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Leixlip House Hotel

Up on a hill overlooking Leixlip village, just eight miles from Dublin city centre, this fine Georgian house was built in 1722 and is furnished and decorated to a high standard in period style and, with gleaming antique furniture and gilt-framed mirrors in thick carpeted public rooms decorated in soft country colours, the atmosphere is one of discreet opulence.

Bedrooms include two suites furnished with traditional mahogany furniture; the strong, simple decor particularly pleases the many business guests who stay here and there is a welcome emphasis on service - all-day room service, nightly turndown service with complimentary mineral water and chocolates - and a shoe valet service.

The hotel is a popular wedding venue, and the banqueting suite had recently undergone complete refurbishment. Hotel guests have complimentary use of a nearby gym.

Conference/banqueting (100/140). Secretarial services. Children welcome (cot available, baby sitting arranged). No pets. Rooms 19 (5 executive, 14 shower only, 2 family). B&B from €80 pps, ss €40.

The Bradaun Restaurant:

The commitment to quality evident in the hotel is continued in the restaurant, a bright, high-ceilinged dining room, elegantly appointed with candles and fresh flowers on well-spaced tables. Head Chef Bryan McCarthy proudly credits his suppliers and devises menus that combine carefully sourced ingredients with imagination, creativity and flair, and food arrives beautifully presented, with wonderful attention to detail.

Specialities include starters of baked Clonakilty black pudding with a compôte of rhubarb and fresh berries, or an unusual dish of Connemara smoked lamb, served with rocket, Desmond cheese, strawberry and aged balsamic. Slow cooking is a favoured technique and you may fine 24 hour braised ox cheek with artichoke purée and broccoli tempura among the choices - the à la carte, especially, is definitely not your average menu.

Seafood choices are equally unusual, and sometimes combined with meat. Choices on the set menu tend to be simpler, and desserts are worth saving a little space for – a millfeuille of Wexford strawberries in season, perhaps, or a cocktail glass of homemade ice cream.

A customer-friendly wine list offers a wide range of wines by the glass, a dozen Wines of the Month and a similar number of half bottles as well as the main listing.

Seats 50; children welcome. Food served daily 12-10. D Tue-Sun, 6.30-10 (Sun 12-8pm); Value D €32.50, 5.30-6.30pm; A la carte 6.30pm Fri/Sat; set L/D €32.50; house wine €19. Restaurant closed Mon (except for group bookings). Hotel closed 25-26 Dec. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Leixlip exit off M4 motorway. Take right in Leixlip village at traffic lights.