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Cromleach Lodge

Quietly situated in the hills just above Lough Arrow, Christy and Moira Tighe’s very special hotel enjoys one of the finest views in Ireland - and it makes a luxurious retreat for the most discerning of guests.

Cromleach is rightly renowned for its exceptionally high standards of both food and accommodation - and, most importantly, the Tighe family and their staff have the magic ingredient of genuine hospitality, doing everything possible to ensure comfort and relaxation for their guests.

The hotel has grown dramatically recently – the new bedrooms were just opening at the time of the Guide’s 2008 visit – but the hospitable philosophy is unchanged, and this remains a wonderful place to stay.

Bedrooms vary more than formerly, and the choice in position, size and price will ensure that a suitable option is available to more guests.

All are stylishly decorated and, as always, there is a welcome emphasis on comfort rather than fashion, and all rooms are thoughtfully furnished to make the most of their size and outlook.

Many have seating areas overlooking the lough with easy chairs to relax in, and all have well-planned bathrooms with lots of luxurious little extras - and housekeeping and attention to detail are invariably outstanding.

The area around Cromleach is beautiful and unspoilt, and the Tighes like nothing better than to introduce guests to the many places of interest and activities nearby but, for many, just being here is more than enough.

In addition to the new accommodation, other recent additions include the first floor ‘Diarmaid & Grainne’ banqueting suite, where weddings for up to 200 can be held; also a smart little bar, Nuada’s, where a light snack menu is available all day.

* A new Spa making the most of the view over Lough Arrow opened June 2008.

Conferences/Banqueting (220/200); free broadband wi/fi. Children welcome (under 3 free in parents' room, cot available (€10), baby sitting arranged). Pets permitted by arrangement (stay in bedroom, no charge). Spa, sauna, steam room, massage, treatments, hair dressing. Garden; walking; fishing. Golf, equestrian and garden visits nearby.

Rooms 68 (21 executive, 9 ground floor). Lift; Room service (limited hours). Turndown service. B&B €99 pps, single €125. Short breaks and off-season value breaks available.

Moira's:

This contemporary restaurant is elegant and calm - arranged to allow every table to take full advantage of the view, it is decorated in shades of cream and coffee, with black leather high backed chairs and stylish long seats at each end of the room - stripes of lime green, pale mauve, moss green and grey fit beautifully with the voile curtains embroidered in golds and lined in silk.

Moira Tighe (a former Chef of the Year) remains very involved with the kitchen, and works closely with her team; menus are based on meticulously sourced ingredients - and the many regular guests who have grown attached to Cromleach will be glad to know that the wonderful food has not changed too much - specialities created by Moira over the years will still feature, along with new dishes, as has always been the case.

Everything, from the first little amuse-bouche to the last petit four with coffee is a treat - and, as in all aspects of this exceptional place, service is flawless.

RestaurantMoira's : Seats 100 (private room, 24); children welcome (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities); toilets wheelchair accessible; reservations required. Light food served throughout the day. L & D daily, 12.30-6pm (to 4om Sun) & 6-9pm (Sun 6.30-8pm). Set Sun L €35, A la Carte L&D; house wines from €19.95; sc discretionary. Open all year. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser

Directions:

Signposted from Castlebaldwin on the N4.