Known as the “Marble City” due to the prevalence of local marble in its buildings, Kilkenny is in Ireland’s “Ancient East”. Home to medieval monuments and a 12th-century castle, top sights in the city include Dunmore Caves, the Medieval Mile, Rothe House, Smithwicks Brewery, the Design Centre, Kilkenny Art Gallery, Jerpoint Abbey and Kells Priory. Visitors can also watch some hurling — a sport integral to the culture here — or try a spot of paddle boarding on the picturesque Nore river. And as the city is under an hour from Dublin, it makes for an ideal extension to your trip to the capital.
Mount Juliet Estate, Autograph Collection
This Georgian manor house accommodates 22 bedrooms and overlooks the river. Built by the first Earl of Carrick and named after his wife, Lady Julianna Butler, Mount Juliet has gathered two and a half centuries of history since. Its Lady Helen restaurant is Michelin-starred; dishes by Head Chef John Kelly are crafted using locally sourced ingredients and enjoyed with a backdrop of rolling pastoral views. There’s a cinema featuring a velvet, marble and brass interior, a 15-metre swimming pool, tennis courts and equestrian facilities. Golf is also a major draw of the estate, with an academy and a Jack Nicklaus signature-designed course set across 180 acres of majestic parkland.