Mount Juliet Estate

The elegant grandeur of a magnificent Georgian Manor House. The chic sophistication of Hunter's Yard. The two residences draw on centuries of local Irish history to weave a rich tapestry of vibrant stories and memorable moments for every guest who stays with us… All wrapped up in the very finest contemporary comforts, state-of-the-art facilities, and breath-taking surroundings imaginable. Whether it is the Jack Nicklaus signature-designed golf course that draws your eye, or the Michelin-starred restaurant, or the chance to soak up surroundings that have seduced and thrilled guests in countless years gone by: we'd love for you to add your own experiences to the Mount Juliet story. Please become part of the history today and stay with us.

There is a Legacy to the Mount Juliet

Experience that stretches far beyond the bedrooms' luxury and decadence dining options. Perhaps you feel the urge to thunder through open pastures and traipse across woodland trails on horseback. Maybe you want to feel the tug on your line, and the splash from the River Nore as a salmon takes your bait. And have you ever felt the singular rush of an arrow flying forth from your bow or a falcon swooping down to land at your command? Offering a unique range of activities on the estate, unparalleled in the way they combine deep-seated historical traditions with the best modern equipment and practices.

Like all the best stories, Mount Juliet Estate is, at heart, a love story. Built on a ridge overlooking the River Nore by the first Earl of Carrick is named after his beloved wife, Lady Julianna Butler. In the centuries that followed, the estate experienced the fullness of Irish history, a magnificent icon of Kilkenny that changed with the world around it and the distinctive characters that occupied it, yes, but never lost the qualities that guests can still enjoy to this day. The story of Mount Juliet is an ongoing one in which the family of staff and all of the guests play a part.

The Manor House

It is the beating heart of the estate and has been ever since the first Earl of Carrick and his wife Juliet first made it their home in 1750. Step through its pillared entranceway, and you enter a place out of time: lovingly preserved for the present-day, intimately updated most faithfully. A sense of romance - of people and place and time turned into something extraordinary – touches every inch of the Manor House, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the 32 unique bedrooms. While many of them share their captivating views of the River Nore and the Ballylinch Stud paddocks are individually designed and named after a famous figure connected with the area or estate.

Hunter's Yard

It takes the ideals and attention to detail that has made the Manor House so special for so long and channels them into an entirely new type of residence. The 93 rooms that make up Hunter's Yard offer a haven-like retreat from the whole family, a luxurious habitat for winding down from time spent exploring the estate or playing on the golf course. Every room offers the most inviting modern amenities and furnishings, all wrapped up in a light and airy ambiance.

Dining

From Michelin-starred opulence in the Lady Helen dining room to low-key luxury indulgences at The Hound restaurant… Mount Juliet Estate offers up a veritable cornucopia of dining options. Whether you're looking to celebrate a special occasion that will live long in the memory, unwind after a hard-fought victory out on the golf course, or enjoy a wide-ranging choice of premium breakfast choices… Expect classic dishes executed with a creative flourish alongside entirely unexpected flavors for the more adventurous diner. It all comes together in a way that could only be of Mount Juliet Estate, delivered with the most pristine service. An ode to the splendid taste of a former lady of the house. A cozy retreat adorned with otherwise unseen equestrian memorabilia. Wherever you wind up taking a seat, you will be immersed in the numerous unique elements of the estate's past – brought tantalizingly into the present.

Lady Helen McCalmont, the previous owner of Mount Juliet, was a superb hostess who oversaw the gardens and kitchens with a kindly but firm hand. We believe she would have been delighted to know we have maintained her standards and that the restaurant bearing her name also bears a Michelin Star, along with four AA Rosettes. The internationally-themed menu consists of dishes made using local ingredients, including many from our own kitchen garden, herb garden, and farm. The atmosphere of opulence within the Lady Helen Restaurant complements the pastoral views over the River Nore's pastures, racing its way south to Inistioge.

The Hound Restaurant at Hunter's Yard offers informal dining without ever compromising on the qualities that have made Mount Juliet a revered dining destination for decades. With a commanding view of our Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course makes for the perfect place to unwind with family and friends - whether you want to relive a memorable day on the links or are quite happy to appreciate the course's fineries from afar.

The Major's Bar takes its name from Major-General Sir. Hugh McCalmont and Major Dermot McCalmont, and their time as custodians of the estate is lovingly preserved here: in the grandeur of the furnishings; the glories of the racing memorabilia; the marvels of the views; the quality of the drinks.

The Saddle Bar at Hunter's Yard offers up more contemporary surroundings without ever sacrificing the sense of being immersed in history. As its name suggests, it takes its cues from Mount Juliet Estate's rich equestrian history, and is the perfect place to lose yourself after a long day,

Afternoon Tea at Mount Juliet Estate

Afternoon Tea on the estate: something so sumptuous, it deserves to be savored in the most fitting surroundings. We aim to offer exactly that at The Major's Bar and – if weather permits – the tranquil surrounds of the Manor House gardens. We serve a delicately delicious menu of finger sandwiches, homemade scones, jams, macarons, cakes, and signature beverages in each picturesque setting.

The clubhouse at Mount Juliet Estate

After a round of golf on one of Ireland's finest parkland courses, we can't think of anything better than to unwind at the clubhouse bar named after course designer Mr. Nicklaus. This is Jack's Bar: the perfect venue for sinking into a deep-set leather chair and letting the television sport and eminently-sippable drinks wash over you. If you're craving something a little more substantial, Jack's Bar also offers a varied menu from our Executive Chef that takes the traditional fare to new, luxurious levels. We recommend a trip to the Clubhouse shop for sporting clothing before you indulge, from fish and chips to sirloin steak sandwiches.

Golf at Mount Juliet

To play golf at Mount Juliet is to experience up to 7,200 yards of visionary, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Designed Parkland, set across 180 acres of the rolling Irish countryside. Magnificent specimen trees, miles of a rushing river, and verdant pastures all play their part, bringing sensational natural beauty to a course that is ranked among the world's finest parkland courses and has played host to numerous unforgettable tournaments. From hosting a Tiger Woods-winning Championship in 2002, to recently being voted Ireland's Best Parkland Golf Course by the Golfer's Guide to Ireland and being chosen to host The 2020 Dubai Duty-Free Irish Open… Continuing to both maintain and evolve the course that is eye-catching from the moment you step up to the first tee-off and unforgettable by the time you tally up at the 18th hole. The course is complemented by both a clubhouse for all your pre-and post-game needs and desires, while the shop will keep you kitted out with the equipment and clothing befitting of a course such as this.

Over 250 Years of Ever-Evolving History

In 1757, young Somerset Hamilton Butler, soon to be the first Earl of Carrick, and his bride-to-be set about developing a working estate on the banks of the River Nore. The estate was a true labor of love: land on either side of the river was connected via an eight-arched stone bridge that still stands today. On a ridge overlooking the river, they built the Manor House. Stepping inside for the first time, that the house instantly became a home, one that would stand for seven generations of subsequent earls and beyond.

Surveying the majestic beauty that stretched out around him, Somerset found that deciding on a name for the estate came easily with his wife by his side. Thus, Mount Juliet was born, a place for Somerset and his new wife - Lady Juliet Butler - to spend their life together. Over the next 150 years, the estate bore witness to the varied fortunes of seven earls; to the turbulence of Irish history; to the flourishes and struggles that each season brought to the land itself.

In 1914, Mount Juliet was purchased by Sir Dermot. McCalmont, who had fallen for the estate's charms some years earlier and invested much of his substantial family wealth in reinvigorating the once-proud property. This meant refurbishing the Manor House with a new ballroom, stairwell, and marble fireplaces, yes, but McCalmont also expanded the horizons of what the state could offer and how it could thrive. As such, he also channeled his passion and vigor into building large, modern kennels that are still used to this day, and the world-famous Ballylinch Stud, which was once home to the most celebrated two-year-old colt of the twentieth century, the Tetrarch. Just as importantly, the McCalmonts recognized the important role that the staff played and built dedicated housing for them, ensuring that the estate could prosper throughout the political and economic twenties and the thirties.

Under the McCalmonts' care, love had returned to Mount Juliet and that same devotion has been channeled into every element of the estate as it stands today. Under the stewardship of its subsequent owner Dr. Tim Mahony, Mount Juliet became one of Europe's most highly regarded destinations. The current custodians channel the same devotion of those previous owners into every element of the estate as it stands today. It is revered for its world-class golf and beloved for its fireside singsongs, cherished for its elegantly maintained Manor House, and admired for its beautifully rendered Hunter's Yard.