A messege from Mrs Claus

Seasons greetings from the North Pole. They call it the 'most wonderful time of the year', and we are very busy here getting ready for Christmas eve. The elves are making all the toys, my husband is reading all the letters the boys and girls have sent him from all around the world and he is checking his naughty and nice list again. As for me? I am busy baking and supervising all the activities in our workshop.

However, as an extra special treat, myself, Mr.C, the elves and the reindeer are going to take a well deserved day off tomorrow. We are going to join in with the festive cheer at Waterford Castle. My husband will be meeting with all the boys and girls to find out what toys they would like to wake up to on Christmas morning. I also heard he wants to sample all the tasty treats Waterford Castle have to offer. I will be reading stories by the fire, meeting with all the young, and young at heart. Plus, I cant wait to take a look at all the artisan stalls; I need to find an extra special present for my husband this year. Plus, I might go to one of the cookery demonstrations, there were complaints last year that the turkey we had for Christmas dinner was dry (hoever, Mr.C always falls asleep before Chirtsmas diner because he spends the might before travelling all over the world. I know that the elves should be helping santa but I know that they will spend most of their time joining in with all the fun. They are so excited for the 'Captain Jack' show, the carrousel and the special train which will travel throughout the festive Island.

Christmas Music Playlist

As I look forward to the Christmas Magic tomorrow we are going to treat ourselves today to some lovely hot-chocolate, a Christmas songs sing-along and a lovely Christmas  movie. However, deciding on a Christmas movie is always a touchy subject as my husband dreads the thought of seeing a movie with an actor playing him in it. Last Christmas we tried to watch the remake of 'Mircle on 34th street' but all we could here was my husband tutting and saying 'I don't sound like that. And don't get me stared on the time we watched  ; lets just say he went to the gym for an etitire month because he thought the filmmakers portrayed him as fat and lazy. However, after a month he gave up on his exercise regime so maybe he is living up to his stereotype!  But i deigrese. So tonight I think we might watch the snowman; which is s particular favourite with the elves.

The Snowman

 

As this is the busiest time of year for us here in the North pole, we are excited to join in with the joy, magic and festive cheer tomorrow will bring. I am going to leave you now, but make sure you come and visit me at Waterford Castle tomorrow as I can not wait to meet you.

 

 

 'Christmas Magic at Waterford Castle' takes  place this Sunday, the 15th of December from 1pm-6pm.  This fun filed family event is being held in association with the WLR Fm Lion's Club Christmas Appeal.
 Entry on the day: €10 per Child and €7 per adult. To discover all the treats which we have in store on the day click here

 

Christmas Magic at Waterford Castle

Christmas Magic at Waterford Castle

For this week's edition of Waterford Castle's Blog we are a delighted to announce a very special event taking place on the Island , 'Christmas Magic at Waterford Castle'. This fun filled family event is being held in association with the WLRFM Lion's Club Christmas appeal. Taking place on Sunday 15th December, from 1pm-6pm, the Island and Castle will transform into a festive wonderland. So today, we are going to take a sneak-peek at some of the festive treats we have in store.

Your magical experience begins with a majestic ferry journey to the Island. When you have arrived at the Castle, why not take a train-ride around the resort and make sure you keep an eye out for Santa’s reindeer!  The front of the Castle’s will be transformed into a winter wonderland; with a snow machine and beautiful ornate carousel enhancing the magical Christmas experience. The special Christmas market will showcase a number of artisan stalls, making it the perfect location to find the unique Christmas present for that special someone. When you are enjoying the array of outdoor activity, why not treat yourself to Christmas beverage and an indulgent snack form the Waterford Castle's food stall. When you need to escape the chill, there will be a number of stalls in the Castle.

 

Santa will be in the Castle on the day in his workshop where he will have a special present for all his little visitors; well, all those on his nice list! Just in case you think Santa will forget what you want for Christmas, there will be an area to write a letter to him; which can be posted in the special Christmas Post-box.  Mrs Clause will also be here and she will be reading Christmas stories in front of the roaring fire. You will also see Santa's elves, who will be very busy getting all the presents ready for the big day! Additionally, there will be a magician, balloon modelling and stilt walkers which provide extra wonder and magic to the day.

There will be a number of cookery and decorations demonstrations for those who wish to get tips to create Christmas magic in their own homes. Discover the adventures of a pirate's world at the special Captain Jack show, taking place between 3.30pm -5.30pm, which will be fun for all the family. The day will conclude with a magical firework display which will truly fill everyone with Christmas wonder and cheer.

With much more surprises in store on the day, Christmas Magic at Waterford Castle promises to be a fun-filled family event not to be missed. So make sure to mark your diary for Sunday, the 15th of December to join us and the WLRFM Lion's Club Christmas Appeal for a magical festive extravaganza. Your Christmas begins with a trip to Waterford Castle; your Island haven. For more information, visit our website www.waterfordcastle.com .

Entry Fees:

€10 per Child

€7 per Adult

Please note that an additional charge applies  for the carousel and for a photograph with Santa.

Proceeds from the day will be donated to the Lion's Club Christmas appeal.

Waterford Winterval 2013

Waterford Winterval

'It's the most wonderful time of the year'

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For Waterford Castle’s latest blog we continue to look forward to the Christmas season by exploring the variety of events taking place during the Waterford Winterval Festival; which runs between the 29^th November- 23rd December and the 27^th-31^st December 2013. As Ireland’s premier winter festival, the Waterford Winterval Festival showcases Waterford at its cultural, entertaining and vibrant best. With the array and diversity of events taking place, the festival really offers something for everyone.

There are a number of events taking place throughout the duration of the festival. Winterval on Ice; Ireland's premier Ice-rink; will return to the Merchant’s Quay this festive season. Weather you are a master of the ice-rink or struggle to stay on your feet,  Winterval on Ice always proves to be great fun for all the family.  And why not treat your children to a trip to the magnificent Santa’s grotto; which takes place in the exquisite 13^th century Medieval Museum from the 30^th November – 23^rd December. Santa will be joined by his delightful and charming wife, Mrs Claus and her mischievous elves!

After a trip to Santa’s grotto why not book your tickets and hop on board the Winterval Express which will take you on a magical journey through the streets of Waterford. The journey will offer a great vantage point to truly enjoy the city’s transformation into a Winter Wonderland. There are a number of other children’s activities taking place such as the Animal Farm at Coal’s Quay, and children young and old will be awe struck by the spectacular 'Toy Museum', which both take place between the 29th Nov- 23rd Dec.

Taking place from the 30^th November in the weekends leading up to Christmas, the 'Winterval Christmas Market' creates an exciting Christmas experience on the streets of Waterford City. The streets will be transformed with the sights, sounds and aromas of a traditional Christmas market.In this atmospheric shopping experience you will find a number of craft and gift stalls, meaning you can find your loved ones the perfect gift. There will also be a number of food stalls, serving sweet treats to keep your energies up will you finish you Christmas shopping.

Furthermore, 'the Ardkeen Artisan Food Experience', which will take place at Greyfriars during the weekends from 30th Nov- 23 Dec will allow shoppers sample & stock up on some of the country’s most distinctive and flavorsome produce. Or why not visit the Polish Christmas pop-up Village will take place in the Tourist office, 120 The Quay every weekend from the 30^th Nov- 23^rd Dec.  Experience the sights, tastes and aromas of a traditional Polish Christmas and book your place in one of the popular Gingerbreadman workshops.

John Roberts Square will transform into its own winter wonderland as it will be home to a number of activities from the 30th November- 23 December. For instance, the beautifully ornate vintage Christmas Carousel will dazzle the young and young at heart. There will also be a gigantic Santa’s post box in the square; making sure all letters are safely delivered to the North Pole! Furthermore, a traditional and atmospheric Christmas experience will also be created in the square by the Carol Singing, the life size Crib at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity and the Rotary Club Christmas Memorial Tree.

Additionally, there will be a number of events which further showcase Waterford's cultural vibrancy. For instance, the iconic and recently refurbished Theatre Royal’s festive programme that will keep adults and children entertained throughout the season. With a Winterval programme which feature the 'Cinderella' pantomime, 'Christmas Crooners', 'Elfie the Elf Returns!',  'Vladimir presents ‘A Vitemeense Christmas’' and  'The Winterval Cabaret';  the Theatre Royal will be providing theatrically spectacular entertainment to suit all tastes! Garter's Lane will also have an exciting programme of shows from the 30th Nov- 23rd Dec including 'A Muppet Christmas' and 'The Little Mermaid. 

Furthermore, Bishop’s Palace will host Georgian Christmas Tours and you can relive Waterford’s Viking heritage with storytelling taking place in Reiginald’s Tower; with all the stories been written by schoolchildren all across the country. Waterford's Viking heritage will also be brought to life this Christmas by ‘YULE’; a vibrant, interactive, working Viking Settlement, which will be brought to life by the sights and sights and sounds of the Waterford Viking Society. Additionally, ‘Winter Illuminates’, which will take place in Cathedral Square and will dazzle onlookers with a truly unique and mesmerizing 3D Light and sound show.

So mark your diary and make sure you visits Waterford City this Christmas season; do not miss out on a enjoying a magical festive experience! Keep an eye out for Waterford Castle Hotel’s special accommodation rates for the Winterval Festival. There is really no better time to visit Waterford city!

For more information in relation to The Waterford Winterval Festival, and for time, dates, locations  and booking details for all activities,  please visit http://www.winterval.ie/ . Tickets for events are on sale now! 

If you a planning a trip to Waterford Castle Hotel, why not view our ‘101 things to do’, which contains a variety of activities which can be enjoyed during your trip. To view the list, please visit www.waterfordcastle.com .

Waterford Castle Golf Club

For this week’s blog we are going to take a look at the facilities at Waterford Castle Golf Resort.  This is coincide with this blog, we will also look at the latest promotional packages been offered to by the Golf Club. So weather you are a seasoned golfer, wish to practice our swing or want to treat the golfer in your life to 2014 membership for a Christmas present , Waterford Castle Golf Club has something for everybody.

Waterford Castle Golf Club has recently introduced it’s new 2014 membership package.   New members can avail of full membership of Waterford Castle Golf Club is only €800. This offer is only available for a limited period only so book now to avoid disappointment.  Waterford Castle Golf Club is also launching a special Friday Winter Deal. This package include a full 18 hole round on our Championship Golf Course and a Free main meal in our Golf Clubhouse. All this can be yours for only €25 euro (please note that a 5 euro supplement applies for steak). This Friday offer runs until the end of February 2014.

Distinctively, Waterford Castle Golf Club lays claim to being Ireland’s only true island golf resort. Designed by the renowned former Ryder Cup player and vice captain, Des Smith, this 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course, utilizes the natural landscape of the Island. The layout of the golf course reveals attractive rolling fairways and subtle contoured greens, which magnificently blend into the natural landscape. A number of man-made features further accentuate the Island’s beauty.  For instance, despite being surrounded by water, Waterford Castle Golf Resort boasts four additional water features on the second, third, fourth and sixteenth hole, which are aesthetically pleasing while providing golfers with added challenges!  Additionally, the golf course boasts its own Swilken Bridge, though it was not built the Roman Empire! While this challenging golf course is completely detached from the mainland, it is ideally located for an Irish golfing vacation. 

Additionally, Waterford Castle Golf Resort offers a year round driving range facility with two covered bays and one teaching bay. The driving range has floodlighting facilities which afford golfers the opportunity to hone their skills at any time of the day. The driving range consists of two distinct areas; one for your short game, and another for your long game. Furthermore, there is a fully grassed and fairway maintained chipping area is available for practice during the daylight hours. This area features two chipping zones and a simulated putting green, affording you the opportunity to sharpen your short game. Additionally, a nine-hole putting green is available for use in front of the club house; completed to the same standard of the golf course. The Golf Pro Shop is open daily Open daily for all your golfing needs; stocking leading brands of clothing and golfing equipment.

To avail of Waterford Castle Golf Club’s latest promotional offers, please contact our golf pro shop on 051-871 633 or email golf@waterfordcastle.com. For further details in relation to Waterford Castle Golf, visit www.waterfordcastle.com .

If you a planning a trip to Waterford Castle Hotel, why not view our ‘101 things to do’, which contains a variety of activities which can be enjoyed during your trip. To view the list, please visit www.waterfordcastle.com .

Sunday Lunch at Waterford Castle Hotel

New Sunday Lunch Menu at Waterford Castle

For this week's blog, we are looking forward to the launch of our new sumptuous Sunday Lunch menu,  which is served each Sunday in our award winning Munster Room Restaurant from 1pm-3pm. Sunday is a day for rest, relaxation and indulgence, so where better to spend it than on the picturesque Island Haven.

The Sunday Lunches will take place in the award winning Munster Dining Room. The warm ambiance of this highly acclaimed restaurant is created through its original oak panelled walls, ornate ceilings and elegant artwork. The Munster Dining Room’s opulent yet intimate atmosphere, combined with its exceptional food, and superior customer service will ensure that you and your quest will enjoy an unforgettable dining experience.  Throughout the years, the Munster Dining Room’s exemplary reputation has been reinforced through receiving a variety of awards from highly acclaimed institutions. For instance, recently the restaurant was awarded the ‘Best Hotel Restaurant in Munster 2013’ by the Restaurant Association of Ireland.

After lunch, why not relax in the comfortable surroundings of our Fitzgerald Room Bar or in front of the roaring fire in the Grand Hall Entrance. Furthermore, why not discover the 16th century Castle’s diverse and fascinating history through the range of beautiful antiquities and ornate architecture. Alternatively, you could take a leisurely stroll on one of the nature walks, which will allow you to take in the Island’s natural scenic landscape, flora, fauna and wildlife. Sunday lunch would also be a lovely way to conclude a round of Golf on our 18th hole championship golf-course.

With the four course lunch costing €32 per person, and a children’s menu available, why not treat your family or friends to an indulgent Sunday treat. To book or for more information, please call our reservations team on 051-878203, email info@waterfordcastle.com or visit www.waterfordcastle.com.  

If you are planning to visit Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort or if you have recently stayed with us, why not visit our Tripadvisor page http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g186638-d212907-Reviews-Waterford_Castle_Hotel-Waterford_County_Waterford.html .

Luxurious Castle Accomodation

‘Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.’

Coco Chanel

~~~~~~~

For this week’s blog and in anticipation of our latest Autumn and Winter offers, we are going to sample the ultimate in comfortable yet elegant luxury by exploring our luxurious castle accommodation. Why not escape the winter blues  by planning an luxurious getaway today.

The history and traditions of Waterford Castle are honored in the décor of our 18 elegant bedrooms; each one offering gracious style, unique décor and antique furniture. Each room combines ornate and gracious style with modern comforts, ensuring you have a truly unique and relaxing stay. All our magnificent suites contain their own private sitting room and our deluxe bedrooms are en-suite twins or double/kings. The original cast iron windows, set in granite stone, overlook the splendour of the Island’s beautiful and captivating landscape. The spacious, bespoke bathrooms feature hand painted ceramics and a Claw Footed Bath for the ultimate relaxation.

 Spacious & light with spectacular river or garden views, our deluxe rooms are lavishly decoratated and offer all the comforts expected of a luxury Castle Hotel. Additionally, each of our five suits offer spectacular views of the grounds, individually designed they are bright and warm, providing guests with a living room, grand bedrooms & bespoke bathrooms.

All our magnificent and bespoke bedrooms feature the following facilities and services:

Crisp Linens, Deep Mattresses and Restful interiors combine to offer a good nights sleep	Complimentary tea and coffee can be provided to your room on request
Hairdryers	Heated Towel Rails
Mulvenna Toiletry products to ensure pure relaxation	Waterford Castle Bottled Still and Sparkling Water
Turn-down Service	24 Hour Room Service available
Satellite Televisions	In room treatments available on request
American socket converters available	Complimentary private car park

So, why not avail of our latest  Autumn and Winter  Midweek offers and discover the Castle’s ornate yet comfortable opulence for yourself. Enjoy luxurious castle accommodation and a sumptuous breakfast from just €59 per person sharing, per night. (Sunday- Thursday only.) So, to book your Island retreat, please contact our reservation team on 051-878 203. Alternatively you can visit www.waterfordcastle.com  to avail of this and all our latest offers. Luxury accommodation, award winning dining and wealth of activities  are only a ferry-ride away.

If you are planning to visit Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort or if you have recently stayed with us, why not visit our Tripadvisor page http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g186638-d212907-Reviews-Waterford_Castle_Hotel-Waterford_County_Waterford.html .

Waterford at the Movies

Waterford at the Movies

For this week’s addition of Waterford Castle’s blog we will take a look at the upcoming Waterford Film Festival ; which takes place between the 8^th-10^th November in Greyfriars Art Gallery. To coincide with the upcoming Waterford Film Festival, we are going to take a look at what is arguably the most significant film to be produced in Waterford;  ‘Barry Lyndon.’  Many of the films exterior scenes were shot in locations throughout Waterford, including Waterford Castle.  As such, through the microcosm of film, this blog should serve as an snap-shot of Waterford's cultural vibrancy.

Now in its 7^th year, the Waterford Film Festival provides a platform for film-makers  and writers to showcase a wide range of short films from documentaries, animation, short films, experimental and student work. The Greyfriars  Art Gallery will be transformed into a cinema for the duration of the festival.  The festival centres on and aims to promote independent short films and screenplays. The festival features and exciting programme including a variety of competitions, covering a wide spectrum of areas of writing and cinema. For instance, The Waterford City Council Award for Best Short Film celebrates short fiction and documentary films. Additionally, the Screenplay competition, now in its 6th year, attracts a variety of excellent submissions, primarily from budding, first-time writers. Whilst the Best Screenplay Award will be open to all short film screenplays which have not been filmed/ produced. Due to the variety and quality of the competitions, the festival continually attracts high quality film submissions from filmmakers around the world, thus providing a diverse range of cinema for audiences to enjoy.

‘Barry Lyndon’, directed by Stanley Kubrick and staring Ryan O Neil and  Marisa Berenson, was released in 1975.  The film is an adaptation of The Luck Of Barry Lyndon, a novel set in the 18 century, written by William Makepeace Thackeray. The story centers on a young farm-boy, Redmond Barry, a loveable rouge who is determined to become a wealthy nobleman and will use any means possible to realise his dream.  Falling on hard times after being robbed, Redmond is forced to join the British Army; fighting in the ‘Seven Years War.’ He latter deserts the British Army to become a spy in the Pursian army, subsecently becoming a conman. He continually lies, dupes and charms his way up the social ladder and enters a loveless marriage to a Countess; Lady Lydon, to further advance his cause. However, his deceptive nature and promiscuous lifestyle catches up with him and he slowly descends into ruin.

Whilst the film features a number of cinematographic innovations, the magnificent settings and classical music allow it to evoke and remain true to its 18^th century setting. For instance, a number of locations throughout Waterford, including Waterford Castle’s Island, Little Island, provided the naturally picturesque yet rugged landscape for many of the film’s exterior shots. Furthermore, many of film’s interior scenes where set in a number of as Powerscourt House, Co.Wicklow, Dublin Castle, Cahir Castle and Huntington Castle in County Carlow. In terms of musicality, the film’s score features a number of motifs from works by famous composers such as Bach, Mozart, Schubert, and Vivaldi.  

Additionally, the film’s unique stylistic feature was that most of this film’s interior footage were filmed solely by candle light, which proved to be a cinematic innovation and further emphasized the authenticity, beauty and significance of the scenes. While the film had limited box office success, it won many awards including won four Oscars in production categories and it is often regarded as Kubrick finest work.  Furthermore, it has been regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. Amongst Kubrick’s highly acclaimed directorial portfolio include ‘2001: Space Odecey’,  ‘Sparticus’, ‘the Clockwork Orange' and 'Eyes Wide Shut.'

To conclude, we have seen a snapshot of Waterford's cinematic exploits.Waterford’s history, cultural vibrancy, architecture and un-spoilt natural landscape are just some factors which contribute to Waterford’s   potential as an idyllic film destination. Furthermore, the region has a wealth of talented writers, directors and actors, which is clearly demonstrated each year through the Waterford Film Festival. For more information in relation to the Waterford Film Festival please visit http://www.waterfordfilmfestival.com/ . For more information in relation to Waterford Castle Hotel, please visit www.waterfordcastle.com

If you are planning to visit Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort or if you have recently stayed with us, why not visit our Tripadvisor page http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g186638-d212907-Reviews-Waterford_Castle_Hotel-Waterford_County_Waterford.html .

Meetings and conferencing at Waterford Castle

Meetings and Conferencing at Waterford Castle

For this week’s edition of Waterford Castle’s blog we are going to look at our meeting and conferencing facilities. Waterford Castle Hotel and Golf Resort pride ourselves on offering a unique corporate experience.

Located on it’s own 310 acre private Island and set in a 16^th Century Castle, this Island Haven offers an intimate escape; allowing each delegate to enjoy a stress free experience. Whilst this island based resort provides a private relaxing escape and intimate seclusion, it is centrally located, ideal for all transport arrangements. Waterford castle is easily accessible from all routes and is located 10 minute drive from Waterford Airport, one minute from the Waterford City Bypass Road. Additionally, the resort is located a 5 minute drive from Waterford City Centre. Furthermore, our free private car park is available for all delegates attending conferences, meetings & other events at the resort. 

Waterford Castle Hotel's meeting & events facilities are ideally suited for all meeting and conferencing requirements. A dedicated Meeting Services Manager is provided to each conference provided to coordinate every detail of your event. We have a multi-departmental events team which work is fundamental in guaranteeing the successful hosting of all events. Our range of meeting rooms allows our corporate clients the flexibility to choose the ideal space to suit all their meeting requirements. There are a number of adaptable rooms which can be structured to entirely meet the needs and goals of each meeting we host.  All Conference & Meeting Rooms at Waterford Castle Hotel are equipped with state of the art equipment including:

Wifi access; Projector and Screen; Flipchart and markers; Writing pads and pens; Lectern; Wheelchair Access; Private Coffee Lounge; Utilise natural daylight

Over the last year we have heavily invested in improving our conferencing capacity and facilities at our Golf Club-House. The President’s Lounge serves as the perfect arena for larger conferences, meetings and private functions. The Lounge holds up to 150 people theatre style but the seating plans can be altered to suit the needs of all functions. Additionally, the lounge is an ideal location to host lunch and dinner during conferences. Furthermore, the clubhouse serves as an ideal location for team building events or client entertainment. Additionally, the Lounge has a stage, perfect for delivering presentations and amplification systems can be provided at request.

Here at Waterford Castle, we understand the importance of team building and corporate retreats play towards building staff morale. Our 310 acre Island provides the perfect setting for any outdoor team-building day and we can organised specialized 3^rd party experts to oversee all activities. Our team building activities are stimulating problem-solving tasks designed to help group members and teams develop their capacity to work effectively together. Team building activities are often used in meetings, presentations, workshops, training seminars, education programs and corporate training. We also specialize in hosting unique corporate parties and retreats.

Furthermore, at Waterford Castle Hotel and Golf Resort we believe that the needs of delegates extend beyond attending a meeting or conference. Our unique location, luxury accommodation, award winning food and superior customer service prove to be important factors in why companies choose to host conferences and meetings with us. For delegates who wish to stay with us, we offer competitive corporate rates and our corporate bedrooms are designed with the requirements, the comfort and convenience of the corporate traveler in mind. Furthermore, to ensure that all delegates have a luxurious, memorable and relaxing stay with us, we offer the following benefits to all corporate clientele:

Express Check-in; Complimentary WiFi; Complimentary newspaper on request; Business support services ; Complementary takeaway tea/coffee in the morning on request; Flight confirmations & Boarding Passes Printed; Dedicated workspace; Cable T.V and Express Check-out.

To conclude, if you wish to host a small meeting, large conference, hosting a team building day or wish to entertain clients, Waterford Castle is the ideal location to fulfil all your corporate needs. Pricing can be put arranged on an A La Carte Basis or as a Day Delegate Package.  Furthermore, lunch and additional dining options are available on request. For more information or if you wish to book your meeting conference or corporate event, please contact our sales team on 051- 878 20, email  info@waterfordcastle.com , or visit http://www.waterfordcastle.com/meetings-and-events.html

If you are planning to visit Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort or if you have recently stayed with us, why not visit our Tripadvisor page http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g186638-d212907-Reviews-Waterford_Castle_Hotel-Waterford_County_Waterford.html .