For a dose of Irish charm and luxury, head to Marlfield House Hotel in Gorey, County Wexford. Not only does this Irish boutique hotel have award winning gardens, it’s also renowned for its fine dining.
Marlfield House Hotel, Gorey
This family run hotel is one of the most popular members of Ireland’s Blue Book. The collection of luxurious Irish country house restaurants and hotels is celebrating 45 years of bringing together the top places to stay on the Emerald Isle.
Each property is selected for its unique qualities and ambiance. Marlfield House is a prime example, thanks to its stunning Regency architecture. Nestled in 36 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland, it’s a real haven of tranquility. Yet it’s just 1 hour and ten minutes from central Dublin, making it an ideal luxury getaway.
First Impressions of Marlfield House
Pulling up outside the historic hotel, you can see why Robert Redford called it “sublime”. The lobby is filled with fresh flowers from the garden and antique furniture. Friendly staff make you feel right at home and check in as quick and easy.
The hotel has received many awards including Johansen’s Country Hotel of the Year and The Relais et Chateaux Best Breakfast Award. It’s also popular for Irish weddings as well as meetings and events.
Accommodation at Marlfield House
All of the rooms at Marlfield House are decorated with antiques and have handy amenities such as hairdryers, flat screen TVs, cosy bathrobes with slippers and Frette linen bedsheets. There’s also free WiFi and complimentary self parking.
The 19 bedrooms and State Rooms all have views of the gardens and grounds, while the six State Rooms overlook the wildfowl reserve and lake. Duck Lodge is a separate cottage with 2 ensuite bedrooms, a kitchen and living area with an open fire.
The Stopford Room has a lovely four poster bed and log fire. There’s a separate dressing room and a stylish bathroom with Floris toiletries.
The Print Room is our personal favourite, and popular with newly weds. It can also be hired for use as a meeting room, with breakout rooms available nearby.
Named after the prints adorning the walls, it has many antiques as well as a piano and a harp. The sofa dates from the Empire period and is an ideal spot for catching up on reading. Why not indulge in a glass of champagne or some homemade chocolates, they’re delicious.
Each room has complimentary fresh fruit and bottled water upon arrival. The king size gilded bed is particularly impressive and there’s also an octagonal dressing room.
It leads onto a gorgeous marble bathroom with a walk in shower, twin sinks and a jacuzzi bath.
French windows open out to the picturesque Knot Garden, with its table and chairs where guests of the Print Room can enjoy a cocktail or hot beverage.
Dining at Marlfield House
Marlfield House is blessed with several acclaimed dining options: the Conservatory Restaurant, the Duck Terrace, Restaurant, Cafe and Bar and the Library Bar.
The Conservatory Restaurant
The restaurant is situated within a Regency conservatory that is one of the most attractive places to dine in Ireland. It was voted Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2017 and specializes in classical cuisine with Mediterranean influences. The conservatory overlooks the gardens and features frescoed walls and elegant stuccoed columns.
The chefs make ample use of herbs, vegetables and fruit from the kitchen gardens. They also source local produce such as Dunmore East fish and Wexford beef and lamb, together with Irish cheeses.
It’s a popular destination for Sunday lunch as well as for the five course dinner menu. There’s an extensive international wine list thanks to the wine cellars at Marlfield House.
Breakfast is served for hotel guests here and is a luxurious affair, with a great buffet selection and some delicious hot dishes cooked to order.
The Duck Restaurant, Café and Bar
With a charming setting in a converted stone outbuilding that overlooks the garden, The Duck is open for lunch and dinner. It serves delicious European food in a relaxed setting.
The Duck was awarded Atmospheric Restaurant of the Year 2017 in Georgina Campbell’s Ireland Guide. There’s a cosy fireplace as well as a stylish bar area.
It has a large terrace that’s a great place to dine when weather permits.
The chefs make full use of the garden’s produce to create contemporary fusion and Italian dishes. There are many healthy options including chowders, flatbreads and salads.
We highly recommend the prawn and chorizo pil pil in olive oil with paprika, garlic and redpepper, served with sourdough bread. The 10 oz. lava grilled Wexford rib eye steak with Portobello mushroom and thin chips served with onion purée and béarnaise or pepper sauce.
The meat is extremely tender and the sauce accentuates the flavour further. Try the Mucky Duck brownie or the apple and mixed berry crumble with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
The Library Bar
For drinks before or after dinner, head to the cosy Library Bar. It’s decorated with leather bound tomes and antique furnishings.
The Drawing Room
The adjacent Drawing Room is a popular spot for afternoon tea. You can also take afternoon tea on the terrace or in the conservatory.
A tasty selection of sandwiches are accompanied by homemade scones with Wexford butter and Marlfield berry jam as well as sweet treats and fine teas. Afternoon tea is served from Friday to Sunday, from 12.30 to 5 pm.
Marlfield Hotel Grounds
There are 36 acres of gardens at Marlfield House, including woodland walks, a tennis court and rose, herb and vegetable gardens.
The lake at Marlfield House is a haven for ducks and other wildlife. It’s particularly scenic in Autumn when the leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red.
You may well spot the resident peacock strutting around on your walk.
Things to Do Near Marlfield House
An ideal base from which to explore Ireland’s Ancient East, Marlfield House has many local attractions that you shouldn’t miss. The picturesque city of Kilkenny is reached in just over an hour. Golfers will appreciate the courses such as The European, Enniscorthy, Druids Glen and Woodenbridge
- Avoca Handweavers – guided tours of the oldest working handweaving mill in Ireland as well as an Avoca Store and Cafe selling lovely Irish wool sweaters, throws, children’s clothing and homewares.
- Coastline – there are some lovely golden sand beaches including Ballinesker Beach where scenes for Saving Private Ryan were filmed.
- Glendalough Monastic Site – dating from the 6th century, it’s one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. Situated in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, it is surrounded by two lakes.
- Gorey – known for its fashion boutiques and independent shops such as Market House Design, located in the old Market House.
- Mount Usher Gardens – one of Monty Don’s favourite gardens, it has a charming Avoca Garden Café and interesting courtyard shops.
- Powerscourt Estate, House and Gardens – named as one of the top 3 gardens in the world by National Geographic, Powerscourt is spread over 47 acres. See the highest waterfall in Ireland and explore the Palladian mansion that Lonely Planet Guide voted to be one of the top ten houses and mansions worldwide.
- Waterford Crystal – take a fascinating guided factory tour of the House of Waterford Crystal and visit their spectacular boutique with the largest collection of their pieces in the world.
How to Get to Marlfield House
- By Plane – Dublin International Airport is 1 hour and 15 minutes away by car.
- By Rail – There are regular trains from Dublin to Gorey Railway Station, which is 5 minutes from Marlfield House by car.
- By Sea – there are daily ferry crossings from Fishguard, Holyhead, Pembroke and Liverpool to Dublin and Rosslare.
- By Car – 75 kilometres South of Dublin. Take the N11 and exit 23, following the signs to Courtown until you reach Gorey, then follow Courtown R742.
Marlfield House is so easy to get here that it makes a perfect destination at any time of year.
Address: Marlfield House, Courtdown Road (R742), Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland
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In association with Ireland’s Blue Book and Marlfield House
