GARDEN HEAVEN IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND TEAMS UP WITH TULFARRIS HOTEL

 GARDEN HEAVEN IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND TEAMS UP WITH TULFARRIS HOTEL

June Blake in her garden

 

Wicklow is often referred to as ‘The Garden of Ireland’ with its majestic mountains, valleys, and rugged beauty the county is home to countless ‘must visit’ places. The temperate climate allows a myriad variety of trees, plants, and shrubs to grow, and the county is famous for some of Ireland’s most stunning planted and natural gardens.

 

One of these ‘must visit’ gardens is June Blake’s Garden in Blessington, Co. Wicklow. Spread over three acres, the gardens were once nothing more than a great big field but through inspired design and thoughtful planting are now truly breathtaking. The gardens wrap around June’s own Victorian farmhouse and granite- stone farm buildings and are famous for their annual tulip display. Paths weave their way through a sea of prairie-style planting, coloured borders, and the famous tulips which June painstakingly plants every year. In fact, some 7,000 tulip bulbs are planted annually, and they put on an almighty display come May when the gardens become a riot of colour.  Completely organic, June’s garden is home to all kinds of wildlife, bees and insects and is a real joy to behold.

 

Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort also in Blessington has teamed up with June Blake’s Gardens in order to create a gardening package that any green fingered traveller would love.  ‘The Gardener’s Get Away’ includes two luxurious nights at the stunning four-star Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort with dinner in the hotel restaurant, Fia Rua, bed and breakfast each morning, a guided tour of June’s garden and a gardening workshop with June Blake herself.  The workshop will include top tips on propagation, what to plant and when and general tips on how to get the most from your own green patch.

“Gardening is real joy,” said June. “It’s wonderful to see those little green shoots peeping up over the soil and then watching the leaves unfurl to display their fabulous early summer costumes.  May is tulip season for us here at the gardens and visitors on the Tulfarris Gardener’s Get Away will see first-hand the vibrant colours that these stunning flowers are so famous for. I’m looking forward to meeting gardeners of all levels and my workshop is suitable for experienced gardeners and novices alike.”

 

The package also includes a picnic which the talented chefs at Tulfarris will prepare for you to bring with you to enjoy while you take in the stunning beauty at the gardens. What could be more heavenly than enjoying an artisan picnic lunch in a verdant, leafy, and peaceful space?  Guests who book directly via the Tulfarris Hotel website will also receive a complimentary glass of Prosecco when they book directly on the hotel’s own website. The Gardiner’s Get Away will run from Sunday, 15^th of May until Tuesday the 17^th of May and is priced from €244 per person sharing.

 

All of the bedrooms at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort have been newly renovated and the resort itself enjoys a stunning location, set on the shores of the famous Blessington Lakes.  Nature lovers will enjoy the many walks around the resort and don’t be surprised if you see wild deer roaming about. In fact, the deer are so plentiful that the main hotel restaurant was called ‘Fia Rua’ (Red Deer).

 

Guests may also easily access the nearby, historic Russborough House, reputed to be the longest house in Ireland.  Russborough is only a short drive away from the Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort and is certainly worth a visit. Designed by Richard Cassels, Russborough was built in 1755 and is a fine example of Palladian architecture. Outside, the walled garden, maze and extensive, mature parkland is a delight to explore with its ancient, native trees and plants.  The 200-acre estate is also home to the National Bird of Prey Centre where owls, falcons and birds of prey from all over the world can be found.

 

To book the The Gardener’s Get Away package log on to www.tulfarrishotel.com or call (045) 867 600.

press release

 

FIA RUA: THE NEW RESTAURANT AT TULFARRIS HOTEL AND GOLF RESORT, BLESSINGTON, CO. WICKLOW

FIA RUA: THE NEW RESTAURANT AT TULFARRIS HOTEL AND GOLF RESORT, BLESSINGTON, CO. WICKLOW 

The PREM Group owned Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort in Blessington, Co. Wicklow has been enjoying something of a renaissance in recent times.  Substantial capital works has seen renovations in the ballroom, in the Manor House, on the golf course, in the hotel itself and most recently a brand-new restaurant, ‘Fia Rua’ was created.

The 72-seater restaurant enjoys panoramic views across the 18^th championship golf course to the mountains and the Blessington Lakes and is a spectacular venue to enjoy dinner or a leisurely lunch.

Under the watchful eye of Executive Head Chef, Eddie McDermott the restaurant serves modern Irish cuisine and places a huge emphasis on food provenance.  Local produce features prominently on the menu from local farmhouse cheeses such as Wicklow Ban Brie, sourced from The Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese Company in Arklow, to meat, fish and vegetables.  The chef’s signature dish, 12-hour, pot roasted feather blade of beef is one of the most popular dishes on the menu and is made from beef provided by the well-known, Gahan Meats Family Butchers.

 The restaurant has been completely refurbished by McStan Construction under the supervision of specialist hospitality designer Julie Goggin who expertly mixed hard and soft materials to glorious effect. The décor is elegant and stylish, timber lined windows with feature panelling frame the stunning views while the tan leather upholstered booths provide private and intimate spaces for diners.

Local craftsmen created the joinery which incorporates solid hand worked oak panelling, inset antique mirrors and feature brass shelving. Hand-cut Carrera marble fan mosaics add a really luxurious feel to the space and are inlaid into a smoked oak parquet floor.  Meanwhile, a stunning hand-blown light fitting by Venetian Specialists Giopato and Coombes creates an eye-catching feature in the centre of the room and has been inspired by the great billowing clouds which dramatically cling to the Wicklow Mountain tops.

Julie also used pattern in the fabrics to reflect the Irish garden and the natural world which surrounds Tulfarris. Some of the chairs have been beautifully upholstered with William Morris fabrics and feature some famous patterns and scenes such as the iconic ‘Strawberry Thief’ bird and flower pattern.

Fia Rua will open for diners once government restrictions allow and bookings can be made by (045) 867 609. More details and menus can be seen on the website www.tulfarrishotel.com