Tourism Ireland has announced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live like a lord with ultra-lavish holiday packages, priced from Dh53,000 ($14,432.77) per person for five nights, exclusive to the Middle East market.

The package offered by Joe O’Reilly Ireland Group includes two spectacular historic properties in Ireland, Luttrellstown Castle and Ballyfin Castle.

For the discerning traveller looking for a holiday with a difference, Luttrellstown Castle, which has hosted the great and the good, from Queen Victoria to the wedding of Victoria Adams and David Beckham in 1999, will cater to the guest’s every whim, a statement from the company said.

Staff dressed in period costume will address guests as Lord and Lady throughout their stay, making them feel like they are the leads in a period drama, the statement said.

The package includes exclusive use of the 550-year-old property, full use of a personal butler and household staff at the 560-acre walled estate located 20 minutes from central Dublin.  

The itinerary includes a ride on a vintage coach to Dublin to explore the Georgian quarter and nearby Mahaffy House, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, fishing and croquet in the castle grounds, as well as a period costume gala banquet dinner for up to 12 staying guests. The Dh53,000 includes stay, meals and activities.

Ballyfin Castle, nestled at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, is the most lavish Regency mansion in Ireland, filled with Irish art and priceless antiques from around the world, it said. For a limited time, the 15-bedroom property which can accommodate up to 29 guests is available for exclusive private bookings from the Middle East.

A team of expertly trained staff will look after guests in the best Downton Abbey fashion, while guests can fritter away idle hours relaxing in beautiful natural surroundings on 600 acres of private parkland, featuring a 28-acre lake, ancient woods, follies and grottoes, it said.  

Itinerary including archery, falconry and coarse fishing and boating on the property’s own private lake. The party can enjoy a banquet dinner fit for kings in the state dining room, accompanied by a harpist, with staff at the guests’ beck and call.  

Visitors can also go the whole hog and dress up in period costuming for the duration of their stay thanks to the newly acquired costume archive from Chicago’s Lyric Opera Company, it said.  

Ballyfin’s dress-up box is a spacious and smartly furnished room with display wardrobes, gilded mirrors, changing rooms and an antique bureau with lavishly decorated accessories.  A personal dresser is on hand to ensure that all bonnets, frocks, frogging, military regalia, buttons and brocades are in place.

Seven nights at Ballyfin for up to 29 guests including all meals and activities costs Dh625,000, through Custom Ireland International.  

Amanda Burns, general manager Middle East & Asia, Tourism Ireland, said: “The Emerald Isle is rich in luxury period properties, whimsical castles, and grand estates, which we have seen appeal to families and groups of friends travelling from the Middle East. They typically come to enjoy Ireland’s rich heritage and culture whilst enjoying some of the best dining and leisure activities available anywhere in the world.

“These ultra-luxury packages give a totally unique and unforgettable holiday experience like no other. Each guest is made to feel like royalty, with no demand too big or too small.  Luttrellstown and Ballyfin are two of Ireland’s most splendid period castles, steeped in history. The majestic natural scenery at both properties and exciting itinerary of events will wow even the most hard to impress visitors.”

Each itinerary can be personalised based on each guest’s requirements, whether they are looking for the most authentic Irish experience, the best places to shop or somewhere off the beaten track.

Both offers are available exclusively to the Middle East market, for a limited time only and subject to availability, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service