The Brehon Story

The Brehon Hotel and Spa is one of Ireland’s leading luxury hotels situated along the exclusive Muckross Road. Our hotel’s name reflects the ancient Irish tradition of hospitality, encompassed centuries ago in the Brehon Laws, which governed the society of Erin.

Under Brehon law, it was an obligation to offer hospitality to anyone who passed your door. But few regarded it as an obligation. Instead, it was a privilege to offer a roof and sustenance, warmth and a welcome. This law of old still holds true today. Hospitality is simply part of us. It is enshrined in our history and our culture. It is our way of life.

Brehon law on Hospitality: “Whoever comes to your door, you must feed him and care for him with no questions asked.”

In appropriate fashion the Brehon offers the very best of hospitality in surrounds of unique natural beauty as our hotel sits adjacent to world renowned, Killarney National Park.

Each of the our bedrooms are appointed and designed to the highest standards with all the facilities you’d expect from a luxury hotel.

With king size beds, large marble bathrooms and power showers, our uniquely curated rooms are stylish and spacious and many of our rooms have excellent views of the surrounding national park.

The Brehon’s award winning restaurant, Danú at The Brehon, offers an exclusive dining experience, with an award-winning Chef at the helm creating a rich and varied menu using the finest local produce and complimented by a fine selection of wines.

The Brehon also boasts Anú Spa at The Brehon, influenced by treatments from across the globe. The Spa is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including, Herb Sauna and Crystal steam room, Caldarium Razuol, Relaxation Room, Ice Fountain, Kubledusche, Hot & Cold Spa, Tropical Showers, 6 Treatment Rooms, Vitality Pool with underwater seating & hydro therapy jets, Tropical Showers as well as a full range of beauty treatments. The perfect place to relax your mind, body and soul.

It is not enough for a hotel to be located in one of the most beautiful places on earth, it must be worthy of its surroundings at The Brehon, this is our core belief. It underpins everything we do. Killarney is a magical place and we are the lucky ones that call it home. It is our duty to honour our surroundings by making your experience of Killarney the very best that it can be. We are proud to share our home, our food and our love of place with you.

Our name is derived from the Brehon laws – these laws governed the society of Ireland for centuries.

At the turn of the new millennium, we set our sights sights on creating a new hospitality offering in our native Killarney. Harnessing our industry knowledge and experience, we began to imagine and design a brand-new hotel.

We drew inspiration from Killarney’s spectacular landscape and history, as well as from the town’s age-old tradition of welcoming visitors. The classical detailing of Killarney’s stately home, Muckross House, inspired the exterior of the hotel.

Inside, the dappled light and rich green hues of Killarney’s ancient oak forests influenced the décor.

In 2004, we welcomed our first guests. In the years since, we have evolved by listening to and learning from our customers. At our core is the belief that it is not enough for our hotel to be located in one of the most beautiful places on earth, it must be worthy of its surroundings.

This was our intention and now it is our reality.

By custom and culture, we Irish are hospitable people. Visitors happily testify to the warmth of the welcome, but few realise it is part of our culture enshrined in our ancient Brehon laws – Whoever comes to your door, you must feed him and care for him with no questions asked. The Brehon laws governed the society of Ireland in the days of old.

These laws were passed down through the generations surviving right up until the 17th century when they were supplanted by English common law.

Today, they provide a lens through which we can understand our present and connect with our past.

Many of our traditions and customs are deeply rooted in these sophisticated and enlightened laws. For us, providing a roof, sustenance, warmth and a welcome is a privilege not an obligation.

As third generation hoteliers, we are proud of our heritage and proud to uphold Ireland’s age-old tradition of hospitality.