Just on the edge of the Curragh, near Punchestown, Naas and The Curragh race courses, this delightful 200-year old house was built by the famous architect Decimus Burton who also designed the lodges in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, and is the only known domestic example of this ‘Strawberry Hill’ gothic architectural style in Ireland.
It is on a farm, set in 170 acres of beautifully wooded land, with free range hens, sheep, cattle and horses, an old icehouse and a well-maintained walled kitchen garden that provides vegetables, fruit and flowers for the house in season.
It is a lovely family house, with very nicely proportioned rooms - gracious but not too grand - open fires downstairs, and bedrooms that are all different, each with its own special character and very comfortably furnished, with fresh flowers.
Meryl Long has welcomed guests to this idyllic setting for many years, aiming to offer them ‘a way of life which I knew as a child (but with better bathrooms!), a warm welcome, real fires and good food.’
Now Meryl has handed over the reins to her hotelier son, Edward Booth, and his wife Roisin, who both love the place and the work.
A stay here is sure to be enjoyable, with the help of truly hospitable hosts who offers a delicious afternoon tea on arrival - and believe that holidays should be fun, full of interest and with an easy-going atmosphere.
Small conferences/banqueting (12); Rooms 4 (3 en-suite, 1 with private bathrooms, all no smoking); B&B from €110 pps, ss €35. Not suitable for children under 12. Residents D 7-9pm, about €55 (by arrangement - book the previous day). House wine from €28. No pets. Croquet lawn. Golf and equestrian activities nearby. Closed Christmas. Amex, MasterCard, Visa.
