Is this the year you break from tradition and leave the Christmas dinner prep in the capable hands of a chef?

If assembling doll’s houses and scouring the local garages for toy batteries isn’t your cup of tea, your ideal festive break could be waiting in Kilkenny.

The Hotel Kilkenny has launched an Adult Only Christmas Stay that not only takes the pressure off when it comes to entertaining, but will also leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed for the New Year.

Guests who book the two-night package will arrive in the medieval capital of Ireland on Christmas Eve to a warm welcome reception before dinner in the elegant Taste Restaurant and live entertainment in Pure Bar with a complimentary festive drink.

Merry Christmas indeed

Christmas Day begins with a full Irish breakfast, which you can then work off with an invigorating swim at the health and fitness club, followed by a steam and sauna or a dip in the jacuzzi. A stroll through the winding cobblestone streets on the Medieval Mile (a unique discovery trail running through the heart of Kilkenny) is highly recommended.

Food and fun

The afternoon is devoted to devouring a traditional Christmas lunch and a visit from Andy James, one of Ireland’s finest magicians. Later in the evening enjoy a sumptuous evening meal (if you can manage it) and retire to Pure Bar for more live music entertainment.

The next morning you’ll sleep in and enjoy a leisurely late breakfast on St. Stephen’s Day, after which you can take your coffee into the Orchard garden (bring a cosy sweater) and read the papers until check-out.

The details…

The two-night festive stay at Hotel Kilkenny is €359 per person sharing, with the option to extend your stay for St Stephen’s Day at €55 per person sharing for bed and breakfast.

If you’d rather spend Christmas at home and escape to ring in 2018, there’s also an extravagant New Year ‘s Eve dinner in Taste restaurant with the Swinging Blue Cats live band and a bubbly toast at midnight, followed by a DJ. On New Year’s Day Start the New Year with a scrumptious breakfast and relax and unwind at the leisure club. Enjoy this two night New Year stay from €199 per person sharing.

For further details and booking, visit the website.

GETTING THERE: Kilkenny is 1h 55 min from Cork, via M8