The Dining Club Presents: The Darker Half 2024

The Dining Club is a unique experience that encourages community, drawing guests together in an intimate, convivial atmosphere while showcasing our passion for food and hospitality.

Traversing past and present and deeply rooted in a sense of place, The Dining Club sees chefs Kelly Keogh (Whitestown House) and James Gabriel Martin (Leviathan) curating dining events with a focus on seasonality, heritage and story-telling. Each one is unique, designed around a theme, with changing menus, entertainment, and table settings.

Whitestown House Estate, nestled near The Naul in North County Dublin, is set on 125 acres of farm and parkland. The historic demesne has remained intact since the 1600s and has a long and storied history of hospitality, marking it as the perfect venue for our events.

The house was designed for entertaining. Guests are first welcomed into the drawing room for pre-dinner cocktails, canapés and music. The legendary long table in the dining room can accommodate up to 18 guests, and by its very design encourages connection and conversation.

In the winter months, candlelight and crackling open fires bathe all of the rooms in a warm, welcoming glow. In the spring and summer months we host woodland gatherings beneath an ancient fern-leaved beech tree on the property and have picnics on the lawn.

The Darker Half 2024

We are delighted to announce that we now offer wine pairings, as well as a truly special non-alcoholic beverage pairing, carefully crafted by Bech Bailey (of the two michelin starred Aimsir). Scroll down on the ticket option page to include the add-on.

The festival of Samhain has roots dating back to the time of the ancient Celts. Not only does it celebrate the bounty of the harvest, it is also an important transition that marks the beginning of the winter months and the “darker half” of the year in Ireland.

At Samhain it is said that the division between this world and the otherworld is at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through. Join us at the historic Whitestown House to gather by candlelight for a Samhain-inspired seven-course autumn feast that pays homage to the heritage and folklore of the Irish Celtic tradition.

There will be seasonal Irish produce charred and roasted with fire, with ingredients and dishes that hold ancient meaning and tell tales.

Let us celebrate what nature has given us, slow down, unwind and welcome in The Darker Half.

*Important Information*

The Dining Club is run by a team of two chefs, working closely on a small scale.

Due to the nature of this project, we are unable to cater for specific allergies.

A vegetarian option is available.

We offer an ever-changing multi-course tasting menu featuring an array of products.

We work with very specific numbers and on a tight budget, therefore cancellations have a huge impact on our ability to host. Cancellation and refunds are possible up to 7 days before the event.

We need a minimum number for our events to run successfully. Should we not reach this number, guests will be offered a refund or alternative dates.

Ticket price includes all booking fees.

Access details are below in the FAQ section.

*Please Note*

This is an adult-only event.