A three-night Christmas package at Adare Manor starts at €8,000 a room. But what exactly can guests expect at one of Ireland’s most exclusive hotels? From erecting the 21ft foot tree in The ...

Christmas at Adare Manor: A giant 24m tree in the Great Hall at Adare Manor in Co Limerick decorated with thousands of glass baubles. Photograph: Paul Lehane . Marie Claire Digby.

Being a candlemaker, the months ahead are exhausting, and it's the norm to do 70-hour weeks from now to the year's end. We try to finish up a few days before Christmas, and love to visit Adare.

This year Adare Manor is preparing for 150 guests, 30-40 of them children. Usually there are just 15 to 20 children in the manor over Christmas, so staff are anticipating an especially magical stay.