Gregans Castle Hotel

One of the joys of travel is stumbling upon places you never planned to visit.

On our way back from the Cliffs of Moher on Sunday, we noticed a sign for Gregans Castle Hotel and decided to follow the long driveway lined with magnificent old trees. The moment I stepped out of the car, I heard the unmistakable rustle of a large dog charging through the grass. Sure enough, galloping toward us came a beautiful black standard poodle named Bob.

A few minutes later, Bob’s owner arrived, and we discovered that he was also the owner of the hotel. From that very first encounter, the place felt warm, welcoming, and wonderfully relaxed.

It was only the second sunny day of our entire two-and-a-half-week journey through Scotland and Ireland, and the gardens seemed to glow in the afternoon light. Inside, we found fabulous artwork of animals, and cozy corners filled with antiques that invited us to linger. We settled into a comfortable booth in the restaurant and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Only a few feet away sat Bob, being perfectly behaved.

Nestled in the heart of the Burren National Park and dating to 1750, Gregans Castle Hotel is one of Ireland’s most celebrated country house hotels and a recipient of a Michelin Key. The Burren’s unique landscape has inspired visitors for generations, including J.R.R. Tolkien and Seamus Heaney.

After spending a few hours there, it was easy to understand why. Sometimes the places we remember most are not the ones on the itinerary, but the ones that find us instead.Read more