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Carrygerry Country House

Only 10 minutes from Shannon airport and in a beautiful rural setting, Carrygerry is a lovely residence dating back to 1793. It overlooks the Shannon and Fergus estuaries and, peacefully surrounded by woodlands, gardens and pastures, seems very distant from an international airport.

Owners Niall and Gillian Ennis have been here since 2003 and the ambience is very pleasant, with spacious, comfortable reception rooms, open fires and an hospitable atmosphere.

Bedrooms in the main house are quite spacious and traditionally furnished in line with the rest of the house, while those in the coach yard are more modern but in need of refurbishment; although planned for 2008 this had not been completed at the time of going to press and we recommend guests to check when making inquiries about accommodation.

Conference/banqueting (80/94). Children welcome (under 3s free in parents' room, cot available without charge, baby sitting arranged); No pets.

Rooms 11 (3 shower-only, 1 family room, all no-smoking). B&B €75 pps, ss €40. House closed 23-26 Dec. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Conservatory Restaurant

The restaurant, which is open to non-residents, is shared between the dining room and a conservatory overlooking gardens at the front of the house. Set up classically with white cloths, fine glasses and fresh flowers, it's a pleasant spot to enjoy food cooked to order by Niall Ennis.

He is a good chef, who changes menus monthly and takes pride in using local ingredients in season, especially herbs and vegetables - a main course of sea bass with white wine sauce may come with wild garlic, in season, or breast of Irish chicken might be stuffed with spinach.

Good breads, and there may be some appealing dishes not often found on other menus - a starter of homemade gravadlax salmon, for example - and excellent local meats as, perhaps, in herb & Dijon mustard crusted rack of Clare lamb.

Good vegetarian dishes are offered s well.

Attractive surroundings, real food and pleasant, friendly service make for an enjoyable outing - and a good breakfast is served here too.

Seats 54 (private room, 12), not suitable for children after 8pm; D Tue-Sat, 6.30-9.30pm; set 2/3 course D about €35/€40; house wine €19. SC 10% on groups 10+. House closed 23-26 Dec, Restaurant closed Sun, Mon. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Very close to Shannon airport, on old Newmarket-on-Fergus road.