Weekend break: Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Dublin

Rita de Brún is impressed by the four star Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, which has been lovingly refurbished recently.

PERCHED on the terrace of our suite on the top floor of Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Dublin all we could hear was birdsong; the faint flapping of wings that signalled the seabirds that soared past the turrets in pairs.

Inside, it was the little touches that showed the pride with which exemplary service is provided: the quality of the bedding, the stem of flawless, perfectly ripe red berries that crowned the succulent strawberries atop the brimming fruit bowl, the homely flask of tea and plate of wholesome cookies, that could only have been delivered by the kindest and most thoughtful of fairies, to surprise and delight us on our return after a long night of revelling.