Whether your family is the one with the Christmas countdown beginning in January or you’ve just vowed not to get behind on holiday plans this year, you’re in luck — some like-minded stays are already getting a jump on the holidays.
For all the traditional trimmings paired with a family vacation to Ireland, Carton House should be on your radar for Christmas.
Picture family Christmas set in a historic building on 100 acres of rolling hills and quintessential Irish countryside. This estate offers scenic views of Maynooth in County Kildare and is a 25-minute drive from Dublin. An easy drive to and from the airport is a game-changer for family travel.
Hosting an over-the-top Christmas is no new task for the Carton House. In fact, festive family traditions have been a mainstay for the property for more than 800 years, as it dates back to 1176 when the lush grounds belonged to the Fitzgerald family — a prominent and influential family in Irish history. The Manor House is a little newer, dating to 1739 when it was commissioned by Earl Fitzgerald.
Carton House, County Kildare. Photo: Radovan Mlatec | Dreamstime.com
Enjoy a traditional family Christmas with Irish touches, including a seasonal menu this holiday, festivities and seasonal fun for all ages — guests and locals.
Christmas Eve celebrations kick off with spiced mulled wine, a local favorite, and glowing reception, complete with singing carolers and a three-course meal. Christmas Day is celebrated with holiday guests only and features more food, fun and seasonal tidings.
Choose from two new packages designed for families seeking a fun getaway for the holidays. The two-night option, Nights Carton Christmas Experience includes two-night accommodations in a superior guestroom, a Christmas Eve reception, a seasonal feast, buffet breakfast on Christmas morning, Christmas cocktails and lunch gala, Christmas dinner and a welcome gift from the Carton House. This option is available Dec. 23–26 for $1,497 per room.
The three-night option of the Nights Carton Christmas Experience brings families all the same fun and festivities for one day longer, available Dec. 23–27, for $1,743 per room.
Double up with the kids and enjoy a good old-fashioned Christmas in a new location. Expect live music and all the traditional trimmings of an Irish Christmas, with more time relax and enjoy the holiday with the kids.
If you have a little extra time after your trip, make your way to Dublin for New Year’s. The fireworks and festivities are a great send-off from one year to the next. It’s never too early to plan a fun time away with the family.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedHotels
Sep 3, 20263 Caribbean, Latin American Marriott Hotels for Multigen Trips
Multigenerational travel continues to grow in popularity, with family travelers moving away from traditional getaways for meaningful trips with family members of all ages. The Caribbean and Latin America are growing destinations of interest for this type of travel, and three Marriott properties offer opportunities for multigen families to create lifelong memories.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
Travel Tips
Sep 1, 2026TikTok Revolutionizes Travel Planning and Inspiration
With an estimated 1.9 billion users worldwide, TikTok influences nearly every part of our lives, from food to fashion. The app so profoundly changed the way we travel, it now describes itself as a “modern-day travel agency, itinerary planner, and travel blog rolled into one.” Using TikTok to plan travel is so popular, the app recently launched TikTok Go to make booking even easier.
Hotels
Sep 1, 2026Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa to Welcome Return of Elf on the Shelf This Holiday Season
The magic of Christmas quickly approaches as summer comes to a close, and families can experience the holiday season in a unique way this year.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Hotels
Sep 1, 2026This London Hotel Launches Little Londoners Family Package
Balance a city break in London with kid-friendly experiences at Sea Containers London, an upscale, riverside hotel. The property recently debuted the Little Londoners package, a thoughtfully designed offering that makes exploring London easier (and more fun) for both kids and parents.
ShareThis