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 to view more IRELAND VACATION RENTALS |
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to view more IRELAND VACATION RENTALS |
| Accommodates
14 8 bedrooms, 4 en suite 2 additional bathrooms, one with a sauna 1 guest powder room Highspeed wireless internet access The
first time we ever visited here, we knew immediately that we were
entering
a different world. This ancestral castle has remained home to the
same family for over 500 years. The current generation have made
the castle a superb holiday accommodation which will remain in your
memory
for years to come. It has with us.
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Turn into the private
drive lined with ancient lime trees. The castle,
adjoining the romantic 600 year old ruin, is covered with Virginia
creeper
vine that turns brilliant red in autumn. There are twenty or so
fallow
deer grazing on the grounds - near the woods that border the meadow. |
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Inside,
the first impression is of the rich colors, therapeutic in the misty
Irish
climate. The wide front hall is yellow. There is the broad
wood stairway, a working fireplace, gleaming wood floors, antique
tables,
portraits of ancestors and local scenes and, in a corner, a suit of
armor
striking a jaunty pose. |
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To
the left of the hallway, the very large drawing room is filled with
interesting
things and comfortable furniture. There is a working fireplace,
several
nice sofas, easy chairs, a largewriting table, portraits of ancestors,
family photographs, books, tall windows looking onto the front and side
of the property. It is easy to imagine yourself a guest here 200
years ago and it is also easy to see that this house is still a family
home.
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The
dining room is to the right of the front hall. It, too, has
gleaming
wood floors, a decorative fireplace with a large bouquet of dried
flowers
in it, more ancestors’ portraits, silver table ware. The walls
are
painted a deep, powerful red. The antique mahogany table seats 18
comfortably.
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The butler’s pantry and kitchen are off the dining room. The kitchen has terra cotta tile floors, a blue Aga stove and two conventional electric ovens, a large table for casual dining. A large dresser displays dishes and pottery. There is a refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher and other modern equipment. A door leads out to the courtyard with its patio and gazebo. Off
the kitchen, a new back stairway leads up to the bedroom floor. |
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At
the back of the castle, there is a smallish sitting room with a TV and
video player, games and toys. It’s a casual and comfortable room
that all ages will enjoy. A guest powder room is totally paneled
in antique pine. |
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There
is one bedroom, the Garden Bedroom, on the main floor. It is
newly
done and it’s terrific. It has a queen bed, cream fabric with a
fern
pattern designed by Elsie de Wolfe, wood blinds. There is a sense
of the ephemeral here - romantic and a bit mysterious. The very
large
en suite tiled bathroom has a large shower. |
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Upstairs, the comfortable bedrooms are decorated with antiques and personal objects. They are very private rooms.
The
Archway Bedroom has a queen bed, deep rose walls, two windows, an old
fireplace,
a blue ceiling with silver stars, big mirrors, a black and gold elf
lamp.
It has been nick-named the "Harry Potter” room by teenage guests who
particularly
enjoy this fanciful space. This bedroom has an en suite bathroom
with a free-standing tub and underfloor heating. Photographs of
sportsmen
from the family adorn the walls.
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The
"Back Bedroom" actually faces the front! It was a back bedroom
before
a previous renovation. It has a standard double bed, an antique
armoire,
warm colors. It is a very cozy room. |
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The
Yellow Bedroom has a single bed, a beautiful antique silk quilt, a
basin,
antiques. It shares with the Back Bedroom a new bathroom that has
slate floors and a shower stall.
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The
Red Bedroom is large, with red walls, wide plank floors, a fireplace
with marble mantle. There is a sink and a writing desk. Two
windows overlook the front of the property. The ornate 4-poster
bed
is an antique double, very narrow (only 4'2"). The owners
consider
this a single bed. Two small adults could share, but the owners
say
that it's a tight fit for all night. |
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The
large Green Bedroom, above the entrance hall, has twin beds, a
decorative
fireplace, armoires, a basin in the room. The adjacent bathroom
has
a sauna, a shower stall, a long, deep tub with a hand-held shower.
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A large cream-painted bedroom has a queen half-tester bed, a rich red coverlet, very blue carpet, an antique armoire and dressing table. The en suite bathroom has a gigantic,deep tub with a hand-held shower.
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The
Blue Room has a king 4-poster bed, a dressing table, armoire,
decorative
fireplace, large windows overlooking the front of the property.
The
large en suite bathroom has a free-standing tub in the middle of the
bathroom,
a tiled shower stall and a striped sofa. It's very sexy.
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The house has a full sized snooker table, table tennis, darts and a hard tennis court. The owners operate an organic deer ranch, all given free range on the extensive grounds. They have an organic garden and they invite you to partake of its bounty: vegetables, fruits and salads can be purchased from them in season. The owners are superb cooks. For an additional fee, they will cook dinner for you as many nights as you like. We have a list of favorite meals that we are happy to send to you. Housecleaning and laundry can all be arranged. |
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This castle books very early, reserving 2 years out is not uncommon here. Heating and electricity are extra, charged at cost by meter reading. Refundable security deposit due on arrival - €350 |
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