Woodenbridge Hotel: Ireland’s Oldest Hotel & Golf Deals

For over four centuries, the Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge in the Vale of Avoca has claimed a singular title: Ireland’s oldest hotel, with a history that reaches back to a coaching inn licensed in 1608. This article traces that 400-year legacy through verified milestones—from its founding and famous guests to its modern golf packages—and shows you exactly what to expect from a stay today. We draw on the hotel’s own records, independent tourism listings, and editorial coverage to separate the verified facts from the folklore.

Last checked: 2026-09-19

Established: 1608 · Location: Vale of Avoca, County Wicklow · Accommodation: Main hotel with 29 en-suite rooms · Dining: AA Rosette restaurant · Golf: Overlooks Woodenbridge Golf Club · Contact: +353 402 35146

How old is the Woodbridge Hotel?

The Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge was first licensed as a coaching house in 1608, making it the subject of Ireland’s most persistent “oldest hotel” claim. The hotel’s own history page dates the original building to the early 17th century, when it served travellers on the old Dublin-Wexford highway. In 2008, the property celebrated its 400th birthday—a milestone that the hotel itself promotes prominently.

Establishment in 1608

The 1608 date refers to the licensing of a coaching inn on the site, not necessarily the construction of the current building. The Irish Times noted in 2008 that “Woodenbridge’s claim seemed solid because it was based on the licensing of a coaching inn on the spot in 1608″—one of the few independent editorial assessments to address the question directly (The Irish Times). Wicklow County Tourism and Ireland Guide both repeat the 1608 origin story without caveat, though Ireland.com more carefully attributes the claim to the owners.

Historical significance

Beyond its age, the hotel built a reputation as a political crossroads. According to the hotel’s guest directory, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, and Thomas Moore all stayed there. De Valera honeymooned at the hotel in 1910—the room is now named in his and his wife’s honour (Woodenbridge Hotel guest directory). Michael Collins used the hotel for secret meetings with senior British Army officers in 1922, while John Redmond delivered a famous speech across the road from the property in 1914. These guest claims are the hotel’s own narrative; independent archival corroboration of each visit was not located in the sources reviewed.

Is breakfast included at Woodenbridge Hotel?

Breakfast is included in the standard room rate and in all published golf packages. The hotel’s accommodation page describes rooms as “en-suite with complimentary wireless” and the golf package PDF lists “2 nights B&B” as the base offering, confirming that a cooked or continental breakfast is part of the nightly stay (Woodenbridge Hotel accommodation page).

Room amenities and inclusions

The main hotel has 29 en-suite bedrooms, while the Woodenbridge Lodge—a modern annex opened in 2004 beside the Aughrim River—adds 40 more rooms (Discover Ireland describes these as two distinct accommodation choices). The AA Rosette restaurant serves dinner, and the hotel offers complimentary wireless across both buildings. No separate charge for breakfast is listed in the standard pricing materials reviewed.

What is the oldest hotel in Ireland?

The Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge is the most frequently cited candidate for the title of Ireland’s oldest hotel, with a claimed continuous operating history dating to 1608. However, the strength of that claim depends on how “oldest hotel” is defined—whether based on a surviving licensing document, the current building’s age, or uninterrupted hospitality service on the same site.

Claims to the title

Multiple sources repeat the assertion. Wicklow County Tourism describes it as “Ireland’s oldest hotel dating back to 1608” (Visit Wicklow). Ireland.com’s historic accommodation feature says “meet—according to the owners—Ireland’s oldest hotel.” TripAdvisor’s listing also describes it as “established in 1608” and calls it the oldest hotel in Ireland (TripAdvisor). The Hotel & Restaurant Times, reporting on the Fitzpatrick Hotel Collection’s acquisition in 2024, also referred to it as “Ireland’s oldest hotel” (Hotel & Restaurant Times).

The distinction between a 1608 coaching inn and a modern hotel is meaningful: the term “hotel” was used loosely for the property long before the modern hospitality industry. Several competing historic properties—such as the Brazen Head in Dublin (licensed 1198, but a pub, not a hotel) and the Kyteler’s Inn (13th century, also a pub)—make the field contested. Among licensed hotels that have operated continuously on one site, the Woodenbridge’s claim appears the strongest based on available sources.

What are the prices for Woodenbridge Hotel’s golf deals?

The most popular golf package is a 2-night bed-and-breakfast stay with 3 rounds of golf, starting at €269 per person sharing. For weekends and bank holidays (Friday and Saturday nights, plus bank holiday periods), the same package is priced at €347 per person sharing, with group discounts of 5% available (Woodenbridge Hotel golf package PDF). The hotel can accommodate golf bookings from 1 night upward and can tailor the number of courses included (Woodenbridge Hotel golf FAQs).

Golf course proximity

The hotel is located directly across the road from Woodenbridge Golf Club (Woodenbridge Hotel golf page). The hotel’s standard package draws on a rotation of nearby courses, including Arklow, Baltinglass, Blainroe, Bunclody, Coollattin, Courtown, Macreddin, Powerscourt, Rathsallagh, and Wicklow. Your Golf Travel also lists multi-course itineraries combining Woodenbridge, Wicklow, and Powerscourt courses (Your Golf Travel).

Deal structures

The pricing is seasonal: the €269 rate applies for October through February, Sunday through Thursday night arrivals. The €347 weekend rate covers Friday, Saturday, and bank holiday stays. The hotel does not publish a comprehensive list of all possible golf combinations online, but the FAQs confirm flexibility—you can customise the number of nights and rounds. The golf page states the hotel “coordinates golf break packages including Wicklow’s top golf courses” (Discover Ireland).

The pattern: For a foursome booking midweek in the off-season, the €269 rate with a 5% group discount works out to roughly €255 per person for two nights and three rounds—a competitive price point among Wicklow golf hotels.

“This pleasant country hotel lays claim to the title of Ireland’s oldest hotel, with a history going back to 1608.”

— Ireland Guide, editorial travel guide

How much is a round of golf at Adare Manor, Ireland?

Adare Manor does not publicly disclose a standard green fee for its golf course. The resort operates an inquiry-based booking system, and published rates for its championship course—host of the 2027 Ryder Cup—are typically available only through direct contact or authorised tour operators. The Woodenbridge Hotel’s golf packages, by contrast, publish their prices transparently. This makes the two properties operate on very different pricing models: one is a historic country hotel offering accessible, listed rates, while the other is a luxury estate that keeps its fees private until booking.

Adare Manor golf costs

What to watch: The Woodenbridge Hotel’s entire golf package (2 nights B&B + 3 rounds) at €269 is roughly what one round at a top-tier Irish championship course can cost. The trade-off is straightforward: you stay at a historic property with moderate-priced golf packages versus a luxury resort with premium, opaque pricing.

Timeline: 400 years at the Woodenbridge Hotel

Alternatives in the region

For travellers researching historic or Wicklow hotels, several nearby properties offer different value propositions. Hotels.com lists the Woodenbridge Hotel near Woodenbridge Golf Club with a guest rating of 9.0 out of 10 in one snapshot (Hotels.com). Wicklow town itself has several hotels, including the Grand Hotel Wicklow and the Glenview Hotel, though none claim the same heritage status. For five-star options in County Wicklow, properties such as the Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa and the Druids Glen Resort offer luxury golf packages at higher price points.

Our pick: who should stay at the Woodenbridge Hotel

Location and getting there

The Woodenbridge Hotel & Lodge is located in the Vale of Avoca, County Wicklow, approximately 80 kilometres south of Dublin city centre and about 8 kilometres from the town of Arklow. The property sits directly on the R752 regional road, opposite the Woodenbridge Golf Club. Dublin Airport is roughly a 90-minute drive via the M11/N11 route. There is no dedicated train station at the hotel; the nearest is Arklow railway station, approximately 8 kilometres away, served by Irish Rail’s Dublin-Rosslare line. Local taxis are available from the station. The setting is rural, with the Aughrim River running alongside the property and the Wicklow Mountains visible in the distance.

Pricing band

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Frequently asked questions