Ssshhh…Don’t tell anyone but winter’s where it’s at
Here in Doolin the boats will be tying up for the winter soon and the winter swells will start to roll in, tumbling over the pier and destroying the car park for another year. The buses and the cars have thinned on the road thank God and the Aille River has come back up from underground, tearing down through the dunes to join up with the sea at Trá Lathan. It’s the time now for the locals to step back out after a busy season of hosting guests from all over the world. Tunes and fireside pints are in order. Now’s the time where the session comes into its own. Traditionally winter was the time for music and song with the season harvested and the work done. Anyone who’s happened by our Monday night session in the winter will have felt this off-season magic when a singer can be heard clearly and every ear is tuned to every note ringing true
This is the time of year too when the waves at Doolin wake up and surfers take to the water, paddling across the channel to Crab Island and down to Doolin Reef. You wouldn’t see them unless you’re looking for them sitting on their boards behind the island or silhouetted against the cliffs. The Doolin Swimmers too brave the icy waters all year round and are now part of the ecosystem of the pier in their fashionable dry robes and colourful beanie hats and friendly chatter.
We’ve time now to catch our breadth here at Hotel Doolin and what a busy year we’ve had, starting off with being named the Greenest Business in the entire country, being listed in the Top Small Hotels in Ireland in the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards and most recently being named at number 10 in the Irish Independent’s prestigious Hot 100 Best Hotels in Ireland.
We’re open all year round and winter is the best time to visit. Fitz’s Pub is open seven days with a new seasonal menu, Stonewall too, serving delicious snacks during the week and our award-winning pizzas on the weekends. For fine dining without the fuss, Glas is open every weekend for dinner Friday and Saturday and Sunday lunch. We’ve live music 7 nights a week in Fitz’s Pub, a DJ every Sat night in the Attic and some amazing intimate gigs coming up with Liam O’Maonlai, Susan O’Neill, John Spillane & Steo Wall in The Attic.
We’re also delighted to be re-launching the Doolin Surfest with a one-day event on the 19th November featuring Attention Bebe, Shee, film premieres and guest speakers. Our multi-disciplinary arts festival Hedge School is back from January 27th-29th and early bird tickets for our much-loved Doolin Folk Festival are also on sale.
Check out some of our amazing value winter getaway packages here. And don’t forget, we haven’t had a proper Christmas knees up in years. If you are planning a Christmas night out with your friends or work colleagues, please see our Christmas party options here.
