A drive along country roads brought us to this estate. As we drove past an old iron gate within large stone arches, we saw in the distance a large mansion. The proprietor greeted us as we entered the hallway of this grand house. It was like entering a museum. The main hall looked like it was 150 feet long, with ceilings that were probably 20 feet high and windows that were probably 10 feet tall.
We entered our room on the second floor. It was huge. between the fireplace on one side and the wall on the other, the room must have been 30 feet by 20 feet. The bathroom was a corner room, and itself was very large. In short, I was impressed. All was clean, well-appointed. The atmosphere in this home is one of the ages.
In the huge dining room we met others who were staying in this grand house. There is a very long table in the middle of the room, just like in the movies where people sit around huge, long tables. Except here you get to connect with total strangers, get to exchange your travel stories.
Time was well-spent in this house. Each night we lounged in front of the fireplace with a glass in hand. It was like being transported into the Golden Age, the Belle Epoque. Best of all, in this arrangement you are living not in a commercial hotel, but someone's home. Joyce, the proprietor, fills 20 roles, from reception, to farmer, to chef, landscaper and much, much more. She runs this place with love. We spent a lot of time speaking to Joyce, sharing stories and listening to her story of how she ended up as a live-in hotelier in this colossal home. Ask her about it.
Breakfast is served each morning as it should be ---fresh. We all tried Joyce's eggs and bacon, and of course, it was marvelous. Joyce's own chickens produce the eggs, so the eggs are served fresh. The bacon was real meat (Americans will be pleasantly surprised, because what we call bacon is really leftover shavings).
In summation, this grand house is the best of all worlds. It is not a hotel in the classic sense of the word. It is part bed-n-breakfast, part guesthouse. It is a mansion with several hundred years of history. It is much more than just an accommodation. You get to have real conversations with Joyce and with other guests. You are transported into another era in this house. when you look outside and see endless, lush green fields all around the house, you realize that this might be the most perfect place to stay in all of Ireland. Seriously.