B68: Popping the cork in Cork - New Year's Eve 2009

Hayfield Manor, Cork - 31 Dec 2009

So we booked the two-night New Year Package arriving down from Dublin Thurs. 31 Dec 2009.  As an extra treat we flew down to Cork with Aer Arann and took a taxi to the hotel.  The Hayfield Manor hotel is a gorgeous manor opposite the grounds of UCC.  Our first impressions were great as we were met by the valet who helped us with our luggage. He was very friendly and helpful as he showed us to our room.  We admired the lovely Christmas decorations and roaring log fires everywhere. 

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Above: Photos from our stay in Hayfield Manor - 31 Dec 2009 to 2 Jan 2010

​The room, classed as a Superior King Room was really lovely. It was spacious and tastefully decorated and had everything you could want in a hotel room including some lovely touches such a golf putting machine.  It was warm and cosy especially as it had started to snow outside.

Above: View of our room - (L) Outside and (R) Inside

​As we were going to the New Year’s Black Tie Dinner with Champagne Reception at 7pm we got dickey-doed and were soon downstairs mingling with the other guests who were a mixture of mainly Irish and British.  The atmosphere was very festive.  The dinner and service were first class – a four course full a la carte menu.  Afterwards we had a few drinks and then rang in the New Year hoping that 2010 would be a good one. Musical entertainment was provided by a live Jazz and Swing band.  We slept like logs that night as there was no traffic noise at all.    

Ready for the New Year's Black Tie Dinner - Cork, 31 Dec 2009

​On New Year’s Day I was booked into the hotel’s Beautique Spa for a Swedish Massage at 12pm.  Meeting up with Charlie in the lobby we relaxed in front of the fire.  Afternoon Tea was served at 2:30 pm so by that stage we were ravenous and really enjoyed it.

​That night we ate in Perrotts Garden Bistro at 7pm.  Both of us really enjoyed the meal; clearing our plates. The service was excellent; neither rushed nor too slow. The second morning, Saturday Jan 2nd we went down to the buffet breakfast which had everything you could want.  We went out for a short walk around the grounds but it was freezing and starting to snow again. 

Outside at Hayfield Manor - 2 Jan 2010

​It was so cold the glass in the hotel’s lanterns at the entrance had cracked.  So back in the warmth of the hotel we lolled around some more, reading the newspapers seated in the squishy sofas.

Relaxing with the newspapers - Hayfield Manor 2 Jan 2010

In talking with the valet, he advised that the weather forecast was for more snow.  Many of the UK visitors were leaving early to allow extra time on the road.  We were so glad we only had to go the 7km to Cork Airport and the Aer Arann flight back to Dublin and not the 265km drive back to Dublin in the snow.  When the time came to leave the hotel the valet had ordered us a taxi.  I was genuinely sad to be leaving.  But glad we got to pop the cork in Cork for New Year 2010. 🍾🥂📆 

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Bucket List Items Ticked Off in the above Blog 68
​Number 39 - Food & Drink  - Afternoon Tea

• Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork City, Ireland.
  

Number 59 - Travel - Hotels

• Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork City, Ireland.
  

​​Number 60 (b) - Travel - Stay in the 32 Counties in Ireland

• Co. Cork

​Number 79 - Experiences - Be Pampered at a Spa

• Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork City, Ireland.​

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​Other Blog Posts
Blog 11 - Sydney, Australia
Blog 12 - Hong Kong, China
Blog 17 - Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai, China
Blog 19 - California, USA
Blog 27 - Scotland
Blog 28 - Barbados
Blog 29 - Canada
Blog 30 - Alaska
Blog 31 - Everglades, Florida

Have you ever visited Cork?  Tell me about your experience in the comments section below.
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