Festival Accommodation
There is a wide range of festival accommodation to choose from for your visit to the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival. Lismore, and neighbouring villages Cappoquin and Villierstown in Waterford, and Youghal and Castlemartyr in Cork, will be hosting the opera and recitals respectively. These welcoming local communites offer a wide choice of places to stay, from country house hotels, B&Bs and pubs, to self-catering in traditional Irish cottages, or renting the whole of Lismore Castle itself.
The luxury five-star Castlemartyr Resort is the Preferred Hotel Partner of Blackwater Valley Opera Festival. This grand 17th century country manor house sits adjacent to the ruins of an 800 year old castle in East Cork. Surrender to luxury with a choice of guest rooms, suites and self-catering lodges, wellness spa, fine dining, and and 18 hole golf course on stunning grounds.
From Cobh to Midleton, Ballycotton to the Ring of Cork, this beautiful region also boasts several world class visitor attractions such as the Jameson Distillery and Spike Island to provide an active counterbalance to opera and recitals as part of your stay.
Youghal, 25-minutes south has a new boardwalk to take you along its long sandy beaches, and combines the charms of its Edwardian heyday as a seaside resort with contemporary holiday facilities. The town centre has links to Walter Raleigh and Moby Dick, with daily guided walks and a choice of water cruises and boating adventure options. History is brought to life in Youghal Clock Gate Tower and the newly revamped St Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal Heritage Trail, Mall Arts Centre with stunning ocean views, and the opulent Regal Cinema.
You may choose to build a short break that takes advantage of the great outdoor facilities on offer. The harbour town of Dungarvan, a 20-minute drive east, at the foot of the Comeragh Mountains is the start of the Waterford Greenway, and has great coastal scenery and three golf courses. The Park Hotel Dungarvan overlooks the Colligan River and is an ideal base if you are searching for festival accommodation, and touring or holidaying in Ireland’s ‘Sunny South East’. Travelling further east on the N25 Waterford City, a scenic drive of 60 minutes from Lismore, has numerous festival accommodation options as well as an exciting mix of things to see and do.
As Ireland’s oldest Christian site, Ardmore (30 mins) is ideally placed to take centre stage of Ireland’s Ancient East. The Round Tower in this Co. Waterford village, where St. Declan established his monastery, is the only monastery on Ireland’s coast. Its delightful beach and cliff walks provide a tranquil oasis of sea views. Home to one of finest 5-star hotels in Ireland, the luxury Cliff House Hotel includes an Irish destination spa and a one-star Michelin restaurant; as well as a luxury self-catering hotel, Cliff Cottage, and the stunning Cliff Beach House – a modern, architect-designed home above Ardmore Bay.
We have assembled a large selection of festival accommodation options for your consideration below and early booking is recommended for during Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival.
Select Accommodation
Lismore Castle
Dating from 1170, Lismore is a privately owned castle offering luxury accommodation. Rent the entire castle at the heart of the festival – sleeps 8 to 12 in an intimate setting or up to 27 for a bigger party.
00353 58 54288
Castlemartyr Resort
BVOF Preferred Hotel Partner offering exclusive BVOF Opera Packages. This 103-room five-star luxury resort is set on 220 acres with an 18 hole golf course, wellness spa, fine dining, suites and self-catering cottages.
Cashel Palace Hotel
A Palladian manor, in the heart of Ireland, Cashel Palace is a luxury hideaway, meticulously restored and exquisitely reimagined. Experience the spa, Michelin dining and exclusive BVOF Opera Package offers.
Cliff House Hotel
A five-star, privately owned luxury hotel above Ardmore Bay. This 39-room Irish seaside boutique hotel also features an intimate Irish destination spa and one Michelin-star restaurant.
Cliff Beach House
Cliff Beach House is a modern, architect-designed home located above Ardmore Bay in the country’s sunny Southeast. Expanding over two levels and features six en-suite King sized bedrooms, 2 living rooms, dining room, kitchen, outdoor jacuzzi, indoor gym, steam room and private cinema.
Cliff Cottage
Cliff Cottage is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a luxury self-catering hotel in Ireland. With three large bedrooms — one double with en suite, one double and one twin — Cliff Cottage offers accommodation for up to six adults, with additional space for children.
Ballyin House
Ballyin House, Lismore has two self-contained accommodation properties. Mill View Lodge (up to 6 people) is the old Servant`s Quarters, dating from 1820. The Coach House (up to 2 people) is a Jacobean property from the early 1600`s, which was the original residence of the Coach Hand of Ballyin House.
The Fitzwilton Hotel
The Fitzwilton Hotel is a boutique hotel consisting of 90 stylish rooms and suites. Ideally located in the centre of Waterford City, many of these large spacious rooms offer the unique feature of floor to ceiling windows which give stunning views of the river Suir and the cityscape.
Fota Island Resort
Fota Island Resort, a five – star hotel near Carrigtwohill in East Cork, lies within a 780-acre estate of woodlands and three par 71 golf courses. Choose from stylish rooms or luxury self-catering lodges.
Hayfield Manor Hotel
Located in Cork City, an hour’s drive from Lismore, but it is designed to feel like a country house, and succeeds. An award winning 5 star boutique hotel in the heart of Cork City, with stunning private walled gardens, gourmet fine dining and a Beautique Spa.
Country House Hotels
Glenbeg House
Jacobean manor available for exclusive private hire in Glenbeg, Lismore Waterford. Six large double rooms alternating between four poster beds and canopy beds, and five bathrooms.
Ballyvolane House
A historic Irish country house of extraordinary warmth, style and comfort that provides 5* luxury manor house accommodation, bespoke intimate weddings, private house parties/exclusive house rentals, in the beautiful North Cork countryside.
Ballymaloe House
A luxurious, family-run period house with rooms in the main house, as well as charming rooms in a lime washed, rose-covered farm building in the courtyard and self catering cottages.
Cappoquin | Curraghglass Accommodation (8 – 10 km)
Dromana House Self Catering
Choice of self-catering accommodation in the grounds of one of the Blackwater Valley’s fine houses – Dromana House & Gardens. Self catering options in either The River Duplex or the East Wing.
Richmond House
Bed and breakfast in a 300-year old country house with extensive grounds. This private and exclusive guest house features an award winning restaurant, luxury guest suites and expansive gardens.
Lisnabrin Country House
Exclusive accomodation for up to 17 guests with 6 ensuites and one family room. Extensive grounds, BBQ terrace, firepit, 10-seat hot-tub, and a games wing.
Dungarvan Accommodation (24 km)
Tannery Townhouse
The Tannery Restaurant and Townhouse in Dungarvan, 25km east of Lismore, offers outstanding cuisine and striking modern décor. Combining quiet luxury and great Irish hospitality.
The Park Hotel
Four-star family hotel overlooking the Colligan River, situated in the harbour town of Dungarvan. Leisure centre with gym and swimming pool, hotel rooms and self-catering holiday home options.
Gold Coast Golf Resort
One of the most popular hotels in Waterford, on the shores of Dungarvan Bay with pool and leisure facilities, 37 stylish hotel rooms, and a range of self-catering lodges, cottages, villas and suites.
Lawlors Hotel
One of the best known and longest established hotels in the coastal town of Dungarvan. A traditional family-run 3-star hotel with comfortable and spacious rooms overlooking the waterfront.
Kilcannon House
Nestled in the West Waterford countryside, enjoy a beautiful B&B in a traditional 200 year old farmhouse with 11 acres of grounds, where horses graze and hens forage. Evening meal or picnic by arrangement.
Youghal Accommodation (28 km)
Ballynatray House Estate
Rent the whole 850-acre estate, on a scenic bend of the Blackwater, or choose from an interesting range of luxury self-catering accommodation or two double bedroom pad, The Garden Flat.
Walter Raleigh Hotel
A luxury four-star beach front hotel. This large 18th century boutique hotel has three restaurants and is spectacularly located on the seafront promenade, handy for Youghal’s 7km-long Blue Flag beach.
Aherne's Town House
Comfortable rooms decorated with antiques above a famous seafood restaurant in the town centre. Aherne’s specialises in boutique accommodation, delicious sea food, and a warm welcome.
