11 Magical Christmas Hotels In Ireland for 2025

Not all Christmas hotels in Ireland are equal. Some throw up a tree in the lobby and leave it at that. Others transform every corner into a full-on winter wonderland that sweeps you into the season from the moment you arrive.

Whether you’re after a short pre-Christmas escape or a festive stay over the big days themselves, hotels tend to offer the two options:

• Pre-Christmas breaks: Offers in the lead up to the big day
• Christmas hotel packages: You stay for 2/3 days over Christmas

The best Christmas hotels in Ireland

Now, a quick word of warning – some hotels charge an eye-watering premium for stays over the Christmas period!

It’s also worth noting that the prices of the various Christmas hotels in Ireland listed below may change as we get closer to the big day.

1. Clontarf Castle (Dublin)

One of the best Christmas hotels in Ireland in the capital is Clontarf Castle (the video above should give you a sense as to why!).

It makes a great base for those visiting the city to shop, explore or ramble around the Dublin Christmas Markets.

Option A: Pre-Christmas

If you’re after a December escape without the full package, Clontarf’s weeks-leading-up stays give you the castle setting and festive décor with better rates than Christmas week. Prices start from €149.

Option B: 2, 3 or 4 night Christmas package

Their Christmas packages (from €799 p/p for 2 nights, from €920 p/p for 3 nights and from €989 p/p night for 4 nights) include:

• Christmas Eve: Arrival reception with mulled wine and mince pies and then a sumptuous four-course dinner in the Great Hall
• Christmas Day: Champagne breakfast from 8am, a traditional Christmas Day lunch (buffet) in the Great Hall, light bites in the evening and entertainment in the Knights Bar
• St. Stephen’s Day: Breakfast in Fahrenheit Restaurant and a three-course dinner

2. Glenlo Abbey (Galway)

If you’re looking for unique Christmas breaks in Ireland, look no further than the incredible Glenlo Abbey in Galway.

Located a short drive from Galway City centre, this is quickly becoming one of the top 5 star hotels in Ireland.

Option A: Pre-Christmas

For those of you looking for a pre-Christmas getaway, you’ll find Glenlo Abbey to be both a very festive and a very swanky location.

It’s a great base for the Galway Christmas Market and the hotel is tastefully decorated throughout. A night in the weeks leading up to Christmas starts at €299.

Option B: 2 night Christmas package

The 2-night stay (from €1,490 p/p sharing) includes:

• Christmas Eve: Mulled wine on arrival, a candlelit dinner in the Pullman, a nightcap of hot chocolate and mince pies by the fire in the Ffrench Room
• Christmas Day: Santa’s breakfast, a Champagne reception with canapés, a traditional Christmas lunch with Santa visit, a light supper, Christmas movies in the in-house cinema and an evening table quiz
• St. Stephen’s Day: Breakfast before departure

3. Sheen Falls (Kerry)

The next of the Christmas hotels in Ireland is the wonderful Sheen Falls Lodge, located right across from the town of Kenmare.

A great base for the Ring of Kerry, the hotel gets finely decked out for the festive season each year.

Option A: Pre-Christmas

Sheen Falls is a fine choice for a December escape in Kerry, offering winter walks in Kenmare and Killarney by day, with evenings by the fire or in the spa. A night in the week leading up to Christmas starts from €310.

Option B: 3 night Christmas package

The Magical Christmas package (from €3,600 per room, based on 2 people sharing) includes:

• Christmas Eve: Welcome drinks on arrival and a festive dinner
• Christmas Day: Full Irish breakfast, a traditional Christmas Day lunch in The Falls Restaurant and a Christmas evening buffet
• St. Stephen’s Day: Breakfast, the annual Treasure Hunt, evening drinks and canapé reception and a 5-course Gala Dinner
• Each Morning: Full Irish breakfast with water views

4. Abbeyglen Castle Hotel (Galway)

Clifden’s Abbeyglen Castle is arguably one of the better priced Christmas breaks in Ireland, starting at €220.

Located a short walk from the town, Abbeyglen Castle is a cosy and historic setting for a night or three away, with plenty of things to do in Clifden to keep you occupied.

Option A: 2 night Christmas package

The 2-night Christmas package (from €950 p/p sharing) includes:

• Christmas Eve: Check-in with tea and scones, champagne reception, candlelight dinner and carol singing
• Christmas Day: Breakfast, Castle Bar snack lunch, afternoon tea and scones, competitions and Gala Dinner with presents and entertainment
• St. Stephen’s Day: Breakfast, morning quiz, afternoon tea and scones, candlelight dinner and evening music in the bar

Option B: 3 night Christmas package

The 3-night Christmas package (from €1,050 p/p sharing) includes:

• Christmas Eve: Same as 2-night stay
• Christmas Day: Same as 2-night stay
• St. Stephen’s Day: Breakfast, golf competition or scenic treasure hunt, afternoon tea, a candlelight dinner and evening entertainment
• 27th December: Breakfast before departure

5. Powerscourt (Wicklow)

If you’re looking for hotels in Ireland for Christmas that are surrounded by endless things to see and do, get yourself to Powerscourt – one of the finest spa hotels in Ireland.

The magical Powerscourt Hotel is finely decked out for the festive season. You can chill in the hotel during the day or tackle a nearby hike, forest walk or scenic drive.

Option A: Pre-Christmas

Few Christmas hotel packages in Ireland place you at the heart of so many things to see – you’re a stone’s throw from Glendalough, the Sally Gap and countless hikes and walks.

If you’re not staying for the big days themselves, a December escape at Powerscourt still delivers Christmas atmosphere in style, with elegant decorations, roaring fires and the Wicklow Mountains outside your window. A night in the week leading up to Christmas starts from €238.

Option B: 2 night Christmas package

The 2-night Christmas package (from €1,325 p/p sharing) includes:

• Christmas Eve: Mince pies and mulled wine on arrival, reindeer dust and carrots for children, four-course festive dinner and a nightcap in the Sugar Loaf Lounge
• Christmas Day: Breakfast with bubbles in Sika Restaurant, crisp winter walk or pool time, Santa visit, traditional Christmas lunch and a light Christmas supper
• St. Stephen’s Day: Breakfast followed by a falconry display on the front lawn

6. Hayfield Manor (Cork)

The next of the best Christmas hotels in Ireland is Cork City’s luxurious Hayfield Manor (a great base for the Cork Christmas market!).

This is a family-owned, boutique hotel that goes all-out when it comes to both Christmas decorations and exceptional customer service.

Option A: Pre-Christmas

If you’re looking for Christmas breaks in Ireland in the lead up to the big day, this’ll be an escape you won’t forget in a hurry.

For those who’d like to enjoy the festive atmosphere without staying over the main holiday, Hayfield Manor offers December stays with elegant decorations, roaring fires and access to Cork’s Christmas markets. A night in the week leading up to Christmas starts from €276.

Option B: 3 night Christmas package

The Ultimate Christmas Experience (from €1,950 p/p sharing) includes:

• Christmas Eve: Festive drinks reception, afternoon tea, carols by a local choir, festive meal, a nightcap by the fire and a turndown gift
• Christmas Day: Full Irish breakfast, Champagne toast, traditional Christmas lunch, Santa visit, buffet supper, evening entertainment
• St. Stephen’s Day: Leisurely breakfast, option to visit spa or enjoy the city’s sales and then supper with live music

7. Harvey’s Point (Donegal)

Next is one of the best Christmas hotels in Ireland – the brilliant Harvey’s Point on the shores of Lough Eske in Donegal.

A short spin from Donegal Town, this hotel feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle thanks to an idyllic lakeside setting.

Option A: Pre-Christmas

If you’d like a taste of Harvey’s Point before the main event, pre-Christmas December stays are available with dinner in the award-winning restaurant and time to explore Donegal. A night in the week leading up to Christmas starts from €240.

Option B: 4 night Christmas residential package

The 4-night stay (prices from €2,700 per room, based on 2 people sharing) includes:

• Each Morning: Full Irish breakfast overlooking Lough Eske
• Two Evenings: Four-course dinner in the 2 AA Rosette Restaurant
• Christmas Day: Traditional Christmas lunch and supper
• Throughout Stay: In-house activities and festive entertainment

8. Ballygally Castle (Antrim)

The next of the hotels for Christmas in Ireland takes us up north to County Antrim to the brilliant Ballygally Castle.

Now, although the various Christmas breaks in Ireland above have been magical, a castle stay is hard to bate.

Option A: Pre-Christmas

As it’s located on the coast, you could easily do part of the Causeway Coastal Route or you could take the 35-minute drive in to see the Belfast Christmas Market.

A night in the weeks leading up to Christmas starts from €113.

Option A: 2 night Christmas package

This option is one of the better value Christmas hotel packages in Ireland, with a 2-night stay (from €926 per room, based on 2 people sharing) including:

• Christmas Eve: Three-course dinner in the castle’s restaurant, overnight accommodation in a Superior Room or suite
• Christmas Day: Breakfast, mulled wine reception and a five-course Grand Buffet Christmas lunch
• St. Stephen’s Day: Breakfast before departure

9. Dromoland Castle (Clare)

Dromoland Castle in Clare is another of the more luxurious Christmas breaks in Ireland.

The hotel is finely decorated to give it a festive-feel and you can expect the kind of service and luxury that’s a given in a 5-star.

Option A: Pre-Christmas

One of the top castle hotels in Ireland, Dromoland provides a memorable stay at any time of the year. A night in the week leading up to Christmas starts from €354.

Option B: 3 night Christmas package

The Christmas at The Castle package (from €4,395 per room, based on 2 people sharing) includes:

• Christmas Eve: Cocktail reception with canapés, dinner, a bagpiper heralds the arrival of a special visitor with gifts for all and an evening of live entertainment
• Christmas Day: Breakfast, traditional Christmas lunch with live piano music, evening “Pick & Go” buffet supper in the Gallery and entertainment from a resident ballad singer
• St. Stephen’s Day: Breakfast, option of a trip to Limerick Racecourse or a hawk walk with the castle’s falconer, dinner and entertainment
• 27th Dec: Breakfast before departure.

10. Castlemartyr (Cork)

The next of the Christmas hotels in Ireland is Castlemartyr – a luxury 5-star hotel located around a 35-minute drive from Cork City Centre.

The hotel, which is set on a 220-acre estate, boasts a blend of traditional manor charm and elegance along with modern amenities.

Option A: Pre-Christmas

If you’re visiting the Cork Christmas Market and you fancy a very fancy base to explore from, Castlemartyr offers exceptional service, lavish food and one of the more indulgent Christmas breaks in Ireland.

A night in the week leading up to Christmas starts at €279.

Option B: 2 night Christmas package

The Ultimate Christmas package (from €3,300 per room, based on 2 people sharing) includes:

• Christmas Eve: Mulled wine and mince pies on arrival
• Christmas Day: Traditional lunch with a visit from Santa, festive entertainment in the resort and evening dining
• St. Stephen’s Day: Breakfast followed by festive activities across the estate and then a relaxed dining in the evening.
• Each Morning: Full Irish breakfast

11. The Merrion (Dublin)

Deciding where to stay in Dublin at Christmas time can be tricky as there are so many contenders for your attention, across all budgets, however, you won’t find many hotels like the Merrion.

Set in the heart of Georgian Dublin, The Merrion combines five-star luxury with roaring fires, elegant Drawing Rooms, and a festive atmosphere that makes the city feel even more magical at Christmas.

Option A: Pre-Christmas Break

The Merrion is an ideal spot for a pre-Christmas escape, where you can combine a touch of five-star indulgence with a day of shopping, dining, and soaking up the city’s festive buzz, with the likes of the Dublin Castle Christmas Market a short stroll away.

A night away in the weeks leading up to Christmas starts at €432.

Option B: Christmas Residential Package

• 2-night stay (Arrive Christmas Eve, depart St. Stephen’s Day) from €2,300
• Christmas Eve: Mulled wine and mince pies by the log fires, Santa visit for children with gifts and carols
• Christmas Day: Breakfast, traditional Christmas Lunch or Dinner in The Garden Room

Explore beyond the Christmas breaks in Ireland

Now that you’ve a sense of the finest Christmas hotels in Ireland, it’s time to explore:

• Christmas markets in Ireland
• Christmas markets in Dublin
• Irish Christmas traditions
• Irish Christmas songs
• Family hotels in Ireland