As we know Christmas is a time of gathering with those you love. With Christmas dinner being one of the biggest and most special meals of the year, it is a chance to enjoy a wonderful feast with family and loved ones. To help indulge your appetite for some Christmas comfort food, feast your eyes on some of the Blue Book's Christmas dining options and festive menus.
Ballymaloe House, Co. Cork
Plan your Christmas gathering at Ballymaloe House for the quintessential festive Irish Country House family lunch, corporate get together or party.
Whether you are two or 20-plus, Ballymaloe House will immerse you in a natural Christmas wonderland during the month of December for a festive set menu lunch or dinner.
Arrive to a welcoming hot mulled wine or mulled Ballymaloe apple cider by the fire before moving to the drawing-room, elegantly decorated for the festive season.
Menus include seasonal favourites like Elforstown turkey with wild watercress and fresh parsnips, as well as the less traditional, but equally delicious sounding Moroccan spiced lentil soup.
And make sure to leave room for the decadent selection of desserts available from Ballymaloe's famous dessert trolley.
From: €45 per person for lunch at €65 per person for dinner
Contact Ballymaloe House directly on 021 465 1531 for bookings.
Butler House, Co. Kilkenny
Step back in time this Christmas season at Butler House in Kilkenny city centre. where timeless traditions and the magid of a Christmas Garden will enchant you and your guests. Enjoy a festive lunch or dinner with family and friends with a glass of mulled wine on arrival. Afterwards, finish with a stroll through the Butler House Christmas Garden Experience.
From: €29 per person for 2-course lunch, €39 for a 3-course lunch and €49 for dinner
Private dining options are available for groups of 15 or more.
Contact Butler House directly on 056 772 2828 for bookings.
As a fabulously festive alternative, Afternoon Tea gets a seasonal twist throughout the Christmas period. Enjoy three tiers of sweet and savoury delights, overlooking the beautiful garden at Butler House in one of the most magnificent dining rooms in the city.
Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Co. Galway
Make your Christmas celebrations a personal affair and choose from Glenlo Abbey's fantastic festive dining options. Picture a roaring log fire blazing in the corner as you and your colleagues relax in the elegant surroundings of their lavish reception rooms.
The tinkling sounds of the resident pianist in the background and the chatter of friends, family or colleagues - the perfect start to the festive season.
Decorated lavishly with Christmas trees and garlands, with crackling log fires and the spicy aroma of mulled wine, the scene is set for the most magical of Christmas celebrations.
From: €30 per person for 2-course lunch, €35 per person for 3-course lunch, Festive dinner with a glass of wine from €55 per person.
Contact Glenlo Abbey Hotel directly on 091 519600