I hope you’re all having a great weekend. If you’ve been following my Snapchat and Instagram stories over the last 24 hours you will know that I escaped to Gorey with my partner in crime Mei Ling. I was delighted to have been invited to Wexford by Visit Wexford and LoveGorey.ie to explore and discover all the amazing things it has to offer. We visited three fashion boutiques that I had heard amazing things about, we stopped on in The Kitchen for a divine lunch and then we checked into the iconic Marlfield hotel before having dinner in famous restaurant, The Duck. Here is what we got up to on our mini getaway.
ACCOMMODATION
We stayed in the iconic Marlfield House which is renowned for its warm hospitality and has long been recognized as one of the most celebrated luxury hotels in Ireland. Marlfield has such a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere from the minute you arrive to the minute you leave. Margaret and the team were beyond accommodating and really made our visit a special one.
The house is set in 40 acres of gardens, encompassing a large kitchen garden, woodland walks, lake and lawns. The house itself is filled with fresh flowers, beautiful antiques, blazing fires and unique paintings. Whether you are looking for a relaxing country escape or an unforgettable stay at one of the luxury hotels Ireland has to offer, Marlfield House is a perfect destination and just one hour from Dublin.
Fun fact! Previous guests include Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks who stayed at the hotel for two months in the summer of 1997 while filming Saving Private Ryan on Ballinesker beach in the village of Curracloe in County Wexford. Other guests include Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Duke of Kent, Robert Redford, Margaux Hemingway and Pierce Brosnan.
The Georgian Room
We stayed in the Georgian Room which is decorated in ruby hues and filled with elegant Georgian furniture. It has two queen sized double beds overlooked by a window onto the woodland. French doors open onto the lake and a small courtyard. The elegant marble bathroom double sinks and a separate bath and shower. I love all things gold, white and marble so I instantly fell in love with our room.
FOOD
The Duck Terrace Restaurant, Café & Bar
We had a table booked in The Duck that evening and it was only a 2 minute walk from the main house which was very convenient. We had cocktails at the bar to start with a Kitchen Garden sharing board. This had an assortment of dips and light nibbles such as hummus, red pepper, crisp breads, carrots sticks and olives. Shortly after, we were seated in the dining room where the bustling atmosphere continued.
I ordered the Lava grilled Wexford 10oz rib eye steak with portobello mushroom, thin cut chips, and pepper sauce. This was accompanied by freshly baked bread and we also ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. The food was one of a kind, the service was excellent and the atmosphere really added to the entire experience. It was such an enjoyable meal. You can view their menu here. For reservations – 053 942 1124.
The Kitchen
The Kitchen’s philosophy is a humble one: To create simple but refined dishes using only the very best local ingredients. That is exactly what they did. We stopped off here for lunch before visiting the boutiques. I had been working up an appetite all morning so I was really looking forward to this meal and it did not disappoint. I ordered The Kitchen Caesar salad which has crisp baby Cos, Italian cured ham, Coolattin cheddar, lemon dressing and rustic garlic croutons with chargrilled Irish chicken. It was delicious! We both also ordered their pink lemonade – yum! If you’re in the area this place is definitely worth popping into. You can view their menu here.
For reservations – 053 948 0541 | eat@thekitchengorey.ie
FASHION
Ruby Rouge
Ruby Rouge was the first boutique we visited once we arrived. I had heard great things about it so I couldn’t wait to pop in for a browse. I ended up trying on a good few dresses and a certain velvet blazer dress really stood out. Click here for a sneak peek. Fashion aside, they have recently moved location and given their store a revamp. I loved the interiors and layout and the staff were so friendly and helpful. Ruby Rouge caters for all kinds of occasions and it’s perfect for women of all ages throughout Ireland.
To get in touch – +353 53 9484722 | SHOP@RUBYROUGE.IE
Place Boutique
Place boutique is all about Eclectic fashion and they stock gorgeous clothing from both International and Irish designers. Place is edgy, creative and personal – my kind of boutique! The owner Julianna helped me pick a super chic and edgy outfit which I wore to dinner that evening. I picked up a fabulous blazer, the most beautiful emerald-green blouse and jersey trousers with lace detailing. They have a double waistband at the front in faux leather – I fell in love with them the second I saw them. I also chose a pair of silver hoop earrings. They have a great selection of jewellery, shoes and bags as well as clothing. Style post to come!
To get in touch – (053) 948 1774
Fifth Avenue
And last but definitely not least, we popped into the lovely Sinead in Fifth Avenue to browse through some of my absolute favourite high street brands. They stock Vero Moda, Only and Pieces to name a few and they have a great selection of AW17 clothes in store at the minute. It’s all about the layers this season so make sure you pop in for a browse. I couldn’t help but try on some of their cosy jumpers and jackets. I picked up the most AMAZING green jacket from ONLY for €69.99. For a sneak peek head over to my Instagram stories – FashionBoss_ie.
To get in touch – (053) 948 3740
There you have it! All you need to know about my Gorey Getaway. Some staycation inspiration for the months to come. I would like to say a huge thank you to the Visit Wexford and LoveGorey.ie team for inviting me to Wexford to explore and discover all the amazing things it has to offer. I had the nicest time and enjoyed every minute. Gorey really does have so much to offer. If you’re a lover of luxury, relaxation, fashion and food then Wexford is an absolute must !
If there is anything in particular you’d like me to blog about next or if you have any other questions feel free to comment below. You can also catch me on Snapchat: duffyloikes, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! 🙂
Thanks for reading!
Until next time…
