Headfort Arms Hotel

The Headfort Arms has 45 bedrooms in a mix of classic and more contemporary styles. The feel is traditional without being fussy, ideal if you want a comfortable base between rounds rather than a cookie-cutter chain hotel.

In-room you'll find the essentials golfers actually care about: complimentary Wi-Fi, orthopaedic beds, strong showers, flat-screen TV, heated towel rails, laptop safe, plus ironing facilities and tea and coffee. If you're travelling as a group, it's the sort of place that's used to early breakfasts, late returns and the general rhythm of a golf tour.

The big win here is convenience. With the golf so close and dining on-site, you're not organising taxis or hunting for a decent meal after a long day. You can play, come back, freshen up and be eating (or in the bar) quickly, which is exactly what you want on a short break.

The hotel's real strength is its food and drink offering, which is a real highlight for a hotel of this size. The Vanilla Pod is the main restaurant, a self-contained contemporary space that's earned serious regional recognition over the past decade. It's been featured in Tom Doorley's Top 100 Places to Eat in Ireland and regularly appears in both the Bridgestone and Georgina Campbell guides. Both mentions are a good sign the kitchen takes quality seriously. The menu leans international bistro, built around carefully sourced local produce, and the atmosphere is relaxed rather than stuffy. If you've just played 18 (or even 36) holes and want something better than generic hotel dining, the Pod delivers.

For a more informal evening, the Kelltic Bar and Courtyard gives you the full Irish pub experience with elevated pub food. The space mixes contemporary touches, lounging sofas and remodelled private booths with a warm open fire, creating the kind of spot where you can settle in for the night. The food menu is a step up from standard bar fare, and the Kelltic is known locally for its live entertainment Thursday through Sunday. If you're travelling with a group or society, you can arrange private entertainment or party hire, which makes post-round celebrations straightforward.

Between the Vanilla Pod's quality dining and the Kelltic's lively bar atmosphere, you've got flexibility depending on your mood and group dynamic. Some nights you'll want a proper sit-down meal, other nights you'll want to stay in the bar with a pint and a burger while the music plays. I'm a sucker for a hotel where you can finish your round, get cleaned up quickly and be at the table without any faff. The Headfort Arms covers both, and that versatility is what makes it work as a golf base. You're not stuck with one dining option or forced into town every evening, you've got choice without leaving the building.