, Derry

One of Ireland’s newest hotels, The Ebrington opened in Derry this summer offering a trendy, yet plush, base for visitors to Foyleside.

The stylish four-star has been designed within a refurbed military barracks, which dates from the 1840s and is located within the larger Ebrington heritage site, all within the heart of Derry.

Rooms, which offer an Art Deco hygge quality, are beautifully appointed and guests can enjoy complimentary access to the hotel’s glossy pool and hydrotherapy suites. Hotel residents receive 10% off spa treatments, so you can indulge in a 25-minute facial for €56 or a deep tissue 50-minute massage for €92.

B&B rates start from a very reasonable €161.

• theebringtonhotel.com

8. Further Space, Mayo

If you’re looking for a value break, without skimping on the cosy factor, winter’s a great time to consider glamping.

Further Space offers sprucely kitted-out pod rentals in scenic locations across Ireland, but perhaps none are as dramatic as their site on Mayo’s Belmullet peninsula.

The heated and fully insulated pods feature a queen bed (which doubles as a sofa by day), two bunks for children, a kitchenette, and a toilet plus shower.

Winter rates start from a bargain €115 and guests can also add on a number of upgrades from a fire pit and S’mores experience for €25 to generously stocked breakfast packs from €20.

• further.space

9. Harvey’s Point, Donegal

The pinnacle of hospitality in Donegal for decades, Harvey’s Point has one the most inviting winter escapes under wraps.

The property is offering a two-night package, including a four-course dinner on one evening, a cooking demonstration with one of the team chefs, a wine tasting with wine sommelier Orhan, and a guided walk around the shores of Lough Eske with Today Show Agony Uncle Noel Cunningham.

From €478 in total.

• harveryspoint.com

10. Youghal Lighthouse Keepers, East Cork

Staying at a lighthouse keepers’ house in winter really raises those Instagram accommodation goals.

But staying in a keeper’s house which has been given a luxury boutique makeover, takes the experience next level.

The Lighthouse Keepers in Youghal is a magically refurbed 200-year-old original dwelling adjacent to Youghal’s lighthouse.

The three-bedroom property is a former Home of the Year finalist, so guests can expect exceptional design throughout … not least, the standalone bathtub overlooking Youghal Bay. The property sleeps six with rates of about €450 per night; best deals are available via owner Saoirse Fitzgerald’s Instagram.

• @thelighthousekeepsher.

11. Castlewood House, Kerry

Dingle may be one of Ireland’s most popular destinations, but November is a month where you can enjoy some excellent value in the town.

My top tip is to stay in the peerless Castlewood House, run by hospitality maestros Brian Heaton and Helen Woods Heaton.

The property offers a luxury hotel standard with its rooms and its breakfasts, perennially voted one of Ireland’s best, a delight.

Castlewood lies a short stroll to all the action in Dingle, while being the perfect base for a road-trip along the remarkable Slea Head.

This special property closes in December and January for winter, so grab an exceptional value break available throughout November with rates from €125.

• castlewooddingle.com

12. Station House Hotel, Meath

Here’s an incentive to hit the road early: Arriving for a delicious Sunday lunch at The Station House Hotel, in Co Meath.

The charming boutique hotel, set in the original train station of Kilmessan village, is offering a Sunday Well-Spent package this winter which includes an overnight stay in one of its delightful rooms, a three-course Sunday lunch, as well as a hot drink by the fire.

The next morning, you can look forward to a particularly wonderful breakfast, featuring plenty of fine local Boyne Valley produce.

When not curled up fireside, make the most of wonderful winter rambles everywhere, from the nearby Hill of Tara to a bespoke guided tour of the stunning Dunsany Estate and its nature reserve. Offer starts from €280.

• stationhousehotel.ie

13. Triumphal Arch Lodge, Fermanagh

The Irish Landmark Trust pride themselves on offering rental properties with an all-weather appeal, but there’s something about their collection of gate lodges, small castles, and period homes, which ooze some extra appeal come winter.

One of my favourites is their Triumphal Arch Lodge, in Fermanagh, which sits on the gorgeous grounds of Colebrooke Estate. That setting means the perfect pairing of idyllic strolls within the postcard demesne by day, to come evening, hunkering down in your bolthole base where you can lounge before a crackling fire or relax in the roll top tub.

The lodge also features two double bedrooms, so consider this a great value spot for a family or friends’ getaway … especially when everyone’s chipping in for a two-night rate of €370.

• irishlandmark.com

14. Mount Congreve, Waterford

The opening of the gardens at Mount Congreve House has been one of the most exciting developments for Waterford tourism this year.

But did you know that you can also stay overnight within these secret gardens, thanks to the property’s recently renovated gate lodge?

The 18th-century hideaway has received a stylish, but tasteful, makeover with highlights including original Louis XVI beds and a classic galley kitchen stocked with Smeg appliances.

While there, tuck into your welcome hamper filled with local artisanal treats, such as Mount Congreve Estate honey, Flahavan’s oats, and local organic eggs. 

You can also treat yourself to brunch at the estate’s lovely Stables Café. The gate lodge sleeps four, with rates from €195 per night; two-night minimum stay.

• mountcongreve.com

15. Fitzpatrick Castle, Dublin

A break to Dublin doesn’t always have to mean the city bustle.

Four-star Fitzpatrick Castle, nestled on Killiney Hill in South County Dublin, is offering a winter dining deal this season.

The rate includes an overnight stay with breakfast and dinner in their award-winning Mapas restaurant from €254.

You can work it off on the hotel’s new fancy padel courts, or take a dive with some winter sea- swimming if you can brave it.

B&B rates from €164.

• fitzpatrickcastle.com

16. Roundwood House, Laois

Be sure to have Hidden Ireland, with their gorgeous collection of country escapes, on your radar.

Many of these family-fun properties close up for the winter season, but one of my favourites, Roundwood House, keeps its doors open and fires burning year round.

The stunning Palladian property, owned by Hannah and Paddy Flynn, makes a peaceful, restorative escape with charming period rooms and a wonderful drawing room to curl up in by the fireside. In the area, a hike up the Slieve Bloom Mountains will work up your appetite for one of Paddy’s exceptional suppers. Rates from €195.

• roundwoodhouse.com
• hiddenireland.com

17. Cahernane House, Kerry

For a winter’s tale in Killarney, Cahernane House, located within a stag’s bellow of the town centre, makes for a blissful backdrop.

The property is offering a Festive Nights, Cahernane Delights package this winter where upon arrival at the festooned property, you’ll enjoy some welcome nibbles with a glass of Prosecco. Come evening, you can indulge in a five-course evening meal, including a bottle of wine, served in either the property’s charming Herbert’s Restaurant or the atmospheric Cellar Bar.

A full breakfast awaits the next morning, after which you can enjoy a cycle to Killarney National Park with complimentary bike hire before a very leisurely 1pm check-out.

Rates from €367 per stay. Cahernane is also an Ireland’s Blue Book property and accepts their much sought-after vouchers!

• cahernanehouse.ie

18. The Merchant, Belfast

If you are looking for more of an urban retreat this winter, few spots could be more inviting than the Merchant Hotel in Belfast.

The five-star property is wooing guests to escape the seasonal chill with its luxurious Winter on Ice offer.

The experience kicks off with a complimentary bottle of Valdo Prosecco upon arrival, after which guests can unwind at the hotel’s fabulous rooftop sauna, steam room, and hot tub, with fantastic views across the city.

The offer also includes breakfast in the grandiose Great Room Restaurant, plus you can enjoy a leisurely checkout at 12.30pm (license to make the most of the hotel’s knock-out cocktail bar).

Don’t forget that Belfast offers a really magical Christmas Market from November 18 to December 23, which takes place outside the city halls and features a host of authentic traders from Laganside to Germany. Winter on Ice rates start at €270.

• themerchanthotel.com

19. No 1 Pery Square, Limerick

Limerick’s Georgian quarter is one of Ireland’s most unsung urban districts, which is perhaps why a stay here is all the more special. The gorgeous No 1 Pery Square is a true oasis and offers guests dreamy period rooms, excellent dining, and a wonderful heritage spa. King John’s Castle, The Hunt Museum, and new International Rugby Experience make great city attractions too.

B&B double rates start from €245, and they also have a charming single room from €165.

• oneperysquare.com

20. Barberstown Castle, Kildare

Consider a break at the magical Barberstown Castle in Kildare.

The former home of Eric Clapton, now an Ireland’s Blue Book luxury hideaway, is offering guests a winter warmer package which includes an overnight stay with full breakfast, a three course meal at the hotel’s Garden Bar restaurant, and a complimentary upgrade to a four poster room, if available. While here, you can visit nearby attractions from the National Stud to Castletown House while Christmas shopping canbe sweetened with guests receiving a 10% shopping discount for the nearby Kildare Village. From €245.

• barberstowncastle.ie

21. Fastnet Hotel, West Cork

West Cork’s coast may be stacked with hidden treasures but when it comes to coastal accommodations, the Fastnet Hotel is one of its best kept secrets.

Run by Héléne and Edward Lynch, this boutique escape outside Schull offers guests gourmet breaks in the most spectacular of settings. Guests can choose between two luxuriously appointed bedrooms or a private garden studio with its own aromatherapy suite, all overlooking the Atlantic.

But beyond the plush environs, sublime dining also awaits thanks to Héléne — who learned her craft from cookery classes at the Michelin Star Manoir aux Quatres Saisons, in Oxfordshire. From €390.

• fastnethotel.com