Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa has introduced a new four-course Afternoon Tea experience designed to move away from conventional tiered presentation plates.

Developed by Executive Head Chef Cyrille Durand and Head Pastry Chef Eric Besson, the menu combines classical French training with over 20 years of experience in Ireland to showcase local provenance and refined pâtisserie craftsmanship.

The experience is served against the backdrop of the hotel’s panoramic views of Lough Leane, local woodlands, and the surrounding mountains.

The meal unfolds across four distinct courses to allow guests to sample each element individually.

The first course consists of savoury bites, featuring Kerry chorizo with St Tola goat curd, crab mini blinis, and black truffle egg mayonnaise.

This is followed by a palate-cleansing second course of house-made Irish rhubarb and honey soda, produced using honey from the hotel’s own beehives.

Tradition is maintained in the third course, which delivers homemade fruit scones with seasonal preserves, alongside crispy raspberry madeleines and ube financiers.

The final course offers an assortment of desserts, including a Sliabh Luachra strawberry tartlet, calamansi Paris Brest, carrot-orange-bergamot cake, and a chocolate mon chéri.

Each course is paired with a choice of herbal and loose-leaf teas or speciality Bewley’s coffee. Diners can also upgrade the experience with Champagne Gremillet, Tuffeau Vouvray sparkling wine, or a signature Aghadoe Bellini.

The experience runs from Friday to Sunday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, priced at €55 per person. Bookings can be made directly via the hotel website at www.aghadoeheights.com/dining.

A planning application has been submitted to Kerry County Council for a large-scale residential development on Countess Road.

Dipharma Unlimited Company is seeking a 10-year planning permission for the Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) located at the site in the townland of Dromhale.

The application was officially received by the local authority during the June 8 to June 14 planning period.

The proposed project consists of 259 residential units, a single-storey crèche, landscaping, and all associated site development works.

To facilitate the build, the plans outline the demolition of two existing two-storey semi-detached houses, a ruinous structure, and the existing site boundary walls along Countess Road.

The housing breakdown features 103 two-storey, three-bedroom houses, which comprise 27 terraced units, 62 end-of-terrace units, and 14 side-entry units.

There are also 82 courtyard apartment units built over two storeys, consisting of 42 one-bedroom units and 40 two-bedroom units.

Additionally, the plans include 74 apartment units, made up of 34 one-bedroom units and 40 two-bedroom units, housed inside two blocks that are part three-storey and part four-storey high.

Vehicular access to the new estate will be provided via a single entrance from Countess Road to the north.

The entrance design incorporates public road improvement works, including a raised crossing point.

Pedestrian and cycle infrastructure will also be constructed to connect Countess Road internally with the development and the adjoining areas.

Ancillary site works detailed in the application include car parking, bicycle parking, bin storage facilities, two ESB substations, and water services.

The drainage infrastructure involves foul and storm network upgrades in Countess Grove. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared and submitted to the planning authority alongside the application.

Further details on the project can be accessed on the dedicated LRD website at www.CountessRoadLRD.ie