Whatever the weather, there's always plenty to do on a city break. So why not see out the summer in style, writes SANDRA O'CONNELL
QUICK. THERE’S STILL time to see out the summer in style. Make the most of what’s left with a weekend city break guaranteed to maintain that holiday feeling just a little longer, whatever the weather. We’ve rounded up some options to get you going, literally.
DUBLIN
Make a break for the capital, where you can take in a show or catch a concert and dine out on it for weeks afterwards. The Maldron Hotel, Cardiff Lane has deals including two nights’ B&B and one three-course dinner in its Stir restaurant from €258, based on two sharing. It is perfectly located for a night out at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, at Grand Canal Square, or the O2 arena just down the road. Good weather: Make like a student and picnic in St Stephen’s Green. Bad weather: Take shelter in The Little Museum of Dublin across the road.
[ maldronhotelcardifflane.com ]
CORK
Next Friday is the last day of August. Whatever kind of summer you’ve had bid it farewell, or good riddance, from within the old world walls of the Imperial Hotel, right in the thick of things on South Mall. You’d want to be quick with your mouse, but the website currently has a good value two nights for the price of three autumn break, including B&B and dinner at its Pembroke Seafood Bar and Grill, from €139 per adult, based on two sharing. Good weather: Cork is a foodie’s paradise. Take a Saturday morning Fabulous Food Trail. Bad weather: Sample it all for yourself under the one roof in the English Market.
[ flynnhotels.com ]
GALWAY
"Fifty Shades of G" at the G Hotel, Galway includes an aphrodisiac-inspired tasting platter, a love box full of "sensual suggestions" and breakfast in bed, from €104, per person. Or just book a regular stay. You can get three nights for the price of two, from €160 per room, per night. Good weather: Head out for romantic strolls along the strand at Salthill. Bad weather: Need we say? theghotel.ie
LIMERICK
For a total break, check into No 1 Pery Square, a boutique hotel right in the city centre. Housed in a Georgian terrace, with an award-winning organic spa in the basement, the bijou hotel is currently offering two nights BB, with dinner on one night in Brasserie One, a bottle of wine and an after-dinner port, access to its thermal suite plus tea and scones on arrival, from €149 per person. And they're very serious about their wines here, so you can expect a decent bottle. Good weather: Step back in time at the folk park at Bunratty. Bad weather: Take it indoors at the Hunt Museum. oneperysquare.com
SLIGO
The Glasshouse in Sligo is a funky four-star with decor so bright and cheery it would go down a treat for anyone feeling a touch of SAD coming on. It has a great location, on Hyde Bridge, perfect for exploring the Yeats Memorial Building across the river by day and Sligo's pubs and restaurants by night. The Glasshouse has weekends from €165 per person sharing, including dinner. Good weather: Head for a surf lesson at Strandhill. Bad weather: Head for a seaweed bath instead. theglasshouse.ie
KILKENNY
Kilkenny was designed for weekend breaks, so perfectly proportioned is it. It's also easily accessed, no matter where you are coming from. The Kilkenny Pembroke Hotel on Patrick Street has romantic getaways in a castle-view room from €149 per night, including chocolates, champagne and dinner for two. Good weather: Watch the swooping swallows as they gather in the grounds of the castle or take one of the city's food, craft and trad trails. Bad weather: Stop the clock at the 17th century gem Rothe House. kilkennypembrokehotel.com