The Stunning Beauty of Kilkenny, Ireland and Mount Juliet Estate

Mount Juliet Estate – Thomaston, Co. Kilkenny

Have you ever traveled to a hotel or resort where you would have been content just staying there and not leaving…perhaps ever? Mount Juliet Estate is one of those places. More like a visit to a friend’s stunning country estate, this special property was one of the most remarkable from our trip.

The front lawn at Mount Juliet Estate

Located in Thomaston, just minutes from the town of Kilkenny, this luxury property was recently named one of the 20 Top Resorts in Europe by Condé Nast Traveler. With a colorful history, which includes a love story, the first owners of the original property, Hamilton and Juliet Butler, moved into their beautiful newly refurbished country home in 1760. To this day, the estate is known as one of Ireland’s finest country houses and Co. Kilkenny’s most acclaimed country Estate. The home was privately owned until 1989.

Another view of the front lawn

Entrance hall

A nice touch from the staff

A stay at this property took us back to a grander more elegant time with its sprawling 1,500 acres of lush green fields and farmland, enchanting gardens, decorative rock walls, stables, golf course, and stretches of the River Nore throughout the Estate with some of the best brown trout and salmon fishing in Ireland. While wandering the property, I could imagine the gentleman and ladies of the day riding their horses across the fields, carriages pulling up into the driveway bringing guests for the weekend, and festive parties and events on the lawns.

Grounds and pasture at the estate by the River Nore

A river runs through it

The gardens are captivating

Another view of the gardens

Having fun in the garden

What could be behind the gate?

Take time to stroll through the property

There are several options for accommodations, but we suggest booking a room in the Manor House to get a sense of what life was like to visit or live at the Estate during its hey day. The drawing rooms, such as The Major McCalmont Room (where tea is served in the afternoon), The Morning Room (which is perfect for, as the name implies, reading the morning’s paper with a cup of tea or coffee), and The Tetrach Bar, are inviting, comfortable, and elegant. The views of the gardens and the front of the house from our window were brilliant with the vibrant colors of the flowers and glistening green grasses following a morning of light rain.

The Morning Room

Tetrach Bar

Beautiful details throughout the house

Ornate plasterwork for the moldings and trim

View of the back of the main house

Take a drive through the estate and grounds

Activities on the property

One of the many reasons you should plan an extended stay at the estate is to take advantage of all of the amenities and activities available: the luxury spa; horseback riding; archery; fishing; golf at their Jack Nicklaus designed golf course; a history of the property waking tour with Des; and for something unique and very special, learn about the “Ancient Sport of the Kings” and try your hand at falconry.

The stables

Horseback riding is one of the many activities available

The River Nore offers some of the best fishing in Ireland

Flies for fly fishing

Fly reels

Take a history walk with Des

Click “Continue Reading” to read about the Hawk Walk and Dining at Mount Juliet