Two new additions to Ireland's Blue Book including one Munster hotel
The 'exceptional' To Blue Book Has Ireland's New List Additions
Two hotels have been added to Ireland’s Blue Book, the prestigious collection of must-visit hotels across the country.
The Blue Book portfolio includes the likes of country house hotels, manor houses, castles and restaurants of exceptional quality around Ireland, with recognisable names such as Ballymaloe House, Mount Juliet Estate and Castle Leslie Estate among them.
It comes following the annual meeting of Ireland’s Blue Book and brings the total number of establishments to 64.
The new “exceptional” additions to the list have today been named as Dromoland Castle in Co Clare and The Station House Hotel in Co Meath.
The Munster castle dates back to the 16th century and is surrounded by 500 acres of woodlands.
Once the ancestral home of the O’Brien’s – all the way back to Brian Boru himself – Dromoland Castle is one of the most recognized luxury resorts in the country.
Old meets new in the hotel, which has walled gardens and forest walks, as well as golf, yoga, archery, falconry and forest bathing.
Dromoland Castle is the fifth castle to be added to Ireland’s Blue Book.
Managing director of the hotel, Mark Nolan, said: “It is an honour to join the carefully curated portfolio of prestigious properties that make up Ireland’s Blue Book. The collection represents the true essence of Irish hospitality – something that our warm and welcoming team at Dromoland Castle has become synonymous with.
“We are proud to be a member of an association with such a stellar reputation and look forward to the Blue Book community having an opportunity to experience all that Dromoland Castle has to offer.” The Station House Hotel is nestled between Ireland’s East and the Boyne Valley, while also being just 40km from Dublin city centre.
It was originally established as a railway junction in 1862, before it was acquired by the Slattery family in 1981. In three years, they had opened the Signal restaurant and the hotel.
Nowadays, the hotel boasts the charm of a family-oriented boutique establishment, with 12 acres of gardens and woodlands around it.
As an ode to the history of the property, the Station House Hotel’s signal box, which would have been used by the station master to direct trains on to various lines, is now a suite. The bedroom has maintained some of the original features, such as a staircase from the Midland Great Western Company.
Suzanne Mullen, the hotel’s director, said: “We are absolutely delighted to enter Ireland’s Blue Book collection this year and are very excited to extend this offering to our customers, both existing and new. Ireland’s Blue Book is the perfect fit for The Station House with our history as a former railway junction, and our 40 years as one of Ireland’s most loved destinations with true Irish hospitality at its heart.”
Commenting on the new additions, CEO of Ireland’s Blue Book, Michelle Maguire, said: “We are thrilled to expand the collection. With the introduction of these two new additions, I am so excited for our customers to enjoy what makes both these, very different properties, so special.
“Both of these new additions bring something unique to the collection. Dromoland Castle is renowned for its exceptional hospitality and stunning location, while The Station House offers a charming, family-run hotel set in a beautiful countryside setting.”