September 25, 2007

Europe | Ireland | Dublin

Peace Out in the Emerald Isle

By Buzzy Gordon

A castle-hotel favored by rock royalty pimps up its private club.

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The Irish are not exactly beating swords into plowshares these days, but how about guns into golf clubs? Since British troops pulled out of Northern Ireland in July following the peace accord ending The Troubles, tourism is rebounding in the Irish countryside along the formerly unsettled border with Belfast. At Castle Leslie — whose chapel was the site of the ill-fated McCartney-Mills nuptials — you can stay in the newly refurbished private members’ club, whose 20 unique guestrooms are decorated with antiques and Victorian heirlooms. The famed County Monaghan estate — just 70 miles from Belfast, or 90 miles from Dublin — has also converted its Hunting Lodge into a luxe hotel with an organic spa and an equestrian center. And if you want to mix your riding with your dining, the Castle’s cooking school — which opened last year — now touts a special “Equi-chef” package just for that purpose. In neighboring County Cavan, the Radisson SAS Farnham Estate is also drawing the gastronomes — who can peer right into the kitchen at the hotel’s Botanica Restaurant. Already home to the country’s largest health spa, the historic manor is now readying its championship golf course for a mid-2008 opening, in addition to building vacation “townhomes” on the grounds. But if you’re in the mood for a dwelling less grand, might we suggest you check out one of the area’s traditional crannogs.