Our top picks for truly exclusive venues in a grand country houses for special birthdays, family reunions or simply parties with friends.
1. Coopershill Country House, Co Sligo
An 18th century Grand Irish Country Mansion in immaculate condition, set in 500 acres of beautiful Co. Sligo and exclusively for your use - how does that sound? Have your very own fully catered private house party for friends and family at Coopershill. Cosy elegance abounds with four-poster beds, candlelit dinners and open log fires, while snooker, tennis and croquet on the property and clay pigeon shooting, golf, seaweed baths and massage just around the corner ensure there's never a dull moment. From November through March you can have Coopershill Country House for your exclusive use at their special House Party rate, including 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 full Irish breakfasts, 2 four-course dinners in the stunning dining room, afternoon tea, and cake & scones.
Sleeps: 8 – 12 people (8 bedrooms)
For more information, contact Coopershill directly on +353 (0)71 916 5108, or email ohara@coopershill.com
2. Longueville House, Co. Cork
Longueville House is perfectly equipped for those who seek privacy, regularly catering to celebrities, diplomatic political figures, special interest groups and heads of State with ease and little notice. The home and grounds of Longueville (over 500 acres of wooded estate) may be booked for exclusive hire for as long as you wish. Only a 50-minute drive from Cork airport, a three hour drive from Dublin airport and 10 minute drive from the national railway service, Longueville House Hotel is a highly valued and desired rental property. All 20 bedrooms, restaurant, and public areas may be booked out privately to parties. Having exclusive use of Longueville guarantees much more intimacy, flexibility and the full undivided attention of their dedicated and professional staff. Beautifully maintained over many years and generously proportioned, it’s sumptuous, inviting and lived-in. The atmosphere of Longueville will content the sophisticated patron without dismissing its endearingly rural nature.
Sleep 42 people (20 bedrooms)
For more information, contact Longueville House directly on +353 (0)22 47156, or email info@longueville.ie
3. Enniscoe House, Co. Mayo
Make the house exclusively yours for that special birthday, anniversary, or family get-together. The house is just the right size for a private event. There are two gracious reception rooms, a dining room that seats up to 30 people, and six attractive bedrooms. For a larger party the three courtyard houses add eight further bedrooms.
While staying at Enniscoe, why not take part in some of the activities they offer, walk the looped walks and have a coffee or a light lunch in the Heritage Centre, spend a day fishing for brown trout on Lough Conn, take a picnic to Castle Island, visit Errew Abbey by boat, learn the art of blacksmithing, or take a course in organic vegetable growing? If you have Mayo ancestors, you might like to have research carried out by the resident genealogist in the Heritage Centre or browse through the library of historical books relating to Mayo.
For a more energetic activity, you might want to learn Irish dancing in the Courtyard Hall, home to the Moffatt School of Irish Dancing, or just enjoy an open evening being entertained by the school (every Wednesday night throughout the months of July and August).
6 bedrooms in main house/ 8 bedrooms in courtyard cottages.
For more information, contact Enniscoe House directly on +353 (0)96 31112, or email mail@enniscoe.com
4. Liss Ard Estate, Co. Cork
House Parties at Liss Ard are perfect for families and friends to celebrate a special occasion. Maybe it’s a family reunion, an anniversary or a major birthday. Or perhaps it’s simply a way for a group of friends to escape reality and let their hair down for a few days. Whatever your reason for a Liss Ard House Party, just make sure it’s to have some fun! Liss Ard Estate was built to entertain and is at its very best when doing so.
Casual or Black Tie – the choice is entirely up to you. Make your party as informal or grand as you like – you’ll have the Country House and Garden Mews or the Lake Lodge (or all!) to yourselves. Tasty food with great wines to match are served while you enjoy your party! After dinner, chill out, sing, dance, play games - whatever you prefer.
25 Bedrooms/Suites
For more information please contact Liss Ard directly on +353(0)28 40000 or email events@lissard.com for an individual tailor-made quotation to suit your party’s needs.
5. Virginia Park Lodge, Co. Cavan
Make Virginia Park Lodge exclusively yours for an intimate house party with family and friends, be it for an anniversary, birthday, family reunion or just a good old-fashioned party. The team at Virgina Park are happy to design bespoke menus, compiled using only the finest natural produce and a true reflection of Richard Corrigan’s passion for wild, flavour-rich, unpretentious cooking
23 Lodge Rooms and 12 Woodland Huts
For more information please contact Virginia Park Lodge on +353(0)49 854 6100 or email info@virginiaparklodge.com
6. Dunowen House, Co Cork
As the former home of Noel Redding, bass guitarist with the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Dunowen House is a truly unique escape. A luxury 18th-century property on the Wild Atlantic Way, just ten minutes from vibrant Clonakilty town, Dunowen \House is set in a stunning coastal headland location, the property surrounded by private coves and unspoilt sandy beaches.
Dunowen offers guests the chance to totally switch off and experience West Cork at its best. As a private rental property, when you book Dunowen House it is yours exclusively. This makes it perfect for family get-togethers, vacations with friends, bespoke celebrations, intimate weddings and small events. It offers the comforts of a luxury small hotel with the privacy of a historic country estate - all to yourself.
6 bedroom suites with the option of renting Orchard Cottage on the grounds which has an additional 3 bedrooms.
For more information, please contact Dunowen House on +353 23 886 9099 or email info@dunowenhouse.ie
7. Glin Castle, Co. Limerick
Glin Castle is situated on the banks of the River Shannon in Glin, Co. Limerick – the gateway to Southwest Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way. The castle looks majestic in its riverside setting as you approach and the gardens are alive with colour, no matter the season. There are extensive gardens with 15 acres of pleasure grounds surrounded by formal lawns, a picturesque stream, meadow, winding gravel walks and ancient oak trees. The walled kitchen garden is full of charm, with romantic borders, rose arches and a vegetable and herb plot or, if you prefer a more active option, there is a strenuous 5-kilometre walk known as ‘The Knight’s Walk’. After a stroll in the wonderful 400 acre wooded demesne on the banks of the Shannon, the sitting room with a crackling wood fire makes an ideal cosy gathering place for drinks before dinner.
Private hire of Glin Castle for our long weekend package is quoted on the basis of exclusive rental of all 15 en suite bedrooms to accommodate a maximum of 30 guests with light breakfast included each morning and daily housekeeping.
For more information, please contact Glin Castle directly at +353 87 442 6140 or email enquiries@glin-castle.com
8. The Wicklow Escape, Co. Wicklow
Enjoy a gathering with your favourite foodie friends, colleagues and family. Choose from self-catering, or add on breakfast, half and full board and let our chefs weave their culinary magic. There is plenty of space indoors and on our grounds for wining and dining, hiking, soaking in the hot tub, and many of Ireland’s ancient east’s local attractions.
The Wicklow Escape mountain lodge and grounds are available for private rental for groups of up to 18-22.
For more information, please contact The Wicklow Escape directly at +353 83 375 4372 or email reservations@thewicklowescape.com
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