Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »
Go Ireland: With the new school year looming, a nanobreak could be just the thing to keep your mind off the return to routine, especially if you follow the golden rule of travelling early and returning late the next day. Alanna Gallagherhas some tempting offers that shouldn’t break the bank
1 Romantic getawayAtmospheric Barberstown Castle, in Co Kildare, features a Norman keep that dates back to the 13th century, as well as Elizabethan and Victorian extensions. In addition to the architecture it has fine food, fabulous rooms and is just 40 minutes from Dublin – all the essential ingredients of a successful romantic getaway. Leave the kids behind and upgrade to the honeymoon or bridal suites (rooms 63 or 35) to really make your night away smoulder. After dinner, repair to the bar for a nightcap before retiring to a feather-topped four-poster bed. If you fancy trying out a local pub, Manzors, in nearby Clane, is the place to be. After you’ve checked out there are numerous distractions in the area, from shopping for bargains at Kildare Village to the adjacent Irish National Stud, where you can discover the history of Irish horse racing – enough to keep you on the road all afternoon.
