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Gregans Castle Hotel

Gregans Castle has a long and interesting history, going back to a tower house, or small castle, which was built by the O'Loughlen clan (the region's principal tribe) between the 10th and 17th centuries, and is still intact.

The present house dates from the late 18th century, and has been added to many times; it has been run as a country house hotel by the Haden family since 1976, currently by Simon Haden and his wife Freddie, who have been proprietors since Simon’s parents retired in 2003.

Surrounded by trees and gardens, Gregans is an oasis of warmth, comfort and hospitality set in the lunar landscape of the surrounding Burren, and can be seen from miles around.

It is a place with a uniquely serene atmosphere. Peace and quiet are the dominant themes: spacious rooms with lovely countryside views are luxuriously furnished with understated contemporary style by Freddie - and deliberately left without the worldly interference of television.

Yet this luxurious hotel is not too formal or at all intimidating; non-residents are welcome to drop in for lunch or afternoon tea in the Corkscrew Bar - named after a nearby hill road which, incidentally, provides the most scenic approach to Ballyvaughan.

In fine weather guests can sit out beside the Celtic Cross rose garden and watch patches of sun and shade chasing across the hills.

In the morning, allow time to enjoy an excellent breakfast - a delicious buffet set up with fresh juices and fruits, organic cereals, freshly baked bread, home-made preserves and local produce including Burren Smokehouse organic smoked salmon, Burren Gold organic cheese and Limerick ham; the menu of hot dishes reads very simply - but the secret is in the quality ingredients, which sing with flavour.

Small Conferences/Banqueting (15/65); free broadband wi/fi. Croquet, cycling, falconry, gardens, walking, wine courses. Golf and garden visits nearby. Pets permitted staying in outhousekennel.

Children welcome (no concessions, but cot available, €20, baby sitting arranged). No pets. All day room service. No Pets. Rooms 21 (3 premier suites, 3 junior suites, 7 ground floor) B&B €117.50 pps; ss €75. No SC.

The Dining Room:

The Dining Room is well placed to take advantage of the lovely views over the Burren (where there can be very special light effects as the sun sets over Galway Bay on summer evenings) and, although it has always been elegantly furnished in keeping with the rest of the house, returning guests will find that Freddie has recently been casting her magic wand over this area too.

The result is a contemporary classic, very calm and serene in beautiful tones; the atmosphere remains intimate yet feels fresh - a fitting setting for fine dinners that are often accompanied by a pianist or, more unusually, a hammer dulcimer.

Gifted new head chef, Mickael Viljanen, cooks in a modern European style, and continues the commitment to using local and organic produce, when available, which has always been a key feature of Gregans Castle - all fish is caught locally around Galway Bay, and Burren lamb and beef come from local butchers.

A skilled and creative chef, Mickael offers exciting menus, which include a daily changing nine course Tasting Menu (excellent value at €75, with half board guests only charged a €20 supplement) in addition to a seriously tempting à la carte: begin, perhaps, with Foie Fras x 3 (a petit pot with Madeira jelly; pressed terrine with cherry compote; sauté with almond foam), followed by a fish dish such as braised turbot with turbot cannelloni, cèpe sabayon and spinach – or, maybe, the perennial favourite, Burren lamb: a rack and shoulder, perhaps, served with a vegetable broth.

Seriously seductive desserts might include a late summer berry tart with vanilla mousseline cream and local wild raspberries, and there is always a fine selection of local cheeses, with home-made biscuits.

The wine list is an interesting read and includes an impressive selection of organic and biodynamic wines, leading off with the excellent Spanish house wines.

Dinner is a treat at Gregans Castle – and people travel from miles around to enjoy it - but they also offer an attractive short à la carte lunch menu (very nicely served in The Corkscrew Bar) and delicious Afternoon Teas too.

Seats 50 (private room, 36); unsuitable for children under 5 years after 8pm. D daily, 6-8.30pm; set 3 course D €39, also a la Carte. House wines from €25. Pianist 2 days a week. Short á la carte lunch is available in the Corkscrew Bar, 12-2.30pm daily. Afternoon Tea, 2.30-5pm daily. Hotel closed 1 Dec-12 Feb. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

On N67, 5km south of Ballyvaughan.