Blaire's Been - Ireland
Ok yall… to be completely transparent, Ireland was never really on my radar. I am waaaay more of a warm weather, beachy kind of girl, so going somewhere in May that would require a jacket wasn't really “my thing”. I also naively didn't understand Ireland. I thought all you did was stay in castles and do falconry (exhibit A below…), but that’s because I really had NO CLUE how incredible the country is and how much it has to offer.
I accepted an invitation to stay at a couple of hotels in Ireland and quickly built out my schedule to see as much of the country as I could. And let me tell you - I am so glad I did! The scenery, especially in the West and the South, is absolutely stunning with rolling green hills and diverse landscapes. The hotels [as mentioned in more detail below] were so charming and unique and special. The food was actually so amazing and fresh. And the people were so much fun, so engaging and always down for a good time!
I didn't realize HOW MUCH you could do in Ireland. Of course I knew the Cliffs of Moher and the Guinness brewery, but there is so much access to nature at your fingertips. You can hike, kayak, boat, bike, drive the most scenic roads and of course do all the amazing things on property at your hotel: falconry, clay shooting, horseback riding and you can’t forget drinking beer and gin! :)
I know I mentioned the people but truthfully, they’re some of my most favorite in the world. Everyone is so jovial and genuinely happy and funny. And everyone wants to reward you with a pint of Guinness after you do anythingggg even remotely outdoorsy. I mean, my kind of country, right!?!
While there, I stayed at some of the most incredible properties in the country and toured a few others! Here is my run down of the awesome accommodations in Ireland, and at all of which you receive amazing perks such as daily breakfast, a resort or spa credit and of course VIP treatment when booking through BPK!
Ashford Castle
Yall, this place was a bucket list for me. I had met the sweetest Director of Sales before and fell in love with her. I knew that anywhere she worked for so many years and was so passionate about was one worth visiting. Ashford Castle is part of the Red Carnation Hotel Group which I love. I truly feel like this hotel chain has some of the best and most personalized service.
The grounds on property paired with the amazing castle (which was once home to the Guinness family!) were absolutely breathtaking. And honestly, I was there during an “Irish Hurricane”, but I didn't even realize it! The castle was so cozy and had lit fires throughout. My room had tall ceilings, an incredible fireplace and overlooked the lake. Seriously the coziest!
While there, I just vegged out with my travel best friend. We enjoyed the comfy castle during the storms and had afternoon tea, played some pool (which literally took us 2 hours to hit all of the balls in… we shouldn't quit our day jobs, right!?!?) and drank lots of wine! When the weather cleared, we took a boat ride out on the lake to learn more about the history of Ashford Castle and enjoyed the sunshine in the immaculate gardens.
There is also the Lodge at Ashford Castle which is a great 4* option. The lodge is a bit more funky and fun. You can have dinner in the castle when you book in advance and also have access to the activities on property. That’s a great option if you want to enjoy the beautiful grounds but be a little more cost conscious!
Trump Doonbeg
After I did a day of touring around the Cliffs of Moher, I stayed at Trump Doonbeg. This resort is only 20 minutes from the Cliffs, so it’s a great anchor if you want to tour the Western part of Ireland. This property definitely felt like you were staying at a country club and less castle-ish, which is something to keep in mind. Trump Doonbeg is also located on the beach, and I very much enjoyed a longgg beach walk to soak in the crisp air! This is a great place to stay if you want to be close to the Cliffs and not too far from the Shannon airport!
Sheen Falls
If you want to be super well located to access nature and some of the most iconic drives in Ireland, Sheen Falls is your place. Located in Kenmare (which is suuuch a cute town!), Sheen Falls mixes traditional décor with some mid century modern elements. The property is situated around a waterfall and has varying room categories perfect for every type of traveler. And if you’re with a larger group, there are a few beautiful houses available to rent that are about 5 minutes off property!
There is so much to do at Sheen Falls - horseback riding, falconry, clay shooting or taking in the sites, but all within 30 minutes to an hour you can find incredible hikes, great fishing and The Ring of Kerry and Beara Peninsula which are drives where you see the most incredible landscapes!! And yall, trust me… seeing this part of Ireland is imperative to make sure your Ireland vacation is well rounded, and Sheen Falls really is the best option to be close to this incredible countryside. Otherwise, you’ll be driving hours to access the South part of Ireland which would not only make for a long day but would also have you shortcut around some incredible experiences given a time constraint.
During our last night at Sheen Falls, we had the Kenmare irish dance studio come perform for us, and it was such a special night. This studio is highly acclaimed and wins championships worldwide, so it was such a treat to have them perform for us. Following this special event, we dined in the wine cellar which was cozy and intimate and a great spot for a special occasion.
And lastly, yall, the people at Sheen Falls were great. The falconry master was hilarious and had tons of jokes up his sleeve, the hiking guide was truly a renaissance man who was also in a jam band and directed plays and the management team is so kind hearted and will do everything they can to make sure my clients are well taken care of! All Ireland itineraries should include Sheen Falls!
Ballyfin
About 3 hours Northeast of Sheen Falls or 1 hour West of Dublin sits Ballyfin. This estate turned boys’ school turned hotel was something truly special! Driving onto the property was beautiful, but there was a particular moment when we turned a corner and saw the massive house overlooking a lake. This was all part of the design - to have a big “wow” factor right before you approached the house. Ballyfin’s structure was impressive and common spaces were so cozy and truly meant for you to feel at home. The opulent ceilings and parquet floors and chandeliers were beyond impressive as were the different rooms all varying in design (seriously - just tell me what color you like most, and we’ll put you in the right room!). But my favorite spot in Ballyfin was the conservatory which was a completely restored roomwhich was once used to grow pineapples! This impressive space was floor to ceiling windows and just so special!
We did a lot at Ballyfin for our short period of time - we took a tour of the house which taught us A LOT about the history, went clay shooting, did archery, took a tour of the property on horse and carriage which was so much fun, did a whisky tasting and dressed in costumes for our last dinner! What an incredible 48 hours, right!?!?
One thing that I loved so much about Ballyfin (aside from the obvious!) was that the staff wore so many different hats. Many of the people who assisted with the activities on property were also those who helped serve you dinner. Seeing the same people over and over really helps you form a personal relationship with them and makes you feel like they are your friends. It totally added to the intimacy which exuded throughout this property!
The Shelbourne
I ended my trip in Dublin and knew I had to stay at The Shelbourne. This iconic hotel is not just one that’s great for travelers but also a social hub for so many local Irish people. There are MANY bars within the hotel to choose from… the main bar downstairs was buzzing the entire time I was there with tons of people. The horseshoe bar was dimly lit and intimate, the 1824 bar upstairs is only meant for guests of the hotel and is just so cute and cozy, and there are many restaurant outlets where you can enjoy time with family or friends, too. Plus the rooms are really great. Decorated in lighter greens or blues, they're super comfortable and the perfect place to retreat after a day exploring Dublin!
The Merrion
I met my sweet friend who is the Director of Sales at The Merrion for a lovely tour and dinner on property, and this hotel was so incredible! The Merrion is located on a quieter street but still only blocks from the action. The common spaces are well appointed and classy but were buzzing at the same time, which is such a great mix. The rooms were light and bright, and there was a lovely courtyard in the middle of property which is a great place to gather when the weather is nice. My most favorite thing about The Merrion is the cellar bar downstairs. The atmosphere in this bar was a 180 from the common spaces only floor above. It was super lively and felt like an upscale pub. I absolutely loved it!