In Dublin’s Fair City.
By Mona Turner, May 2024.
Dublin is well know for Guinness, folk music, rugby, and a night out in Temple Bar. But during my recent visit to attend the Virtuoso travel conference, I was pleased to discover another side to the city: elegant Georgian architecture; fine art galleries, concert halls and museums; a fashionable food scene; and some truly luxurious hotels. Dublin is today a confident, vibrant, friendly city and a top class destination.
A guided walking tour will explain the history of the city and take in the main sights, including Trinity College, where the beautiful library houses the ancient Book of Kells, and Dublin Castle where the ornate State Apartments originally designed for British royalty are now used for Presidential inaugurations and state banquets.
Thirty minutes outside the city, set within the lush green fields of County Kildare, is the wonderfully elegant Carton House, once the seat of the Fitz-Gerald family, Dukes of Leinster. Designed by renowned architect Richard Castles in 1739, it was built at a cost of £26,000. The house remained in the control of the FitzGeralds until the 1920’s when it was forfeited to pay off gambling debts.
Following a multi-million Euro renovation and restoration, Carton House reopened in 2021 as a luxury resort managed by Fairmont Hotels. In addition to the 18 guest rooms in the old manor house, there are 151 rooms is a smart modern wing, with a spa and gym. The landscaped gardens hold two championship golf courses.
The old house continues to be the focus of the hotel, where guests can enjoy comfortable lounges, dinner in the lavishly decorated dining rooms and a glass of whiskey in the library. The open plan kitchen is a great place for a casual lunch. Try their speciality – a seafood open sandwich served on Guinness treacle bread.
