12 Top Picks For A Girls Weekend Away in Ireland
From Wicklow to Waterford, lakeside lodges to luxury suites, I’ve got 12 top picks for a girls weekend away in Ireland.
A girls weekend away is good for the soul! The relaxation, the laughter and of course the chats – its practically therapy! I have visited a few hotels in Ireland that are ideal for a girls trip, but for this post, I felt it necessary to ask queen of girls getaways – Stephanie Buckley AKA @eatsleepchic. Stephanie has visited numerous hotels, lodges and cabins in Ireland with her girlfriends and kindly offered to share her top picks below.
There’s something very exciting about booking, and looking forward to a girls weekend away. I get giddy when I see the meme’s on Instagram – “when the girls’ trip makes it out of the WhatsApp group” – I can really relate to that over the top excitement, says Stephanie.
My friends and I do our best to plan a number of reunions each year. Mother’s Day and birthdays are always a good excuse to plan something, from afternoon tea and yoga experiences, to cocktails, hikes and spa treatments. We really like to mix things up and try new places and experiences. After all, variety is the spice of life!
With Mother’s Day fast approaching here’s some inspiration to get you planning that well deserved girls weekend away.
1. Lusty Beg Island, Fermanagh
This hidden gem is nestled on a stunning 75 acre private island in Lower Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh. I love that you have to get a little ferry over to the island, and only a few cars can fit on it at the one time.
Lusty Beg offers lots of different styles of accommodation, including a six person Scandinavian style lodge, which is deal for a group getaway. And did I mention there’s a swimming pool and spa too? Lusty Beg Island is also a pet friendly hotel in Ireland.
2. Crown Quarter Hotel, Wexford
Location, location, location – the Crown Quarter Hotel is ideally situated in the heart of Wexford town’s vibrant, pedestrianised Monk street.
And what’s more, you don’t even have to leave the property if you don’t want to. The accommodation, dining and nightlife are all connected under one roof. We literally parked the car next door, checked into our triple room, went downstairs to Jasper’s for dinner and cocktails, then into the party bar which had great music and great atmosphere.
3. Hailey’s Heaven, Waterford
Hailey’s Haven is a picturesque, three-bedroomed thatched cottage that looks like something from a fairy-tale. We booked a Mothers Day break in this charming cottage and it was magical.
If you would like to add a private yoga class to your stay, this can be arranged in advance. I’d highly recommend this experience, it was very wholesome. We also booked seaweed baths in the nearby wellness centre, Solas na Mara – bliss!
4. Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort, Wicklow
Perched on the banks of Blessington Lakes against a backdrop of the Wicklow mountains, if you’re the outdoorsy type then this is the ideal base for you. Enjoy hike or a bike ride along the Blessington Greenway, or alternatively, spend the day in the hotel enjoying a sparkling afternoon tea on The Mezzanine, followed by some relaxing spa treatments.
The Spa features four treatment rooms, a dual treatment room with jacuzzi, a cosy relaxation room and a state-of-the-art salon. We had a couples girlie massage and stayed in our private tub until closing. Then it was back to our luxury guest room to get ready for dinner and cocktails.
To accommodate your girl crew, you could opt for one of their self-catering lodges. Each lodge offers a fully equipped kitchen, lounge area, two double rooms and one single room.
5. Wildlands Galway
If you’re a competitive bunch and fancy a ‘challenge weekend’ then Wildlands Galway should be right up your street. Choose from escape rooms, ninja courses, stand-up paddle boarding, archery and more.
Wildlands has two bedroom superior cabins which are ideal for a girls weekend away in Ireland. The detached cabins with luxury interiors throughout make for the perfect base after a day of activities.
6. Galgorm Resort & Spa, Antrim
Galgorm’s new accommodation styles have been popping up all over the estate in recent years, and I love to see it! Sarah stayed in one of self-catering lodges last year, and I recently experienced the new Forest Dens, complete with a boho-style backyard and your own private sauna.
I was in Galgorm with my mom, sister, and niece so we booked a den for four persons, which also comes with the added bonus of a hot tub! We booked it to celebrate, Little Christmas or Nollaig na mBan, which is another great excuse for a girls weekend away.
As well as as superb accommodation options, Galgorm’s thermal village is the showstopper here. You’ll be spoiled for choice with cool and heated spa experiences, including saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, indoor and outdoor pools, snail shower, heated loungers and so much more.
7. The Grafton Hotel, Dublin
If it’s a Dublin City date you’re after, I found a stylish room in a superb location that accommodates up to six ladies! We had some laughs when we walked into our room to discover bunk beds – I called top bunk immediately!
These aren’t your average bunks, these luxury bunk beds are custom made and blend nicely into the décor scheme. The Grafton Hotel features a bar and a terrace, and you are right in the heart of Dublin’s City centre, just a stone’s throw from Grafton Street. Another selling point is Bambino’s pizza is right across from the hotel, this is a great choice for a girls night away in the capital.
8. Mullans Bay, Fermanagh
Book a girls getaway at Mullans Bay and enjoy a relaxing retreat on an exquisite 36-acre private estate on Boa Island, Kesh, Co Fermanagh. For a truly indulgent stay, their Platinum Lakeside Lodges have a fabulous hot tub inside a unique handcrafted Timber Gazebo.
Open a bottle of prosecco and soak your worries away in the cosy hot tub. You can access the hot tub directly from your balcony and enjoy breath-taking views of the lake through the glass gable.
9. The Johnstown Estate, Meath
I had the pleasure of experiencing the award-winning Spa at the Johnstown estate and it exceeded all my expectations. Here you will discover a Rooftop and Indoor Thermal Experience, 15 treatment rooms including a Rasul mud and mineral treatment chamber. With the option to enjoy in-spa dining, we opted for afternoon tea in our spa robes which was simply marvellous.
If you really want to elevate your girlie get-together book their one of kind, Mulberry suite. The Mulberry is a luxe suite designed to hold up to eight guests across two or three interconnecting bedrooms. It was originally designed as a room for bridesmaids the night before the wedding, so it is the perfect choice for luxury girls night away in Ireland. There are three showers, two separate dressing tables and even a dyson hairdryer – it is the ultimate treat for a night away with your girlfriends. Sarah stayed here recently and loved it too.
If you use the exclusive code SARAH15 you can save 15% off the Escape Spa experience, Girlie Getaway or Sparkle at the Mulberry. This super deal is available from Sunday – Thursday until April, and you can book directly via the link below.
10. Midlands Park Hotel, Laois
The Midlands Park Hotel located in Portlaoise town centre and is the perfect destination for your girls night away. Mix things up a little and take part in a cocktail making class, where you will create two cocktails per person, and of course enjoy them afterwards!
During our stay we had the pleasure of staying in one of their suites, there is a variety to choose from, including Junior Suites, The Park Suite, and the Kilpatrick Suite – a showstopper complete with hot tub.
Sarah has stayed here too and raved about Kelly’s Steakhouse, its one of the best steak restaurants in Ireland, so make sure you pre-book it. The Midlands Park Hotel is also a short drive from Kildare Village, so you can combine some designer shopping on your girls tip – can you think of a better combo?
11. Clayton Hotel, Limerick
If you are looking for a cheap girls night away in Ireland, then it is hard to beat Sarah’s exclusive offer with the Clayton Hotel Limerick. Enjoy an overnight stay with dinner, breakfast, a bottle of Prosecco in the room on arrival and a cocktail before dinner, all from just €99!
This hotel is located right on the River Shannon and has a lively bar and restaurant, leisure club with fitness centre, and its located close to the train station, so you don’t even have to drive! The feedback has been superb from followers who have booked this getaway, and Sarah has stayed in this hotel on a few occasions too.
12. Kenmare House, Kerry
If you are planning a girls weekend away for a large group, and want to do it in style, then look no further than Kenmare House – it must be one of the best luxury houses to rent in Ireland.
It is located on private land beside the Castlerosse Park Resort and Killarney National Park, and boasts stunning views over the Killarney Lakes and Macgillycuddy’s Reeks Mountains.
Sarah loved the decor and private gardens and you can even organise private catering if you don’t fancy leaving the house! The two downstairs bedrooms are ideal for elderly or infirm, so if you want to bring your grandmother away on your girls tip – this is a super choice! Killarney town centre is easily reached via the 2km pedestrian walkway or by taxi.
Read: 25 Airbnbs in Ireland for Group Getaways or Large Family Gatherings
I hope this post will help you plan a girls weekend away in Ireland very soon. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, facilities are subject to change. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where The Travel Expert receives a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.
