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Despite a perfect Austenstyle setting, there was no sense or sensibility in the actions of the Earl of Belvedere. He began the house in 1740, spent his life fighting his brothers and built the Gothic Jealous Wall to block the view of his sibling’s house. He also imprisoned his wife for 31 years, suspecting she’d slept with one of them. Visitors, however, are free to roam the beautiful gardens and the shore of Lough Ennell.

This elegant hotel in traditional style is five minutes by car from the centre. It pampers its, often high-profile, guests from the minute they walk through the door. Standard rooms provide bathrobes and slippers, while executive rooms have stunning four-poster beds.

More than 800 fine wines to choose from here.

Bewley’s are Ireland’s finest tea shops, though the crowds often detract from the elegance.

Right in the centre of Grafton Street, this is one of two branches of Bewley’s in the city. The building alone is worth the visit, with stained-glass windows and authentic atmosphere.

This award-winning hotel restaurant serves the best of contemporary, Italian-influenced cuisine and has an excellent wine list.

Although largely dominated by the castle and its grounds, the town of Birr has much to offer visitors. Its beautiful Georgian style has been lovingly preserved, many of the buildings retaining their original fanlights and door panelling.

It’s rare that a castle plays second fiddle to its surroundings. Here, however, the gardens, covering more than 150 acres and containing 2,000 species of rare trees and shrubs, take the prize. Spring blossoms and autumn foliage are mesmerizing. The grounds are also home to the Earl of Rosse’s 72-inch (180-cm) telescope. Built in the 1840s this was once the world’s largest.

A quick trip on the DART will take you out to the seaside village of Blackrock where, at weekends, an 18th-century tavern and courtyard house more than 60 stalls selling secondhand books, clothes and bric-à-brac, as well as genuine antiques.

This award-winning bar-restaurant is full of nooks and crannies, with open fires in winter and a beer garden in summer. The speciality is seafood: try the lemon sole stuffed with crab meat.