The Five-Star Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny has created the Autumn Daze package (for those seeking a bit of luxury and pampering this autumn (Midweek from €185pps sharing). This seasonal offer includes two nights bed and breakfast and a three course Table d’hote dinner on one evening in either the 2 AA Rosette accredited Yew Restaurant or in The Grill & Bar Restaurant. The Autumn Daze package also includes cream tea on one afternoon of your choosing.

Lyrath Estate is set on 170 acres of mature parkland yet is just five minutes from Kilkenny city centre.  This stunning hotel is surrounded by wonderful private walkways which are lined by mature trees.  Autumn brings a riot of colour to this beautiful estate as great oaks, beech and silver birch trees cover the grounds, arms outstretched creating walkways of gold, silver and flaming red under their boughs.  Guests can lose themselves in nature here and can explore the vast estate on foot or can avail of complimentary use of bicycles to tour around.

Kilkenny city will satisfy even the most ‘culturally curious’ with lots of interesting places to visit including Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice’s Cathedral which was built between 1202 and 1285. Tours of Kilkenny Castle are available all year round and offer visitors a remarkable insight into what life might have been like for those first residents who built the castle some 800 years ago.

If you do not feel like moving outside the door of the hotel, then fear not there are lots of lovely experiences to enjoy at Lyrath Estate!  You could opt for a pampering treat at the multi award-winning Oasis Spa. The thermal suite in the spa includes several heating and cooling experiences including a stunning outdoor hydrotherapy pool which looks over the mature, private gardens. Or perhaps you might prefer to work out in the gym or enjoy a leisurely swim in the health club?  There is also a 22-seater private cinema, playground, outdoor covered and heated BBQ area, expansive conference centre, several meeting rooms, and a walled garden.

Extensive dining options for guests to choose from include Tupper’s Bar, The Conservatory, The Grill & Bar and the 2 AA Rosette, Yew Restaurant. For more information see www.lyrath.com or call 00353 (0) 56 7760088.

 

About Lyrath:

The Five-Star Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny (Ireland) is located just five minutes from the heart of Kilkenny city, and is set on over 170 acres of mature parkland, the estate enjoys a peaceful, rural setting yet is in easy reach of the famous medieval city with its many shops, historic castle and cultural attractions. 

Many of the 139 spacious bedrooms have views across the mature parkland with its ancient oak trees, leafy glades, hidden walking trails and glistening lakes.  If you are looking for a spacious retreat Lyrath Estate has many bedrooms with large outdoor terraces or balconies which provide guests with a connection with the outdoors.

The property offers all the charm of an old world, country estate combined with the very best in contemporary facilities and luxuries.  The hotel itself has been built around an elegant 17th century house which has been returned to its former glory through sympathetic preservation and now features lots of the original features and furniture. The drama of the old house and the clean, contemporary design of the new hotel are blended seamlessly. The estate was recently purchased, and a €5 million renovation programme was completed in the summer of 2018.

Facilities include a 17-metre swimming pool, gym, sauna, jacuzzi and fitness centre. There is also a 22-seater private cinema, playground, outdoor covered and heated BBQ area, expansive conference centre, several meeting rooms, and a walled garden.  The Oasis Spa incorporates several treatment rooms, offering face and body treatments for both men and women.  The thermal suite in the spa includes several heating and cooling experiences including a stunning outdoor hydrotherapy pool which looks out on to the mature, private gardens. The estate is also a popular destination for weddings and can host both intimate or large weddings and civil ceremonies.

There are several dining outlets on the estate including the main hotel restaurant, Yew Restaurant which serves Mediterranean and classical cuisine with a modern twist, The Grill and Bar and Tupper’s Bar, a traditional pub and a private wine cellar, located via a secret stairwell underneath the main hotel restaurant.  The Atrium serves delicious afternoon tea while The Conservatory is a beautiful light filled space which serves lunch and food throughout the day. Al fresco dining is offered on the terrace, overlooking Lady Charlotte’s Garden, the formal garden once beloved of a previous resident of Lyrath, Lady Charlotte Isabel Wheeler-Cuffe.  Lady Charlotte was an amateur botanical artist, plant collector and avid gardener and spent many years collecting plants and flowers from all over the world. Her botanical collection still blooms at Lyrath today.  Guests may also enjoy private dining on their own balconies and terraces with other outdoor dining options including the BBQ Pavilion beside the Walled Garden and the pretty picnic spots by the lakes.

The original Manor House at Lyrath Estate is considered to be the most important surviving country house designed by John McCurdy.   It was reconstructed by Sir Charles Wheeler- Cuffe in the 17th century to appease his prospective father in law, Lord Stuart de Decies who felt that it was not grand enough for his daughter, Pauline and would not permit her to marry Wheeler Cuffe until the house was deemed impressive enough.  The house has since been sympathetically restored to its former glory and all the rooms retain their original wallpaper. The house is also home to a most impressive collection of contemporary Irish art.  Old world charm sits in perfect harmony with the contemporary new wing and the link with the old and new is both stylish and tasteful. 

Attention to detail is also key throughout the estate, from five-star service, indulgent pampering treats, exciting on-site outdoor pursuits and activities to sumptuous food and wine tastings and regular talks and demonstrations for residents on cookery, skin care and wellbeing. Outside, ancient trees stretch their arms overhead, bathing the private, secret nature trails in shades of leafy green.  Guests are encouraged to explore on one of the complimentary bicycles  and to scan the verdant pathways for signs of wildlife, a feather, a little paw print or a tell-tale trail in the grass that says, ‘the fox was here’…

Lyrath Estate is home to lots of wildlife including foxes, bats, badgers, rabbits, hares, and many native birds of prey. The latest additions to the estate are two baby twin owls, ‘Diesel’ and ‘Turbo’ who are very much at home in the quiet countryside setting and who make regular appearances with the Lyrath resident falconry expert.  The lake and its waterfalls are picture perfect and are a favourite picnic spot for families, just ask chef to prepare your favourite sandwiches and head out and explore the estate.

Hard to believe it then that despite all the nature that surrounds this stunning five-star hotel it is just 1.2 kms from the centre of Kilkenny city. ‘The Marble City’ itself is rich in cultural spots and if you have not been there for a while it is time to explore again!  From medieval buildings, a romantic castle, to beer tasting at the Smithwick’s Experience (home of Ireland’s oldest beer) Kilkenny has plenty to offer for a curious family or couple.  To book your great five-star Kilkenny Escape now log on to www.lyrath.com or call   (056) 7760088.