CULINARY ACCOMMODATION

Good Food Ireland’s culinary accommodation is as diverse as the food you will find here. When you choose a Good Food Ireland establishment for your stay, you can be assured of a top quality experience in food and relaxation. 

The best of fine dining – wherever you are, whatever you eat

Imagine a night in a coastal guesthouse, with views over the very waters that provide the fish and shellfish you will eat for dinner Smuggler’s Inn Restaurant and Guesthouse. Or sitting on the lawns of a country house which has it’s own walled garden of vegetables and herbs, and knowing your accompaniments to supper will be dug fresh from the earth and cooked to preserve the natural tastes. Try the world famous Ballymaloe House in East Cork. If you choose a five star hotel in Ireland’s capital, top end dining with a cosmopolitan feel is what you can expect. Chefs are highly trained and come loaded with experience in cooking and presenting Ireland’s food in their own styles. The Merrion Hotel is just such a place.  In Ireland’s second city of Cork, five star feasting draws on the wealth of produce this food lover’s region is known for, then marries that with a traditional Irish family welcome at Hayfield Manor in the university sector of the city.

Memories are made of this!

Expect the unexpected. Golden memories are waiting to be created. If high end luxury by the sea is what your after – welcome to The Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, Co Waterford. A family friendly hotel has been on this site for many years. The total rebuild created a starkly modern architecturally beautiful building, perched high on the cliff edge, with panoramic views of the bay beneath.Couple the state of the art architecture with Michelin star dining from top chef Martin Kajuiter and his team, and you have an experience to savour.

In glorious Co.Wicklow, The Brooklodge Hotel and Wells Spa incorporates a culinary accommodation stay in village green surroundings, with mountain views, and fine dining in Ireland's only certified organic restaurant, The Strawberry Tree. This hotel excels in every area, which is why it is our current winner of Culinary Hotel of the Year for 2013.

A stay in a sassy city hotel is something else again. The Merchant Hotel in Belfast dates back to the late 1800’s ,originally built as the Headquarters of Ulster Bank. Here is a destination with character and history in spades. Decadence meets culinary excellence on every level. The Merchant’s famous Afternoon Tea is not to be missed. 

SOURCING LOCALLY

Our secret to success. Sourcing the best and finest local produce lies at the heart of all our approved providers. You may enjoy a smart casual dinner in one of our Country Houses , a high end fine dining experience in a hotel, a welcome coffee and snack on arrival at your Guesthouse, or a great breakfast that will set you up for day in one of our B&B’s. But you can be guaranteed that in each and every case, the food you eat will represent the region you are visiting, and it will be cooked with creativity, passion and total commitment to sourcing local and seasonal produce.  Some of our Approved Providers even grow their own. How local is that? We are creating a jigsaw of establishments and producers that give our country its regional culinary identity. This makes a very beautiful picture of what Ireland offers infood terms. 

Finding the best

All our Culinary Accommodations go the extra mile to make sure you eat the best food of the region. In the north of Ireland, The Hastings group has provenance of ingredients down to a fine art. Hotels include the iconic Europa in Belfast City, the business smart Stormont at Stormont, the regal Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast’s Holywood suberb, chic and family friendly Everglades in Derry, downright quirky and spooky Ballygally Castle in Co. Antrim, and the superlative Slieve Donard beachside resort in Co Down. This may be a group, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get the same old same old in each venue. Personality changes within the range of hotels, as does food style. But in each destination you will learn the provenance of produce to be enjoyed. Just one example of how far our dedicated Approved Providers go to make sure you have the finest things on your plate.

Heritage and Legacy – it’s all part of our package

We all love a bit of culture when we stay in a new place. That could be the family legacy behind a fine country house, the historical structure of a rural retreat, or the architectural grandeur of a top hotel. Our establishments boast the lot and then some!  In the case of Kelly’s Resort Hotel and Spa in Rosslare, Co Wexford, culture comes in the form of a major private art collection. Owned for four generations by the Kelly Family, Bill Kelly is now at the helm. His parents’ love of art led them to start a collection which now rivals any major gallery. A house catalogue gives you the run down. Bedrooms have the arty wow factor also, with original works by many artists inclduded in the decor. Couple art with great food in two restaurants at Kelly's and be certain of a complete cultural break

At The Malton Hotel Killarney, history and legacy goes hand in glove with great food, excellent service and top quality accommodation. The Malton is a gem of a building. This hotel was built on the first main railway line between Killarney and Dublin, established in 1854. Since the hotel was born, it has seen times of peace and times of trouble. The Malton is now restored to the glorious elegance of it’s heady railway days, combining fine accommodation with fresh local food, (some of it grown in the grounds outside).  An new era For the Grand Old Lady of Killarney waits to be discovered.

Drive into the grounds of Cloughjordan House and drive into a little bit of Irish paradise.  This 400 year old country house situated a few moments drive from the village of Cloughjordan, has the genteel feel of an Ireland of old.  Its graceful proportions, manicured lawns and quiet rural setting make for a very restful experience indeed. Behind the tranquil scene which greets all guests on arrival, a pair of  dynamic and extremely passionate people run the show. Make no mistake about that! Sarah and Peter Baker specialise in good food, warm hospitality and friendly service with an Irish family welcome.

A different experience – every time

We do our best at Good Food Ireland to seek out the best accommodation venues in the land. The beautiful destinations we find are totally unique.   Plan a few days away so you can enjoy the diversity we delight in. Fancy a quiet spot off the beaten track, where all you will hear is the sound of birds singing and cows munching on fresh green grass? Try Killiane Castle in the Wexford countryside. Tucked away in the leafy lanes, this 17th Century house is built onto a Norman Tower. The Mernagh family provide comfortable guesthouse accommodation and a homemade breakfast to feast on - plus the attractions of the historical tower and tour of the working farm. 

Gleeson’s Townhouse in Rosscommon Town lies in the heart of a busy market town. Eamon and Mary Gleeson restored their beautiful 19th century home to comforting bed and breakfast accommodation. This house may be from a bygone age, but it’s characterful bedrooms and suites are up to the minute in facilities. Breakfast and dinner is taken in the Manse restaurant at the townhouse. 

Good boutique hotels are hard to come by. Brooks Hotel in Dublin ticks all the right boxes. Here you will find smart chic rooms, a modern but very cosy lounge for morning coffee or a well earned night cap, and a restaurant serving sumptuous breakfast and dinner. Style and good food are well married and living happily ever after.-  a short stroll from all the shops of Grafton Street and the city sights. 

Your leisure – Our Pleasure

Leisure time is treasure time and we know that only too well. That’s why we are proud of our Leisure offerings. If you choose to swing a club – you won’t do better than the K Club in Kildare. Home to the Ryder Cup in 2006, this place is any golfer’s dream destination. Five star opulence, impeccable service, sumptuous bedrooms, magnificent gardens, and of course top class a la carte dining are the norm. 

Co Mayo on Ireland’s west coast is an amazing spot to unwind. Mount Falcon Hotel and it’s peaceful surroundings allows you to relax to the max. A stroll through the grounds, wonderful food in The Kitchen Restaurant and delightful well restored bedrooms in the castle all make for a tranquil stay. Add to that the world class Elemis Spa and you are guaranteed to leave here feeling totally pampered and chilled out!

Fishing is a popular pastime. Ballyvolane House in Co Cork is a villa with luxurious bedrooms and a walled garden providing produce for the kitchens. The River Blackwater provides extensive salmon fishing in season. Ballyvolane’s private fly fishing beats are some of the best on the river, covering a forty mile stretch of water. The quiet lakes in the grounds of the house provide year round fly-fishing for trout.  For more adventurous fisherman – a sea trip on the Atlantic off Co. Kerry, organised by the funky people at QC’s Townhouse and Seafood restaurant in Caherciveen, really hits the spot. The rugged coastline looks all the better from the water. Hunting enthusiasts will love QC’s organised shoots in the Kerry countryside. After a day of outdoor pursuits, a superb supper of fresh fish in the restaurant and the comfort of a chic bedroom in the Townhouse beckons.