5 Mother’s Day lunch dates that will guarantee you’re her favourite child this year

It’s a day to indulge the highest of notions.
And for a woman who treats herself on the regular (as she should), your bougie Mam will certainly be expecting the goddess treatment from her family.
So, what do you get a woman with the highest standards on a day when you need to show her exactly how much she means to you?
There’s no shortage of options around the city and county, but like all great gestures of appreciation, they need a little advanced scheming.
Here are a few ideas:
1. Afternoon tea at the Kinsale Hotel & Spa
With views overlooking a sloping lawn that falls into the harbour, the Kinsale Hotel & Spa is the perfect spot for a handmade Afternoon Tea on Mother’s Day.
The hotel is located just a short distance from Kinsale town, nestled in the sheltered hills of Rathmore overlooking Oysterhaven. Take a trip to the tiny Ballymacus Bay beach after tea or make a day of it in the spa.
To book your table for Afternoon Tea at Kinsale Hotel & Spa, head over to their reservation page here.
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2. Adrift at Dunmore House Hotel
We’ve all heard of Inchydoney Hotel, but across the way is one of Clonakilty’s best-kept secrets: Dunmore House Hotel. The oceanside hotel is home to Adrift Restaurant, ‘Highly Commended’ in the Hotel Restaurant of the Year Awards 2022, and listed on the Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland 2022.
The meticulous chefs have crafted a menu that showcases locally sourced produce, including some from their own organic kitchen garden. Perfect for the queen herself. Dunmore House will re-open on March 9th after a winter break.
You can contact them via their website.
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3. Dinner and live music in Courtmacsherry
If you’re looking for a truly serene spot to celebrate Mother’s Day, Courtmacsherry is the perfect place for a leisurely dinner or lunch. The Courtmacsherry Hotel has three outdoor seating options – the Front Lawn, the Canopy Area if it gets wet, and outside the main building.
Watch the boats sail to and fro and the sun sparkle on the harbour as you enjoy a filling meal in The Cork Tree Restaurant, which serves à la carte or a Sunday lunch set menu followed by live music at 5pm in the Esplanade Lounge by the open log fire. For bookings, head over to their reservation page or call 023 8846198.
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4. An overnighter at Ballymaloe
For Mother’s Day 2023, the crew over at the multiple award-winning Ballymaloe Hotel have put together a special countryside escape for the finest Mother’s Day yet.
Enjoy bed and breakfast in a Heritage Room, Classic Courtyard Room or Classic House Room, afternoon tea on arrival with a glass of bubbles, a four-course dinner, and a leisurely breakfast looking out onto the countryside on the first day of spring.
Prices start at €385 for two people in a double or twin room.
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5. A spa day and dip overlooking the Lee
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