Offaly /
Tipperary —
"Ely O'Carroll Country"
Hotels, Guesthouses and B&Bs
Photos:
Kinnitty Castle (center) at Kinnitty, Birr, Co. Offaly; surrounded
by (clockwise, from left) Moneyguyneen House, Kinnitty, Birr, Co.
Offaly; Nenagh Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary; and Tullamore Court Hotel,
Tullamore, Co. Tipperary.
B&B per person per night
€ - under 50
€€ - 50 to 75
€€€ - 75 to 100
€€€€ - 100 to 150
€€€€€ - over 150
Click here for your choices:
Hotels
Doolys
Hotel, Emmet Square, Birr, Co. Offaly, tel. 0509-20032; fax:
0509-21332; e-mail: doolyshotel@esatclear.ie.
Located in the center of Birr, this 3-star hotel dates back to 1747 when
it began as a small coaching inn. It's the perfect place to stay to settle
in for a few days, make day trips, and enjoy the local color of this beautiful
Georgian town. Thoroughly restored and refurbished in recent years, it
offers 18 guestrooms with all the 21st century comforts and views of the
town's main square or the back garden. Facilities include the Emmet Restaurant
and the Coachouse Grill & Bistro, serving food all day and a popular
oasis for cross-country traffic. Closed: Christmas. €€
Web site: www.doolyshotel.com
Grant's Hotel, Castle St., Roscrea, Co. Tipperary; tel.
0505-23300; fax 0505-23209; e-mail: grantshotel@eircom.net.
Under the same ownership as Doolys, Grant's is the social hub of the13th
century heritage town of Roscrea and is across the street from Roscrea
Castle. Dating back to the 18th century, Grants started out as a Bianconi
coaching inn and gradually has been expanded and refurbished over the
years to 3-star standards. There are 25 guestrooms, many with views of
the castle, and some family rooms - all with modern amenities and colorful
furnishings. Facilities include the Lemon Tree restaurant and Kitty's
Tavern (a pub/restaurant serving food all day). Closed: 25 Dec. €
to €€
Web site: www.grantshotel.com
Kinnitty Castle, Kinnitty, Birr, Co. Offaly; tel. 0509-37318;
fax 0509-37284; e-mail: kinnittycastle@eircom.net.
Yearning to stay in an authentic Irish castle? It's hard to top Kinnitty
whose roots can be traced to the late 12th century. The original building
was "reborn" a few times, most notably in 1630 when a "new"
castle was erected and in 1811 when it was extended by the Pain brothers,
who also were architects of Dromoland Castle and Adare Manor. Burned in
1922, it was rebuilt in 1928, into its present Gothic revival style with
turrets, towers and battlements. Nestled in a sprawling 650-acre parkland
estate at the foothills of Slieve Bloom Mountains and 9 miles east of
Birr, the castle provides a regal and romantic setting, ideal for a special
splurge, honeymoon, or castle-hopping tour. The 37guestrooms, about half
in the main castle structure and the rest in harmonious wings, are all
furnished with 21st century comforts amid a décor of hand-carved woods
and antiques. Public areas range from a Georgian-style restaurant, library
bar, and Louis X-style drawing room, to a dungeon bar. Leisure facilities
include horseback riding, tennis, and a fitness centre/spa; golf and fishing can also be arranged. €€€€
to €€€€€
Web site: www.kinnittycastle.com
Nenagh Abbey Court Hotel, Dublin Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary;
tel. 067-41111; fax 067-41022; e-mail: info@abbeycourt.ie.
Built in 1998 and named after the nearby St. Francis Abbey, this 3-star
hotel has carried out the ecclesiastical theme throughout its entrance,
lobby and public areas - with a décor of arched windows, monastic-style
carvings and art, and open fireplaces. Watercolors and drawings of Nenagh
landmarks and flowers by a local artist enhance the walls. The 82 guestrooms,
which vary in size and shape, are modern with the usual amenities. Facilities
include the appropriately named and furnished "Cloister Restaurant"
and the "Abbots Bar." Closed 24-27 December. €€
to €€€
Web site: www.abbeycourt.ie
Tullamore Court Hotel, O'Moore St., Tullamore, Co. Offaly;
tel. 0506-46666; fax 0506-46677; e-mail: info@tullamorecourthotel.ie.
With new lodgings springing up all over Ireland, it was only a matter
of time before Tullamore — a busy midlands market town (and home
of "Irish Mist") — would become the setting of a first-rate
hotel. Sitting on the edge of town toward the Portlaoise Road, this strikingly
modern hotel combines a 21st century façade with traditional hospitality.
The public areas provide a warm welcome with large windows, high ceilings,
light woods, and bright colors. The 72 guest rooms offer every contemporary
comfort including internet access. Facilities include a restaurant, bar,
and leisure centre with indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym and steam room.
Closed: 24-46 Dec. €€€
to €€€€€
Web site: www.tullamorecourthotel.ie
Guesthouses & B&Bs
Ashley Park House, Ardcrony, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary; tel.
067-38223; fax 067-38013; e-mail: margaret@ashleypark.com.
Dating back to the 18th century, this old world B&B is nestled on
76 acres of woodlands overlooking Lough Ourna (meaning "lake of the
barley" in the Irish language). Step inside and enjoy another era
— an octogonal hallway, drawing room and dining room — all furnished
with antiques, stained glass windows, and period furniture including a
one-of-a-kind grandfather clock. Hostess Margaret Mounsey offers 5 non-smoking
guest rooms, each with in-room TV, coffee/tea-maker, and views of the
lake or courtyard. Guests are also welcome to use the unique Chinese reading
room (furnished with imports from Hong Kong) or the terrace overlooking
the gardens. The house is in a handy position for touring the area - 3.5
miles north of Nenagh on the N 52 main road. Closed: Christmas. €
to €€
Web site: www.ashleypark.com
Ballaghmore House, Ballaghmore, Borris-in-Ossory, Co.
Laois; tel. 0505-21366; e-mail: ballaghmorehse@eircom.net.
Although technically over the border in Co. Laois, this modern farmhouse
B&B is a good central base for many Offaly/Tipperary attractions.
It sits amid extensive gardens and farm grounds on the main N7 Dublin-Limerick
road. Hostess Carole England offers 6 guestrooms with standard amenities. Closed: end of December to January 2. € Web site: www.ballaghmorecountryhse.com
Moneyguyneen House, Kinnitty, Birr, Co. Offaly, tel.
0509-37337; fax 0509-37389; e-mail: kinnittycastle@eircom.net.
Situated on the estate at Kinnitty Castle, this refurbished building was
the original dower house to the castle during the time that the O'Carrolls
of Ely were in residence. The unusual name comes from the old Gaelic meaning
"Gaunaus Shrubbery" which may account for the plantings around
the house. It has had a long and colorful history including a complete
new structure in 1885. In 2000, it was transformed into a custom-designed
guesthouse, with drawing room, dining room and reception room, plus 11
en suite luxury guest rooms. The large windows in all rooms look out onto
views of 145 acres of rolling parklands surrounded by the Slieve Bloom
Mountains, and just a 2-minute drive from the castle. It makes a great
alternative lodging if the castle is full or if you prefer a country manor
atmosphere or a lower rate. €€
to €€€
Web site: www.kinnittycastle.com
Rachra House (Shannon View), Main Street, Shannonbridge,
Co. Offaly, tel. 090-967-4249; e-mail: rachrahouse@eircom.net.
This 2-story Georgian-style B&B house is in the town on the main road,
about 4 miles from Clonmacnoise, making it a good choice for an overnight
close to the monastic site or less than 2 miles from the Bog Railway or
about one block walk from the Shannon River. Hostess Patricia Corbett
offers 3 en suite guest rooms. Closed: November - April.
€
Web site: www.rachrahouse.shannonbridge.net
Cashel/Cahir
Hotels, Guesthouses & B&Bs
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