The Dining CluB
Kelly Keogh &
James Gabriel Martin
Welcome to The Dining Club, a hospitality experience that traverses past and present and is deeply rooted in a sense of place. At the helm are chefs Kelly Keogh from Whitestown House and James Gabriel Martin from Leviathan, collaborating to curate dining events that transcend the ordinary. With a focus on seasonality, heritage, and the art of storytelling, each event is meticulously designed around a theme that unfolds through changing menus, entertainment, and thoughtfully crafted table settings.
Whitestown House was designed for entertaining. We invite you to join our intimate and engaging dining events that see chefs Kelly Keogh and James Gabriel Martin craft dishes inspired by the time of year, utilising the best locally sourced seasonal ingredients to hand. Guests are welcomed into the drawing room for pre-dinner cocktails, canapés and music. The legendary long table in the dining room can accommodate up to 20 guests, and by its very design encourages connection and conversation.
In the winter months, candlelight and crackling open fires bathe all of the rooms with a warm welcoming glow. In the spring and summer months we host woodland gatherings beneath an ancient fern-leaved beech tree and have picnics on the lawn.
Our wine pairings are carefully selected by master Sommelier Nisea Doddy. We also offer truly special handcrafted non-alcoholic drinks by Majken Bech Bailey for our guests to enjoy.
We host our Dining Club events eight weekends a year only, all are ticketed, details of previous and upcoming events are outlined below. We also host the Dining Club for private parties and groups of between 12-20 people. If you have a special occasion and would like to take over Whitestown House for an exclusive Dining Club event, please email us below with your enquiries.
UPCOMING Dining Clubs
The Darker Half November 28th & 29th 2025
The welcoming of the "darker half" of the year was always of great significance in Ireland, feasting, tales and tradition abound. Join us at the historic Whitestown House for the final Dining Club of 2025. An intimate seven-course feast by candlelight, inspired by Irish folklore and the rhythms of the season. Our menu showcases the best of this season. Local ingredients charred, roasted, and cooked over fire, create dishes that hold ancient meaning and tell tales. Drinks pairings expertly crafted to compliment each course.
Come together at our long table to mark this turning point, give thanks, and share in the warmth of food, fire, and company. The Darker Half at Whitestown House, gather, feast, and embrace the season’s close.
Imbolc january 30th & 31st 2026
Imbolc or Imbolg, also called Saint Brigid's Day (Lá Fhéile Bríde) is a Gaelic traditional festival. Halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, it has traditionally been heralded as the official beginning of spring, and is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals.
Join us at the historic Whitestown House for the first Dining Club of 2026. Let us gather for a specially prepared seven-course spring feast that pays homage to the heritage and folklore of the Irish Celtic tradition. There will be seasonal Irish produce thoughtfully utilised, with ingredients and dishes that hold ancient meaning and tell tales. And of course, drinks pairings expertly selected to compliment each course.
Let us celebrate what nature has given us, unwind and dine together.
Game season February 27th & 28th 2026
As well as being home to a herd of native red deer, our spacious estate also boasts pheasant, partridge, pigeon and wild duck. We also source a rich selection of wild Irish game from suppliers across the country who we have trusted relationships with. This gathering will emphasise and celebrate these gifts, highlighting what the land has to offer at this time of year.
Sustainability, seasonality and ethical practices are of deep importance to what we do. We are appreciative of all the ingredients that we use, implementing as much as possible in our cooking and preparation while being mindful to avoid unnecessary waste. Come together at our long table to mark this turning point, give thanks, and share in the warmth of food, fire, and company.
Join us for a multi-course tasting menu that takes you on a tour of the landscapes of Ireland.
Vernal equinox 2026 march 27th & 28th 2026
This week in march, the sun crosses the earth’s equator, marking the vernal or spring equinox, the date when the direction of sunrise is due east and sunset due west.
The vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring and the rebirth of nature, signifiying fertility, life, growth and the coming of abundance. Join us for a multi-course tasting menu that showcases all that is around us this time of year and that takes you on a tour of the landscapes of Ireland.
Join us at the historic Whitestown House to celebrate this abundant time of year. Come together at our long table to give thanks, and share the hope of the season in great company.
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, please be sure to specify this in the booking form. We offer an ever-changing multi-course tasting menu featuring an array of products. A wine pairing option is also available, showcasing some interesting new and old world wines to compliment your courses. 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. Ticket price includes all booking fees. Please note this is an adult-only event.
