Michael O’Sullivan and Laura O’Mahony left a perfectly normal home to take on this Regency townhouse in need of renovation in 2000; since then, they have been giving it enormous amounts of TLC on an ongoing basis and their efforts are now paying off, as it is reaching its full glory.
A listed building, with notable historical and literary connections, stately reception rooms and huge bedrooms, its principal rooms are among the largest from this period outside Dublin, and have beautiful restored plasterwork.
Yet it is a relaxed family home and place of work (Michael and Laura both have offices in restored outbuildings), and this hospitable couple have clearly thrived on the challenge of restoration.
Accommodation is wonderful, in vast rooms with huge antique furniture, crisp linen on comfortable beds, little extras (bowls of fruit, bottled water, tea/coffee/hot chocolate making facilities), and bathrooms to match - bath and separate shower, and big, soft towels.
All modern partitions have been removed to restore the original scale, and 19th century furniture is used throughout, with 18th and 19th century prints and modern paintings.
Anyone interested in architecture and/or history is in for a treat when staying here and Doneraile is well-placed for exploring a wide area - Cork, Cashel, Lismore and Killarney are all within an hour’s drive.
Garden lovers will be fascinated by the 2-acre walled garden behind Creagh House, which is under restoration (“black topsoil four feet deep!”) and the house is beside Doneraile Court, which has 600 acres of estate parkland, free to the public.
Rooms 3 (all en suite, with separate bath and shower, all no smoking); B&B €120 pps, no ss. Children welcome (under 3s free in parents room, cot available free of charge). No pets. Garden. Golf nearby. Closed Oct-Mar. Amex, MasterCard, Visa.
