Home & Away with Robert Walshe
www.robertwalshe.com
Weekend Hotspot - Kilmahon House Shanagarry Co Cork THE legendary Alastair Sawday guides to “special places “a traveler’s bible for those who seek luxury & difference is the definitive guide to assist your planning. This popular travel bible for thousands around the world boast’s Kilmahon House in Co Cork as one of its leading Irish members. Owners Mary & Jeremy Martin offer a truly elegant
Georgian country house accommodation experience at Shanagarry, East Co Cork. The property built in 1780, is a fully restored Georgian Country House and to call it a B+ B is an understatement due to the passion and flare of its owners. This charming couple both former House of Fraser executives purchased the property on impulse from a local pottery impresario in
■ The Brennan Brothers open Kilmahon House Co Cork
2004 and commenced a refurbishment programme six months later. The house has been rebuilt from within, its stone walls now benefiting from modern structural and insulating materials in tandem with decorative work and features. Mary’s interior design experience coming from a high profile retail career is evident throughout and her ability to merge the period aspects of the property with a modern day twist is remarkable. Once we had settled in to our regal master bedroom, they met us in the drawing room with a light supper of smoked salmon & strong G+T! It did not take much encouragement to indulge in these tasty treats and the conversation flowed. Mary subtlety reminded us that dinner was included in our two night package and later that evening the splendid dining room adorned by local artist paintings was the perfect location for a night of fine food & wines. Mindful of the Allen family connection at nearby Ballymaloe House I just marveled
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com at the uniqueness of East Cork and the regions culinary excellence. Set on an antique table of locally decorated Stephen Pearce Pottery the breakfast spread the next morning was more than the two of us could handle with plenty of cereals, home baked goodies including breads, scones and fruit loaf followed by porridge finishing with Jeremy’s scrambled ■ Kilmahon Hous e Shanagarry eggs with smoked Co Cork salmon. Kilmahon House is ideally situated as a base for touring East home to the Jameson HeritCork’s many attractions and age Distillery offering guided daily tours. activities. Cobh Cathedral and Titanic It is only a short walk to Ballymaloe Cookery School and trail along with Fota House, the blue flag beaches of Gar- Arboretum and Wildlife ryvoe. Local activities include Park are also close by and a golfing at Fota & Waterock, must see. Kilmahon House is fishing, horse riding, and available for luxury private guided walking, photography rentals and exclusive house and remember art classes can parties and I would highly be arranged through Mary & recommend staying here not Jeremy directly. My favour- only for its 5 stars plus apite dining options in the area peal & food but also for the include Ahearn’s Seafood pleasure of the company of Youghal and in Midleton at Jeremy & Mary Martin. After a busy Christmas we the Farmgate which is also
all love escaping for a long relaxing weekend and treating ourselves to mouth-watering breakfasts, afternoon tea and a little something sweet. Rates from 140 Euros per night. www.kilmahonhouse.com. Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio in Northern Ireland and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe. com