The Rest of County
Clare —
Guesthouses
Photos: (Clockwise, from upper left) Rusheen Lodge, Ballyvaughan; Cill Eoin, Ennis; Cappabhaile House, Ballyvaughan; Ballyvaughan Lodge, Ballyvaughan; and (center) Phil Hogan and Liz Coppen provide a warm and scenic welcome to Lantern House overlooking Lough Derg at Ogonnelloe, near Killaloe.
PRICE
KEY
B&B per person per night
€ - under 50
€€ - 50 to 75
€€€ - 75 to 100
€€€€ - 100 to 150
€€€€€ - over 150
Ardilaun Guesthouse, Ballycoree, Galway Rd., Ennis, Co. Clare, tel. 065-682-2311; fax 065-684-3989; e-mail: purcells.ennis@eircom.net. In the Irish language, the name of this contemporary 3-star guesthouse means "high island," indicating that it is set on high ground overlooking the River Fergus and surrounding countryside, on the main N 18 road just north of Ennis. Proprietor Anne Purcell offers 10 guestrooms, each with telephone, TV, and hair-dryer; and most rooms have river views. Guests can also use the in-house gym/sauna. Closed: 23-27 Dec. € Web site: www.ardilaun.com
Ballyvaughan Lodge, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, tel. 065-707-7292; fax 065-707-7287; e-mail: ballyvau@iol.ie. Located on the east edge of town, this custom-built 3-star guesthouse presents an eye-catching appearance — salmon-colored façade with attractive dormer windows and colorful flower-filled window boxes, plus a miniature stone oratory in the front yard. Owner Pauline Burke offers 11 guestrooms, each of which has a TV, direct dial phone, and coffee/tea-maker. Best of all, the house is within an easy walk to the centre of town. Closed: 25-26 Dec. € Web site: www.ballyvaughanlodge.com
Cappabhaile House, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare; tel. 065-707-7260; fax 065-707-7300; e-mail: cappabhaile@oceanfree.net. With an impressive stone façade that harmonizes with the surrounding rocky landscape, this 3-star guesthouse sits 1 mile south of town. Proprietors Margaret and Conor Fahy offer 8 guestrooms, with modern amenities including internet access and scenic views of the Burren countryside. Facilities include ample parking, games room, and pitch and putt course. Closed: Dec. - Feb. € Web site: www.cappabhaile.com
Cill Eoin House, Kildysert Cross, Clare Rd., Ennis, Co. Clare, tel. 065-684-1668; fax 065-684-1669; e-mail: cilleoin@iol.ie. Named after nearby 13th century Killone Abbey, this modern 3-star guesthouse sits conveniently at the crossroads of the main N 18 road and Kildysert Cross (R. 473 to Killimer), about a half-mile south of Ennis Town. Hosts Pat and Bridget Glynn Lucey offer 14 cheery and comfortable guestrooms with quality furnishings, TV and telephone. Closed: 24 - 27 Dec. € Web site: www.euroka.com/cilleoin
Fountain Court, Lahinch Road (N85), Ennis, Co. Clare, tel. 065-682-9845, fax 065-684-5030; e-mail: kyran@fountain-court.com. Perched on an elevated site two miles west of Ennis, this contemporary ranch-style 4-star guesthouse enjoys scenic surroundings in a quiet residential area. Proprietors Kyran and Breed Carr offer 12 guestrooms, each with luxurious furnishings, TV, telephone, and internet access. Some rooms are outfitted with 4-poster or king-size beds or Jacuzzi baths, and a few are equipped for disabled access. Closed: 20 Dec.- 7 March. € to €€ Web site: www.fountain-court.com
Greenbrier Inn Guesthouse, Lahinch, Co. Clare, tel. 065-708-1242; fax 065-708-1247; e-mail: gbrier@indigo.ie. Set overlooking the Lahinch Golf Course and the Atlantic Ocean, this modern 3-star guesthouse is ideal for golfing visitors or anyone who loves the sea. Margaret and Victor Mulcahy have 14 guestrooms, each outfitted with antique pine furnishings, telephone, TV, and coffee/tea-maker. Closed: 20 December - 7 March. € to €€ Web site: www.greenbrierinn.com
Lantern House, Ogonnelloe, Scariff, Co. Clare, tel. 061-923034; fax 061-923139; e-mail: liz@lanternhouse.com. Perched high on a hill above Lough Derg 6 miles north of Killaloe, this 3-star guesthouse is a gem. It overlooks a wide panorama of glistening lake and emerald countryside — no other view in Ireland is quite like it. Enjoy the view from all of the public rooms, most of the bedrooms, or from the romantic restaurant (see "Great Food & Drink" section). It's difficult to take your eyes off the view, but you can also stroll amid the gardens brimming with colorful roses, fuchsia bushes, and palm trees, or sit by the warming fireplace in the lounge. Proprietors Liz Coppen and Phil Hogan offer 6 guestrooms each equipped with TV and telephone. Closed: Nov.- Feb. € Web site: www.lanternhouse.com
Rusheen Lodge, Knocknagrough, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, tel. 065-707-7092; fax 065-707-7152; e-mail: rusheen@iol.ie. Situated on the south edge of town, approaching from Aillwee Caves, this award-winning 4-star guesthouse has a cheery yellow façade bedecked with colorful flowers both in hanging baskets and surrounding gardens. Proprietor Karen McGann offers 9 guestrooms, furnished with light woods and floral fabrics, and equipped with TV, telephone, coffee/tea-maker and hairdryer. Dried and fresh Burren flowers enhance the décor throughout the house. Closed: mid-Nov. to mid-Feb. € Web site: www.rusheenlodge.com
Westbrook House, Galway Road (N18), Ennis, Co. Clare, tel. 065-684-0173; fax 065-686-7777; e-mail: westbrook.ennis@eircom.net. One of the newest guesthouses in Ennis, this 3-star property is situated north of the town centre and directly opposite Cois na hAbhna, the cultural centre for Irish music and dance sessions. The 10 guest rooms, all furnished in cheerful pastel or white tones, are outfitted with TV, direct dial phone, internet access, radio alarm clock, hair dryer, and coffee/tea-maker. Specially adapted rooms on the ground floor have full access for the disabled. Proprietors are Sheelagh and Domhnall Lynch. Closed: 23-26 Dec. € Web site: www.westbrookhouse.net
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