Capture a castle in Mayo
Ashford Castle is synonymous with luxury and now that new owners, the Tollman family, have spent €75 million restoring it, it’s even more deluxe – with its own cinema to boot. Have a brief encounter with how the other half holiday, with October B&B rates, including dinner in its George V restaurant, from €365 per room.ashfordcastle.com
Lost in space
Sometimes it’s hard to lose yourself on a short break, but with 1,300 acres to wander, if you can do it anywhere, it’s at stately Farnham Estate in Cavan. Wander seven kilometres of walking trails, play a round of golf, plus dinner in its Botanica Restaurant, from €139.50 pps sharing midweek. farnhamestate.ie
Europe in Kerry
You might not be able to live on a view but you can certainly revive yourself with one and none better than at the Europe Hotelin Killarney, overlooking Lough Leane and the McGillycuddy Reeks. Peace, quiet and a balcony from which to absorb it all. Get two-nights B&B plus one dinner in late September from €710 per room. theeurope.com
Twelve green bottles
Been quaffing wine too long without the lingo to pass it off as a hobby? Put things to rights with a wine tasting package at The Twelve hotel in Barna, Galway. Its restaurant, West, is the only one in Ireland to win a Wine Spectator award for an eighth year, and to celebrate it’s running a wine package including two nights B&B, a 45-minute wine tasting and a five-course tasting menu for €480 per couple sharing. thetwelvehotel.ie
East meets west
Have a super healthy spa and sushi break at the Radisson Blu Galway, enjoying a meal at its top floor, and top notch, sushi restaurant plus an Elemis facial at its Spirit One spa downstairs, as well as use of the thermal suite with its indoor swimming pool and outdoor hot tub overlooking Lough Atalia, for €165 pps. radissonhotelgalway.com
