Summer in Cashel Palace Hotel

Summer at Cashel Palace is not a season, it is a rhythm, a mood, a quiet unfolding of beauty in the heart of Ireland’s Golden Vale. Set at the foot of the Rock of Cashel, this elegant Palladian manor invites you to slow your pace, savour the moment, and let the richness of the land reveal itself, one gentle experience at a time.

Whether you are drawn to stories of heritage, the stillness of nature, or the joy of exploring the countryside, this three-day itinerary offers a perfectly curated summer escape, balancing luxury with authenticity, and indulgence with a sense of place.

Day One: Stillness & Self-Expression

Arrive early to Cashel Palace to make the very most of your stay. Our team will gladly greet you at reception and take care of your luggage, ensuring it’s waiting in your room for when you return later. For now, your only task is to begin unwinding.

Start your day with a journey into stillness at the Spa, a sanctuary of calm and renewal tucked into the heart of the hotel. Slip into a robe and step into a world of warm light, soothing therapies, and time reclaimed. Enjoy a bespoke treatment, tailored by expert hands using organic and locally inspired products. Then relax in the thermal suite, or float in the outdoor vitality pool, where soft steam rises into the air and the Rock of Cashel stands watch above the treetops.

Following your spa ritual, wander to the Queen Anne Room for a slow, elegant Afternoon Tea. Served with poise and seasonal creativity, it’s a delight of hand-crafted pastries, savouries, and fragrant teas best enjoyed with a glass of champagne and nowhere to be.

When you return to your room, your luggage will be waiting, and the soft hush of heritage all around you. Take a moment to settle in, draw the curtains back, let the light pour in, and breathe deep. This is your home for the days ahead.

Take a gentle stroll up Bishop’s Walk to the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most sacred and storied landmarks. On a guided tour, explore its soaring cathedral walls, ancient crypts, and panoramic views over the Golden Vale. Then drift down through Cashel town, where boutique shops, artisan galleries, and warm welcomes line the streets.

In the early evening, creativity takes centre stage with the ‘Play with Clay’ experience at Rossa Pottery Studio, a 90-minute masterclass guided by local ceramicist Alan. With transfers included, you’ll be whisked away to the studio, where the wheel turns, the clay softens, and your hands shape something personal. You'll return with a Cashel Palace x Rossa Pottery trinket dish, fired and glazed to remember your time by.

Back at the Palace, ease into your evening with a cocktail in the Guinness Bar, then make your way to The Bishop’s Buttery, Cashel Palace’s Michelin-starred dining room and a jewel of refined Irish cuisine.

Tucked within the original stone vaults of the Palace, the atmosphere is intimate and atmospheric, candlelit, quiet, and rich with history. Treat yourself to the Tasting menu that celebrates the seasons and the surrounding land, with each course crafted from the finest local ingredients: wild-caught fish, grass-fed meats, heirloom vegetables, and herbs from the Palace gardens.

Each dish is plated with precision and paired with exceptional wines from our thoughtfully curated cellar. It’s a dining experience where flavour, setting, and service come together in perfect balance.

After dessert, take a stroll through the gardens or retire to your suite, letting the evening linger, a fitting close to a day of stillness, beauty, and indulgence.

Day Two: Heritage & Horse Country

Your second morning at Cashel Palace begins with grace and intention. Wake to the gentle hush of garden stillness and make your way to the Queen Anne Room, where breakfast is both a ritual and a pleasure. Tall sash windows invite in soft morning light as you settle into an elegantly set table overlooking the walled garden.

The menu is a tribute to the region’s larder: flaky pastries, Tipperary yoghurts, fresh fruits, and the option of a full Irish breakfast cooked to perfection. Sip rich coffee or fragrant tea, and let the quiet ease of the morning set the tone for a day of exploration.

After breakfast, your journey continues into the heart of Ireland’s horse country, where land and legacy are deeply entwined.

Begin in Fethard, a medieval town where narrow streets, ancient walls, and horse heritage stretch back generations. Here, you’ll embark on a leisurely E-Bike tour, gliding effortlessly through peaceful country lanes, passing historic sites and sweeping views of Tipperary’s rolling fields. Whether you stop to photograph a crumbling abbey or simply pause to listen to birdsong, the experience is immersive, free-flowing, and quietly thrilling.

Return to town and visit the Fethard Horse Country Experience, a beautifully curated museum that tells the story of this small town’s global influence in the world of thoroughbreds. Through multimedia displays, old photographs, and immersive storytelling, you’ll discover the roots of a tradition that continues to thrive today. Before leaving, enjoy a coffee in the Stable Café, nestled inside the museum, the perfect spot to recharge and reflect.

From there, a short drive brings you to the world-famous Coolmore Stud, a cornerstone of equestrian excellence. Pre-book the Tipperary Thoroughbred Trail, and enjoy an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the estate. You’ll gain access to the Coolmore Legacy Museum, filled with decades of trophies, memorabilia, and stories of champion horses. Walk through the immaculate grounds, meet the horses, and listen as your equine concierge shares insights into Coolmore’s remarkable legacy.

As the afternoon wanes, make your way back to Fethard for dinner at Sadler’s, our countryside sister restaurant. With a welcoming interior and garden terrace, Sadler’s offers a menu of seasonal dishes, local produce, and heartfelt cooking. The pace is gentle, the atmosphere relaxed, and the flavours deeply satisfying.

Return to Cashel Palace for one final toast to the day. Take a seat on the Terrace outside the Residents’ Bar, where lanterns flicker and the Rock of Cashel glows in the distance. With a carefully crafted cocktail in hand, reflect on a day of movement, memory, and the enduring spirit of Ireland’s horse country.

Day Three: Country Pursuits & A Farewell Celebration

Your final morning at Cashel Palace begins, as all mornings should, in quiet harmony with nature. If you’re up early, take a peaceful stroll through the Palace gardens, where dew still clings to petals and the hush of dawn offers one last, reflective breath before the day begins.

After a relaxed breakfast in the Queen Anne Room, return to reception to check out, with your luggage taken care of by our concierge. Though your room may be behind you, your time in the Golden Vale continues.

Today, you’re invited to slow down and savour the countryside one last time with a guided riverbank fishing experience. Travel to our private fishing grounds where a local guide will lead you to a quiet, shaded stretch of water. It’s not about the catch, it’s about the calm. Here, in the stillness of the river’s edge, you’ll find space to pause and reflect, surrounded by birdsong and breeze.

As part of your morning, we can provide a picnic, prepared with care and packed to enjoy while you fish or rest along the banks, a quiet pleasure shared with nature.

Once you return, take a final walk back through Cashel town and make your way to Mikey Ryan’s Bar & Kitchen for your farewell dinner, served al fresco on the Garden Terrace. Surrounded by climbing roses and the warmth of familiar hospitality, enjoy a relaxed final meal, comforting, seasonal, and full of flavour. It's the perfect moment to raise a glass and reflect on your time in the Golden Vale.

Before you go, step into Donoghue’s Pub, where, on select evenings, live Irish music fills the air, fiddles, bodhráns, and voices woven together in a setting that feels more like a gathering than a performance. It’s a final note that lingers, full of heart and rhythm, and a beautiful way to bring your journey to a close.

Not goodbye, just until next time.

A Summer to Remember

In three graceful days, you will have cycled winding country roads, wandered through sacred ruins, shaped clay with your own hands, and stood beside some of the world’s most remarkable horses. You’ll have floated in warm waters beneath ancient stone, listened to music that moves the soul, and tasted the very best of Irish hospitality.

This is summer at Cashel Palace, beautifully balanced, richly textured, and deeply restorative. Whether it is your first visit or a cherished return, your story in the Golden Vale awaits and we look forward to welcoming you.