Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week in Ireland …
Carton House, Fairmont, Co Kildare
Served from Thursday to Sunday each week in Carton House’s gorgeous Gold Salon, the Iconic Afternoon Tea menu, €65, includes delicacies specifically created to celebrate some of the hotel’s special guests. Queen Victoria stayed in the Chinese Boudoir, (created for her visits to Carton House in 1849 and 1897), and a classic Victoria sponge was added to the menu in her honour. Julie Andrews lived at the hotel while filming the movie Darling Lili, and the carrot cake on the menu is based on one of her recipes (she’s a great baker apparently!). Singer Lana Del Ray also stayed at Carton House and the apple sweet with cinnamon infusion is named after a line in her song Radio – “Now my life’s sweet like cinnamon.” Other visitors recognised on the menu include Princess Grace of Monaco, (check the chocolate replica of the Hermès Kelly handbag), Mick Jagger (in the Ruby Tuesday Velvet Cake) and film director Stanley Kubrick – the orange chocolate cheesecake is inspired by Kubrick’s film, A Clockwork Orange. www.cartonhouse.com
The Shelbourne, Dublin
To mark its milestone anniversary this year, The Shelbourne 200th Birthday Afternoon Tea, from €68, incorporates contemporary versions of classic desserts, inspired by the kind of sweets that the very first guests might have recognised. Alongside the essential elements of a traditional afternoon tea, the menu also features The Éclair, The Peach Melba, The Pecan Pie and The Carrot Cake. This adds another layer of history and flavour to the quintessentially Dublin experience where afternoon tea is served in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge. www.theshelbourne.ie
Culloden Estate and Spa, Co Antrim
Afternoon tea at the Culloden Estate and Spa is a memorable affair comprising local delicacies such as sandwiches made with Irwin’s breads (favourites are the coronation chicken, smoked salmon, honey roast ham and Irish cheddar and egg mayonnaise with cress). From the bakery, the patisserie selection includes Erin Grove preserves and clotted cream, raspberry choux buns, macaroons and Battenburg cake. Accompanied by Speciality Thomson’s Tea Selection, and S.D Bells Estate Blend Coffee, the traditional afternoon tea at the Culloden is from £40stg per person. www.cullodenestateandspa.com
Glenlo Abbey & Estate, Co Galway
The elegant surroundings of the River Room transforms afternoon tea into a treat at Glenlo Abbey where afternoon tea is served from 1pm-4pm daily. Dainty delights include freshly baked scones, seasonal sandwiches, and decadent pastries, macaroons and cakes served with loose leaf tea, herbal tea selection or freshly brewed coffee. If you want to enjoy afternoon tea as part of a weekend break, overnight stays are from €269 per room. The hotel has recently completed renovations on its deluxe rooms and suites with upgrades have been made to ten Corrib Deluxe bedrooms, ten Garden Deluxe bedrooms, a Junior Suite, and three Grand Suites. www.glenloabbeyhotel.ie
No 1 Pery Square, Co Limerick
There are several different offerings of afternoon tea available priced from €36 per person which include classic sweet and savoury offerings served at weekends from 1pm or midweek for groups of over ten people. This is the perfect way to enjoy an afternoon after exploring Limerick’s historic Georgian Quarter or a visit to Hunt Museum, King Johns Castle and the People’s Park. www.oneperysquare.com
The Merrion, Co Dublin
For art lovers, The Merrion’s afternoon tea is inspired by the hotel’s famous art collection and is served in the elegant surroundings of Drawing Room. This is a two-hour experience consisting of two courses priced from €62.50 per person, or €82.50 per person with a glass of champagne and pays homage to works by J B Yeats, William Scott, Louis Le Brocquy and others. It is served at 12.30pm, 1pm, 3.30pm and 4pm daily. www.themerrion.com
Butler House, Co Kilkenny
Butler House and Garden is the charming Dower House of Kilkenny Castle built in 1786 which is full of charm, history and romance. Afternoon Tea costs from €39 per person, add a glass of prosecco for €8 per person, best enjoyed as part of an overnight stay, from €140. www.irelands-blue-book.ie
The Old Inn, Co Down
Located in the pretty village of Crawfordsburn, The Old Inn, dating back to 1614, is located near castles, beaches, forests, and some of the world’s top links golf courses. A current overnight stay offer includes breakfast and afternoon tea, as well as access to its Treetop Spa, £200stg per stay. Visitors can expect cosy nooks with interesting links to author CS Lewis who stayed here, as well as gourmet dining. www.theoldinn.com