Clanard Court Hotel. Leading 4-Star Hotel in Kildare

Clanard Court Hotel. 

Leading 4-Star Hotel in Kildare

Steak!

Let us begin this tale with a drink even though our host hotel, the Clanard Court, has everything you'd expect to find in a four-star hotel. But this one is rather special.

The drink (drinks really) are their newly introduced Flavours of the Land Summer Cocktail Range featuring the produce of neighbouring counties and indeed some of the ingredients, such as Athy Local Honey and Mary Gruffery’s marmalade, are ultra-local. Other suppliers include Ballykeefe Distillery, Royal Oak Distillery, Glendalough Distillery, Blackwater Distillery, Highbank Orchard, Poachers Drinks and Stillgarden Distillery.

Blade of beef

Apple Mojito

So when we called into the  hotel's lively Bailey’s Bar and Bistro that evening, we “studied” the list - no shortage of advice - and made our choices. Top picks were the “Highbank Apple Mojito” based on Highbank Apple Rum, Athy Honey Water, Lime Juice, Local Fresh Mint Leaf, and Poachers Irish Soda (for her) and, for me, the Seven Glendaloughs based on Glendalough Distillery Summer Gin, Highbank Apple Brandy, Athy Honey Water & Poachers Wild Irish Tonic, all Irish ingredients and absolutely superb. 

There are six of these cocktails in all and if you want to try the spirits (without all the add-ons) they have a tempting list of perfect serves lined up for you!

Baked Alaska

And that local support is carried into the food as well. “Supporting local and recognising award-winning producers plays a key part in our whole food ethos – our Lamb and Beef are sourced from various craft butchers using livestock exclusively from the pastures of Leinster, our Milk, Wexford Ice Cream and Farmhouse Cheese come from free-range cows, our Signature Tomato Chutney is made in-house from locally grown vegetables and our Seafood is simply the best from Kilmore Quay & Dublin Bay.”

Bird's eye view of Clanard Court

We arrived about 4.00 pm on a Sunday and were surprised to find the car park quite full. It is a large area and there were far more cars there than you'd expect for a 45-room hotel. The reason was the people were here for the excellent food and we got to enjoy that ourselves later on. 

Ancient East cocktail,
based on Blackwater Strawberry Gin

Highlight for me was the classic 10-ounce Sirloin Steak served with Sauteed Onions & Mushrooms, House Fries, and Creamy Peppercorn Sauce, perfectly cooked and perfectly accompanied, a delicious delight. 

CL was also on the beef, enjoying the 32-Hour Slow Cooked Blade of Beef with Spring Onion Mash, Pearl Onion, Barley, Smoked Bacon Ragout, perfectly cooked and presented and another winner.

Bath, in bedroom

Breakfast (mini)

We started with the excellent Shredded Duck & Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet Soy & Chilli Dressing and our dessert (shared), the Bailey’s Gluten Free Baked Alaska (Layered With Fresh Fruit, Strawberry Ice Cream & Italian Meringue) provided the sweetest of finishes! As you can see, the menu is quite wide ranging (includes a selection of pizzas) and they also offer a Plant-based menu. 

Service was super friendly all through and that continued at breakfast in the morning. Again, there is a range of dishes on offer, some from the buffet, others from the kitchen. After the night before, I settled for a glass of orange, a few spoons of muesli and the mini-Irish (one of everything). Very happy with that tasty start to the day! 

The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, with comfortable beds, plush bedding, and all the modern amenities. The bathrooms are also spacious and have large walk-in showers. We had an upgrade and that suite, one of the newer rooms, included a free-standing bath in the large bedroom and a private garden terrace. 

Homemade!

The hotel, in a rural area at the edge of historic Athy, is well placed for travel with motorways (M9, M7) close at hand - you’ll be in Dublin in less than an hour for instance - and it is easy to visit much of the midlands from here.

And if you are travelling around or even on your feet all day shopping in Kildare Village, you’ll really appreciate a pampering session in the Revive Garden Spa & Beauty Rooms, “where time is left at the door and you can let yourself unwind and relax in our sanctuary of pure bliss! Revive and rejuvenate your mind & body with our heavenly range of treatments.”

They do weddings here also and in some style. Facilities include their own Little White Chapel. No half measures here! No wonder they are regular award winners and not just for weddings.

Alpaca

Conferences and gatherings are also catered for at Clanard with a number of suites of different sizes, all with the technological facilities you expect these days such as LCD Projector, Screen, Ceiling Speakers, Podium, Markers, Pads, Pens, Iced Water and Free high-speed internet access. 

Seven Glendaloughs 

The hotel and grounds are really well maintained (the hedges around the car park were being trimmed as we departed on Monday). And, on the grounds, you will also see a group of Alpacas and Jacob Sheep grazing.

Alpacas and Jacobs Sheep

We really felt at home here thanks to manager Eoin Jacob and his extremely friendly and welcoming staff. They certainly went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable.

Also on this visit (thanks to Into Kildare for helping):

Newbridge Silverware.

Clanard Court Hotel.

Kildare Village - Athy - Burtown House

Recent Visit:

The National Stud & Japanese Gardens 

You're on course for a great time when you stay at Lawlor's of Naas 

Lawlor's Naas is a great base for Kildare's many attractions 

INTO KILDARE FIRST PAST THE POST AT WINDSOR RACECOURSE FOR MEET THE BUYER EVENT

INTO KILDARE FIRST PAST THE POST AT WINDSOR RACECOURSE

 FOR MEET THE BUYER EVENT

Pictured at the Into Kildare ‘Meet the Buyer’ UK event week at Windsor in the UK were (left to right) Tristan Jacob, Ronan Mackey, Ted Robinson, David Wardell, Orla Canavan, Orla McCabe, Gisele Mansfield, David Doherty, Grace Shannon, Paul Keane, Adrian Mooney, Chloe Kimmins, David Mongey, Aine Mangan, Daragh Fitzpatrick, Reetu Susan Jagan

.

Into Kildare, the County Kildare tourism board, together with the Dublin Convention Bureau brought 12 County Kildare conference and hospitality providers to meet the top 20 key meeting and incentive buyers in the UK for a Meeting Incentive Conference and Events (MICE) event. The ‘Meet County Kildare Conference’ took place at Windsor Racecourse in the UK on Monday, 24^th of July and provided Into Kildare members with the chance to promote their conference and events offerings and leisure facilities.  

The event was a great success and was attended by some of the county’s leading hotels and tourism outlets including Barberstown Castle, Cliff at Lyons, Irish National Stud & Gardens, Kildare Village, Kilkea Castle, Killashee Hotel, Newbridge Silverware, The Club at Goffs, The Curragh Racecourse, The K Club and Lawlor’s of Naas.

Councillor Darragh Fitzpatrick, Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council was also in attendance on the sales mission and spoke about how impressed he was with the camaraderie the Into Kildare members have with each other. Speaking at the event he said, “County Kildare has much to offer when it comes to meetings and events. This sales mission in the UK, facilitated by Into Kildare allows our great conferencing, hospitality and tourism providers a wonderful opportunity to connect with key buyers.  By working together, we can ensure our network of hospitality providers always offer a warm welcome to visitors to County Kildare.”

David Wardell of the Irish National Stud concurred and said that the event offered great opportunities to connect with those people who wanted to experience truly unique and immersive experience such as the new Irish Racehorse Experience at the famous Kildare stud.  Ted Robinson, General Manager of Barberstown Castle was also delighted with the outcome and was very pleased that Into Kildare was able to attract premier conference buyers to the event which offered fantastic networking opportunities for conferencing outlets and centres such as Barberstown Castle.

Racing TV broadcast live from Windsor Racecourse on the day and interviewed various Into Kildare members at the conferencing event which offered even more opportunities for promotion for the county.

Áine Mangan, CEO of Into Kildare said, “This sales mission to Windsor in conjunction with the Dublin Convention Bureau is part of our ongoing strategy to promote County Kildare as a great place for meetings and incentives.  The Meeting Incentive Conference and Events industry (MICE) has huge potential and is worth over €720 million to the Irish economy while also supporting some 20,000 jobs. 

We have a wealth of fabulous conferencing facilities in County Kildare as well as superb accommodation providers.  Ireland attracts a huge number of international conferences and those delegates will often extend their stay beyond the duration of the conference itself. County Kildare has lots to offer for both the business and leisure traveller and this is particularly attractive to incentive buyers who want to offer both pre and post conferencing activities and experiences to their delegates.”  She went on to say, “The inclusion of bespoke activities on conferencing itineraries such as golf, horse racing, or private tours of visitor attractions ensures a longer stay by the delegate and results in the sale of more bed nights and a higher ‘per delegate’ spend in the county.”

Into Kildare’s next overseas mission in conjunction with the Dublin Convention Bureau will take place on the 30^th of August in New York and follows feedback from Into Kildare members who requested sales representation and support in the US market.  For more information on Into Kildare please visit www.intokildare.ie

Press release

You're on course for a great time when you stay at Lawlor's of Naas

You're on course for a great time when you stay at Lawlor's of Naas 

Terrific Sea Bass dish in Vi's

Hard to know where to start when talking about the amazingly popular Lawlor’s Hotel in the heart of Naas. Hard, because a recent refurbishment has more than doubled its size to over three acres! They have 138 individually designed bedrooms, ranging from traditional style to brand-new superior bedrooms. All rooms are en-suite and are fitted with power showers, some with modern jacuzzi baths - providing ultimate luxury. 

Yet, when we knew we were heading there, our focus was immediately on Vi’s, the newly launched restaurant. Quite a spectacular place highlighted by the custom-made iconic round dining bar, an eye-catching centrepiece of the luxurious new lobby.

The bar in the round in Vi's

The frontage of the “old” hotel faces the town's main thoroughfare, while the new reception is on the other side of the complex, reached via Gleann na Greine (don't worry, very easy to find). Here you will find a spacious underground car park with a lift up to reception.

It took us a while to finish the walk as we took in the lobby and the restaurant and the magnificent decor. And then we got a warm welcome from the staff at the desk and took the lift to the 4th floor and our spacious comfortable room with all we needed for our stay. From the window, we could see down to the gardens. 

Terrine starter

It was one of the warmest days of recent weeks and the temptation factor was high. Soon, we were relaxing in the garden with a cool drink at hand. Vi's Gardens, with its ancient gates, is now open daily for dining and drinks and you may have lunch in the lobby from 12.00 pm until 4.00 pm. The Bistro is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

After the liquid refreshment had reached the vital spot, we decided to take a stroll along the main streets of this well-kept town. Busy too and no sign of any vacant sites that blight the centre of some of our cities and towns. Didn’t go too far though as the heat was still up and we had already walked quite a bit during our superb visit to the nearby Irish National Stud.

Lawlor's

By the way, on the way up and down to our room, we regularly passed the Courtroom. Yes, the Courtroom. It is laid out in a traditional semi-circular fashion. But the seating here is very comfortable and the facilities (AV technology and video conferencing) are bang up-to-date and excellent for corporate and training events. This restored 19th Century wood-panelled amphitheatre meeting room holds up to 50 attendees,

Soon it was time for dinner - we had a reservation - and we headed for Vi’s. Again, the welcome was warm and friendly and that vibe continued right through a very efficient service all through the meal. Vi’s is currently open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6 pm to 9 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm to 8 pm. Expect to pay a bit more here than in the Bistro. 

It also has some different dishes available, as you'd expect, including Steak on a Stone - 6oz medallion of prime Irish beef fillet on the stone with portobello mushroom, caramelised red onion, overnight tomatoes, pepper sauce, chunky chip. And then there’s the exclusive Mrs Lawlor’s Sherry Trifle (left) - a classic boozy sherry trifle made using Mrs Lawlor's own recipe.

You can also break the bank on the Drinks List which is very extensive. A lot of reading there and it might be worth your while to try and get your hands on it in advance! We settled on an excellent New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and a dram of Green Spot.

One of the unusual doors, each with a story

The menu takes a fair bit of attention also. Eight starters include Sharing Platter of deep-fried calamari, chorizo, and Padron peppers. My pick was the Jane Russell Blackpudding and Ham Hock Terrine which came with black apple chutney, lamb leaf, and French dressing.

That got me off to a flier and CL, who had been tempted by the Ardsallagh Goats Cheese Tartlet,  was also delighted with her Pulled Roast Chicken Croquette with Pickled mushroom, lamb's leaf lettuce, and honey buttermilk dressing. Sat back between courses and listened to the live musician, had another look or two at the eye-catching decor above and around the bar, and enjoyed voyeuristically the craic coming from a nearby 40th birthday celebration.

Perfect steak

Time then for the main event, surf for her, turf for me! CL’s pick was the Pan-fried Sea Bass with warm potato salad, cherry tomatoes, peppers, braised fennel, and roasted red pepper reduction. Absolutely perfect, the fish hugely enhanced by the marvellous sauce. 

I ordered the 10 oz Irish Beef Striploin Steak with mushrooms, caramelised red onion, overnight tomato, pepper sauce, and chunky chips, My server suggested a port wine sauce and I went along with that. Ten out of ten here for sure, the meat was perfectly cooked and lifted by the overnight tomato and that port wine sauce.

One of the inviting gardens, seen from 4th floor window

They serve breakfast in the Bistro from 6.30 am. We were never in danger of getting there that early and it was after nine when we sat down in what is still quite a striking room. The service is again friendly and the whole operation is well organised and runs smoothly. Just take your time and check all your options.

There is a central station for juices and cereals while tea, coffee, and toast will be delivered to your table. Aside from one or two other options, everything else comes from the Hot Buffett which is regularly checked and replenished. 

Breakfast is served in this area of the Bistro
(part of the "old" hotel)

Our selections, mostly eggs, pudding, beans and mushrooms were top notch and indeed their sausages were superb, sorry I didn't take another one! But there you go. We were quite happy as we left the room to take a stroll on the tidy banks of the nearby Grand Canal and also a look at the Country Market which takes place every Friday (the Farmers Market is on Saturday).

With the sunshine coming to a temporary halt, it was time to check out (after another pleasant chat) and head down south with a promise to ourselves that we'd be back to Lawlors.

Here the "old" front of Lawlor's continues to face out on Poplar Square

Also on this trip:

More on the advantages of this hotel with an emphasis on its location, a great base for touring the Kildare area here.

And a post also on our delightful visit to the Irish National Stud here.

 

BLOOMING AMAZING PRIZES TO BE WON WITH INTO KILDARE! From luxury hotel stays to visitor experiences and lots more Kildare has it all!

BLOOMING AMAZING PRIZES TO BE WON WITH INTO KILDARE!

-From luxury hotel stays to visitor experiences and lots more Kildare has it all!-

Áine Mangan, CEO of Into Kildare

Visit the Into Kildare, exhibition stand at the lifestyle and gardening show of the year, Bord Bia Bloom this weekend and you could win some ‘Blooming Great’ prizes!  The much-loved Bord Bia Bloom Festival takes place at the Phoenix Park in Dublin this June bank holiday weekend and attracts upwards of 100,000 visitors, all keen to learn more about gardening and get some cooking, lifestyle and travel inspirations.   

No less than18 member organisations of Into Kildare, the County Kildare Tourism Board, will exhibit at stand number D18 which is located in the Indoor Shopping Pavilion over the five days of the show and will have the chance to meet with the public and to tell visitors to the show about the many hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions in the county. 

The public will also have a chance to win fantastic prizes from hospitality providers and visitor attractions in the Kildare, which is famous for horse racing, great shopping, championship golf, luxury hotels and fabulous restaurants. Prizes include luxury hotel escapes, several relaxing culinary experiences, tickets to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, family paintballing in Redhills, an exhilarating Ferrari Driving Experience in Mondello, a luxury food hamper from Firecastle, and a canteen of silver cutlery from Newbridge Silverware among many others.

Áine Mangan, CEO of Into Kildare said, “We are delighted to have so many of our members on hand this weekend to speak to the public about their wonderful businesses and to tell visitors about all the great things to see and do in Co. Kildare.  A huge thanks to the members for providing such fantastic prizes for the public to win and the range of experiences and prizes to be won is reflective of the great variety of things to do and see in Co. Kildare”.

Bord Bia Bloom features uplifting and innovative horticulture, food, and drink experiences with nature and sustainable living at its heart. Originally created to promote plants, garden design, horticulture and gardening, the show has grown into something which not only makes for a great day out, but also offers a huge range of practical information on everything from gardening, to growing fruit and vegetables, cooking, and culture.

Bord Bia Bloom takes place over five days on the June Bank Holiday weekend (June 1st – 5th), running from 9am to 6pm daily.  For more information see www.bordbiabloom.com and to find out more about some great places to visit in County Kildare see www.intokildare.ie or email info@intokildare.ie

 

INTO KILDARE TO PAINT THE TOWN RED FOR PUNCHESTOWN

press release

INTO KILDARE TO PAINT THE TOWN RED FOR PUNCHESTOWN

Pictured are Áine Mangan, CEO Into Kildare and Joanne Byrne – Digital Experience Officer Into Kildare.

Pic: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography.

 

Into Kildare, the tourism board for County Kildare has joined forces with Punchestown Racecourse and officially launched the ‘Paint The Town Red’ campaign.   The campaign is a best dressed window and building competition which will help promote and support businesses in Naas before and during the Punchestown Festival.  The initiative will see shops and traders in Naas being encouraged to decorate their buildings and shop fronts in a racing inspired, Punchestown theme.

 

The Punchestown Festival this year runs from Tuesday 25 - Saturday 29th April and there are plenty of great places in Naas for racegoers to visit both pre and post racing including some of Ireland’s best boutiques, men’s shops, hotels, restaurants, and pubs to mention but a few.

Naas businesses are being encouraged to embrace the fun and the energy of the famous festival and to ‘Paint The Town Red’ by incorporating the colour red in their window displays. Into Kildare has also sponsored flags which have dressed the streetscape and Naas Town Centre and which create a festival and party atmosphere in the town centre.

The trader with the best window will win a wonderful opportunity to be a tourist in their own county! The winner will get a host of fabulous prizes including dinner, bed and breakfast for two people at Kilkea Castle Hotel and Golf Resort, dinner bed and breakfast for two at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort and dinner, bed and breakfast at Clanard Court Hotel. The top prize also includes hospitality for two in the La Touche Restaurant on the 29^th of April at the Punchestown Festival.  The fun doesn’t stop there… there’s also a family pass to the Irish National Stud to include the Racehorse Experience and Japanese Gardens and to top it all off there’s two tickets to see all of the flat horse racing action at the 1,000 Guineas Raceday at The Curragh on May, 28^th.

The two runners up will win hospitality in the La Touche Restaurant on the 29^th of April at Punchestown, a family pass with the Irish Racehorse Experience for use at the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens and two tickets to the 1,000 Guineas Raceday at the Curragh.

All entrants in the Paint The Town Red best dressed window competition will be given a pair of complimentary tickets for the opening day of the festival, Tuesday 25^th of April when the overall winner will be announced.

To enter, entrants need to email a photo of their shop front all decorated in the Punchestown colours and racing theme to jcreaton@punchestown.com The deadline is Tuesday 18^th of April. Punchestown Racecourse will announce the finalists on social media on Friday 21^st of April and the winner will be announced and presented with their prize in the Parade Ring at Punchestown Racecourse on Tuesday, 25^th of April.

Speaking about the campaign, Áine Mangan, CEO of Into Kildare said, “The Into Kildare, Paint the Town Red initiative aims to encourage racegoers to eat, sleep and shop in Naas and to spend their money with local businesses.  The Punchestown Festival will attract over 130,000 racegoers to the racecourse this year and those racegoers will of course need somewhere to eat, sleep and shop. 

Kildare is known as ‘The Thoroughbred County’ but we also have lots to offer away from the track including fabulous cultural, dining and shopping experiences.  Flags and creative displays will help to create a fun, festival atmosphere and will remind people that there is plenty to see and do in the area before and after racing.  We are calling on all businesses to embrace the racing theme, decorate Naas and Paint the Town Red! “

She went on to say, “It is up to all of us collectively to entice visiting racegoers into the town with attractive offers and showcase the great community spirit that is alive and well in Naas. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our members in the tourism network in county Kildare - Into Kildare who have been most supportive and engaging.”

Conor O Neill, CEO of Punchestown Racecourse said, “Last year was our first year back to racing as we knew it post pandemic. We were just blown away by the atmosphere, the crowds and the goodwill.  We called last year our ‘Great Comeback Festival’ and it was certainly that!  We look forward to welcoming great crowds and glad to see that most people have availed of the early bird discounts and got great value tickets. Sales are strong, hospitality continues to impress us with the level of popularity and UK visitors return year after year and account for 20% of the festival attendance.  The Paint the Town Red concept was introduced to create that welcome for visitors and connect the town to this massive flagship event that’s happening just on the outskirts. We would like to thank those businesses that really put in such great efforts. It all adds to the event which in turn contributes massively to the local economy. We look forward to welcoming the people of Kildare and beyond to the 2023 Punchestown Festival.

 

For further information about Into Kildare please see www.intokildare.ie or email into info@intokildare.ie