When after a stay at Dunbrody House in Arthurstown Co. Wexford in Ireland Rock Star Pink says “I want to tell the whole world to go there” we knew that we had to visit.
Dunbrody House, one of the top hotels in Wexford, also happens to be a member of Blue Book Ireland of Country House Hotels and has welcomed famous guests such as Bono and Graham Norton.
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In 2016 Dunbrody Country House hotel was named Luxury Country House of the Year by the Luxury Travel Guide.
Dunbrody House Hotel is a Georgian Manor House owned by Celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon and his effervescent wife Catherine. Kevin has cooked for Bono, President Bush as well as Queen Elizabeth.
Back in 1994, the famous Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin headhunted Kevin to come on board as Executive Head Chef. In 2005 Kevin launched Raglan Road, an Irish Gastropub based in Disney World Florida.
In 1997 Kevin and Catherine founded Dunbrody Country House in Arthurstown in County Wexford. They offer luxury accommodation, with contemporary Irish country house cooking in their Harvest Room restaurant, a Champagne and Seafood Bar, a Cookery School and just recently added a traditional Irish Pub “The Local at Dunbrody” to their grounds after the local Pub closed down. A luxury Spa was opened in 2005 offering steam and mud baths, massages, therapies and treatments.
Kevin has appeared on ESPN Cable, CBC Live, Canada, RTE Live, Ireland and No Frontiers Travel Show as well as being the Resident Chef on RTE’s popular Afternoon show and a regular on Irish Radio. If that is not enough to fill in his already busy days he has written 2 books ‘Great Family Food’ and ‘Recipes that Work’ as well as many others (you can see them below and order them through the Amazon link).
Catherine is an excellent host, we had a night of great food and wine and lots of laughter and good fun chatting with her about Dunbrody House and life in general.
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Where is Dunbrody House Arthurstown
How to get to Dunbrody House Arthurstown
Dunbrody House is in Ireland’s Ancient East.
- 30 minutes from Wexford Town
- 30 minutes from Waterford City via the Passage East Car Ferry
- 2 hours from Dublin Airport
- 2 hours from Cork Airport
- 40 minutes from Rosslare
- 500m from Arthurstown
- 500m from Ramsgrange
- 2km from Ballyhack
- 2km from Duncannon
- 12km from Hook Lighthouse
Dunbrody House History
Dunbrody House was built in 1819 by Lord Spencer Stanley Chichester and is a detached nine bay, 2 storey Georgian Country House with a dormer attic situated on over 200 acres. Dunbrody House was the home to several generations of the Marquesses of Donegal. Patrick Chichester the 8th Marquess sold the home to Kevin and Catherine.
Kevin and Catherine have kept the original 1830s Irish oak floors and have created 22 magnificent rooms all individually decorated, some are suites, deluxe, superior and standard rooms are available as well as a guest lodge.
Our Experience at Dunbrody House Arthurstown
After a warm welcome from Margaret, we were taken to our Suite on the ground floor that led out into the garden area. Just as we were enjoying our Nespresso Coffee (available in the bedroom) there were sounds ‘just like a helicopter’ taking off on the lawn, we rushed out to join other guests watching on as the helicopter hovered and then left, still not sure who the VIP guest was.
Our bed was so comfortable with its orthopaedic mattress, duck down toppers and crisp white cotton bed linen. Dunbrody House uses goose and duck feather pillows and can also supply non-allergenic pillows and duvets on request.
We also enjoyed their luxury toiletries range.
As we were staying for 2 nights we decided to eat at “The Local at Dunbrody” the first night and enjoy eating at the Harvest Room the 2nd night.
“The Local” has loads of character and very popular with the locals and tourists. It is open from Thursday/Friday 4.00 pm and 1.00 pm Saturday/Sunday. You can enjoy pizzas, fish and chips as well as daily specials.
Dundon’s Champagne Seafood Bar is open from 11.30am for a more casual dining option.
The Harvest Room Restaurant is open daily from 6.30 pm. There is a choice of either the 5-course Seasonal Menu or the Tasting Menu of 8 courses with or without Wine Pairings.
We enjoyed the 5-course seasonal Menu with an Austrian White Wine from Loimer Wines as recommended by Catherine.
We hear that Sunday Lunch is popular from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm (reservations required).
Breakfast is served at the Harvest Room Restaurant each morning.
What To See and Do at Dunbrody House Arthurstown
Whilst staying at Dunbrody House you can:
- pamper yourself at their luxury Spa
- enjoy a cooking class at their Dunbrody House Cookery School – they have available 1, 2 or 5-day masterclasses on offer
- visit the Dunbrody Gardens and chat with their gardeners Emmet and Seamus
- visit the Chicken and Herb Garden
- say hi to Delago – the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig at the pond
- enjoy the Dunbrody House Sunday Lunch
What to See and Do outside Dunbrody House Arthurstown
There are several walks around Arthurstown and nearby villages such as the Kings Bay Walk and Duncannon Beach Walk, check with reception for more details.
Waterford Crystal 1 Hour Factory Tour
You’ll get a unique behind-the-scenes look at how master craftsmen create some of the world’s most exquisite crystal objects and still have time for some shopping. Take the Passage East Car Ferry from Ballyhack a few minutes drive from Dunbrody House to Passage East and then it is just a short drive into Waterford.
Duncannon Fort is situated on the side of Hook Peninsula and is over 450 years old.
Hook Lighthouse was built in the 13th century at the tip of the Hook Peninsula and it has 3 stone vaulted chambers with a spiral staircase.
A Cistercian Abbey founded in 1210AD and is one of the largest in Ireland.
The largest tall ship ever built in Ireland – 176 feet long, masts of 130 feet and weighing 458 tonnes. Enjoy a tour of 1 hour learning about life on board for its transatlantic crossing from New Ross to the USA and Canada.
The Kennedy Eternal Flame is also there.
252 hectares with a Visitor Centre, 4,500 trees and shrubs, 200 forest plots, scenic walks, picnic area and a lake set of by the J. F. Kennedy Trust.
Patrick Kennedy, President John F. Kennedys Great Grandfather was born in Dunganstown, just outside New Ross in County Wexford in Ireland. During the Great Famine, he departed from New Ross in 1848 to sail to the USA. The rest is history. You can visit the Kennedy Homestead.
Contact Details:
Address:
Dunbrody Country House Hotel, Arthurstown, Y34 R597 Co. Wexford Ireland
Telephone:
Telephone: +353(0)51 389600
Website:
For the latest deals and reservations for Dunbrody House Arthurstown:
Our Thanks
We would like to thank Kevin and Catherine and their team for a memorable 2-night stay at Dunbrody House. Special thanks to Margaret who handled our check in and check out efficiently and gave us such a warm welcome.
Our accommodation was based on the media rate.
If you enjoyed our article on Dunbrody House you may enjoy our other articles on our adventures in Ireland:
Ahernes Seafood Restaurant and Townhouse Youghal
A night out at Killarney Brewing Company
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Disclosure
We enjoyed two nights at Dunbrody House on their media rate but received no further remuneration to write this post. We were not expected to write a positive review – all views are our own and we retain full editorial control.
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Wonderful Dunbrody House Luxury Hotel very great article and pictures…! Especially I loved the dishes…well i cant stop waiting more need to go Immediately..! Thanks a lot for sharing Your thoughts mam.
Thanks for your comments!
Dunbrody House is definitely worth a visit!
The Dunbrody House looks just stunning and really enjoyed reading the history of it. It owuld be amazing experience to stay in a place like that, thinging how many things happened in those rooms. The food presentations looks awesome, I am sure it’s also high experience.
Hi Anita
Thanks for your comments. It was a great experience.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Dunbrody House looks elegant and seem like expensive and comfortable accomodations. What draws me is the really yummy pictures of the food – they sure look good! Good to read that the hosts were very accomodating – this is so important for an overall staying experience
Hi Adele
Thanks for your comments. Such a great place to enjoy a stay in Ireland. Hope you can visit one day.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
What a quality hotel to stay in I must say and the decor compliments it truly. Great to know the hotel is part of the Blue Book Ireland of Country House Hotels which assures the quality. I love the old vintage look of some of the rooms and the exposed timber work adds so much to the character of the place. looks like the food was equally amazing and to tie it in with some of the famous celebrities who have graced this place such as Bono and Graham Norton is a testament of the quality THANKS FOR SHARING
What a quality hotel to stay in I must say and the decor compliments it truly. Great to know the hotel is part of the Blue Book Ireland of Country House Hotels which assures the quality. I love the old vintage look of some of the rooms and the exposed timber work adds so much to the character of the place. looks like the food was equally amazing and to tie it in with some of the famous celebrities who have graced this place such as Bono and Graham Norton is a testament of the quality THANKS FOR SHARING
Hi Amar
Thank you for your comments. Blue Book of Ireland is a great accommodation resource for Ireland.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
The room has an aristocrat feeling, in my opinion. It looks grand. I fell for the lamb chop though. Looks so delicious, as well as the chocolate dessert.
Hi Umiko
Thanks for your comments. Dunbrody House is a unique experience.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
If Pink and you both loved it at Dunbrody House, then I totally am adding this to my bucket list! And the 5-course seasonal menu dinner sounds delicious!!! The history of this place alone is so interesting, oh if the walls could speak! And there looks to be quite a bit of interesting and historical things to do around Arthurstown.
Hi Soraya
Thank you for your comments. I wondered what room Pink stayed in! It is such a fun place.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
The Dunbrody House looks like a really interesting place and I sure enjoyed reading about its history. I sure would love to stay in a place like that, at least for a few days. The food looks absolutely delicious too! Thank you for this lovely recommendation.
Hi Kiteski
Thanks for your comments. The food was great and highly recommended.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Wow it was built in 1813! It is so well preserved and well maintained for a luxury experience. Love the food options too. great choice!
Hi Sinjana
Thanks for your comments. It was such a great experience.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
I am very fond of vintage and this one looks straight from history books. Keeping the original 1830s Irish oak floors is not easy for sure. Everything looks very classy about Dunbrody house.I would love to stay and explore around too. The Famine ship has definitely got me curious. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Manjulika
Thanks for your comments. It really is such a beautiful place to stay.
Cheers Jane and Duncan