Take the stress out of the big day and spend it in style. Pól Ó Conghaile picks his favourite festive getaways from classy castles to country houses.

Solis Lough Eske Castle Hotel, Co Donegal

Set on the lakeshore just outside beautiful Donegal town, Solis Lough Eske (pictured above) has a three-night festive package this year. Guests will be treated to champagne and mulled wine receptions and nightly entertainment as part of their stay, and children will be visited by Santa on Christmas Day and are invited to a Teddy Bears' Tea Party on St Stephen's Day. There's a champagne brunch on St Stephen's Day and, if you buy the three-night package, a fourth night (December 23) comes free.

Details: Solis Lough Eske (074 972 5100; solislougheske castle.ie) has this three-night all-inclusive Christmas package at €595 per adult sharing a deluxe guestroom.

Clontarf Castle, Co Dublin

There's something of the perfect fit about Christmas in a castle. That's the thinking at Clontarf Castle anyway, where seasonal guests will be greeted with mulled wine, mince pies and the chipper chime of Christmas carols. Packages are available for two or three nights, and include a Christmas gift in each guest's bedroom, champagne breakfast on Christmas Day and mass in the Viking Suite. Stick around until December 27, and you can catch a cookery demonstration by Neven Maguire.

Details: Christmas specials at Clontarf Castle (01 833-2321; clontarfcastle.ie) cost from €379pps for two nights, and €429pps for three nights. The cookery demonstration costs €25pp.

Carton House, Co Kildare

Carton House was built for the Duke of Leinster in 1739, but more recently played host to the Duke of the Dive, aka Cristiano Ronaldo, on a pre-season trip with Real Madrid. You can follow in the galactico's footsteps this Christmas, with a special offer that includes afternoon tea, mulled wine and mince pies, a jazz brunch on St Stephen's Day and, on Christmas Day, a glass of bubbly before lunch in the Linden Tree restaurant.

Details: Carton House (01-505 2000; cartonhouse.com) has two-night stays from €430pps and three-night stays from €590pps, including breakfasts, lunches and evening meals.

The Westin, Dublin

If you're planning on Christmas shopping in Dublin, here's a chance to do it in style. Christmas packages at the Westin include Santa Claus for the kids, a gourmet buffet in The Exchange Restaurant and a Christmas gift from the hotel on departure. If you're shopping before Christmas, or in the January sales, you could also avail of the two-night B&B package -- it includes a €50 voucher for Brown Thomas and two complimentary cocktails in the Mint bar.

Details: Christmas packages at The Westin (01-645 1000; thewestindublin.com) range from €210pp for one night. The shopping package starts at €220pp for a minimum two-night stay.

Ferrycarrig Hotel, Co Wexford

Kelly's in Rosslare gets all the plaudits when it comes to family-friendly hotels in the south east, but kudos to the folk at the Ferrycarrig for building a strong alternative. Their Christmas offer combines three nights' B&B with four-course dinners on Christmas Eve and St Stephen's Day, and a four-course lunch on Christmas Day. You can also expect hot chocolate, sherry and marshmallows on arrival, and there are festive sing-alongs, classic movies and Santa for the kids.

Details: The Ferrycarrig Hotel (053 915 3664; www.ferrycarrig hotel.ie) has this all-inclusive Christmas package from €525pps. Children's rates: under four (free), aged four to eight (€215), aged nine to 14 (€255).

Merchant Hotel, Belfast

Don't feel like doing the turkey and ham yourself this year? Why not kick back and enjoy Christmas dinner in one of Belfast's best spaces -- the 150-year-old Great Room at the Merchant Hotel? The Merchant's two-night package also includes pre- dinner cocktails, buffet meals, a visit from Santa, festive afternoon tea, a Champagne breakfast on Christmas day and a unique whisk around the city with Belfast Duck Tours. With the Sterling exchange, it's a five-star Christmas at four-star prices.

Details: The Merchant Hotel (0044 289 023 4888; www.the merchanthotel.com) has this two-night package from £380/ €421pp for two adults sharing a deluxe room.

Hayfield Manor, Co Cork

Hot port and pastries are the treats on arrival at Hayfield Manor, where guests can sink into Christmas Eve with a performance by the local choir. The three-day Christmas package includes breakfasts and dinners, with Christmas Lunch in the Orchids Restaurant. Father Christmas is putting together pressies for junior guests as you read, and St Stephen's Day features a jazz brunch. In a nice touch, Hayfield also has late check out until 1.30pm on December 27.

Details: Hayfield Manor (021 484 5900; hayfieldmanor.ie) has this three-night all-inclusive package from €945pp for two people sharing a Superior Room.

The Millhouse, Co Meath

Roaring log fires and homemade food are at the core of this festive offering -- and larger parties can have their own complimentary private room in the pavilion. The Millhouse is built around a manor dating from 1776, and though 2009 may not have seemed like the most auspicious time to open a hotel, boutique directory Mr & Mrs Smith dubs it "perfect for a weekend of wooing". If you're in the mood for a creative Christmas, all the better -- a residential writers' and artists' retreat is ongoing.

Details: The Millhouse (041 982 0723; themillhouse.ie) has two nights' B&B and dinner and a third night room-only for €400pps over Christmas and the New Year.

Parknasilla Resort, Co Kerry

Guests can get straight into the seasonal swing of things at Parknasilla, sitting down for Christmas Eve afternoon tea as the children are carted off for storytelling and games. Over the stay, you can also look forward to festive cocktails, old Christmas movies, a family Christmas lunch in the Pygmalion Restaurant and activities such as archery, clay pigeon shooting and pétanque. Santa promises a visit too, and there'll be mince pies aplenty in the Doolittle Bar.

Details: Parknasilla Resort (064 667 5600; parknasillahotel.ie) has this three-night package from €795 per adult sharing and €285 per child.

Slieve Donard, Co Down

There's more to Northern Ireland than shopping, you know.

Hastings Hotels has a strong range of accommodation throughout the six counties, running from the Everglades in Derry to Newcastle's Slieve Donard.

The Christmas package at the latter includes horse and carriage rides, wine tasting classes, adult bingo and archery, in addition to the accommodation and food, and younger guests can join the Little Reindeer Club during their stay.

The Euro/Sterling exchange rate is the icing on the cake.

Details: The Slieve Donard (048 4372 1066; hastingshotels.com) has two night's B&B with dinner, plus a Christmas lunch, from £390/€435pps, starting on Christmas Eve.

- Pol O'Conghaile

Irish Independent