A perfect weekend break at the Cliff House...where even the dolphins are on cue!

Some months back I visited the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, West Waterford. It's taken me until now to put this up, but if you get the chance, go!

We arrived into Ardmore through Dungarvan, with spectacular views of the bay in the best of the springs weather. The sky was perfectly blue and the tide was lapping on the shore. We checked into the Cliff House Hotel with a warm reception. After a quick glance through the full length windows overlooking the sea we decided that the terrace in the sun was the best place to be. As the sun set and the warmth waned, we went indoors to the cosy bar for a bite to eat. The bar is sophisticatedly nautical with original campaigne furniture and retro touches. It crossed easily from dining to bar as guests and others settled in for the evening. The next morning at the Michelin Star restaurant headed up by Martijn Kajuiter, we indulged once again – this time in freshly baked scones that melt in your mouth with lemon curd and blackberry jams, followed by fresh fruit and yogurt and then (space permitting) waffles/full english/scrambled eggs with salmon/organic porridge.
The weather was perfect and warm so we set off for the Cliff Walk –starting through the village rather than along the cliffs. We checked out Ardmore Pottery which really is one of the best Irish Craft Shops I have seen....the most beautifully made and quirky items, defying the old fashioned image of Irish Crafts. From there, we made our way to St. Declans Tower and from there along the cliffs.
That afternoon we took a spin over the coastal road to Ring, the ‘Gaeltacht’ area. I use inverted commas as it is a Gaeltacht only as far as the government-funded signage is concerned. I used my Irish as I asked for a plastic bag and thanked the shop assistant – only to be met with a bemused look! The same applied in the pub – everyone, including the barman, talking English!
We returned to the Cliff House and sat on the terrace where dolphins swam as the lights came on over the darkening headland across the bay. We dined with the same view – course after course of an inseason menu with appropriate wines to match. The rhubarb candy floss still makes my mouth water when I think of it...and made freshly from armfuls of rhubarb that we had seen Martijn carrying in, earlier in the day.
The hotel is in a spectacular setting and the décor is relaxed and cosy, but the experience is more than that. The staff are exceptional and their hospitality is full of personal touches and warmth…. and that’s something you can’t design!