This past fall Patrick and I spent two magical weeks roaming our way up and down the Emerald Isle. This trip to Ireland was something I had been dreaming about … pretty much my entire life … and the fact that we actually DID IT still seems like a fairytale to me. I spent over two years planning every little detail for this big vacation. And thanks to all the prep work, our Irish adventure went off without a hitch. Throughout the next month, I plan to (finally) share our Ireland experience with you all in the hopes to help you plan your own trip to this beautiful country one day too.
To get things starting, I’m kicking off with a look into our stay in Northern Ireland at Culloden Estate and Spa, just outside of Belfast. As soon as our plane landed in Dublin, we hopped in our rental car and drove a few hours straight here. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the first few days of our adventure than with a stay at this stunning historic estate. More on why we loved it below!
Culloden Estate and Spa:
A Bit of History for You
Culloden Estate and Spa sits just a few minutes north of Belfast in the town of Hollywood overlooking the Belfast Lough and the County Antrim Coastline. The majestic Gothic Mansion was built in 1876 with stone shipped over from Scotland. Once home to the Lord Bishop of Down, the estate now houses one of the most distinguished five-star estates in Northern Ireland. Quite the luxurious place to stop and stay for a while, if I do say so myself!
As soon as you walk into the estate, you’re surrounded by the most elegant ambiance. Beautiful antique furniture, exquisite art created centuries ago along with awe-inspiring architectural details decorate the parlor and sitting rooms. Patrick and I certainly felt far away from home upon arrival, and rightly so!
Relax with an Afternoon Tea
Patrick and I landed in Dublin at 9:30 in the morning and after customs + grabbing our rental car, the two-hour drive to Belfast seemed like a breeze. We arrived at Culloden in early afternoon just in time to relax (while also caffeinating) with an Afternoon Tea. A tiered tray of delectable pastries, scones, and savory sandwiches was presented to us along with piping hot Irish Breakfast Tea.
Patrick and I sipped and snacked while admiring the view of the Lough all the while very confused as to what time it actually was. Jetlag sure is fun! But what better way to cure it than with sweets and a cup of tea?
A Room with a View
The rooms at Culloden were spacious and inviting with both traditional decor and modern amenities too. This soaking tub in the white marble bathroom was quite appealing but my favorite part of our suite was the view from the floor to ceiling picture windows. Framed by rows of vivid green trees, some with their fall colors on display, the Belfast Lough was easy to spot from our bed – off in the distance.
After tea and getting all checked in, Patrick and I made our way to the common rooms for a glass of wine by the roaring fire. We had a dinner reservation shortly after and of course I had to dress for the occasion!
Shop My Look:
Come on y’all, I couldn’t not wear some sort of green plaid on my first night of our Irish adventure. We visited Ireland in early October and for this Texan, it was quiiiite chilly. Patrick and I bundled up in sweaters and boots throughout the majority of our stay. However, I wouldn’t say it was ever too cold to have any fun. The weather was just what you would want for a perfectly crisp fall-like experience.
Dinner at The Mitre
Culloden Estate & Spa boasts two on-site restaurants offering incredibly fine dining. We had dinner at The Mitre and opted for both the Fillet of Beef and fresh fish to share with one another. Patrick and I can never decide on just one thing so we always wind up sharing whatever we order. We did this throughout our trip and were able to try so many different dishes this way too.
After an early dinner, Patrick and I hailed a cab and headed into Belfast to experience the famous Irish-pub culture.
A Night Out in Belfast
We sure packed a lot into our first day in Belfast and by the time we arrived in the Cathedral Quarter, that jetlag was getting really REAL. A pint or two of Guinness later and Patrick and I were like, “What jetlag?!” The music coming from musicians at The Duke of York pub were quick to distract us. We also checked out The Harp Bar and sipped on cider surrounded by the warmth of its cozy red and gold decor.
Explore The Grounds
Boasting 12-acres of rolling hills, manicured gardens and places to stop and stay for a while, Culloden Estate’s grounds are fit to be explored. Numerous sculptures dot the property and add a special touch to a morning stroll.
Complete Your Stay with a Full Irish Breakfast
One of my many favorite things about visiting the U.K. and Ireland is delighting in their take on breakfast. A full-Irish breakfast only differs slightly from that of a full-English breakfast. Culloden Estate’s breakfast buffet included Irish soda bread, rashers of bacon, sausages, sauteed mushrooms, black pudding and fried eggs. With a tray of toasts, butter and all the jams in the world sitting beside my cup of Irish breakfast tea, I was a happy happy girl both mornings we spent here!
Our stay at Culloden Estate and Spa was so magical, romantic, wonderful and everything else in that nature combined. The location also made for the perfect spot to slip away for the day to catch the Game of Thrones Bus Tour. (More on that in a later post.) If you find yourself paying a visit to Northern Ireland any time soon, I can not recommend a stay at this beautiful estate enough!
—
—
Thank you so much to Colluden Estate and Spa for hosting us during our visit to Northern Ireland. The experience was such a dream! (And as always, all opinions are my own.)
Loving this Culloden Estate and Spa feature? Take a look here for more of my travel favorites!
