10 Craic-tastic corporate retreats in Ireland to recharge your team
1. Ashford Castle: for aspiring knights and archers
Ashford Castle is 45-minutes from Knock Airport, if you’re coming from Dublin. This 800-year-old castle offers 83 uniquely designed rooms and suites. Expect elegant furnishings and spacious bathrooms with heated floors for the winter months!Your team can channel their inner Robin Hood with archery classes, or experience the Irish tradition of falconry. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy horse riding through the estate, boating on Lough Corrib, or playing a round of golf on the castle’s 9-hole course. After a day of activities, unwind with a whisky tasting session or a gourmet dinner in the George V Dining Room.
- Review: 4.5 / 5 stars, based on 3,499 Google reviews
- Pricing: ££££
- Time of year: Spring and summer for outdoor activities
- Group size: up to 160 guests
2. Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal: for nature lovers and short away days
Lough Eske Castle is a stunningly restored 17th-century castle that features 97 elegantly designed rooms and suites. Whether it’s a morning of fishing on Lough Eske, hiking through the scenic Blue Stack Mountains, or a pampering session at the CARA Organic Beauty Spa, there’s something for everyone.The castle’s location, about an hour’s drive from Donegal Airport, makes it reasonably accessible. Wind down your day with a pint of Guinness in the cosy Gallery Bar or a gourmet dinner in Cedars Grill.
- Review: 4.7 / 5 stars, based on 1,907 Google reviews
- Pricing: £££
- Time of year: summer for the best weather
- Group size: up to 120 guests
3. Dromoland Castle, County Clare: for archery enthusiasts and golf pros
Dromoland Castle is a 16th-century castle in County Clare with majestic towers, lush gardens, and serene lake—your team will feel straight out of a storybook. The castle features 97 rooms and suites, with views of rolling green hills and manicured gardens. Activities here are as grand as the setting—from golfing on the championship course and horse riding through the estate to archery and clay shooting for the competitive team members.After a day of activities, your team can indulge in a soothing treatment at the spa or enjoy a gourmet dinner in the Earl of Thomond Restaurant. Easily accessible, Dromoland Castle is just 20-minutes from Shannon Airport.
- Reviews: 4.8 / 5 stars, based on 2167 Google Reviews
- Pricing: ££££
- Time of Year: Year-round, but spring and summer are ideal
- Group Size: Up to 150 guests
4. Kippure Estate, Wicklow: team-building experiences for adrenaline junkies
Set within 240 acres of stunning landscapes, bordering the Wicklow Mountains National Park, this estate provides plenty of outdoor adventures and team-building exercises. The estate features 16 lodges that vary in size and style, from cosy 4-bedroom houses that sleep up to 8 guests to smaller 2-bedroom houses perfect for close-knit groups. Each lodge is equipped with modern amenities, including en-suite bathrooms, private patios, and kitchens, providing a home-away-from-home experience. It’s also easily accessible, Kippure Estate is just a one-hour drive from Dublin airport.
- Review: 4.3 / 5 stars, based on 326 Google reviews
- Pricing: ££
- Time of year: spring or early autumn
- Group size: up to 200 guests
5. Cliff House Hotel: where every window has a sea-nic view
Situated on a cliff overlooking Ardmore Bay, the Cliff House Hotel in County Waterford is a stunning five-star retreat if you’re looking for a dramatic corporate retreat. The boutique hotel offers 39 elegantly designed rooms and suites—each featuring floor-to-ceiling windows!The hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, The House Restaurant, offers exquisite dining experiences with locally sourced ingredients that your team will be talking about for months. Outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in sea kayaking, coastal walks, and even dolphin watching. The Cliff House Hotel is an hour’s drive from Cork airport, making it an ideal corporate retreat destination for locals and teams flying in.
- Review: 4.5 / 5 stars, based on 1,363 Google reviews
- Pricing: £££
- Time of year: year-round, but summer is ideal
- Group size: up to 80 guests
6. Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny: for five-star stays and corporate events
Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny is an exquisite location for corporate retreats, offering a blend of luxury and nature across its 170-acre estate. It is just a 1.5-hour drive from Dublin airport, making it convenient for international and local teams alike. The estate boasts 141 rooms, so it’s perfect for those enterprise teams looking to get away. The hotel also offers an exquisite afternoon tea experience. Team-building activities include a 56-foot swimming pool, a gym, steam room and a jacuzzi. Your team can try their hand at outdoor activities like falconry and archery, or just walk through the estate's picturesque gardens.
- Review: 4.5 / 5 stars, based on 2,855 Google reviews
- Pricing: £££
- Time of year: year-round, but spring and summer are ideal
- Group size: up to 200 guests
7. Ballynahinch Castle: for cosy fireside chats and fine corporate entertaining
Ballynahinch Castle has a stunning 700-acre estate with team-building activities and relaxation opportunities tucked away in every corner. It's approximately 1.5 hours from Galway airport. This four-star castle hotel, boasts 48 rooms and suites.Love fine dining? The castle’s restaurant was awarded Ireland's Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant of the Year in 2024. Outdoor activities include hiking and cycling to guided walks and woodcock shooting. If you’re booking in summer, team members can try lobster fishing too.
- Review: 4.7 / 5 stars, based on 1,171 Google reviews
- Pricing: £££
- Time of Year: Year-round, but spring and summer are ideal
- Group Size: Up to 80 guests
8. The K Club, Kildare: for golfers and gourmet foodies
The K Club, a five-star luxury resort, in the heart of County Kildare, is known for its two championship Arnold Palmer-designed golf courses. It’s only 30-minutes from Dublin Airport and set within 550 acres of lush countryside along a mile-long stretch of the River Liffey. The K Club features 130 rooms and suites with several on-site restaurants. It also provides a wide range of team-building activities, including falconry, clay pigeon shooting, archery, and fishing. Plus, there are plenty of meeting spaces if you need to keep your retreat on track.
- Review: 4.6 / 5 stars, based on 2,278 Google reviews
- Pricing: ££££
- Time of year: spring or early autumn
- Team size: up to 200 guests
9. Ballymaloe House, Cork: for foodie feasts
Ballymaloe House is a renowned country house hotel in East Cork. This 17th-century house, located within a 400-acre estate and 40-minutes from Cork Airport is perfect for corporate getaways. It features 33 uniquely decorated guest rooms, each with its own name and character. Some rooms offer views of the gardens and original castle walls, while others have private terraces.For those interested in local culture, Ballymaloe Cookery School, located nearby, provides an opportunity to learn from renowned chefs.
- Review: 4.6 / 5 stars, based on 807 Google reviews
- Pricing: £££££
- Time of year: year-round, with seasonal offerings
- Group size: up to 100 guests
10. Glasson Lakehouse: for sunset cruises and gourmet brews
Glasson Lakehouse is a 90-minute drive from Dublin, near Lough Ree. The hotel features 65 modern, spacious rooms. Each room offers amenities like complimentary WiFi, Netflix-enabled Smart TVs, and balconies with views of the lake or the golf course.The hotel offers a wide range of activities to keep every team member entertained. Your team can enjoy a round of golf on the award-winning 18-hole parkland course designed by Christy O’Connor Jr., relax in hot tubs or take a dip in the outdoor heated pool—sign us up!
- Review: 4.3 / 5 stars, based on 1,221 Google reviews
- Pricing: £££
- Time of year: spring or early autumn
- Group size: up to 120 guests