Home & Away with Robert Walshe
www.robertwalshe.com
Weekend Hotspot – Newforge House - Co Armagh from Ireland’s Blue Book
Surrounded by mature gardens and rolling fields in the quiet village of Magheralin Co Armagh, Newforge House offers peace and tranquility less than half an hour’s drive from Belfast. This Georgian property provides a unique opportunity to stay in an historic Northern Irish country house with luxury accommodation throughout. The property has remained in the Mather’s’ family for six generations and son John en-
couraged by his parents sympathetically converted the family home in 2003 opening it as a guest house two years later. The family ancestors, who owned the local linen mill, built this elegantly generous mansion 200 years ago. The guest house has six en suite rooms room each bearing the matriarchal name of
n John Mathers Chef and Owner Newforge House
a generation who has lived here over the centuries. Our room, the “Beaumont” one of the largest on the first floor has views over local fields, whilst the rear facing bathroom looks out over the courtyard. This superior room, with a large bath and separate shower was bright and airy. Each bedroom is equipped with wireless broadband access, TV and DVD, alarm clock, tea and coffee making facilities. The luxury white company body products and fluffy towels complete the elegantly decorated bathroom. There is a drawing room and an excellent dining room which is classy and relaxed where guests eat breakfast and evening meals prepared by John, who is an accomplished chef. He sources the best local, organic and good quality ingredients from the gardens at Newforge and also from the locality. Our menu selection included the most wonderful starter salad of hot & cold smoked fish with horseradish pannacotta (Glenarm Organic Salmon from Walter Ewing, Shankhill Road, Belfast,Lough Neagh Eel &
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com Sea Trout supplied by Keenan Seafood, Belfast & Horseradish from the garden) and cream of parsnip & white chocolate soup. For the main course we settled for dry-aged Angus rib eye with garlic & herb butter (Glenarm Estate Angus, dry-aged in Europe’s first salt n Newforge Hous chamber by Hannan’s e Co Armagh in Moira for 30 days) and roast loin of cod with tarragon & caper cream gan Lake, The Lough Neagh (Supplied by Keenan’s Sea- Discovery Centre at Oxford food, Belfast) For desert we Island, The historic City of opted for Lou’s warm apple Armagh and nearby Ballydou& caramel cake with cinna- gan Pottery. For shoppers mon ice cream which was the Outlet a discount retail delicious. The food by far park at Banbridge offers savexceeded my expectations. ings of up to 70% on great Residents are also welcome brands all year round and to invite their own guests the Euro is widely accepted. to dinner where Eithne and Newforge House is also 2014 her staff are attentive and Georgina Campbell Award friendly. Northern Ireland is winner in categories Counrenowned for its friendly peo- try House of the Year; Irish ple and natural beauty and 48 Breakfast Awards – National hours in the province will not Winner and Country House do justice to the many visitor Breakfast. Rates offered inexperience on offer. The loca- clude Mid Week Break (Availtion of Newforge House is ad- able Tuesday – Thursday) vantageous to discover local £170 per person sharing for attractions like Lurgan Public 2 nights B+B and 3-course Park, Brownlow House, Lur- dinner based on two shar-
ing one classic room with ensuite bath & shower. For weekend breaks (Available Friday or Saturday) the cost is £145 per person sharing. Newforge is also a member of Ireland’s Blue Book a stunning collection of Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, Castles and Restaurants. www.irelandsblue-book.ie/newforgehouse or www.newforgehouse.com 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