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fishing, tennis, horseback riding, strolling row. Thwack! I hit the bullseye with my first
the formal gardens and a sommelier-led arrow, as did my friend Mark. To celebrate,
wine tasting tour of the original under‐ that night we dined at the K Club’s intimate
ground wine cellar. and luxurious restaurant, The Palmer,
Kildare is known as the Thoroughbred gorging on mouth-watering dishes with all
County, and the K Club arranged a VIP visit local produce, fish and meat. Long gone
to nearby Jessica Harrington Yard, a train‐ are the days of Irish stew and cabbage.
ing ground for thoroughbreds. I am not a Ireland has become a gourmet foodie par‐
horse person, but when Jessica Harrington adise.
explained how she trains thoroughbreds, Breakfast at the K Club (and in all the
and we watched the trainers put the horses resorts we chose) was a sumptuous buffet
through their paces from just yards away, I plus hot dishes including a full Irish break‐
had a new respect and appreciation for fast (sausages, bacon, black and white
these sleek powerful horses. pudding, mushrooms, grilled tomato, Irish
Returning to the K Club, we met with the potato bread and eggs). Fully satiated, we
archery instructor who fitted us with pro‐ departed for our next destination, Hayfield
tective arm guards, demonstrated how to Manor, a former 1800s mansion renovated
shoot, and handed us each a bow and ar‐ into a cozy luxury retreat. In front of the
hotel is a small aviary where I mistook a
88 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE WINTER 2025
