We’ve all heard of the coveted Michelin “Stars" awards given to the world’s most outstanding restaurants, but did you know the Guide now awards “Keys”? In April, the famous Guide debuted a new distinction called the Michelin Key, and last week it announced the recipients in Ireland and the UK. Two hotels in Ireland received a Three Key distinction for providing "an extraordinary stay," three received the Two Key distinction for providing an "exceptional stay," and nine received a One Key distinction for providing a "very special stay."
The announcement comes four years into a comprehensive refresh of its hotel selection and represents the highlights of its broader selection of more than 5,000 hotels across the world. According to Michelin, the Key awards “specially highlight the crème de la crème of our selection. All our hotels excel in design, architecture, service, and personality, but the Michelin Key denotes the absolute most outstanding experiences in our selection.”
The Three Key Hotels in Ireland are Adare Manor, Adare, County Limerick, (adaremanor.com), which the guide says is “elegant without a trace of fussiness, especially in the luxurious guest rooms and suites," and Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin, County Laois (ballyfin.com), where “the interiors are an opulent fantasy to rival any country-house hotel you could name." Adare Manor, where the Ryder Cup will take place in 2026, was also recently named Best Resort in Europe by Condé Nast Traveler readers. Wow!
Ireland’s Two Key Hotels are some of my personal favorites: Cashel Palace, Cashel, County Tipperary (cashlepalacehotel.ie), a place Michelin calls "an aesthetic triumph and a historical hotel that does justice to its heritage, while also presenting a fresh look and a modern sensibility." Sharing Two Key honors are Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, County Kerry (sheenfallslodge.ie), where "guest rooms are lavish, steeped in contemporary luxury, with picture-perfect views of the river, the bay, or the surrounding countryside," and The Merrion (merrionhotel.com), Dublin’s “meticulously restored Georgian townhouses, designed in the nineties, but in a remarkably authentic traditional style."
Dublin scored big in One Key honors as well, with two other unique properties being recognized: Dylan, Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 4 (dylan.ie), which Michelin describes as a “classic building. . . built in the Victorian era as a nurses’ boardinghouse, a setting with plenty of character for its new use as a luxury boutique hotel." Another city center charmer, Wilder Townhouse, 22 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 (thewilder.ie) “splits the difference between country-house chill and urban boutique-hotel style."
Father afield, One Key honors were also awarded to Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, County Clare (gregans.ie), which Michelin describes as a charming and elegant country house hotel that’s "not a castle at all but a 250-year-old manor house, lovingly maintained, thoroughly renovated, and a place that’s far too high-class to boast about the famous names in the guest book." Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, County Waterford (cliffhousehotel.ie), was described as “a place that just feels extraordinary," and Castlemartyr Resort, Castlemartyr, County Cork (castlemartyrresort.ie), a place where “the level of luxury is uncommon in Ireland,” and where “this depth of character is uncommon in luxury resorts no matter the location."
Two hotels in Killarney, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, claimed One Key status. Michelin said of Killarney Park, Town Center (killarneyparkhotel.ie), "The park in question is the Killarney National Park, some of the wildest land that remains in Ireland. . . and the Killarney Park is worthy of the name." The Guide called The Victoria, Muckross Road (thevictoriakillarney.com), “a classic country-house hotel, full of details that recall, perhaps not coincidentally, the Victorian era."
Afternoon Tea, Dromoland Castle.
Rounding out the One Key awards are No. 1 Pery Square, one of the most stylish addresses in Limerick (oneperysquare.com), of which Michelin says, "Originally built in 1830 and restored with great precision, the hotel gets the aesthetic just right, from the ornate marble hearth to the gilt-framed mirrors,” and Dromoland Castle, Newmarket on Fergus, County Clare (dromoland.ie). Michelin calls a stay at the castle: "...a remarkable experience, a heavy dose of Irish history with a dash of aristocratic fantasy and just enough of the modern world to prevent total culture shock."
Until you get to visit yourself, enjoy this recipe for the castle’s signature fruit cake, an integral part of “Mrs. White’s Afternoon Tea.” Be sure to start the recipe at least two days before you want to serve it to let the fruits soak and the flavors meld.
Gregan's Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare.
TEA TIME FRUITCAKE
Makes 1 loaf
1 cup water
1 cup raisins
1 cup golden raisins
2 ounces candied red cherries
1 1/2 tablespoons dark rum
1 1/2 tablespoons sherry
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1cup self-rising flour
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or mixed spice
Softened butter, for serving
1. On the day before baking, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring water to boil. Stir in raisins, golden raisins, and cherries; cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain fruit and transfer to a small bowl. Stir in rum, sherry, and vanilla extract; cover and let stand overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Coat a 9-inch loaf pan with no-stick baking spray.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. With a wooden spoon, fold in flour and pumpkin pie or mixed spice; stir in fruit mixture. Transfer to the prepared pan.
4. Bake the loaf for 60 to 75 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Invert cake onto rack; return to upright. Wrap in foil; leave overnight before cutting into slices. Serve spread with butter, if desired.
Margaret Johnson’s “Recipes” page expands this year to “Ireland Hopping: Adventures in Food, Drink, and Travel.” For further details on her work or to order a signed cookbook, visit irishcook.com.
