Heavenly Ireland

Dream Escape talks to Barry O'Callaghan about CLIFF, his collection of stunning five-star properties that showcase the very best of this captivating country.

Ireland is widely celebrated for its abundant natural beauty, from its rolling hills and lush green countryside to its rugged cliffs and miles of stunning coastline. Add to this its rich culture, fascinating history and the warmth of Irish hospitality, and it is a truly enchanting destination. CLIFF is a collection of stunning five-star properties that showcase the very best that this magical country has to offer, with owner Barry O'Callaghan’s palpable love for Ireland evident within each one.

Located on the south coast, the contemporary, cutting-edge Cliff House Hotel hangs over the ocean in the historic fishing village of Ardmore. With its soft sand beaches, ancient relics and pretty thatched cottages, it is an exceptionally attractive area that exudes authentic Irish charm. Dream Escape's Travel Design team arrange stays at the stunning, 39-room boutique seaside property, which has been a part of Barry’s life long before he bought it.

“I spent all my formative teenage years in Ardmore, a place that I fell in love with and still love to this day,” he explains.

“When I was growing up, there was a charming country hotel called The Cliff on the site where our hotel now stands. Back then, it was a little two- or three-star property where grannies had their afternoon teas and fishermen came in the evening for a well-earned pint overlooking the pier. In fact, most of us trying to procure our first pint probably went there too!” he laughs.

Cliff House Hotel Terrace Suite

Reception Room

Swimming Pool

Having fallen in love with Ardmore at a young age and already being familiar with the hotel there all his life, when the previous property fell into disrepair and got stuck in a probate dispute, Barry eventually stepped in.

“I broke all the business rules that you’re told, like don’t let emotion override business, etcetera. It was derelict, and I am not sure that I had a particular plan to open a hotel, but I think what immediately charmed me was the locals. Everybody got on board,” Barry explains.

“To this day, I like to think that the charm of the hotel is that it’s not just a gated, elitist, beautiful building. It’s part of the community.”

Barry, who is regarded as one of Ireland's finest visionary minds in the world of education, opened Cliff House Hotel on 18 April 2008, the day that would have been his late father’s 80th birthday. Today, it is considered one of the finest small luxury hotels in Ireland. Located an hour from the cities of Cork and Waterford, the luxury property is carved into a cliff on the south side of Ardmore Bay. From sun-drenched terraces and with full sea views from every sleek bedroom and suite, guests can admire golden sands, yachts and lobster pots, as well as the occasional dolphin or whale. Activities on-site or nearby include horse riding, sea swimming, boating, water sports, fishing, cycling, golf, foraging, wildlife watching, art sessions and more, as well as relaxing in the hotel’s stunning, state-of-the-art spa, which has an indoor infinity pool and a choice of treatments that use all-natural products made with predominantly Irish ingredients. The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, House, also uses outstanding produce from the local area and attracts foodies from across the world.

Cliff House Hotel and beach

I broke all the business rules that you’re told, like don’t let emotion override business, etcetera. It was derelict, and I am not sure that I had a particular plan to open a hotel, but I think what immediately charmed me was the locals. Everybody got on board...

“We were lucky enough to get a Michelin star in our second year of operating, but we wanted to counterbalance it in our Bar restaurant with more traditional Irish things like chowder and pints of Guinness. We’ve tried to make the hotel a real blend,” Barry explains.

Similarly, while the hotel provides all the luxurious comforts and stylish interiors that one would expect from a modern five-star property, when designing the hotel Barry was also keen to incorporate some of the area’s fascinating heritage, which guests can learn more about on a stunning cliff walk with a local historian.

“Saint Patrick might have got all the fame and glory but his predecessor, Saint Declán, actually landed in the bay of Ardmore. So there’s a 4th-century Christian settlement right beside the hotel,” Barry explains.

“We’ve tried to reflect that in what was a contemporary build. It’s full of glass, and we’ve tried to infuse it with heart and soul.”

Perched just above Cliff House Hotel is Barry’s latest addition, Cliff Beach House; a new, architect-designed property with six beautiful bedrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. Dream Escape arrange exclusive use of this stunning modern villa, which is ideally suited to groups of friends or multigenerational families.

Cliff Beach House lounge

“It probably has the single best location in the whole village of Ardmore in terms of panoramic views and vista,” Barry explains.

“And again, we’ve tried to infuse a bit of heritage into it. It has all the 21st-century amenities – a private gym, a cinema, a hot tub, and a beautiful Yamaha piano, but it’s also got a private vinyl collection of Irish music and some wonderful Irish literature.”

For further cultural immersion, Dream Escape organise various fascinating experiences within the local area and beyond, including a trip on a private luxury cruiser to Hook Lighthouse, the oldest operational lighthouse in the world, and a visit to the legendary Lismore Castle, with a private tour of its spectacular gardens. Other bespoke activities include nature and wildlife adventures, cooking classes and more, enabling guests to experience their surroundings in authentic and memorable ways.

Just a 30-minute drive from Dublin in rural Kildare, Cliff at Lyons is another exceptional property in the CLIFF portfolio that is steeped in history. Occupying an unusual collection of historic rose-clad buildings, including a mill and former dovecote, this lovingly restored 18th-century village is today a modern country retreat with a focus on wellness and gastronomy.

It offers 22 beautiful bedrooms and suites, an award-winning spa, extensive kitchen gardens and direct access to picturesque canals and towpaths for activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, walking, cycling and private barge trips. It is also home to beehives, a bakery and three restaurants, including the two-Michelin-starred AIMSIR, which celebrates the very best of Irish produce.

“To me, the properties are a perfect yin and yang. Cliff House Hotel is a modern building overlooking the Atlantic, whereas Cliff at Lyons is this restored, but very old artisan village,” Barry explains. “They are totally different, and yet enjoy a lot of those same unique characteristics and features.”

What is evident in each of Barry’s luxurious and distinctive properties is their sense of place; each one reflects the history, community and culture that it is part of, while simultaneously offering contemporary design and an exceptional level of comfort.

Cliff at Lyons Relaxation Room

The Well in the Garden of Cliff at Lyons 'Peat for the Feet' Signature Treatment

Three-bedroom cottage

Cliff House Hotel

“We’re not trying to build something on a big scale, we want to create bespoke offerings that are really unique,” explains Barry.

“Ultimately, you’ve got to be true to whatever your mission statement is. You need to know exactly what you’re trying to do, and do it with honestly, integrity and longevity.”

Bedroom

Find out more

Listen to this and more from our podcast series: ‘Chatting with Holly’ Holly and the team pride themselves on the personal relationships and connections that they have with the owners of a variety of exceptional private properties and experiences in the UK and Ireland. These podcasts will give you an inside glimpse into some of these wonderful connections, many of whom are personal friends, as they talk candidly to Holly about their special properties and experiences.

For more information about this exceptional coastal experience, get in touch with Lesley and the Travel Design Team on enquiries@dreamescape.co.uk ⬩