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Viewmount House

James and Beryl Kearney's lovely 1750s Georgian house just on the edge of Longford town was once owned by Lord Longford, and is set in four acres of beautiful wooded gardens, which are of great interest and designed as a series of rooms.

It really is a delightful house and has been sensitively restored with style, combining elements of grandeur with a human scale that makes guests feel very comfortable. Its warmth strikes the first-time visitor immediately on arrival in the hall, which has a welcoming open fire and a graceful white-painted staircase seen against warm red walls.

An elegant period drawing room and the six guest bedrooms in the main house all have their particular charm (one is especially large, but all are delightful); but perhaps the handsomest room of all is the unusual vaulted dining room, where an extensive breakfast menu is served.

This is a most appealing house, with old wooden floors, rugs, antique furniture - and, most importantly, a great sense of hospitality; and it has grown a lot of late, as the Kearneys have joined the house to restored outbuildings alongside, providing some fine new bedrooms, and a new restaurant which has been created in one of the classic stone outbuildings.

The restaurant - opening shortly after the guide goes to press - is a fine room of character, overlooking a Japanese garden with water features.

Rooms 6 (1 suite, 3 bath & shower, 3 shower only, all no smoking); children welcome (under 4 free in parents' room). Gardens. No pets. B&B about €55, ss €10. Golf nearby. *Self-catering also available - details on application. Amex, MasterCard, Visa

Directions:

From Longford R393 to Ardagh. 1km (0.5 m), up sliproad to right following signs. Entrance 200m on right.