TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe New figures showed tourism to Ireland has grown from all the main market areas, led by North America and continental Europe. Ireland enjoyed the strongest first quarter from North America since 2004 and the strongest ever first quarter from Australia and developing markets. Comparing the first quarter of 2013 with the same three months in 2012, there were 1.25m trips to Ireland, up 7.4pc. Visits from North America were up 16.7pc at 168,800. Visits from Mainland Europe were up by 13pc (444,000 visits), with very strong performances from Nordic countries (up 31pc), France (up 27pc), Benelux (up 10pc), Germany (up 10pc)
Weekend Hotspot – Longueville House www.longuevillehouse.ie Longueville House in Mallow Co Cork is very much a family affair run by William O’Callaghan, who is the chef, and his wife Aisling, who manages front of house. The property is perfect for those looking for that elegant Irish country house experience. You can tell that the owners have great pride in what they are delivering here as the gardens are beautifully kept and the house itself absolutely splendid. The property built by the Longfield family in 1720 is Georgian with ornate Italian-designed ceilings, a marble dining-room mantelpiece, inlaid mahogany doors, newly refurbished cellars and an equally impressive full-height staircase. To the right of the main facade you’ll find an authentic Victorian conservatory of curved ironwork. The family tells us that it was added in 1866 by Richard Turner, the greatest ironmaster and designer of glasshouses of the Victorian era. William mentioned earlier is a descendant of the original owner
Donough O’Callaghan who fought alongside the Catholics after the collapse of the 1641 Rebellion. This historical connection is very clearly seen throughout with family heirlooms. and period furniture. Longueville has 20 sumptuous country house style bedrooms all ensuite with direct dial telephone, TV and radios. The Presidents’ Restaurant is at the heart of Longueville, and the menu comes straight from the estate. Relais & Chateau trained William O Callaghan is one of Ireland’s most gifted chefs and it’s a pleasure to see a truly original talent at work. He sources produce such as fresh salmon in season, the famous Longueville lamb and all the fruit and vegetables from the nearby farm, gardens and markets. These are expertly prepared by a dedicated team and it’s heartening to see Irish customer service & standards to the fore. An extensive wine list of old and new world wines is also on offer and the Presidents Restaurant is open nightly for residents and visitors. Longueville House Apple Brandy and Cider was first developed by the late Michael O’Callaghan back in 1998. A pioneering spirit he planted 20 acres of Dabinett and Michelin cider apples at the north-west side of the property. This project has now come full circle with the next generation of O Callaghan’s developing an amazing product for export. The apples are harvested from extensive orchards after being crushed and pressed in an oak cider machine on the Longueville farm. Dan Duggan Head Distiller and cider maker has been with the family for 34 years. Other mentors involved include David Quinn, Head Distiller at Jameson and Michael O’Donnell, retired head cider maker at Bulmer’s. Aisling and Wil-
Pet’s Corner...
This is an important story for people to read. It has many lessons in it and may help people to understand what life is like for a dog when their owner dies. Jess is five-years old and was raised on a farm. She is a Collie and is a working sheepdog. She worked on the farm in the daytime and was a much-valued pet in the evening. Jess and her threeyear old pup worked together and lived together all day everyday and life was good. They got their dinners every evening, a walk at 7pm, some fun time with their owners and two digestive biscuits as a treat at bedtime every night. They were much-loved dogs and very well taken care of. One day, out of the blue, tragedy struck. The farmer was working with bales of hay and fell from
the top of them to the ground. Tragically, he died. Jess and the pup were with him at the time and saw it all happen. As it is the lambing season the ewe’s were all giving birth. The farmer’s wife worked away from home but in the evenings she helped on the farm. When she came home from work that evening she got changed and went out to find her husband to give him a hand. She got a terrible shock when she discovered him lying on the ground with the two dogs lying beside him. The dogs stayed with him out of loyalty to their master and also to keep him warm with their body heat. Unfortunately, it was too late for help. As Jess was the first dog she was more closely bonded to her owner. The farmers wife thought
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liam like their events and are the most genial & ing the great outdoors ful homely feel. The hotel is welcoming hosts. this summer why not famous for its fantastic food They encourage head west to the beau- and lively bar which reguactivities all year tiful, family owned and larly hosts live traditional and highlights inrun, Old Ground Hotel in music sessions. The hotel clude last weeks Ennis Co. Clare. Comb- has an amazing package ‘The dawn chorus, the ing great food, stunning Escape If Just for One Night’ mushroom hunt in scenery and luxurious offer is priced from €89 per October also conaccommodation, The person sharing and includes certs and evening Old Ground is a great one night’s luxurious ac. dy suppers in summer base from which to commodation with full Irish sh Apple Bran Iri e us Ho le n Longuevil and festive theme explore the west. The breakfast, afternoon tea and dinners in winter hotel itself is a beauti- a bottle of house wine in your and Christmas. with dinner on one ful manor house which dates room. On top of this you can The Blackwater River evening for two guests in- from the 18th century and of- choose an early check in or running through the estate cluding country house break- fers luxurious 4-star accom- a late check out as well as offers salmon and brown fast served both mornings modation in the heart of the a complimentary newspatrout fishing to guests and is from €435 based on two bustling town of Ennis. An per. www.flynnhotels.com horse lovers will find the persons sharing in Queen eclectic hotel, it combines Duhallow Hunt and the Cork or King Room. Optional old world charm with conRobert Walshe is a travel racecourse at Mallow more Extra €15 Tasting Menu Sup- temporary facilities yet still broadcaster with Q Radio reason to visit. Longueville plement applies per person. remains true to the heritage Network & Travel Editor House is an ideal base for www.longuevillehouse.ie of the building. Original art for numerous print & ontouring the south-west and work adorns the walls while line publications on the Deal of the Week nearby Mallow is a busy maropen turf fires and sumptu- island of Ireland. www. ket town. If you are thinking of explor- ous fabrics create a wonder- robertwalshe.com The remains of Mallow Castle date from the 12th century while the ruins of St Anne’s church are from the late 13th century. My favourite North The popular Irish Shindig Nights returned Nights begin with a guided tour, which ofCork town Millstreet is an to the Old Jameson Distillery earlier this fers recreated distillery scenes taking visiarea rich in archaeological month with an unprecedented sell-out first tors through the seven stages of whiskey heritage. The Museum has weekend. The ticket sales reflect a grow- making. The tour is followed by a signaa tourist information centre ing demand for the traditional Irish nights, ture Jameson drink in the bar at Old Jameand nearby the country park which will run from now until October. The son Distillery. Renowned musicians with 500 acres of amenipackage includes a guided tour of the dis- the Jameson Players perform their mix of ties offers an arboretum, tillery, a complimentary glass of the finest modern and traditional Irish music after gardens, lakes, waterfalls, Irish whiskey, exceptional live entertain- dinner while the Claddagh Dancers bring walks, a picnic area, a visitor ment and a four course meal cooked with an exhilarating energy to the performance centre, restaurant and shop. fresh Irish ingredients. The Irish Shindig www.tours.jamesonwhiskey.com Two nights accommodation
Home and Away Extra
with Kathleen Murray
Jess’s story – a thought provoking read
that it was better for the dogs if they were not around for the wake so she let them go to her brother-in-law’s farm. Jess refused to go. She would not leave. She stayed at home and was there for everything that happened. As dogs mourn the same as us for their losses it was a hard time for Jess. She had lost one of her owners, she had lost her pup and her remaining owner was in deep mourning so it was a very sad time all round. During the quiet days after the funeral Jess and her owner started their new life alone together. Things were very different for both of them and both of them were feeling a big sense of loss. Her owner was still in shock and not sure what to feel and Jess was out in the
fields looking for her owner and her pup. Everyone felt the loss. As the weeks went by Jess had to learn to get used to a lead and get into a car, lots of new experiences. She had never been on a lead before as she was a working farm dog and there was no need for a lead. Her owner found that Jess was not taking this well and was not eating properly so she was worried. When I met them both for the first time I felt the sense of loss for both of them. It was easy to see that there was still shock and tragedy. The owner wanted help with Jess as Jess was all she had left that was close to her husband. They had been married 23 years and there were no children. Just them and the dogs. I decided to keep Jess for a
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bit to help her to readjust to a new life and give her owner a chance to readjust to her new life. Together they were keep-
ing each other back because the tragedy was all they had. Jess has now adjusted to being a full-time pet. She’s walking on a lead, travels well in the car, is not afraid to jump in or out and is eating better. She is coming out of her mourning and will be now able to help her owner to do the same in time. Dogs normally mourn for a couple of weeks and then they pick up and move on but it was difficult for Jess as she was dealing with too much at the same time. She had become the centre of the mourning as her owner depended on her company to help her so she couldn’t get back to normality again. Her owner is doing really well now, coming to terms with all that has happened and is braving a new life with the help of Jess.