There’s some very festive Christmas hotels in Ireland if you fancy a few nights away.
Some are perfect for a pre-Christmas break and they’ll appeal to those looking to get into the Christmas spirit before the ‘Big Day’.
Others offer Christmas packages for people looking to spend Christmas away from home (e.g. Christmas Eve to St. Stephen’s Day).
Below, you’ll find a mix of our favourites, from Glenlo Abbey and Clontarf Castle to some often-overlooked Christmas breaks in Ireland.
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.
Note: if you book a stay through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.
1. Glenlo Abbey (Galway)
Photos via Glenlo Abbey on FB
If you’re looking for unique Christmas breaks in Ireland, look no further than the incredible Glenlo Abbey in County 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 break away.
It’s a great base for the Galway Christmas Market and the hotel is tastefully decorated throughout.
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €279 to €1,569. Check prices and see more photos right here
Option B: 2 night Christmas package
The package, which costs from €1,200 p/p sharing, includes two nights of luxury accommodation, daily breakfast for two, mulled wine, Christmas Eve dinner, and festive meals on Christmas Day.
You’ll check in on Christmas Eve and enjoy mulled wine by the fire along with scheduled movies at the on-site theatre and a festive dinner.
Christmas Day starts with Santa’s breakfast and then a Champagne reception with canapés. A traditional lunch with Santa follows with gifts for the kids.
The day ends with a light supper, Christmas movies, and a table quiz. There’s also breakfast on St. Stephen’s Day.
2. Castlemartyr (Cork)
Photos via Castlemartyr
The next of our 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 ranges from €249 to €649. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 2 night Christmas package
This package costs from €2,400 for 2 adults. Guests are welcomed with mulled wine and mince pies upon arrival. Christmas Eve starts with a cocktail reception and carols, followed by a 5-course dinner.
A special guest will ensure the kids are full of festive excitement. Christmas Day begins with breakfast, gift openings, and Christmas music.
A gourmet lunch is served, after which guests can relax in the Living Room or bar, play board games, or watch festive films. The day ends with a light supper. On the morning of the 26th, a hearty breakfast is served.
3. Abbeyglen Castle Hotel (Galway)
Photos via Abbeyglen Castle Hotel on FB
Clifden’s Abbeyglen Castle is arguably one of the better priced Christmas breaks in Ireland, starting at €850 p/p sharing.
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: Pre-Christmas
Clifden is hard to bate. It’s a charming little town with great restaurants and several traditional-style pubs.
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €210 to €289. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 3 night Christmas package
The package, which is from €850 p/p sharing, includes Christmas Eve (check-in at 3pm followed by tea and scones, a champagne reception, a candlelight dinner and a evening packed with music).
On Christmas Day you’ll have breakfast, lunch in the Castle Bar, afternoon tea and fun and games. Then there’s the Gala Dinner followed by music in the evening.
On St. Stephen’s Day, you can start with breakfast before heading off to the golf competition or the scenic treasure hunt followed by afternoon tea and then a candlelit dinner.
4. Hayfield Manor (Cork)
Photos via Hayfield Manor on FB
The next of the best Christmas hotels in Ireland is Cork City’s luxurious Hayfield Manor (a great base for the Glow 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.
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €318 to €432. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 3 night Christmas package
The package (from €3,500.01 for 2 people) kicks-off on Christmas Eve. You’ll enjoy seasonal drinks and delicious festive fayre, sip mulled wine, listen to Christmas carols and enjoy a gourmet meal.
On Christmas Day, start with Hayfield Manor’s Irish breakfast, followed by champagne and a traditional dinner. Santa even drops in to surprise young guests with gifts.
The day wraps up with a light supper and music. On St Stephen’s Day, you’ll get breakfast and dinner accompanied by musical entertainment.
5. Newpark Hotel (Kilkenny)
Photos via Newpark Hotel on FB
One of the more popular family Christmas breaks in Ireland is Kilkenny’s Newpark Hotel (arguably one of the best family hotels in Ireland).
This is a 4-star hotel that’s home to a spa, luxury rooms and the hugely popular ‘Jurassic Newpark’ (there’s a dinosaur park and a mini-wildlife park).
Option A: Pre-Christmas
At just under a 10-minute drive from the city, the Newpark is a great base for the Kilkenny Christmas Market.
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €190 to €260. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 2 or 3 night Christmas package
The 2 night stay costs from €1,458 for two adults. You’ll arrive on Christmas Eve and start your stay with afternoon tea and Christmas carols. Music is followed by a festive dinner and a Christmas movie.
Christmas Day kicks-off with a champagne breakfast followed by carol singers, mulled wine and then a 5-course festive lunch (Santa even makes an appearance!). There’s then a buffet dinner followed by movies and entertainment.
If you’re staying for 2 nights, you’ll have breakfast before departing. If you’re staying for 3 (from €1,718 for two adults) you’ll get breakfast, lunch and dinner.
6. Powerscourt (Wicklow)
Photos via Powerscourt on FB
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 getaways 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.
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €275 to €707. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 2 or 3 night Christmas package
This package is from €1,200 p/p sharing. On Christmas Eve, much away on mince pies, sip mulled wine and explore Powerscourt Estate. A lavish four-course dinner is followed by a nightcap in the Sugar Loaf Lounge.
On Christmas Day, breakfast at Sika Restaurant starts the day followed by a sumptuous Christmas lunch. Then there are family games and evening treats in The Douglas.
There’s then breakfast on St Stephen’s Day and a falconry display. The 3 night stay (from €1,421 p/p) includes everything in the 2 nighter along with a Classic Afternoon Tea experience.
7. Harvey’s Point (Donegal)
Photos via Harvey’s Point on FB
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
Although you’ll find it hard to leave the cosy confines of Harvey’s Point, if you do, you’ll find endless things to do in Donegal close by.
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €259 to €347. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 4 night Christmas package
You’ll check-in on December 23rd and be welcomed with mulled wine along with light bites and entertainment.
Christmas Eve gets underway with breakfast and a winter walk accompanied by a hot toddy. There’s then a festive cooking demo and dinner in the evening.
One the big day, there’s breakfast and bubbly followed by a Christmas lunch and then a buffet supper in the evening.
On the 26th, there’s breakfast, a guided walk and a pub night with music and a quiz. On the 27th, there’s breakfast before your departure.
The package costs from €1,200 for 2 people (small twin room) and €2,360 (deluxe double).
8. 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!).
Option A: Pre-Christmas
You’ll find Clontarf Castle a 20-minute spin from the city in the costal town of Clontarf (not far from Howth).
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €189 to €219. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 2 night Christmas package
There are 3 different packages available here but we’ll focus on the 2 nighter as it’s great value at around €699 p/p sharing.
It starts with a Christmas Eve arrival, mulled wine, mince pies and carols followed by a 4-course dinner that evening.
Christmas morning begins with a champagne breakfast, a Christmas Day lunch and then light bites that evening. There’s breakfast on the 26th before you head off.
9. Ballygally Castle (Antrim)
Photos via Hastings Hotels
The next of our hotels for Christmas in Ireland takes us up north to County Antrim to the brilliant Ballygally Castle.
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 week leading up to Christmas ranges from €85 to €126. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 2 night Christmas package
The package is one of the better value Christmas getaways in Ireland, costing from €888.37 for 2 people.
It includes a mulled wine reception, dinner on Christmas Eve, breakfast and a Grand Buffet Lunch on Christmas Day and breakfast on the 26th.
10. Sheen Falls (Kerry)
Photos via Sheen Falls on FB
The next of our 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
If you’re in need of a break before the often-manic Christmas period begins, you can enjoy winter walks in nearby Kenmare or Killarney by day and then chill in luxury by night.
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €260 to €330. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 3 night Christmas package
The package, which starts from €3,360 for 2 people, begins with welcome drinks and afternoon tea on Christmas Eve followed by dinner that evening.
On Christmas Day, there’s breakfast, a traditional Christmas lunch and then and evening buffer. The 26th will see you enjoy breakfast, brunch, a treasure hunt and then a Gala Dinner.
11. Lough Erne (Fermanagh)
Photos via Lough Erne on FB
The next of our Christmas hotels in Ireland is Fermanagh’s Lough Erne – a 5-star stunner set on 600 secluded acres.
Option A: Pre-Christmas
Enjoy a swanky escape before the big day. Kick-back in the spa, explore the Fermanagh countryside and discover why this is one of the more indulgent Christmas breaks in Ireland.
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €174 to €203. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 2 night Christmas package
There’s a package from €1,325.70 for two adults that begins on the 24th with music, open fites, mulled wine, eggnog and mice pies followed by dinner.
On Christmas Day there’s a lavish breakfast (with Buck’s Fizz), the arrival of Santa for the kids. Now, unlike the other Christmas hotels in Ireland above, dining on the 25th isn’t covered in the package.
You’ll finish your stay with breakfast on the 26th.
12. The K Club (Kildare)
Photos via The K Club on FB
The K Club in Kildare is another of the more popular Christmas breaks in Ireland… especially amongst those fond of a game of golf!
Option A: Pre-Christmas
Chill in the spa, take a guided boat trip, work up an appetite on the golf course or do some shopping in Kildare Village (25-minute drive).
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €379 to €1,200. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 3 night Christmas package
The package starts from €3,090 for 2 people and includes a mice pie and mulled wine welcome, breakfast each morning an a four course dinner on Christmas Eve.
There’s then a Christmas Day lunch and a buffet supper. One of the reasons that this is arguably one of the best Christmas hotels in Ireland is due to the sheet volume of events/entertainment, like:
- Performance from the Dublin Gospel Choir
- Family portraits
- Christmas storytelling
- Christmas Mass
- A visit with Santa, Irish dancing and much more
13. Knightsbrook Hotel (Meath)
Photos via Knightsbrook Hotel on FB
The last spot in our guide to the best Christmas hotels in Ireland is Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim in Meath.
Value wise, this one is pretty good and it was also the only hotel on the list where it was easy to get info on family packages.
Option A: Pre-Christmas
This is one of the cheapest Christmas breaks in Ireland, especially if you visit mid-week and there’s plenty to see in the Boyne Valley close by.
A night in the week leading up to Christmas ranges from €112 to €167. Check prices and see more photos right here.
Option B: 2 or 3 night Christmas package
The 2 night package starts from €780 for 2 sharing or €1,050 for a family room. Christmas Eve begins with a mulled wine and mince pie reception followed by hot chocolate for the kids and treats.
There’s then a three course buffet and live entertainment. Kick-start Christmas Day with with breakfast and bubbles followed by a four course lunch and then a festive spread come evening time along with Christmas entertainment.
What hotels in Ireland for Christmas have we missed?
I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant Christmas hotels in Ireland from the guide above.
If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!
FAQs about places to stay over Christmas in Ireland
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where has a big open fire?’ to ‘Where’s the most luxurious?’.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
What are the best Christmas hotels in Ireland?
In our opinion, it’s hard to beat Harvey’s Point, The Park, Glenlo Abbey and Castlemartyr if you’re looking for a festive break.
What are good luxury Christmas getaways in Ireland?
Powerscourt, Lough Erne, The K Club and Sheen Falls are some of the more luxurious Christmas hotels in Ireland.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.