Explore Georgian Limerick
Overlooking the handsome, tree-lined People’s Park in Limerick’s historic Georgian Quarter, No.1 Pery Square is an intimate boutique townhouse hotel that’s ideal for a weekend à deux. Their Great Georgian Escape package (€229) includes two nights accommodation in a Club room, with breakfast each morning, dinner both evenings in Pery Square’s Sash restaurant and wonderful guided walking tours of Georgian Limerick, King John’s Castle, The Bishop’s Palace, the Hunt Museum and magnificent St. Mary’s Cathedral.
The Great Georgian Escape is available seven days a week, all year round.
Trek an Eco Trail at Step House Hotel
The family-run Step House Hotel is located in the picturesque village of Borris, Co. Carlow; ideal for a romantic escape. Pack a good pair of boots and some warm clothes and you can while away an afternoon learning about the birds, flora, fungi, mammals and butterflies of the Blackstairs Mountains and the River Barrow (and taking some epic couple selfies) with expert guide Mary White of Blackstairs Eco Trails. Afterwards, retreat to the hotel for dinner in the award winning Cellar Restaurant (head chef Alan Foley’s eight-course tasting menu is highly recommended) and a tipple in the Cocktail Bar. Bliss.
Dine & Stay deals available from €125 per person.
Go wild in Macreddin, Co. Wicklow
The Irish landscape is home to an abundance of wild foods, but before you start foraging, it’s best to learn about what can and can’t be eaten. The Wild Foods Master Class at The Brooklodge Hotel in Macreddin, Co. Wicklow kicks off again in March, offering two days of demonstrations and practicals with the chefs of The Strawberry Tree Restaurant. The in-depth class (€155 including a two-course lunch) covers identification as well as instruction on how to gather, cook and preserve using traditional methods such as sugar, oil, drying, vinegars and alcohol. There’ll be plenty of time for a Balancing Cashmere Hot Oil Massage in the Wells Spa afterwards too…
One night’s B&B including a one-hour spa treatment starts at around €100 midweek. Check the hotel website for the latest offers.
