Moyvalley Hotel,

Balyna Estate,
Co. Kildare
Moyvalley Hotel enquiries
www.moyvalley.com

• Set amid the 550 acre historic Balyna Estate.
• Darren Clarke designed golfing heaven.
• Historic house – modern hotel.

Driving up to Moyvalley Hotel through the mature trees and lush grassland, it was difficult to believe we were only 40 minutes from the busy city centre. It took us no time at all to reach the hotel taking the M4 from Dublin, and such a transformation! From city to country in no time at all! First we saw the historic Balyna House and then came across the new Moyvalley Hotel set further down near the golf course.
We liked the bright modern hotel which contrasts and complements Balyna House, and while both offer accommodation, we were staying at Moyvalley Hotel.

ACCOMMODATION AT MOYVALLEY HOTEL

There are 54 bedrooms in all, and we were on the ground floor, just seconds from the reception area and the Waterways Restaurant. The first thing to say is that the beds were among the most comfortable we have ever slept in! The bathroom was spacious and we had complementary broadband. We loved the French windows that opened out to the grounds and allowed for plenty of fresh air in our room. The décor throughout the hotel is contemporary and bright, with some particularly attractive light fittings and mounted photographs on the walls.
Of course the very elegant 19th century Balyna House also offers accommodation in its lovingly restored mansion which has ten bedrooms. For a family get-together or a special corporate or sporting event, this would be very special accommodation indeed. It would be a dream location for a small private wedding as the photo opportunities are excellent. However, I believe many weddings use the house and grounds for photographs even while having their reception at Moyvalley Hotel. There is a very short paved walk from the back of the hotel through to Balyna House.

DINING AT THE WATERWAYS RESTAURANT AT MOYVALLEY HOTEL

We had lovely table beside the window, and were very well looked after by the restaurant team. When we asked if we could have a small salad with some goat’s cheese for starters – event though it was not on the menu – the chef came out from the kitchen to find out exactly what we wanted! Brian Farrell proved to be both a very talented and experienced chef and also extremely pleasant! None of the celebrity shenanigans that we come across all too often these days – honestly sometimes chefs are worse than footballers! However Brian is a fine chef, we had an excellent meal, and we did not have to deconstruct any food towers to enjoy it.
The steak was absolutely perfect – according to my steak-specialist companion, and my monkfish was cooked with all the respect this fine fish deserves to bring out its unique flavour and texture.

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY OF BALYNA HOUSE

Balyna estate was granted in 1574 by Queen Elizabeth 1 to the O’More family because they had lost their lands in Laois and were reinstated in Balyna. It remained in the More O’Farrall family until May 1960 when it was sold to the Bewley family (of Café fame). In 1984 the estate was sold to Justin Keating, it was sold again in 1990 to George Grant. It was finally sold to the present owner, Alistair Jackson in June 1996.

The house consists of 10 luxurious ensuite bedrooms, 3 reception rooms to cater for up to 80 guests and the Cellar bar is downstairs. The house is available exclusively for conferences and weddings.

The house is certainly uniquely elegant and beautiful, and the Moyvalley Hotel is contemporary and comfortable. They complement each other perfectly and yet are independent of each other at the same time. For us, it was the mature trees and beautiful open space of the 550 acres that surround both houses that really made us feel that we were in a place apart!