Bellinter House

Rooms

There are 34 rooms, spread across a number of buildings: the Main House, the East and West wings, the Stables and ‘The Ruin’ (it was a pile of rubble until renovation). They come in various sizes (from cosy to colossal) and styles, but all offer extra-large beds, goose-feather pillows, downy duvets dressed in soft white linens, a mix of bespoke and vintage furniture, underfloor heating, and remote control everything. Most rooms are furnished with a nifty light-box wardrobe by designer Pierce Tynan, and all bathrooms are supplied with Voya organic seaweed toiletries. The shabby chic vibe may not be to everyone's taste, but for many it adds to the whole experience.

In the Main House the 4 first-floor rooms (there is another in the attic) are stupendous: huge, with lofty ceilings, painted Georgian panelling, original shutters, fireplaces, polished wood floors and tall sash windows with views of the estate. In Main House 1, midnight blue panelling provides the backdrop for a king-size roll-top tub and a walk-in glass shower lined with glitzy mirror mosaics.

In the East and West Pavilions, 2 original blocks either side of the main house, the rooms are smaller and plainer, though most have sunny aspect with parkland views. While in the estate’s original stable block, overlooking the yard, there are now duplex apartments, ideal for families, and single-storey “dwellings” in what they call the Lean-To. These rooms have wooden floors, stable doors, big skylights in sloping whitewashed ceilings and bean bags in the living rooms.

The tranquil rooms in The Ruin, share a courtyard outbuilding with the Bathhouse spa, and offer simpler, more intimate spaces with clean textured white walls, contemporary furniture and low windows overlooking the grounds. Details include deep purple plush headboards and wooden Venetian blinds, copper slipper baths or roll-top tubs, and/or walk-in power showers.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Sister to renowned Dublin restaurant of the same name, Bellinter’s Eden Restaurant is down in the basement, in a former convent chapel (created during the Sisters of Sion’s 40-year residency). Steel pedestal tables and chairs and a swirly pop-art carpet lean towards 1970s retro chic, and the white stucco chapel arches are faintly reminiscent of an esoteric set from a Star Wars movie, but it’s got a great atmosphere. In the morning, shafts of sunlight pour in through high cellar windows; in the evening it’s all shadows and flickering candlelight.

The food is big and hearty and cooked with fresh, seasonal ingredients and local produce. A typical dinner menu might include pan-fried scallops, chicken liver parfait or stuffed roast quail breast, followed by pork belly, roast fillet of cod, pan-fried fillet of Irish beef or vodka and beetroot risotto.

Less formal, and easier on the pocket, is all-day-dining (11am - 9.30pm) in the Bellinter Bar (just off the dining room). The bistro-style menu includes soup, salads, fish and chips, Clare Island smoked salmon, club sandwiches and classic afternoon tea. In the summer, there are tables on the lawn; in the winter you can snuggle up by a real fire (the fireplace was a gift from author Jonathan Swift). There's also the Wine Bar which has an excellent vino selection.

Breakfast, served in the restaurant, consists of a continental buffet (juices, cereals, fresh fruit salad, yoghurt) and/or a full Irish to order: pork sausages, fresh eggs, black pudding, smoked bacon and soda bread.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Book into the spa: treatments include reiki, reflexology, body wraps, U-spa facials, deep tissue or aromatherapy massages. Then treat yourself to a seaweed bath, using Voya organic products made from ‘hand-harvested’ wild seaweed from Sligo. The spa’s side-by-side tubs enables a couple to enjoy the experience together
  
• Visit the nearby megalithic burial grounds at Newgrange (Ireland’s only World Heritage site is older than the Egypt’s pyramids). Access to the passage tombs is via a series of timed tours which quickly get booked up in high summer. Prepare to queue, or pass the time in the visitor centre
  
• The Hill of Tara, the seat of the Celtic High Kings of Ireland, is within a 10-minute drive
  
• Do a Dublin day trip: the city is an easy 45-minute drive to the south
  
• Go fishing on the Boyne: Bellinter has rights to 3 miles of the river, best for dry-fly brown trout fishing
  
• The hotel can arrange horse riding in one of the 5 equestrian centres, a flight in a hot-air balloon and clay pigeon shooting
  
• We love this beautiful corner of island, and there’s lots more to see and do. For a more comprehensive guide, check out our destination guide

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Hot air ballooning
• Museums / galleries
• Shopping / markets
• Well being

Kids

Children are welcome, although they are not allowed in the restaurant after 7pm, or in the drawing room after 8pm. Kids up to 12 year olds stay for free (B&B).

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

We'd recommend the duplex Stable Rooms or the Main House Rooms which offer more space and can sleep 2 adults, a child and a baby.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Bellinter House is situated on the banks of the River Boyne in Co. Meath, just under an hour from Dublin city and Dublin airport.

By Air:
Dublin (30km) is the nearest airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving this airport.

From the Airport
The hotel offers a transfer service - see Rates - or you could grab a taxi.

By Car:
If you'd prefer to drive, see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Ireland and getting around