With Halloween just around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with a spooky staycation that will send shivers down your spine? From bobbing for apples to whiskey spirit tastings and pumpkin carving classes, there's something for everyone. So why not take a break and treat yourself to a little Halloween fun? It's the perfect way to get into the season's spirit and create some frightful memories.
Mount Juliet Estate
Halloween is for the grown-ups at The Manor House at Mount Juliet Estate this season. Guests are invited to embrace the Halloween festivities with new autumnal Tasting Menus at the Michelin Star-awarded Lady Helen Restaurant. Follow an evening’s decadent dining, with a nighttime visit to the 1757 cellar bar, and embrace the spirits with a complimentary guided Whiskey Tasting. The plush private cinema will be showing spooky movies, which can be enjoyed with popcorn and a cocktail or drink brought to you from the bar 1757.
Rates start from €298 per person sharing for one night and include:
- Luxurious accommodation in The Manor House
- Breakfast in the Lady Helen dining room
- Autumn season seven-course tasting menu at the Michelin Star awarded Lady Helen Restaurant
- Access to The Health Club and swimming pool, private cinema, and use of the courtesy hotel bicycles to explore the estate
To make a reservation at Mount Juliet Estate this autumn and Halloween, please telephone 056 7773000.
The K Club, Kildare
This Halloween, The K Club’s sprawling estate is being transformed into Púca’s playground, where mischief reigns and fairies run free. Púca’s Halloween Fest commences on Saturday 28th October – Saturday 4th November.
Two or three-night family breaks include a full Irish breakfast each morning, dinner for the whole family on an evening of your choice in The Palmer or South Bar & Restaurant, plus full access to the Púca Halloween Fest Programme of activities for kids of all ages that is sure to leave everyone spellbound.
From bobbing for apples and goosebump-inducing ghost stories in a haunted house to Celtic Fairy Tea Parties, there’s plenty of family fun to be had and devilishly delectable discoveries to be made.
Rates start from €270 per night per room. To make a reservation email reservations@kclub.ie or call 01 6017 200.
Dromoland Castle, Clare
What could be more atmospheric than spending Halloween in Dromoland Castle? The luxury resort offers a Halloween activity programme that includes traditional family undertakings like pumpkin carving and scary movies, as well as extra-special spooktacular events. The programme runs from midday on October 30th and 31st.
Come face-to-face with Dromoland’s Wizard’s Owl, Pickles, and his feathered friends; embark on a family treasure hunt in the Walled Garden; then spend All Hallows’ Eve sipping hot chocolate and munching on marshmallows around the bonfire in the grounds.
Enjoy a two-night Bed & Breakfast stay with dinner on one evening and a special children’s supper for €1800 (based on 2 adults and children under 12 sharing at no additional cost). Be greeted with a complimentary box of Hallowe’en treats for the little ones on arrival to kick start the spooky festivities.
To book your Halloween stay at Dromoland Castle, visit www.dromoland.ie or call (061) 346 7007.
The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Mayo
The Lodge at Ashford Castle has an exciting new family package for the October midterm that promises a ghoulishly good time! With fun activities and plenty of treats, this package starts from €498 per night, and includes the following:
- A two-night stay in an appointed Quay Suites with a traditional Irish breakfast included each morning
- Dinner on one evening of choice in Wilde’s restaurant for two adults and two children.
As part of the Halloween midterm offer, families will enjoy a treasure hunt that ends in the hotel’s polytunnels, where kids can pick their own pumpkin to bring home. Once chosen, the hotel’s well-trained ghouls and goblins will work on carving the pumpkin in a design of the children’s choice.
Supervised arts and crafts, pizza making, cupcake decorating, and Halloween-themed games are also scheduled over this jam-packed weekend in the kids club, allowing mum and dad some downtime to explore the 350-acre estate. A DVD player for a movie night extravaganza will be provided on the first evening of the stay, including spooktacular treats. On the second evening, mum and dad are free to enjoy a kid-free meal while children enjoy a movie in the kids club and feast on pizza and cupcakes they helped make earlier in the day. This package is perfect for families with up to four people and kids who are 12 years old or younger.
No deposit is necessary, and cancellation is free up to 7 days prior to arrival. Call 094 954 5400 or email reservations@thelodgeac.com to book now.
The Johnstown Estate, Meath
Treat yourself to a Halloween getaway at The Johnstown Estate in Co Meath, the eerie estate just a quick 35-minute drive from Dublin. Included in the two-night package is a full Irish breakfast on both mornings with a two-course dinner on an evening of your choice in the Coach House Brasserie.
You can choose from a family room that has plenty of space with a king-sized bed and two twin beds, or a self-catering lodge with a fully-functional kitchen and separate dining and relaxation areas. The Halloween Family Staycation package includes access to The Halloween Kids’ Club on a day of your choice where kids can enjoy lots of spooky storytelling, arts and crafts and terrific treats. Guests also have full access to the Estate’s leisure centre, which features a 20-metre swimming pool and kids’ pool, meaning kids will be entertained whatever the weather.
Priced at €690 for two nights, this package is suitable for two adults and up to two children under 12. The check-in dates are from Monday, October 30th to Wednesday, November 1st. Additional children can join for an extra charge of €65 per child.
To book the Halloween Family Staycation, contact The Johnstown Estate, Enfield, Co. Meath, tel 046 954 0000 or email reservations@thejohnstownestate.com.
Follow Megan Virgo’s travels on Instagram at @meganvirgo.
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