The best friends you have are the ones that you might not see or speak with for six months, and when you meet up, it’s like you spoke yesterday. All you really need for this is a bit of space and time. 
Enter the Mulberry Suite in the Johnstown Estate outside Enfield in Co Meath, just 45 minutes from Dublin city.
Six girls from five parishes met in the grounds of the Convent of (no) Mercy in Callan, Co Kilkenny, in September 1993. Twenty seven years and 13 children later, they don’t get to see each other as much as they would like. However, time was made just after Christmas, as guests of the Johnstown House Estate, to get pampered and catch up over good food and a few tipples. And this was a rare treat for all. 
Johnstown House was built in 1761 by Colonel Francis Forde but he didn’t spend much time enjoying it, when his ship was lost while returning to sea in 1769. The current owners bought the house in 2015 and have invested €10m upgrading the hotel since 2018. The work that has already been completed however, is only the start as they are expanding and renewing the spa later this year to match the ritziness of Gloss at the Spa. But more of that later.
Although I would advise not missing a moment of this experience, we were running a few minutes behind. However, one of our party was on time and was escorted to the deluxe surroundings of our suite – the Mulberry. The WhatsApp group pinged to life with a picture of the bottle of Moët et Chandon and hors d’oeuvres (which were included in our package) and a “Hurry up you lot”.
Our accommodation for the night – the Mulberry Suite – spans the width of three rooms and sleeps six with two bathrooms and three showers.
Moët et Chandon and hors d’oeuvres were included in the Mulberry Package.
The luxurious lounge area includes a wine fridge, Nespresso machine, 50” TV, a Bose Bluetooth speaker and a corner couch that seated our whole group. However, if your group is that bit larger, the suite adjoins a third room, which allows a further two guests to stay connected and within the space. Therefore, although the suite and package were the perfect respite for a group of women keen to leave the mundanities of everyday life behind for 24 hours, it is also perfect for brides and mini hen parties.
In fact, according to the general manager at the estate, Anthony Smiddy: “The idea came from brides who wanted to get married from the hotel. They wanted a space where they could build memories with their ‘I do crew’ while getting ready. We are unique in fulfilling this dream.”
The Gloss at the Spa.
With four hair and make up stations lit by 50 LED bulbs, there is no pushing for the mirror as you get ready to explore the hotel’s other facilities. The suite design is subtle but luxurious with berry-coloured walls and soft furnishings.
When we were all gathered,ooh-ed and aw-ed at our surroundings, sipped a glass of bubbles and decided that the salmon mousse was the pièce de résistance, we made our way to Gloss.
Gloss at the Spa which is what the estate describes as “the stylish little sister to the Spa at the Johnstown Estate”. Gloss focuses on grooming and beauty treatments and can facilitate a group of up to 10. Our package included two half-hour treatments each and a make up tutorial, accompanied by a cocktail.
Facials and pedicures were on the agenda at the Gloss at the Spa.
Most of us went for a facial and a pedicure. A private spa with your closest friends to chat and laugh without upsetting any other guests is the definition of luxury. No one wants to have their catch up interrupted with a “shuuusssh” or conversely have their alone time interrupted by a chatty group so the privacy that Gloss offers is both rare and wonderful in a spa hotel. The staff were amazingly patient with our questions and seemed to enjoy the banter, or else are just really polite. After our make up tutorial we headed back to our room to get ready for dinner.
Some of the party members unwinding at the Gloss.
Fire and Salt restaurant prides itself on the food served being “local, hand-picked, seasoned and seared”. Not a morsel was left on any plate and the menu options were very varied. To start I had the feta, butternut squash and pomegranate served with a baby leaf, micro herb, toasted nuts, white balsamic and focaccia, followed by a 10oz sirloin.
The 10oz sirloin served at the Fire and Salt restaurant.
And it was really very good. Again, the staff in the restaurant were very friendly and that atmosphere was relaxed. I love a restaurant where you feel like you have privacy and yet there is a lively atmosphere. The layout of the restaurant with booths as opposed to open tables provides this exact experience.
Fire & Salt restaurant Johnstown Estate.
We retired to our room where the chat and laughing continued into the early hours. All that was left to do the following morning post a delicious breakfast was to re-activate the brain-cells with a dip in the outdoor hot-tub and we were refreshed and ready for reality.
When I mentioned the package to my group initially, there were a few raised eyebrows, in relation to the cost (€1,500 based on a minimum of six people sharing), straight after Christmas. Upon our departure, all agreed that this package is really excellent value for money at €250/head and we would be returning as soon as possible.
The Sparkle at The Mulberry Package, which is the package enjoyed by Irish Country Living includes:
Overnight stay in the Mulberry suite for six people.A bottle of Moët et Chandon and hors d’oeuvres upon arrival.Two 30-minute treatments at Gloss at the Spa each.A 45-minute make up masterclass with Delilah make up.A cocktail of your choice served in Gloss.Evening dinner at Fire & Salt restaurant (Friday to Sunday).Full Irish breakfast with a wide range of hot and cold choices.Turndown service.Complimentary access to the Leisure Club.Complimentary Wi-Fi & parking.Starters in Fire & Salt range from €8-14, mains from €20-30 and if you were so inclined there is a 20oz chateaubriand steak for €72. There is also a set menu option with three courses for €40. Aside from the package outlined there are a number of other packages which are all detailed on the hotel's website.
The best friends you have are the ones that you might not see or speak with for six months, and when you meet up, it’s like you spoke yesterday. All you really need for this is a bit of space and time.
Enter the Mulberry Suite in the Johnstown Estate outside Enfield in Co Meath, just 45 minutes from Dublin city.
Six girls from five parishes met in the grounds of the Convent of (no) Mercy in Callan, Co Kilkenny, in September 1993. Twenty seven years and 13 children later, they don’t get to see each other as much as they would like. However, time was made just after Christmas, as guests of the Johnstown House Estate, to get pampered and catch up over good food and a few tipples. And this was a rare treat for all.
Johnstown House was built in 1761 by Colonel Francis Forde but he didn’t spend much time enjoying it, when his ship was lost while returning to sea in 1769. The current owners bought the house in 2015 and have invested €10m upgrading the hotel since 2018. The work that has already been completed however, is only the start as they are expanding and renewing the spa later this year to match the ritziness of Gloss at the Spa. But more of that later.
Although I would advise not missing a moment of this experience, we were running a few minutes behind. However, one of our party was on time and was escorted to the deluxe surroundings of our suite – the Mulberry. The WhatsApp group pinged to life with a picture of the bottle of Moët et Chandon and hors d’oeuvres (which were included in our package) and a “Hurry up you lot”.
Our accommodation for the night – the Mulberry Suite – spans the width of three rooms and sleeps six with two bathrooms and three showers.
Moët et Chandon and hors d’oeuvres were included in the Mulberry Package.
The luxurious lounge area includes a wine fridge, Nespresso machine, 50” TV, a Bose Bluetooth speaker and a corner couch that seated our whole group. However, if your group is that bit larger, the suite adjoins a third room, which allows a further two guests to stay connected and within the space. Therefore, although the suite and package were the perfect respite for a group of women keen to leave the mundanities of everyday life behind for 24 hours, it is also perfect for brides and mini hen parties.
In fact, according to the general manager at the estate, Anthony Smiddy: “The idea came from brides who wanted to get married from the hotel. They wanted a space where they could build memories with their ‘I do crew’ while getting ready. We are unique in fulfilling this dream.”
The Gloss at the Spa.
With four hair and make up stations lit by 50 LED bulbs, there is no pushing for the mirror as you get ready to explore the hotel’s other facilities. The suite design is subtle but luxurious with berry-coloured walls and soft furnishings.
When we were all gathered,ooh-ed and aw-ed at our surroundings, sipped a glass of bubbles and decided that the salmon mousse was the pièce de résistance, we made our way to Gloss.
Gloss at the Spa which is what the estate describes as “the stylish little sister to the Spa at the Johnstown Estate”. Gloss focuses on grooming and beauty treatments and can facilitate a group of up to 10. Our package included two half-hour treatments each and a make up tutorial, accompanied by a cocktail.
Facials and pedicures were on the agenda at the Gloss at the Spa.
Most of us went for a facial and a pedicure. A private spa with your closest friends to chat and laugh without upsetting any other guests is the definition of luxury. No one wants to have their catch up interrupted with a “shuuusssh” or conversely have their alone time interrupted by a chatty group so the privacy that Gloss offers is both rare and wonderful in a spa hotel. The staff were amazingly patient with our questions and seemed to enjoy the banter, or else are just really polite. After our make up tutorial we headed back to our room to get ready for dinner.
Some of the party members unwinding at the Gloss.
Fire and Salt restaurant prides itself on the food served being “local, hand-picked, seasoned and seared”. Not a morsel was left on any plate and the menu options were very varied. To start I had the feta, butternut squash and pomegranate served with a baby leaf, micro herb, toasted nuts, white balsamic and focaccia, followed by a 10oz sirloin.
The 10oz sirloin served at the Fire and Salt restaurant.
And it was really very good. Again, the staff in the restaurant were very friendly and that atmosphere was relaxed. I love a restaurant where you feel like you have privacy and yet there is a lively atmosphere. The layout of the restaurant with booths as opposed to open tables provides this exact experience.
Fire & Salt restaurant Johnstown Estate.
We retired to our room where the chat and laughing continued into the early hours. All that was left to do the following morning post a delicious breakfast was to re-activate the brain-cells with a dip in the outdoor hot-tub and we were refreshed and ready for reality.
When I mentioned the package to my group initially, there were a few raised eyebrows, in relation to the cost (€1,500 based on a minimum of six people sharing), straight after Christmas. Upon our departure, all agreed that this package is really excellent value for money at €250/head and we would be returning as soon as possible.
The Sparkle at The Mulberry Package, which is the package enjoyed by Irish Country Living includes:
Overnight stay in the Mulberry suite for six people.A bottle of Moët et Chandon and hors d’oeuvres upon arrival.Two 30-minute treatments at Gloss at the Spa each.A 45-minute make up masterclass with Delilah make up.A cocktail of your choice served in Gloss.Evening dinner at Fire & Salt restaurant (Friday to Sunday).Full Irish breakfast with a wide range of hot and cold choices.Turndown service.Complimentary access to the Leisure Club.Complimentary Wi-Fi & parking.Starters in Fire & Salt range from €8-14, mains from €20-30 and if you were so inclined there is a 20oz chateaubriand steak for €72. There is also a set menu option with three courses for €40. Aside from the package outlined there are a number of other packages which are all detailed on the hotel's website.
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