If you’re looking for a luxurious place to stay in Ireland, you’re sure to love Dunbrody House. This historic hotel dates from the 1830s and has been lovingly restored. Its one of the jewels in the crown of Ireland’s Blue Book, the definitive collection of Irish country house hotels and restaurants.
Dunbrody House, County Wexford
Dunbrody House is located on the scenic Hook Peninsula in the seaside village of Arhurstown County Wexford. It is known for its 300 acres of beautiful grounds and great food.
Dunbrody Country House is also within easy reach of Tintern Abbey, Waterford Crystal and many other great attractions. The handsome Georgian manor house is owned by Catherine and Kevin Dundon.
Kevin is a well known TV chef who has appeared on The Afternoon Show on RTÉ One, The Saturday Early Show on CBS and BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen. He has cooked for Queen Elizabeth II and former President George Bush.
Dunbrody Country House is a proud member of Ireland’s Blue Book, which brings together the most luxurious Irish boutique hotels and restaurants. There are over 50 castles, hotels and restaurants selected for their charm and customer service.
Let’s take a tour of this lovely property…
Facilities at Dunbrody House
One of the highlights of Dunbrody House is the amount of cosy reception areas. There’s a lounge decorated with vibrant red sofas, the adjacent Dundons Seafood Champagne Bar, a comfy library and also the main lobby with its chandelier and log fire.
Accommodation
The rooms and suites at this Irish country hotel each have their own unique style. They all have complimentary Nespresso coffee making facilities, fresh fruit and water as well as free Wi-Fi.
There are also fluffy towelling robes and slippers as well as Damana toiletries in the spacious marble bathrooms. You’re guaranteed a great night’s sleep thanks to the orthopedic mattresses with duck down toppers. Guests can also choose between duck and down or non-allergenic pillows.
Our Suite had a charming living room with a chaise longue and views of the parkland from every window. Another popular accommodation option is The Lodge at Dunbrody.
This former Steward’s House is located in the grounds of the hotel and has its own separate entrance. The Cosy Cabin also has its own entrance and three bedrooms set in tranquil woodland.
Dining at Dunbrody Country House Hotel
As you’d probably guessed, the food at Dunbrody House is particularly good. Head Chef Tom Spruce blends traditional Irish specialties and contemporary touches to great effect. There’s a strong focus on healthy and local cooking with herbs from the kitchen garden being frequently used.
Something that is rather unique to Dunbrody is the opportunity for guests to watch Irish bread being made early in the morning in the kitchen. Follow this with a hearty Irish breakfast in the dining room, with an impressive buffet of cereal, pastries, cold meats and cheeses. Breakfast is served until noon so you can enjoy it in a leisurely fashion.
Harvest Room Restaurant
Dunbrody House has several great eateries including the fine dining Harvest Room Restaurant. With elegant velvet seating and a lovely location overlooking the hotel grounds, it’s a very welcoming space. A perfect setting for afternoon tea, it takes on a different atmosphere in the evenings, with candles casting a gentle glow.
The menus change to reflect the seasons but we particularly enjoyed the Kilmore Quay scallops and cauliflower purée with toasted hazlenuts, the roasted hake with herb crust, the slow-cooked local lamb rump and the Dunbrody chocolate fondant with praline ice cream.
Dundon’s Champagne Seafood Bar
For a casual yet stylish ambiance, Dundon’s Champagne Seafood Bar is another great choice. Open from 2-10 pm daily, it specializes in local seafood served in the bar or on the sunny terrace. There’s a wide range of champagne, wine and cocktails.
We tried the mussels, which were cooked in a wonderful saffron and tomato broth. A selection of beef sliders with tomato chutney and chips were also very tasty, and the quality of the meat was very apparent.
The Local
There aren’t many hotels that can boast their own pub in the grounds and Dunbrody House is fortunate to be one of them. Situated in an attractive former stables, the Local is equally popular with hotel guests and people living nearby.
The atmosphere is very cosy, with vintage memorabilia decorating the walls. There are two terraces for when the weather is good. The food menu includes pub classics such as beer battered fish and chips and stone oven baked pizzas.
To drink, there are Irish craft beers brewed on site by the Arthurstown Brewing Co., as well as wine, soft drinks and Irish whisky. For those who aren’t staying at the hotel, a complimentary Safe-Home shuttle bus takes visitors back to Arthurstown, Ballyhack, Duncannon and Ramsgrange. The pub hosts live music every Friday and Saturday night, and jazz brunches on Sundays.
Dunbrody House Cookery School
Dunbrody Cookery School is one of the top places to learn cooking in Ireland. They run lots of different courses, from Christmas Entertaining to One Pot Wonders, Dunbrody Signature Dishes and Asian Cuisine.
Chef Julien Clemot teaches you how to rustle up meals using fresh Irish ingredients. It’s possible to book a course on its own or as part of a hotel package.
For further foodie inspiration, copies of Kevin’s Modern Irish Food cookbook can be purchased from hotel reception.
Dunbrody House Spa
The spa at Dunbrody House is located just opposite the hotel in a picturesque stone building. The design is Asian inspired, with a stylish Serail mud and steam room, a relaxation area and several comfortable treatment rooms.
From Hot Stone Therapy to the Intensive Muscle Release Full Body Massage and the Speciality Eye Contour Wrap , there’s a great selection of Aromatherapy Associates treatments. Guests also have the opportunity of ordering sweet culinary treats that Kevin has specifically designed to accompany your spa session.
Dunbrody House Grounds
The hotel grounds at Dunbrody House are beautifully landscaped. There’s a spacious terrace with a fountain at the rear of the hotel.
It’s the perfect spot for a drink in Summertime. Another scenic spot is the carved tree seat featuring a mythical character on one side and a stork on the other side.
The stork is the emblem of Dunbrody House and you’ll find examples dotted around the hotel. You can also take a walk through the woods to a nearby field where you’ll see cows grazing and the sea beyond.
Things to Do In County Wexford
County Wexford is known for its scenic coastline and wide variety of tourist attractions. Part of Ireland’s Ancient East, the area has many historical sights from Viking times onward.
- The Viking Triangle and Waterford Crystal – this cultural heritage quarter is home to several museums and an art gallery. The House of Waterford Crystal offers behind the scenes tours revealing how the crystal is made, from mould making to blowing, quality inspection, finishing, cutting, sculpting and engraving. It’s easy to reach from Dunbrody House via the Passage East car ferry.
- The Kennedy Homestead – visit the place where Patrick Kennedy, John F Kennedy’s great grandfather, was born. The farm and museum in New Ross is still run by his descendants.
- The Irish National Heritage Park – spread over 35 acres, the park in Ferrycarrig features reconstructions of buildings from the Mesolithic period to the Viking era.
- JFK Memorial – this statue created by Ann Meldon Hugh commemorates the visit by the late John F Kennedy to New Ross. It was unveiled by Jean Kennedy Smith, the late President’s sister in 2008.
- Dunbrody Famine Ship and the Emigrant Flame – a magnificent replica of the ship that carried passengers from Ireland to North America in the 1840s, together with a permanently lit memorial to all emigrants worldwide.
- John F. Kennedy Arboretum – over 4,500 trees and shrubs spread across 252 hectares, with a visitor centre and playground.
- Tintern Abbey – this Cistercian abbey was founded by William Marshal in 1200. Partially in ruins, it’s an atmospheric sight that is popular for its walking trails. Colclough Walled garden is just behind Tintern Abbey and also worth a visit.
- Loftus Hall – considered to be one of the most haunted houses in Ireland, Loftus Hall opens its doors to brave visitors during the Summer season and at Halloween.
- Hook Head Lighthouse – explore one of the world’s oldest intact operating lighthouses. Dating from 1172, it has 115 steps inside. Hook Peninsula is thought to be the origin of the phrase, by hook or by crook. Oliver Cromwell declared that he would capture Waterford by Hook (located on the Wexford side of the estuary) or by Crooke (situated on the Waterford side).
How to Get to Dunbrody House
- By Air – fly to Dublin, Cork or Shannon Airport.
- By Road – It’s a 2 hours from Dublin centre – follow the signs for the N11. It’s also 2 hours from Cork and just 1 hour from Kilkenny.
- By Sea – Rosslare Europort car ferry is just 15 minutes away from Wexford Town.
- By Train – take a train to Wexford or Waterford and then a cab to Dunbrody House.
One of our favourite Irish country hotels, Dunbrody House will appeal to those who love great food, cosy yet stylish interiors and friendly staff. It’s a real home from home that you’ll want to return to time and time again.
You might also enjoy:
- Ireland’s Blue Book
- Fun Things to Do in Clare
- Gregans Castle Review
- West Ireland in Big Photos
- 48 Hours in Dublin
Read all our Ireland travel features here.
Pin for later or share with friends if you’ve found this interesting.
Looking for more travel hacks and tips? From hidden gems to unique experiences, we’ve got you covered.
Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
In association with Ireland’s Blue Book and Tourism Ireland
Dunbrody House looks quite stunning. I’ve never been in Ireland, but it’s on my list. I wish I could visit these charming historic hotels in the Hook Peninsula.