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Sunday Business Post-Magazine Sunday, 19 January 2014 Page: 34,35
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Dog day afternoons If you're looking for a luxury holiday but can't bear to leave Fido at home, this country house is a pet paradise, writes Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Most
of us pet owners - those of us who don't have children at least — feel more than a little guilty handing over the keys and a tin of dog food to the neighbours as Fido watches us drive off for the weekend.
waste, and our dog was welcomed with a chew toy and a bowl with his name on it, before we headed off for a tramp through the parkland.
Local people are welcome to walk the grounds, but such is the variety of walking trails and the space available that you can feel you have the place to yourself But if you're looking for a couple and it's the perfect place for long of days out of the daily grind in walks off the lead. It's also located the company of your four-legged near the beach, so if you (or friend, there are options. your dog) tire of the lake (kayaks The luxury country house Liss are available and are free to use), Ard has been under the radar for there's plenty of scope for sandcastle the past couple of years since its building just down the road. refurbishment by Swiss owners, The parkland also includes the Stern family. Located just outside a swamp area, heavily-forested Liss Ard house outside Skibbereen, Liss Ard was walking trails, grassland, a maze, Skibbereen in Co Cork famous in the 1970s for playing a children's playground, tennis host to Lou Reed and Patti Smith, courts and even trails suitable for music or simply having a drink among others. cycling. Bikes can be borrowed at from the honesty bar by the fire, Throughout its 200 acre gardens reception, while the hotel also provides for the rest of the day. The latter there's more than a tendency wax jackets, tennis rackets, is a wonderful addition and really towards the alternative: the Sky torches and even hurleys. adds to the welcoming feel of the Garden, a gigantic art installation If after all that activity you are hotel. masquerading as a garden feature; looking for some R&R, a local Unlike a lot of so-called 'country acres of carefully planted but jungle-liketherapist provides really excellent house' hotels that can be gardens and walls made massage and other treatments chintzy and stuffy, much of the accommodation from quartz at the front of the in the dedicated treatment rooms is fresh and modern. house overlooking the lake. downstairs. Otherwise you can just While the main house is Georgian For a dog owner, going to Liss chill out in the drawing rooms, and retains beautiful ceiling cornicing, Ard solo would be a complete playing board games, listening to fireplaces and some furniture,