Alaïa Alexander McQueen Aveda Balenciaga Bobbi Brown Bottega Veneta Burberry Canada Goose Celine Chanel Charlotte Tilbury Chloé Christian Louboutin Claudie Pierlot Cloon Keen Dior Dolce & Gabbana Erdem Fendi Foxford Woolen Mills Frédéric Malle Ganni Giorgio Armani Givenchy Gucci Hermès Huda Beauty Lainey Keogh Jil Sander Jimmy Choo Jo Malone London KDK Kenzo Kilian La Mer La Prairie Laura Mercier Loewe Louis Vuitton Louise Kennedy Lucy Nagle lululemon M.A.C Maje Manolo Blahnik Max Benjamin Max Mara Memo Paris Miu Miu Moncler Mulberry Nars Paul Smith Prada Rathbornes Richard Quinn Rixo Saint Laurent Paris Sandro Sisley Stella McCartney Temperley London The Kooples Tiffany & Co. Tom Ford Valentino Versace Victoria Beckham Waterford Crystal Zadig & Voltaire Zegna
Dublin Cork Limerick Galway
Brown Thomas is Ireland’s most beautiful department store featuring the best brands in the world Our flagship store, a landmark on Dublin’s Grafton Street since 1849, is the luxury destination for Women, Men, Beauty, Home and Gifting
brownthomas.com
BLARNEY CASTLE & GARDENS
Renowned for bestowing the gift of eloquence Spring in the gardens at Blarney Castle is always an exciting period. New life is exploding everywhere in the estate, with splashes of colour and fresh growth around every corner. Dainty white snowdrops are the first to emerge, often pushing boldly through frosty or snowy ground. These are swiftly followed by drifts of crocuses and daffodils throughout the ornamental gardens, while the early rhododendrons around the mansion and Himalayan walk dazzle with their vivid flowers. As Ireland’s only wildlife estate it stands to reason that this haven so close to the city, is a wonderful location to watch nature waking up from its winter slumber. You may spot a red squirrel foraging in the woods or a robin surveying his territory as he looks for a mate. With such magic all around it’s no surprise that Blarney’s gardens are the most visited in Ireland.
February - 9am - 5pm (Last Admission 4pm) March - 9am - 6pm (Last Admission 5pm) www.blarneycastle.ie info@blarneycastle.ie (Only 5 miles from Cork) ■
Heavily inspired and influenced by Dublin’s rich literary culture and local heritage, Conrad Dublin features 192 beautifully refurbished guest rooms and suites. Join us on a voyage of discovery at Lemuel’s bar & lounge, relax and enjoy a tasty meal in Alfie Byrne’s by Galway Bay Brewery or take a seat in the stylish surroundings of The Coburg and experience a true brasserie.
Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, Ireland | Phone +353-1-602 8900 | ConradDublin.com
CONQUER NEW HEIGHTS WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY Center Parcs Ireland is opening in Longford Forest this summer. A new short break for Ireland, all year round. You’ll find luxury lodges and apartments with a variety of shops and restaurants, set across 400 acres of enchanting woodland. With more than 100 indoor and outdoor activities - including a 29.5 degrees fully covered Subtropical Swimming Paradise, as well as an amazing spa - you can expect something for all the family; whatever their age, whatever the weather. To find out more and book, visit centerparcs.ie
Epic Family Time
THIS WINTER
After a day exploring the Ashford Estate, make a cosy retreat to the castle and relax in front of an open fire, enjoy a delicious roast from the carving trolley and discover fine wines in the candlelit wine cellars. Take time to relax in the spa, watch a movie in the private cinema or play a frame or two in the billiards room. VOTED BEST OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD by Virtuoso Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo T: +353 (0) 9495 46003 | E: ashford@ashfordcastle.com ASHFORDCASTLE.COM
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WEEKENDER
LIGHT TOUCH
Cliff at Lyons remains a roaring success, finds Lucy White.
I
f it’s your first time to Cliff at Lyons you’ll be wondering what took you so long. Just 26 kilometres west of the madding crowd that is Dublin, this Kildare hamlet has all the feel of a remote, country estate but without the draughts and muddy schlep. It is, in essence, a simulated 18th-century village for the 21st century gadabout – which sounds hideous but is beautifully executed. The dynastic demesne dates back to the 17th century and flourished in the 1800s, when the Grand Canal waterway saw cargo boats transporting all and sundry, including stout from St James’s Gate in Dublin. As the Lawless family lorded it up in their big house, a village grew along the bank, with a forge, hotel, boarding school, police
barracks, stables and flour mill. A raging fire in the early 1900s was the first nail in the community’s coffin, the next in the 1960s when UCD bought the estate to use as farmland for agricultural students, leaving its buildings all but derelict. But Lyons’ fortunes were reversed when Tony Ryan purchased the pile in the 1990s and began restoring what was salvageable – the rest was built from scratch before Cliff Collection acquired the lot in 2016 and made further improvements, including adding a spa. More than two years on, Cliff at Lyons is in fine fettle. A quaint, surprisingly authentic suite of accommodation options, from self-catering cottages to hotel-serviced rooms, makes for a flexible
proposition for staycations. We checked into a two-bedroom “Love” cottage, whose “Romeo” and “Juliet” rooms – indicated by a fun “secret” door – were thankfully not so much Verona themed but elegantly decorated with four-poster beds, Toile de Jouy wallpaper and grand fireplaces. The huge, fully fitted kitchen contrasts an Aga with giant American-style fridge, while the generous living room has more places to sit and read than you can shake a book at (my favourite: the window seat overlooking the babbling brook). Pottering about, you’ll find the excellent informal restaurant Trellis, a small coffee shop cum retail outlet – where I discovered the delights of Jo Browne Natural Solid Perfume, an excellent independent Irish brand – glorious original architectural details (clock, dovecote, mill fireplaces) and even a tiny chapel imported from France. The Orangery is the main event food wise, whose Richard Turner-designed conservatory sets the scene for chef Nathan Dimond’s botanical-inspired menu of foraged and regionally sourced ingredients. We feasted on an exquisite seafood platter to start, before a grilled, lightly-garlicked and butter-soft Annagassan lobster with crispy yet floury chips. This March will also welcome Aimsir, which will focus exclusively on seasonal cuisine from Ireland-based producers, growers and suppliers; see Grub’s Up on page 24. And should you need more convincing to make a visit, The Well in the Garden spa in a converted carriage house is second to none. What it lacks in thermal facilities – they’re in the pipeline – it more than makes up for with its very own, 100 per cent natural skincare products; The Well at Cliff rose, lavender and oakmoss body oil is a take-home investment (€36) guaranteed to get you through the winter months. My custom massage was a salve in itself, the treatment enhanced at the end by natural light gently diffusing through a window. Far from being an artificially-lit subterranean warren, this spa is light, bright and conducive to whiling away hours beside a huge fireplace after your treatment. Sure, you might just forget to hire a free bike from reception, for a leisurely cycle along the canal path to the local pub … but that’s okay. Either place is perfect for guilt-free hibernation.
Lyons Rd, Kearneystown Lower, Celbridge, Co Kildare, 01 630 3500; cliffatlyons.ie
Traditional Irish Food & Drink with Live Music in the heart of Temple Bar The Old Storehouse is a classic Irish Bar in the heart of Dublin’s Cultural Quarter, providing our customers with great food, quality service and entertainment.
3 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, D02 CX67 Web: www.theoldstorehouse.ie
BE
OUTDOORS GRAB YOUR
SWEATERS
MADE IN IRELAND
BLARNEY WOOLLEN MILLS an Irish Family Business
shop on l in e @ bl a rney .co m
YEARS
Award winning Saba and Saba To Go are dedicated to serving restaurant quality, Thai & Vietnamese dishes that are authentic, delicious and nutritious.
26–28 Clarendon St., Dublin 2 01 679 2000
22 Upper Baggot St., Dublin 4 01 563 1999
Kildare Village Co. Kildare
13 Rathgar Rd., Rathmines 01 40 60 200
6 Arbourfield Tce., Windy Arbour 01 44 08 600
1 Laurkur House, Deansgrange Rd., 01 44 08 400
Order from Saba To Go online at sabatogo.com or book your table in our Saba Restaurants at sabadublin.com from your hotel room. Awards: Saba; Michelin Guide 2018, McKenna Guide, Winner Gourmand Award, Winner of Best Customer Service in Ireland, Best Thai In Ireland, Winner of Best Casual Dining, Saba To Go; Winner of Best Takeaway in Dublin, Winner Healthiest Takeaway in Ireland.
Visit the talented designers at their beautiful studio in picturesque Kinsale to view their stunning range of styles and avail of their expert advice on which is best for you. They have a large selection of fabrics available in a wide variety of colours in Irish wools and tweeds, silks and wool crepes. This is an opportunity to do something really special and have a tailor made in Ireland outfit in exactly the right style, colour, fit and fabric for you. Charlotte and Jane will help you style the outfit with their in house milliner for the perfect look.
e: charlotteandjane@gmail.com | tel: +353 (0) 21 4709855 | facebook: CHARLOTTE AND JANE
One Destination
A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
Save up to 50% by booking online at least one day in advance
www.cliffsofmoher.ie OPEN
February 9am – 5pm March 8am – 7pm Visit in the mornings or evenings for the best rates and the best experience
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Co. Clare, Ireland.
E: info@cliffsofmoher.ie
T: +353 65 7086141 www.cliffsofmoher.ie
Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark
Art Deco and Contemporary Diamond Jewellery
TANKARDSTOWN HOUSE
RELAXED GRANDEUR WARM HOSPITALITY IMPECCABLE SERVICE DELICIOUS CUISINE CORPORATE AND CONFERENCE EVENTS LUXURIOUS GUEST ROOMS SPECIAL OCCASIONS
40 minutes from Dublin in the Boyne Valley, birthplace of Ireland’s Ancient East.
E: INFO@TANKARDSTOWN.IE T: 00 353 (0)41 982 4621 WWW.TANKARDSTOWN.IE
JEWELERS - NEW YORK -
DUNNE & CRESCENZI Valued collection of casual Italian restaurants
SOUTH FREDERICK STREET
Vibrant Italian restaurant & extensive wine bar 14-16 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2 Tel: +353 (1) 677 3815 / +353 (1) 675 9892
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KILDARE VILLAGE
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A workshop of healthy Italian food Kildare Retail Village, Co. Kildare Tel: +353 (0) 45 535 850
www.dunneandcrescenzi.com Proud to be part of the McKenna Top 100 Restaurant Guide M.J. O’Neill, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2. Tel. 01 679 3656. www.oneillspubdublin.com Mon-Thurs: 8.00am-11.30pm / Fri: 8.00am-12.30am / Sat: 8.00am-12.30am / Sun: 8.00am-11.00pm
WE LOVE IT WHEN YOU LOVE IT... Trocadero, has been a bastion of the Dublin Restaurant scene and a by-word for hospitality for over 60 years. The warm welcome and relaxed atmosphere, coupled with excellent service and attention to detail make Trocadero perfect for all occasions. An ideal spot to entertain guests, celebrate with family and gather with friends. FOR RESERVATIONS +00353 677 5545 TROCADEROIRELAND@GMAIL.COM WWW.TROCADERO.IE
Monday – Friday: 5pm until after theatre Saturday: 4pm until after theatre No.4, St. Andrew Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
MARCO PIERRE WHITE STEAKHOUSE & GRILL DAWSON STREET DUBLIN 2
MARCO PIERRE WHITE COURTYARD BAR & GRILL DONNYBROOK DUBLIN 4
www.marcopierrewhite.ie
2w0in1ne7r
Naisc Eitilte Flight Connections
Réamh-Imréitach SAM U.S. Preclearance
Geataí Gates
101-335
Naisc Eitilte Flight Connections
A boarding school for boys aged 12 to 18 years in Ireland • • • • •
A small school of 250 students, with small class sizes (12 to 16) A caring community offering personal pastoral care for your son The highest educational standards in our broad and diverse curriculum Situated in 500 acres of parkland in the heart of Munster 40 minutes from Shannon Airport and two hours from Dublin Airport
Every Day is an Open Day please do come and see for yourself…
Glenstal Abbey School, Murroe, Co. Limerick, Ireland +353 61 621044 admissions@glenstal.com www.glenstal.com
Livets
Spaondr
iFi W e e r F -
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Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 HARDROCK.COM
E R ’ U YO
N O C A ZY! B A Me CR
Fleet Street • Stephen’s Green • Blanchardstown Dundrum • Swords • Liffey Valley