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Page 1 of 2 DRUIDS GLEN RESORT ,Newtownmountkennedy ,
Co. WicklowDruids Glen Resort Enquiries www.druidsglenresort.com Why Stay Here?
Most properties model themselves as either a Family Friendly Hotel, or an Adults Escape. Those that try to cater for both face a difficult challenge, and most will fail. A few hotels in Ireland through good staff and management teamwork, do succeed in keeping everybody happy. Our recent visit to Druids Glen Resort showed how it can be done. Firstly, there is getting there. The M50 and N11 make the journey from Dublin half what it was when I was a child, just 30 minutes instead of a full hour. On a beautiful bright late Spring weekend we pulled up to the resort to see swans on the water, families out walking, residential properties enjoying the acres of rolling countryside. We continued on up to the hotel, and as we parked outside there were groups of happy golfers were heading off in the early afternoon sunshine. GREAT GOLFThe surroundings are breathtaking with views over the Irish Sea and Wicklow Mountains. The two championship courses offer varied play over landscapes renowned as amongst the finest and most challenging in Europe. The Druids Glen Course is famous for hosting the Irish Open on four occasions – along with the prestigious Seve Trophy. Montgomerie, Garcia, Faldo, Harrington, Ballesteros – they have all played here. The other course, Druids Heath was once host to the Irish PGA and is known as “nature’s gift to golf” as it takes in quarries, trees, lakes and pot bunkers.DINING AT DRUIDS GLEN RESORTThere are several choices when it comes to having something to eat at the hotel, including Druids Brasserie, where we had both dinner and breakfast, The Thirteenth Bar where we had a light lunch and for something different there is the 18th Century Clubhouse, Woodstock House. I enjoyed a delicious Caesar Salad with warm chicken breast, and it was perfect – just what I wanted to fill the gap until dinner.Now back to that clever management of keeping families and adult groups in their own happy worlds – in the Druids Brasserie both at breakfast and dinner, each is directed to a different seating area by the friendly attentive staff. We had a window table overlooking the golf course where we studied the A La Carte menu and wine list. The star of the meal was my starter of St Tola Goat Cheese with Grilled Peppers and Honey & Balsamic Dressing. It never ceases to amaze me how so may chefs make a mess of this delicate Irish cheese from the Saanen Goats in Co. Clare. They whip it up into a mousse, they serve it cold and hard from the fridge, and they melt it to a burnt offering. Not so here, it was just ripe, comfortingly warm and quite perfect. Other starters included Fresh Crab Salad; Druids Home Cured Salmon and Chicken Liver Pate. But our other starter choice was a Caramelised Smoked Duck Breast. Main course choices for me were between the Baked Crusted Monkfish and the pan Seared Sea Bass with a Nut Coated Chorizo potato Croquette – that latter accompaniment won me over and the Sea Bass it was. Two generous portions, nicely moist and most importantly, not overcooked. My friend’s choice of Slow Braised Lamb Shank was equally satisfying. Plenty to satisfy all diners here – Roasted Pork Belly; Corn-fed Chicken; Vegetarian Gnocci and steaks from the grill. The wine list was compact but efficient and leaned distinctly towards France. We chose a full-bodied red from the Languedoc, Chateau de Pennautier. Representing great value, the Languedoc region has been producing excellent quality wines in recent years. Incidentally, Druids Bistro was buzzing with local residents and guests alike – a good indicator of a popular restaurant that has a loyal returning clientele. |
