After all the ups and downs of this year have you decided that no, actually you’d like to outsource Christmas and enjoy some luxury? Or book an overnight break before new year to recuperate after hosting the family? Here’s some inspiration for a glossy getaway …

Ballyfin Demesne, Co Laois

For a very regal three-day Christmas, celebrating at Ballyfin combines the pleasures of food, wine, music and fun. It all begins on the afternoon of Christmas Eve with a casual lunch in the State Dining Room (something of an oxymoron). This is followed by mulled wine, mince pies and some carols in the Library at 4pm. In the evening there’s a wine tasting in the Cellar before pre-dinner drinks in the Saloon and once dinner has been enjoyed there is more music. On Christmas Day, after breakfast a visit to the local church for Christmas Service can be arranged, followed by a champagne reception before a festive lunch in the dining room. In the afternoon, there is plenty of time for relaxation (watching movies, playing games, taking a walk) before a gala buffet in the Library at 8pm.

On St Stephen’s Day, there’s the option of enjoying some country pursuits such as archery and clay pigeon shooting in the morning before lunch, with a falconry experience and horse drawn carriage ride around the estate in the afternoon. The finale to this all-inclusive break is dinner in the State Dining Room followed by an evening of Irish music and dance in Ballyfin bar with Sean Ryan Christmas Celebration. Rates start from €1,545 per night for a classic room and include all meals, selected wines, soft drinks, coffees and teas, homemade cakes and snacks and all activities on the daily itinerary; www.ballyfin.com.

Castlemartyr Resort, Cork

Recently awarded the “Five Star Hotel of the Year” in the annual Irish Hotel Awards, guests checking in for a traditional Christmas in Cork can expect a sprinkling of Castlemartyr magic. There are winter walks, delicious dining, indulgent spa treatments and an array of country activities to enjoy – of special mention is the Castlemartyr golf course designed by Ron Kirby, unique in that it is an inland links-style course. The Christmas package, arriving on December 24 and departing on December 26, is from €995 per night for two people sharing. Guests are welcomed in the manor house, that sits adjacent to the ruins of an 800-year-old castle, with some mulled wine prior to a Christmas Eve feast in the (fine-dining) Bell Tower restaurant. A cocktail reception, carols and a visit from Santa Claus is also on the agenda. Christmas Day starts with a leisurely breakfast before a Christmas banquet served in The Bell Tower. Traditional board games and films are screened in the Living Room, while the Knight’s Bar provides further drinks and fun. A relaxed buffet supper ends the day’s festivities. Check out on St Stephen’s Day – though guests can add a third night to their stay for a specially discounted rate of €250; www.castlemartyrresort.ie.

Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate, Galway

A member of Ireland’s Blue Book and Small Luxury Hotels, Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate is offering a two-night package. The festivities begin on Christmas Eve: a glass of mulled wine welcomes guests, while in the evening there is a candlelit dinner in the elegant River Room Restaurant. Guests can relax beside the open log fires with a nightcap or creamy hot chocolate and mince pies served in the exquisite Ffrench Room. On Christmas Day, after a leisurely breakfast, there is plenty of time for a walk around the estate before a glass of champagne followed by a gourmet feast in the River Room Restaurant. Later that afternoon, Santa Claus will pay a visit to all the children, delivering each a special gift. Residents are invited to enjoy a light supper in the evening followed by festive movies in the in-house private cinema. On St Stephen’s Day guests are free to join the festive fun in Galway city, explore Connemara or simply enjoy a round of golf on the estate. The hotel also hosts its annual festive quiz in the afternoon before dinner in River Room, where the resident pianist adds to the ambiance. Also included is a late checkout on December 27. This two-night experience is from €999 per person sharing and €425 per child; www.glenloabbeyhotel.ie.

InterContinental Dublin

There are 20 Christmas trees around the InterContinental Dublin, so it couldn’t be more festive and it’s hard not to get excited by the buzz at this swish urban resort. Expect a glass of mulled wine before settling into your luxury guestroom or suite, as the prelude to its two-night residential Christmas package. There’s the option of dining in on Christmas Eve or St Stephen’s Day before the main celebrations begin on Christmas Day. Lunch is a sumptuous five-course menu prepared by executive chef Alberto Rossi and his culinary team. Little ones will get a visit and a surprise gift from Santa Claus, and live music will add to the cheerful festive atmosphere. Enjoy more live music as you curl up in the cosy Lobby Lounge on Christmas Night, with a mulled wine or hot chocolate to round off the celebrations. After a hearty breakfast on St Stephen’s Day there’s the option of a walk around Ballsbridge, along Sandymount Strand or Herbert Park as well of course as shopping the sales. If you prefer to stay at the hotel, guests have access to the wellness area, which includes the indoor heated pool and Thermal Suite. Why not add some extra sparkle to your stay with a treatment from the expert therapists in the ESPA Spa. Late checkout until 2pm and complementary car parking is included in the two-night residential Christmas package. The “Christmas Residential Package” is available from €825 per person sharing (arrival December 24 with departure on December 26 or arrival December 25 with departure on December 27). Children over twelve in the same room as their parents stay from €250 per night, four to eleven-year-olds stay from €150 per night, and children under three in a cot stay with the hotel’s compliments; www.intercontinentaldublin.ie.

Eccles Hotel & Spa, West Cork

Nestled in picturesque Glengarriff, this 250-year-old hotel is just a two-minute stroll away from Glengarriff Harbour and the village centre with quaint craft shops, cafes and pubs. Twixmas breaks with breakfast for two start at €160. Use the hotel as a base for exploring the Beara region, or for a hike in the beautiful Caha mountains. Just an hour’s car journey from the hotel is the most southernly point of Ireland, Mizen Head, where those brave enough to cross the bridge might spot humpback whales and dolphins. If that’s too strenuous relax in the spa and unwind in the jacuzzi overlooking Bantry Bay; www.eccleshotel.com.

The Coach House, Cahernane House, Co Killarney

Following a €1.3m renewal programme, the former 19th-century Coach House is now home to eight new luxurious bedrooms. The decor is inspired by the flora and fauna of Co Kerry (think wildflowers and peacocks) while freestanding claw foot baths, walk-in rain showers and handmade tiles, will satisfy even the most demanding guest. Book the “Festive Nights, Cahernane Delights at the Coach House” package between Twixmas (arriving either December 28 or 29) which includes a luxury two-night stay. Guests will enjoy prosecco and nibbles in The Library when they arrive. A three-course dinner on an evening of choice served in the Herbert Restaurant is also included, as is breakfast, a late checkout and complimentary used of the bicycles to explore the National Park. Rates are from €339 per person sharing; www.cahernane.com.

Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara

With its own authentic character and style, on my wish-list is spending New Year’s Eve at the hotel. The festivities begin with a Champagne (and canapés) reception by the fire in the Hunts Room, before dinner in the Owenmore Restaurant where head chef David Bodas and his team will serve a five-course dinner. Guests can enjoy in-house entertainment and music and a perfectly made Irish coffee served at midnight. On New Year’s Day take one of the river and forest walks around Ballynahinch led by one of the expert guides, or simply relax with a good book or some classic board games by the fire. A two-night stay starts from €880 for a classic room; www.ballynahinchcastle.com.

Carton House, Co Kildare

“New Year’s at Carton” is a two-night package, checking in on either December 30 or 31 to include breakfast in The House each morning. Guests can choose to stay in one of two accommodation options, the more contemporary The Garden Wing or upgrade to a Suite or State Room in the magnificent 18th-century Palladian-style mansion, The House. Included in this package is a five-course tasting menu in the historical surrounds of The Morrison Room, one of Ireland’s grandest dining rooms on either night of your choosing, together with two glasses of Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Live jazz music will entertain guests in The Courtyard Bar on New Year’s Eve. This package is available from €1,290 per room based on two adults sharing in The Garden Wing or from €1,890 for two adults sharing in The House; www.cartonhouse.com.

Cliff at Lyons, Co Kildare

A New Year’s Eve stay at Cliff at Lyons is a lovely combination of country elegance and polish to start the year and includes two nights in an idyllic Estate or Lily Pond room with full Irish breakfast each morning, a six-course gala tasting menu in The Mill and a 25-minute spa treatment in The Well in the Garden, available from €1,390 based on two people sharing; www.cliffatlyons.ie.

Ice House Hotel, Co Mayo

Celebrate the start of 2022 by checking in on New Year’s Eve where Champagne on ice awaits as do wonderful views over the Moy estuary. In the evening, there’s a champagne reception, followed by a festive five-course meal in the newly refurbished 54° 9° restaurant. After dinner savour the hotel’s cosy atmosphere with another glass of Champagne to ring in the New Year. (There will also be some tasty late-night snacks to enjoy so don’t sneak off to bed too early!). After a leisurely lie-in the following morning, you’ll wake up to a cooked-to-order breakfast, served at the later time of 11am. Guests have the option of spending the rest of their stay in the swish Chill Spa with its new outdoor thermal area or exploring the landscapes of the Wild Atlantic Way. Prices start from €470 for a one-night stay for two people sharing and includes breakfast, five-course dinner, Champagne reception and Champagne toast and midnight snacks; www.icehousehotel.ie.