There’s something very soothing about spending Sunday night in a luxury hotel, snoozing late on Monday morning, knowing that the rest of the population is peeling itself from beneath the covers at a glacial pace, with that inescapable feeling of Monday morning dread.
This autumn, lots of hotels around Ireland are offering great Sunday night deals, meaning you just need to pack an overnight case and turn on the out-of-office.
THE LODGE AT ASHFORD CASTLE
Ashford Castle Estate, Lisloughrey, Cong, Co Mayo
094-9545400, thelodgeac.com
The Lodge at Ashford sits within the 350-acre Ashford Castle estate and overlooks Lough Corrib in Co Mayo. To gently extend your weekend and shorten the working week, Secret Sundays allow you to do just that. Staying in one of the spacious bedrooms in the modern courtyard wing, or a suite, this deal includes an overnight stay with breakfast, dinner in Wilde's restaurant on Sunday night, a light lunch in the Quay Bar, complimentary green fees on the nine-hole golf course on the Ashford Estate and 1pm checkout.
This costs from €299 per room.
GLENLO ABBEY, CO GALWAY
Kentfield, Bushypark, Galway city, Co Galway
091-519600, glenloabbeyhotel.ie
Glenlo Abbey is located on a 138-acre estate on the edge of Ireland's largest lake, Lough Corrib, and the five-star, newly refurbished hotel has the rugged and unspoiled natural scenery of Connemara right on its doorstep.
Stay in a classic king or twin room, with pillow-topped beds, duck-down duvets and Egyptian cotton sheets. Have a complimentary Signature Cocktail in The Palmer Bar with views overlooking the terrace and 18th-century abbey, have breakfast in The River Room Restaurant or delivered to your room and a complimentary late check-out until 2pm.
This costs €209 for the total stay. It is valid until October 31st, 2018.
ARD NA SIDHE KERRY
Caragh Lake, Killorglin, Co Kerry
066-9769105, ardnasidhe.com
Ard na Sidhe Country House is situated on the shores of Caragh Lake and in the heart of the Reeks District of Kerry.
It dates from 1913, when Lady Edith Gordon purchased the 32 acres of land and built what she called her "house of dreams", which now comprises the 18-bedroom property. It also has one of the best examples of an Edwardian garden in Europe, allowing hours of meandering and solace before dinner.
This deal comprises dinner, bed and breakfast from €150 per person sharing.
INCHYDONEY ISLAND LODGE & SPA CORK
Inchydoney Island, Clonakilty, Co Cork
023-8833143, inchydoneyisland.com
Inchydoney, near the heritage town of Clonakility, offers breathtaking sea views, beach walks and is a perfect place to blow away the cobwebs before a return to work on Tuesday.
The Seaside Sundays package includes overnight accommodation in a de-luxe room, a west Cork breakfast in the Gulfstream Restaurant, fish and chips with a pint of Murphy's or glass of wine in Dunes Bar. Guests also have unlimited access to the Thalassotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and relaxation areas of the Island Spa.
This costs from €99 per person sharing.
HARVEY’S POINT, DONEGAL
Lough Eske Rd, Tawnyvorgal, Donegal
074-9722208, harveyspoint.com
Harvey’s Point, on the shores of Lough Eske, is a lovely family-run hotel that offers a big welcome.
The Harvey’s Point Sunday Sleepover package has proven very popular over the years, with locals living just 6km away availing of it as a treat.
Guests can enjoy an “eat as much as you please” five-course Sunday Carvery Lunch in the Lakeside Ballroom while enjoying the view over Lough Eske, after lunch guests check into one of the suites with a bathtub for two, and in the evening relax in front of one of the many turf fires. A buffet breakfast is also served overlooking the lake.
This costs from €129 per person sharing in autumn and from €99 per person sharing in the winter.
BALLYMALOE CORK
Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry, Midleton, Co Cork
021-4652531, ballymaloe.ie
Ballymaloe House is a gorgeous country retreat and cookery school in east Cork, run by the Allen family.
On Sundays guests are served a traditional buffet in the evening before staying in one of the elegant country house bedrooms. The traditional Sunday night buffet dinner consists of a wide selection of fish and meat patés, shellfish (clams, cockles, mussels, crab, shrimps and lobster as available), locally smoked fish (eel, mackerel, salmon), home-produced vegetable salads and freshly cooked local meats (beef, pork, turkey, ham, lamb, ox tongue and so on). The buffet is a house speciality and is served by the Allen family.
This costs from €175.00 per person sharing. It is valid until September 30th.
DUNBRODY HOUSE, WEXFORD
R733, Arthurstown, New Ross, Co Wexford, Y34 R597
051-389600, dunbrodyhouse.com
Dunbrody, near the wild Hook peninsula on the south coast of Wexford, is a relaxed and charming luxury hotel. Start your Sunday experience sipping Bloody Marys or Mimosas combined with a traditional Sunday lunch or, choose the Early Sunday Supper: a three-course surprise menu. Following what is hopefully a great night’s sleep, breakfast is served until noon on Monday.
This costs from €155 per person sharing. It is valid until October 30th.
BROOKLODGE
Macreddin Village, Aughrim, Co Wicklow
0402-36444, brooklodge.com
In September and October, trees and shrubbery turn beautiful autumnal colours in BrookLodge and Macreddin Village, and harvest time means lots of open turf fires. The large complex offers lots to guests, even if it is only for 24 hours R&R.
Brooklodge’s sunday package consists of one night B&B with a one-hour treatment or a round of golf. Treatments include a soothing Lucy Annabella organics body treatment; BABOR tailor-made facial or wet flotation therapy. If the spa isn’t for you, take advantage of the Paul McGinley, par-72 Macreddin Golf Course, where you can enjoy 18 rounds.
It costs from €105pps.
THE MARKER
Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2
01-6875100, themarkerhoteldublin.com
The five-star Marker is in Dublin's docklands, directly across from the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, so is the perfect spot to take in a show too.
The Spa and Wellness area includes a 23m-long infinity pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and relaxation area.
The Stay Sunday, Spa Monday package is proving popular and includes one night bed and buffet breakfast, as well as two one-hour treatments – one complimentary – for you and your partner on Monday.
This costs from €195 per person sharing.
THE TWELVE
Freeport, Barna, Co Galway
091-597000, thetwelvehotel.ie
The Twelve was voted Georgina Campbell’s Hotel of the Year 2018 and is a superb boutique hotel in the heart of Connemara.
On Sunday evenings guests will enjoy fine dining in West restaurant, where executive chef Martin O’Donnell showcases the finest local produce. The Twelve serves a gorgeous home-cooked breakfast up until 10.30am on Monday mornings, allowing for that much needed lie-in.
The package includes a bottle of Canto 5 Blue Wine on arrival, dinner in West and an overnight stay with a cooked-to-order breakfast on Monday morning.
This costs from €100 per person sharing.
LYRATH
Dublin Road, Lyrath, Kilkenny
056-7760088, lyrath.com
Lyrath Estate, set amid 170 acres of parkland, is on the outskirts of Kilkenny city and is a great luxury hotel, easily accessible from many cities around the country. With an award-winning spa, guests can spend hours relaxing in the Thermal Suite before returning to the busy working week.
The package includes one night B&B, an early bird (three-course) evening meal, a light lunch on one day and complimentary Thermal Suite passes.
This costs from €119pps.
CASTLE DURROW
Castleview, Durrow, Co Laois, R32 EA02
057-8736555, castledurrow.com
Castle Durrow offers luxury with a side of laid-back in the midlands.
Relax and read the papers in the Chinese Room while sipping a complimentary glass of prosecco before dinner with your partner or pal. This package for two includes one night's dinner in the restaurant, as well as B&B. There is 30 per cent off treatments in The Powder Box as well as a Complimentary Discount Card for Kildare Village, which may prove too tempting to pass on the return journey home.
This costs €240 for the total stay. It is valid until December 31st.
