Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Weekend Hotspot – Glenlohane House Co Cork www.hiddenireland.com
Glenlohane is a most stunning Georgian home on the outskirts of Kanturk in North County Cork. Surrounded by terraced lawns overlooking a park like setting, the house was built by John Sharp, of Mount Conway, near Cork City in 1741. Records show the Sharp family in the parish of St. Katherine, Dublin in 1535 as a prominent Quaker family that became successful in the woollen industry in the mid 1600’s. The Bol-
sters meanwhile have been within 5-6 miles of Glenlohane since Elizabethan times and are prominent land owners. Glenlohane nowadays is a bed and breakfast with a difference that offers four en suite rooms, plus a detached cottage. Guests staying at the manor house have use of the home’s library and sitting rooms, and breakfast is included in the room rate. Those staying at the cottage (which can accommodate up to six adults) have a full kitchen at their disposal. The property is full of wonder-
n Glenlohane House Kanturk Co Cork.
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ful antiques, furniture and a grand piano which you can play a tune on while admiring the family framed photographs on top. There are a couple of good restaurants nearby including the Vintage an old haunt of mine five minutes away in Kanturk. However take advantage of dining with the Sharp Bolster family and marvel at the conversation and great food! Glenlohane is ideally positioned for all activities and sightseeing in the scenic southwest. The River Blackwater running nearby offers salmon and brown trout fishing to guests and horse lovers will find the Duhallow Hunt running through to February and the Cork racecourse at Mallow more reasons to visit. The season for pointto-point racing is generally January through May held at Dromahane near Mallow and at Liscarroll. The remains of Mallow Castle date from the 12th century while the ruins of St Anne’s church are from the late 13th century. Other nearby places of historical interest include Liscarrol Castle , Lohort Castle Cecilstown and Ballybeg Abbey in
Buttevant. When leaving look out for Knocknanuss Monument next to Glenlohane at Abrahams Cross commemorating a local battle from 1647. My favourite North Cork town Millstreet is an area rich in archaeological heritage. The Museum here has a tourist information centre and nearby the country park with 500 acres of amenities offers an arboretum, gardens, n Glenlohane Ho use Drawing Ro lakes, waterfalls, om. walks, a picnic area, a visitor centre, restaurant house and shop. A Hidden Ireland parties and Christmas celChristmas is the easiest and ebrations of all kinds includmost enjoyable way to cap- ing exclusive hire for families. ture some “Downton Abbey” Rates at Glenlohane House are style big house magic this available from: €85pps and festive season. The collec- dinner is €50 pp on request tive offer an eclectic mix of with no single supplement. 35 handsome homes where Self catering at Glenlohane a Christmas and New Year Cottage is €750 a week. A celebration is a continuation reminder Glenlohane is also of a distinctive and luxurious a working farm of 240 acres Irish history. Most Hidden with cattle, sheep, horses, Ireland houses were built for and hens; as well as barley, entertaining on a grand scale, wheat, and oats - if you want something that shows them to help they can supply the at their very best, making wellingtons! Hosts Desmond , them perfect for New Year Melanie & son Gordon Sharp
Bolster— the tenth generation who built this stunning country pile are one of the finest hosts I have met anywhere. I arrived as a stranger but will return soon to meet my new friends www.hiddenireland. com/Glenlohane-Cork Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com