Ireland is celebrated for its untamed beauty—wild coastlines, rolling green hills and enchanted forests that conjure up images of fairies. Yet Ireland also boasts a luxurious side, with lavish hotels that present pot-of-gold indulgence.
Over the course of 10 days, I journeyed across Ireland to stay at five of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection hotels. All are independently owned, and rich in heritage and perks such as Michelin-starred dining or a renowned spa. Explore them all, or discover the perfect Celtic escape tailored to your style.
Kildare: Posh Country Escape
The K Club
Upon landing at Dublin Airport, I’m immediately whisked away to The K Club, an 1800s mansion nestled in the equestrian-rich Kildare countryside. While only a half-hour drive from Dublin’s city center, Kildare delivers a dramatic shift in energy and scenery. My eyes slowly drink in the estate’s stretching green lawns and meticulously manicured gardens bursting with red and gold blooms. After a long overnight flight, the crisp country air is a welcome refreshment.
I arrive in time for tea, a cherished afternoon pastime where the beverage’s delicacies resemble colorful works of art, Champagne flows freely, and the elegant Drawing Room beckons one to linger by the fire. I don’t loiter too long, though, as the lush grounds serve as a playground for outdoor pursuits. Guests can partake in legendary golf on two Arnold Palmer-designed courses—host to the Horizon Irish Open in 2025 and 2027—horseback riding, clay shooting, fly-fishing or serene strolls along the River Liffey. For me, an archery lesson is a thrilling opportunity to try something new.
Walk or bike to the nearby Straffan Inn, a 1920s pub where the bartenders are incredible storytellers (or “liars,” as one joked to me), and they’ll teach you how to pull a pint. If it’s vino you’re craving, book a wine and cheese tasting in the candlelit wine cellar that rests beneath the original Straffan House, which famed winemaker Hugh Barton built in the early 19th century. At night, dine in the formal Barton Restaurant or at The Palmer, a more casual restaurant overlooking the golf course.
Carve out time to walk the hotel’s rambling hallways dotted with antiques and artwork that will impress any art connoisseur. No two rooms are alike at The K Club, and sleep came easy in my canopied bed. It was a peaceful treat to peek out my window in the mornings at the river.
EPIC EXPERIENCE: Kildare is renowned for its equestrian heritage, and The K Club will arrange a private tour at Jessica Harrington Racing, home to one of Ireland’s best trainers. Set against a backdrop of rolling green hills, you’ll witness the thoroughbreds run through their paces, and you’ll meet with the Harrington family to hear about their acclaimed racing legacy.
Cork: Culinary Adventures
Hayfield Manor
Next, in search of gastronomic pleasures, I head 2.5 hours east to Cork, a city regarded as Ireland’s culinary capital. As I pull into Hayfield Manor, a brick manse covered in meandering ivy, a bellman donning a top hat guides me down a red-carpeted entrance worthy of royalty. Hayfield is a family-owned manor, and the communal spaces dressed in rich woods and fine carpets feel like a welcoming home, while rooms are luxurious and spacious, each decorated with their own unique furnishings.
During the day, dip in the indoor pool adorned with an H logo or wander the property’s two acres of secluded gardens. Garden party vibes extend to Bloom, the manor’s new glassy cocktail lounge, where bartenders shake up botanical-infused libations. It’s a great warm-up for dinner at Orchids, a fine dining restaurant centered on locally sourced ingredients, including seafood from the nearby Ballycotton fishing village.
Hayfield places guests in easy walking distance to Cork’s many gems, including The English Market, one of the oldest covered markets in Europe and where Queen Elizabeth II was famously photographed laughing with a fishmonger. I explore the bustling market with tour company Activity Days, sucking down fresh oysters and sampling artisanal cheeses, chocolates and spiced beef. Later, I explore another Irish institution, the Midleton Distillery; Hayfield will arrange a bespoke tour of the distillery and a premium whiskey tasting of the seven brands made there, including Jameson and the exclusive Redbreast Family Collection.
EPIC EXPERIENCE: Zip off on a thrilling speedboat tour of Cork Harbour with Ocean Escapes to gawk at colorful coastal houses and to stop at the former prison fortress of Spike Island.
Castlemartyr Resort
Another five-star stunner, Castlemartyr Resort offers a different perspective of Cork, where natural beauty, historic charm and covetable culinary experiences intermingle. The 200-plus-acre property flaunts a tapestry of sculptural gardens—and uniquely, the ruins of a 13th-century Knights Templar castle. For me, though, it was a walk through the surrounding woodlands where I spotted mushrooms sprouting from logs and pastures of sunbathing sheep and frolicking horses that captured the essence of Ireland.
Catering to Cork’s culinary spirit, the property is home to Terre, a two Michelin Star restaurant helmed by Vincent Crepel, who masterfully intertwines Asian-inspired food with French techniques. The night I dined there, I arrived early for a garden tour, and then I began my experience at the chef’s table in the kitchen to watch the esteemed chef craft exquisite plates injected with everything from caviar to sea kelp, before being led into the dining room for the full coursed experience.
The estate’s 108 rooms and suites are expansive—with the smallest at 500 square feet—and guests can choose between accommodations in the original 18th-century manor house, modern digs in the contemporary wing, or 36 luxury residences. Also on property, enjoy an expansive spa retreat and a Ron Kirby-designed golf course.
EPIC EXPERIENCE: Explore the Ballycotton Cliffwalk, a rugged trail offering the stunning coastal and cliff vistas for which Ireland is famous. Reward yourself with lunch at The Hunted Hog, a cozy pub worthy of a pint and comfort food.
Killarney: A Spa Haven
The Europe Hotel & Resort
Just when I think I can’t utter the word “wow” again, the panoramas at the Europe Hotel & Resort in Killarney—a little over an hour from Cork—leave me in awe. The lobby’s floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the hotel’s supreme setting that fronts the largest lake in Killarney and Ireland’s tallest mountain range, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. The backdrop—which actually feels more like the Alps—constantly begs me to pause and watch the clouds create a game of hide-and-seek with the mountains, as the sun emphasizes the valleys like a green highlighter.
With vistas like these, it’s worth splurging on a lake-view room, which boasts a contemporary aesthetic drenched in leather and velvets, super king-sized beds and private balconies. The heart of the resort is the 50,000-square-foot ESPA, and I looked forward to zipping down the glass elevator in my plush robe to soak in the spa retreat’s warm, bubbling waters in between stints in the steam room and sauna. Understandably, a popular gathering spot is the outdoor infinity pool, which capitalizes on those placid lake and mountain vistas.
There are five dining outlets, including the Italian goodness of Riva and the aptly named Panorama Restaurant. In true Irish form, the resort owns a nearby farm, and its beef and lamb is showcased on restaurant menus. The property offers golf, fishing and complimentary horseback riding on its prized Austrian Haflinger ponies, and with easy access to the Lakes of Killarney, you’ll want to get out on a boat.
EPIC EXPERIENCE: Don’t miss the Gap of Dunloe tour, one of the oldest tours in Ireland. I hopped in a jaunting car—a two-wheeled horse carriage helmed by a jarvey (driver)—to meander, and sometimes gallop, through the mountain pass that was carved out by slow-moving ice 2 million years ago. The scenery is like a movie set, with ferns, wildflowers and sheep dotting the hills. If you’re lucky, the jarvey may whip out a harmonica and sing a melody that’ll bring tears to your eyes.
County Clare: Celtic Castle Dreams
Dromoland Castle
You can’t visit Ireland without staying in a castle. On the final stretch of my journey, I traveled along the Wild Atlantic Way to County Clare, where my arrival at Dromoland Castle resembled a scene fitting of “Downton Abbey.” Approaching the front gate, a regal parade of horses and hounds guided us through the 500-acre property to the imposing gray castle, where the sounds of a bagpiper filled the air and a line of staff stood ready to welcome us. (This special experience requires prior booking.)
These grand gestures are part of the 16th-century castle’s magic, where elaborate service and lighthearted luxury come together. One of the staff likened Dromoland to a “royal country retreat,” pointing to guests’ wellies that are often left by the front door after a day of exploration. Don’t let that statement fool you—the castle is dripping in opulence, with lavish carpeting and heavy draperies, gilded mirrors and shimmering chandeliers, and even shiny suits of armor. With roots as the ancestral home of the O’Brien dynasty, whose lineage dates back to one of the last High Kings of Ireland, accounts of its storied past (including that of Lady Isabella O’Brien, who saved the castle from financial despair) whirl around the castle, and guests can lean into that heritage with a historical tour.
Activities abound on the sprawling grounds. One morning, I tried the ancient sport of falconry—extending my gloved hand as a raptor swooped down and clutched his talons onto my shaking arm. Another afternoon, I strolled the walled gardens that evoke “Alice in Wonderland” vibes with whimsical sculptures and oversized flowers. Guests can take one of the boats out for a dreamy spin on the lake, be spoiled at the spa, take Irish language classes, or even meet with a genealogist to discover their heritage.
The castle is a 15-minute drive from Shannon International Airport. For me, it was the perfect “Irish goodbye”—a quiet exit without the fuss of a formal farewell, knowing that the call of the Emerald Isle will surely lure me back again soon.
EPIC EXPERIENCE: Dromoland is an excellent base for visiting the Cliffs of Moher, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s located 45 minutes away. The day I visited on a private tour with Cliffs of Moher Walking Tours (100roisin@gmail.com), the luck of the Irish shined upon us with a bluebird-sky day, minimal winds and flawless views of the famous cliffs.
This story is from the November/December 2025 issue of Boca magazine. For more like this, click here to subscribe to the magazine.
