The best places to have festive Afternoon Tea around Ireland

Celebrate the Christmas season with a festive afternoon tea, surrounded by your nearest and dearest

Whether you’re looking to treat your mum, sister, daughter or friend (or maybe you just fancy a nice day out), a festive afternoon tea is a wonderful way to do it.

All over Ireland, top hotels have decorated their trees, lit the fires, and now are welcoming anyone with a taste for Christmassy treats – think mulled wine, mince pies, with turkey and cranberry finger sandwiches.

We’ve compiled a list of five of our favourites, from the Westin in Dublin to Cahernane House in Kerry. See what’s on offer (and for how much) below:

The Westin, Dublin City

Make memories with loved ones this season with afternoon tea at The Westin, Dublin 2. With its five-storey high glass ceiling and lush, textured design, the Atrium Lounge is the ideal spot to sit back and relax after a day of Christmas shopping.

Served by the warmth of a crackling fireplace, with a selection of loose leaf teas and gourmet coffee, guests can enjoy a range of savoury treats including a roast crown of turkey with cranberry mayonnaise on wholegrain bread. There’s also Wright’s traditional oak smoked salmon with brown scones, capers and cream cheese, as well as a classic cucumber with natural yoghurt on spinach bread sandwich.

Sweet treats are a must for afternoon tea, and this new festive offering doesn’t disappoint. It includes traditional mince pies, Westin fruit scone, cranberry and orange Madeira cake, Christmas pudding cheesecake, and Christmas elf meringue.

At €45 per person, this seasonal afternoon tea is the perfect escape from the winter chill, allowing guests time to enjoy a leisurely catch-up in the redesigned Atrium. To book, simply contact the reservations team on (01) 645 1149.

Dromoland Castle, Co Clare

Set on the shores of Lough Dromoland, and surrounded by over 450 acres of breathtaking scenery, Dromoland Castle is a wonderful place to enjoy a festive afternoon tea.

Enjoy crackling open fires, deep sofas and twinkling lights as you indulge in all flavours of the festive season. The three-tiered selection includes mulled wine, a variety of delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones with home-made jams and clotted cream, festive pastries, warm mince pies, chocolate roulade and delicious seasonal treats. All served with a selection of leaf teas (including Dromoland’s own blend), as well as a selection of coffees.

Enjoy mulled wine on arrival and finish off the festivities with a tasting plate of mince pie, Christmas ice-cream and eggnog.

Priced at €47.50 per person, this afternoon tea at Dromoland Castle is available from until January 6, subject to availability. Call (061) 346-7007 for bookings.

Ferrycarrig Hotel, Co Wexford

Located on the banks of the River Slaney in Co Wexford, the award-winning, four-star Ferrycarrig Hotel will serve Afternoon Tea in its festively decorated lounge; where guests can enjoy a cosy atmosphere by a roaring fire.

Enjoy a delicious range of tea sandwiches, including Meyler’s oak smoked salmon and Rosslare crabmeat on brown bread, egg, cucumber and mayonnaise on white loaf, spiced Wexford beef and pickle on rustic sourdough and a brioche bun of turkey and cranberry.

Guests can also indulge in a selection of festive homemade cakes and pastries including individual festive mince pie swirls, house plum pudding with clotted cream, Baileys cream profiterole with chocolate sauce and macaroons, and of course, traditional house-baked scones with Wexford raspberry preserve.

This festive afternoon tea is priced at €19 per person or €33 for two people. Alternatively, a prosecco afternoon tea is available from €27.50 per person. Advance booking is essential.

Cahernane House Hotel, Co Kerry

If you’ll be in Kerry this season, why not indulge in afternoon tea at Cahernane House Hotel, overlooking Killarney National Park?

Guests are treated to a selection of dainty sandwiches, including smoked salmon and sour cream, smoked chicken and avocado on sourdough and Castletownbere crab and chive tartlets. Not only that, but sweet treats include a caramelised pear and cardamom tart, pistachio marshmallows and delicate macaroons.

Other notable nibbles include a selection of homemade scones, all of which are served with raspberry jam, lemon curd and rose cream. A selection of teas is available throughout the experience too, including strawberry and mango tea and green sencha tea, and there’s a selection of indulgent coffees from the expert baristas on-site.

Served from 1-5 pm from Friday to Sunday throughout December, this afternoon tea is priced at €28.50 per person. Alternatively, you can opt for Prosecco afternoon tea at €34.50 per person to start the Christmas celebrations in style.

To book, call Cahernane House Hotel on (064) 663 1895.

Powerscourt, Co Wicklow

Festive afternoon tea at Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa is an ideal way to relax with a group of friends, celebrate special occasions, or even just as a treat for yourself.

Enjoy a mouthwatering array of delicate finger sandwiches, mince pies, freshly-made scones and homemade pastries accompanied by your choice of tea or coffee. And if you want to really spoil yourself, why not indulge in a glass of bubbles as well?

Afternoon tea is served daily from 1-4 pm. The classic version is priced at €45 per person, or you can enjoy a Champagne version for €55 per person.

Prior bookings of at least 24 hours are recommended to ensure your preferred date and time.

Feature photo: The Westin

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