The Irish countryside may not be the first destination that springs to mind when planning a foodie holiday, but a luxurious, Georgian-style resort along the southern Hook Peninsula will tantalize your taste buds in the most stunning of settings...

Dunbrody Country House Hotel & Restaurant – sprawling along 300 acres on Arthurstown in County Wexford – strives to make each stay an epicurean adventure, and even send guests home with a few tricks of the culinary trade.

Owners Catherine and Kevin Dundon ensure your food-centric stay begins with fresh fruit in each deluxe guest room upon arrival, replenished each day. If the Dunbrody is the first leg of your Irish holiday following a long transatlantic flight, then you’ll relish awakening to the sun rising over the beautiful gardens outside your window and being served a wonderful champagne breakfast in bed each morning. It’s served all the way until noon, in rooms resplendent with classical design.

Such touches feed into the Dundon’s well-defined philosophy on hospitality.

“Even though Dunbrody is small and feels much more like a private country mansion, guests will experience all the luxury touches expected in a top hotel but with the extra personal and relaxed approach found only in small, owner-managed properties,” explained Catherine.

With Kevin serving as head chef - he's a published cookbook author and TV food personality, with his own iPhone/iPad app - it’s no surprise that gourmet cuisine is deeply ingrained in the Dunbrody experience. This is never more evident for Luxury Link travelers than on one evening of your stay, when guests are presented a tantalizing choice. You can’t go wrong with a three-course dinner at the on-site Harvest Room Restaurant featuring an award-wining seasonal menu of European and Asian fusion with touches of Irish classics.

The other option is for those looking to expand their culinary resume, in the form of a cooking class taught be the Dunbrody’s enthusiastic chefs. Who knows, Kevin himself may even share his signature recipe for Arthurstown smoked salmon that has become a Dunbrody staple…

“This is a wonderful mix of demonstration and hands-on individual tuition with professional chefs who are all experienced qualified chefs who have many, many Dunbrody restaurant hours under their belts.”

This video gives you a sense of what to expect from the passionate and gregarious
Harvest Room Restaurant kitchen staff, whether you spend time learning their trade or simply sampling their delicious dishes.

At this point, you may be wondering the best way to work off Dunbrody’s divine dishes. Conveniently located along Ireland’s southern coast, the resort offers many opportunities to enjoy the stunning outdoor environs. SCUBA diving and kite await in the Irish Sea, while multiple golf courses are just a short trip away. If relaxation is the goal, stroll along one of the 14 nearby beaches, picnic in one of the many romantic coves, or spend some quality time at the Dunbrody Day Spa.

In addition, the Hook Peninsula beckons you to explore its landmarks.

“The Hook Peninsula is home to one of Europe’s oldest lighthouses, where the public is welcome to join in tours,” said Catherine Dundon. “Numerous ruins, castles, abbeys are there to explore, and this is also where the expression ‘By Hook or by Crook’ came from. When Oliver Cromwell was planning his invasion of Ireland he swore to conquer ‘By Hook or by Crook’; as in he would sail up the Waterford Estuary passing Hook (on the Wexford side) opposite Crook (on the Waterford side).”

In an area steeped in beauty and history, Dunbrody Country House Hotel & Restaurant is adding to the region’s character as a mecca for foodies and luxury travel enthusiasts. Experience Irish hospitality, sublime dining and more at this Emerald Isle gem!