Cashel Palace Hotel is a 5-star luxury property in County Tipperary, around a two-hour drive from Dublin. Set within a grand Palladian manor dating back to 1732, it has been carefully restored. Once the residence of the Archbishops of Cashel, it lies just below the iconic Rock of Cashel. Located in the heart of Cashel town, the hotel combines peaceful surroundings with easy access to the historic centre. It is a proud member of Relais & Châteaux.
Cashel Palace first opened as a luxury hotel in 1962, attracting high-profile guests such as Jacqueline Kennedy, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Ronald Reagan, Diana Spencer, and Prince Joachim of Denmark. The property has strong ties to the horse-racing world and was once owned by legendary trainer Vincent O’Brien before being run by local entrepreneurs Pat and Susan Murphy until its 2014 closure. In 2016, the Magnier Family, owners of Coolmore, acquired the historic manor and undertook a major restoration. It reopened as a five-star Relais & Châteaux property in March 2022.
It features Palladian design, with a red-brick façade, a limestone rear, and Venetian (Serlian) windows typical of the style. Inside, the main entrance hall retains its original wood panelling and two prominent fluted Corinthian columns. Adjacent is a striking early Georgian staircase made from red pine, with intricately hand-turned “barley sugar” balusters. The fireplaces have also been carefully restored by a dedicated team of experts and stone conservationists.
On arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the staff, and check-in was quick and efficient. We were offered miniature mince pies, which set the tone for the food to come; they were deliciously buttery and full of flavour, reflecting the quality of all the hotel’s culinary offerings.
As we were early and our room was not yet ready, we took the opportunity to enjoy a light bite at the hotel’s gastropub, Mikey Ryan’s.
We were given a brief tour of the hotel as we were shown to our room. Art and equestrian themes are prominently featured throughout, with guests able to scan QR codes to learn more about the various pieces on display.
The hotel has 42 rooms and suites, all understated and elegant. Accommodation is spread across three areas – the Main House, the Garden Wing, and the Avenue.
We stayed in a Garden Wing Superior Room, which was spacious and well appointed. The room featured a comfortable seating area with two armchairs and a small table, along with a super king bed dressed in high-quality linens. The pillows – luxurious Frette designed exclusively for Cashel Palace – were among the best I’ve ever experienced, with pillowcases subtly embroidered with the Cashel Palace logo.
A delightful seasonal touch was the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the corner of our room. Each room enjoys its own festive tree during the holiday season.
The bathroom included a large bath, a separate shower, and double vanity sinks. Luxurious Memo Paris ‘Irish Leather’ toiletries were provided, along with mouthwash, soap, bath salts, and shower caps. Bathrobes and slippers were also supplied. One thoughtful detail was the dark face cloth for makeup removal – a simple but practical touch.
Other features in the room included a desk, complimentary WiFi with screen-casting TV, air conditioning, a minibar, safe, iron and ironing board, and hairdryer. A filter coffee machine with freshly ground coffee, as well as a kettle with teabags and milk, were also provided.
The minibar is complimentary for guests and includes a selection of local Tipperary treats such as lemonade, apple juice, Áine handmade chocolate, and O’Donnells crisps. It’s clear that Cashel Palace values its partnership with local suppliers, actively supporting Irish producers and businesses.
Our room overlooked the beautifully landscaped gardens. Ground-floor rooms include a private garden patio with a table and two chairs, while select upper-floor rooms feature a Juliet balcony.
Cashel Palace is filled with thoughtful personal touches, such as a handwritten note from the General Manager and a welcome treat of macaroons. A QR code in the room provides a direct WhatsApp link to reception for easy communication.
Evening turndown service was excellent, with fresh towels provided, tea, coffee, and milk replenished, and Cocoa Atelier chocolates placed on our pillows.
Cashel Palace offers a standout and varied dining experience, centred around its Michelin-starred restaurant, The Bishop’s Buttery. Guests can also enjoy breakfast, lunch and Afternoon Tea in the elegant Queen Anne Room, relaxed gastropub favourites at Mikey Ryan’s Bar & Kitchen, and seasonal country dining at Sadler’s Restaurant & Bar in nearby Fethard (20 mins’ drive from hotel).
Breakfast is served daily in the Queen Anne Room from 7AM to 11AM, offering a cooked-to-order menu with freshly squeezed juices, homemade granola, warm oats, and a fresh bakery selection. Guests can choose from continental options like Tipperary cheeses, cured meats, and smoked salmon, hearty dishes such as the Signature Palace Breakfast, Eggs Benedict, smoked salmon with potato rösti, and the Cashel Palace Country Omelette, or lighter choices like avocado on toast and brioche French toast with seasonal berries.
The Queen Anne Room is calm and elegant, with tall, light-filled windows and soft, muted décor with an equestrian theme.
Service at breakfast was excellent, with staff who were both attentive and efficient. The food was fresh, well presented, and consistently high in quality. Tables are beautifully set, with jams and marmalades supplied by the local producer Crossogue.
Afternoon Tea is also served in the Queen Anne Room, with bookings available at 1PM or 3PM daily. The menu features a festive selection of sweet and savoury treats. Savory options include Connemara smoked salmon with crab and dill, free-range turkey with herb stuffing and cranberry mayonnaise, lobster rolls, and egg mayonnaise with truffle and quail egg. Sweets feature a variety of mousses, tarts, macarons, and pistachio and raspberry “presents,” alongside homemade fruit and plain scones served with clotted cream and preserves. Seasonal flavours like chestnut, white chocolate, coconut, cherry, and Christmas spices add a festive touch throughout.
Traditional Afternoon Tea is priced at €65, with options including Prosecco for €75 or Champagne for €85. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience – the food was delicious and beautifully presented, and the elegant setting, overlooking the Rock of Cashel, made it feel truly special.
The Bishop’s Buttery opened in 2022 and was awarded its first Michelin Star in February 2024 – just two years later. It serves a refined menu focusing on Irish ingredients, prepared with contemporary techniques. The culinary team is led by the Culinary Director Stephen Hayes and Head Chef Stefan McEnteer, both of whom are original members of the Cashel Palace opening team.
The restaurant combines vaulted stone ceilings with a warm and inviting atmosphere. A large open fire at the centre of the room serves as a cozy focal point, adding to the charm of this elegant dining space.
Two menus are available: the table d’hôte (€140pp), a set-price multi-course dinner focusing on seasonal ingredients, and the tasting menu (€165pp), offering a broader exploration of the kitchen’s creativity and regional produce. Both feature elegantly presented Irish seafood, heritage meats with seasonal accents, inventive vegetable dishes, and refined desserts made with local dairy and fruit. Wine pairings are expertly curated by Sommelier Farrah Scanlan.
The Bishop’s Buttery is open Tuesday to Sunday, with bookings available from 6.30PM to 9PM. Advance reservations are required.
Read our full review of our experience at The Bishop’s Buttery here.
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- Image credit: Cashel Palace Hotel
On-site bars include a Guinness Bar, Residents’ Cocktail Bar and Donoghue’s traditional pub, offering curated cocktails, Irish whiskeys, wines, and local craft beers.
The Spa at Cashel Palace features a 17-metre heated indoor–outdoor pool with panoramic views of the gardens and the Rock of Cashel, as well as a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and contrast showers.
Guests enjoy complimentary access to the spa, with no treatment required to use the facilities. The changing rooms are unisex, and towels and flip-flops are provided on arrival.
The pool is open daily from 8AM to 8PM.
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- Image credit: Cashel Palace Hotel
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- Image credit: Cashel Palace Hotel
The Spa offers a full wellness experience, which includes a Technogym-equipped gym, digital wellness sessions with Earth+Sky, outdoor Pilates classes, and luxury treatments from premium brands such as Valmont and Bamford.
The Recharge Health Bar in the courtyard serves organic smoothies, açai bowls, matcha, and seasonal refreshments.
Horseback riding, mountain trekking, farm tours, pottery masterclasses, fishing, e-bike tours, hiking and walking tours, tennis, golf, and kayaking are available offsite and can be arranged with the concierge. Once again, these activities support local businesses.
Complimentary print newspapers are available in the main foyer, and guests can enjoy the PressReader app, offering free digital access to over 7,000 publications.
The Boutique at Cashel Palace, which is on Cashel’s main street, offers lifestyle, beauty, and travel items from exclusive brands like Bamford, Westman Atelier, and Memo Paris. It is open daily from 10AM–5.30PM.
Cashel Palace offers both complimentary valet and self-parking for guests. Limited on-site EV charging is available at a flat rate of €15 per charge, with additional public charging stations conveniently located in Cashel town.
The hotel is dog-friendly; however, dogs are only permitted in Ground Floor Garden Wing rooms and the Gate Lodge. Dogs are not allowed in indoor public areas or restaurants (except when dining outdoors). A maximum of two dogs is permitted per booking, with a €50 fee applicable for small to medium-sized dogs.
The gardens, set within the original stone walls designed by Edward Lovett Pearce, are open to both residents and visitors. They include two listed mulberry trees planted in 1702 to mark the coronation of Queen Anne.
A private walkway, The Bishop’s Walk, offers residents direct access to the Rock of Cashel. Complimentary tickets for hotel guests are provided at check-in. This historic site, once the seat of the Kings of Munster, features medieval structures including a cathedral, round tower, and Cormac’s Chapel. It is now one of Ireland’s most important archaeological landmarks and a leading visitor attraction. Both guided and audio tours are available.
Cashel Palace is deeply connected to its community, sourcing from nearby suppliers and providing employment opportunities for the local staff. Every stay reflects the spirit of the region and the traditions of authentic Irish service. The gastronomy is a definite highlight, which showcases local produce through dishes that are both creative and rooted in the area.
Not only is the property itself stunning, but Cashel Palace also delivers exceptional service and genuine Irish hospitality. It combines warmth and refinement to leave a lasting impression long after the journey home.
For more information, visit https://www.cashelpalacehotel.ie/.
Cliona was a guest of Cashel Palace; however, all opinions expressed are her own.
