Irish Spa Hotel Breaks

Marty O’Neill takes a look at some of the best spa hotels around Ireland – perfect for whether you’re in search of a treat for a loved one this Valentine’s Day or simply in need of a little R&R yourself.

The fully refurbished imposing Killeavey Castle sits high on a hillside behind the newly constructed hotel in The Ring Of Gullion. Although the castle was inhabited up until fairly recently, it had fallen into ruin and was left derelict until just a few years ago. Opened in 2019 this gem of a spa hotel offers a toasty warm welcome that few can compete with. Although the hotel has 45 modern and stylish rooms, I always feel as if I’m coming home when I visit. What also sets this country cracker apart from most is that they raise their own animals on site, employ a butcher that looks after the hotel’s farm shop and, between the farmer, gardeners, butcher and chefs, I’m pretty confident that it’s one of the only places in Ireland with über low food mileage – you can graze from stunning plates of food in The Gullion restaurant as you watch the hotels cattle graze only feet away in the fields. Many claim it but few have such passion and credentials like Kileavey Castle Hotel & Spa. The stunning castle is also available to stay in and is very popular with weddings and regularly offers great midweek deals, Live out all your Downtown Abbey dreams in Killeavy Castle and be sure to get a photo of the resident peacocks that roam the grounds!

Read more in the February issue…