Where to stay in Ireland

Dublin’s grand hotel, facing St Stephen’s Green since 1824; the Irish constitution was drafted in one of its rooms. Five-star comfort and a famous afternoon tea.

A smart, modern four-star just off Merrion Square, a few minutes’ walk from Trinity College, the National Gallery and Pearse station.

A design-led hostel in Smithfield with private rooms as well as dorms, beside the Luas Red Line and the Jameson distillery — the budget pick.

The landmark Victorian railway hotel on Eyre Square, beside the station and coach stops — as central as Galway gets.

A large four-star with a spa and pool overlooking Lough Atalia, five minutes’ walk from Eyre Square and with its own parking.

A turreted castle hotel on the edge of Clifden, known for its convivial house-party atmosphere — a base for the Sky Road and Connemara National Park.

A modern, eco-minded hotel in the middle of the village with its own pub and regular music — the easiest base for sessions and the ferry pier.

A country-house hotel in the heart of the Burren near Ballyvaughan, with gardens, a noted restaurant and views to Galway Bay.

A straightforward, comfortable hotel on the main street of Liscannor, the closest village to the visitor centre.

Killarney’s grand Victorian railway hotel, opened in 1854 beside the station, with gardens, a pool and high-ceilinged public rooms.

A large four-star in the very centre, at the corner of the main street and the national park entrance, with a spa and several restaurants.

A long-established, family-run hotel on East Avenue Road with a traditional pub, two minutes from the station.

The town’s leading hotel, on the edge of the harbour with views across Dingle Bay, a pool and spa, and a well-run children’s club in holiday periods.

A traditional hotel on Main Street that has put up travellers for well over two centuries, steps from the pubs and restaurants.

A modern, friendly three-star overlooking the marina, with a popular bar and live music downstairs.

Cork’s grande dame on South Mall, in business since the early nineteenth century, with a spa and one of the city’s best-loved cafés.

A contemporary four-star on the riverbank beside the university, ten minutes’ walk from the centre, with a pool and parking.

A harbour-front hotel in Kinsale with gardens running down to the water, a leisure centre and the town’s restaurants on the doorstep.

A large four-star beside the castle and High Street, with a pool and its own parking — a rarity in the old city.

A boutique-style four-star on Patrick Street, two minutes from the castle gates, with castle views from some rooms.

The Georgian dower house of Kilkenny Castle, with a walled garden leading through to the castle yard; elegant and quiet.

A historic family-run hotel on Waterford’s quay, a short walk from Reginald’s Tower and the Viking Triangle.

Belfast’s most opulent hotel, in the former Ulster Bank headquarters in the Cathedral Quarter, with a spectacular domed dining room and a rooftop spa.

A city institution beside the Grand Opera House and Grand Central station; it hosted the world’s press during the Troubles and presidents after them.

In the former Harland & Wolff headquarters and drawing offices, where the Titanic was designed — directly opposite Titanic Belfast.

An old coaching inn in Bushmills village with turf fires, a gas-lit bar and a well-regarded restaurant — the classic place to stay near the Causeway.

A National Trust-owned hotel dating from 1836, standing beside the visitor centre: the stones are a walk from the front door.

A modern seafront hotel on Portrush’s Main Street, close to the harbour restaurants, the beaches and the railway station.

A restored Edwardian building inside Derry’s walls, a few steps from the ramparts, the Guildhall and the city’s pubs.

A restored castle hotel on a wooded lakeshore a few kilometres from Donegal town, with a spa — the county’s grandest stay.

A much-loved lakeside hotel on Lough Eske, known for large rooms, generous cooking and warm service.

A traditional hotel on the Diamond in the centre of Donegal town, with a lively bar; the practical, good-value choice.

A striking modern four-star overlooking the Garavogue River in the middle of Sligo town, a few minutes’ walk from the station.

A polished four-star in the centre of Westport with spacious rooms, sharing a spa and pool with its sister hotel next door.

A hilltop four-star on the edge of Westport with views to Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay, a spa and an acclaimed restaurant.

One of Ireland’s great castle hotels, on the shore of Lough Corrib at Cong — a medieval and Victorian castle with five-star service and a price to match.

Limerick’s leading city-centre hotel, just off O’Connell Street, with a small pool and spa and several bars and restaurants.

A Georgian townhouse hotel facing the People’s Park in the heart of Newtown Pery, with a spa in the vaulted basement.

A historic inn on Adare’s main street, opposite the thatched cottages, with gardens, a pool and old-fashioned country-house style.

A comfortable hotel on a rise above Bunratty village, a short walk from the castle and ten minutes from Shannon Airport.