Glin Castle Country House,
Glin,
Co. Limerick
Glin Castle enquiries
www.glincastle.com
If Ireland’s country house hotels offer some of the best hospitality to be found, then Glin Castle is a shining example of just how good that can be. We drove away from Glin Castle after a wonderful sunny visit recently, and much as we racked our brains, we could think of nothing negative to say about the place at all.
Our room – The Yellow Crown Room – was a fairytale blend of yesteryear with contemporary luxury. Fresh cut tulips and roses adorned the antique dressing-table, we had a large bathroom with separate shower and bath and lots of mirrors and carpets and comfortable chairs, and the biggest bath towels we have ever encountered!
The house itself is full of fascinating family portraits and beautiful antiques and collected pieces. It has been owned for over 700 years by the Fitzgerald family, hereditary Knights of Glin. If it rained all day you could spend time wandering around the Library, Drawing Room, Smoking Room or Morning Room and look at all the wonderful treasures that have been collected over hundreds of years. The 29th Knight of Glin, Desmond Fitzgerald offers the lucky visitor to his castle an exceptional view of 18th and 19th centuries at his home.
But for us it did not rain, in fact we had some of the brightest and sunniest early summer weather, and so took ourselves off a couple of times to explore the gardens.
We took plenty of photographs of the formal gardens, the follies, and especially the walled garden which supplies the castle’s kitchen with fruit and vegetables as well as cut flowers for the rooms. Our early evening walk so inspired us that we set off again the next morning to explore further!
While you feel like Lord and Lady of the Manor at Glin and are certainly treated as such, the meals we enjoyed there were heavenly. The dinner menu was full of local seasonal dishes prepared with classic flair and included Roast Rack of Lamb, Pan Fried Sea Bass, Char-grilled Barbarie of Duck and wonderfully succulent Pan Seared Scallops. With inspired appetisers and decadent desserts we finished a marvellous meal with a creamy Irish Coffee.
Indeed we needed the long walk next morning before heading for a late breakfast feast which set us up for the day ahead. Fellow guests were equally enthralled by the whole Glin Castle experience, and we chatted to some regarding their experiences at other hotels as they travelled around Ireland. Suffice to say that not many hotels matched the standards found at Glin Castle.
Other things that marked Glin Castle out for us as a really special place to stay included the exceptionally friendly yet unobtrusive service from all the staff; the afternoon tea with mouth-watering home-baked biscuits; the fresh cut colourful flower arrangements throughout; and the stylish comfort found in every design detail.
With just 15 bedrooms the hotel has an intimate ambiance, and as one of the most historic properties in the country it is a wonderful place to visit. We felt it a perfect location for a romantic break, a couple of days here would be the ultimate de-stress opportunity. We have been spreading the word already; Glin Castle is one of our very favourite hotels.
Glin,
Co. Limerick
Glin Castle enquiries
www.glincastle.com
- One of Ireland’s greatest heritage houses.
- Superb location and service.
- All the comforts of the home you wish you had.
If Ireland’s country house hotels offer some of the best hospitality to be found, then Glin Castle is a shining example of just how good that can be. We drove away from Glin Castle after a wonderful sunny visit recently, and much as we racked our brains, we could think of nothing negative to say about the place at all.
Our room – The Yellow Crown Room – was a fairytale blend of yesteryear with contemporary luxury. Fresh cut tulips and roses adorned the antique dressing-table, we had a large bathroom with separate shower and bath and lots of mirrors and carpets and comfortable chairs, and the biggest bath towels we have ever encountered!
The house itself is full of fascinating family portraits and beautiful antiques and collected pieces. It has been owned for over 700 years by the Fitzgerald family, hereditary Knights of Glin. If it rained all day you could spend time wandering around the Library, Drawing Room, Smoking Room or Morning Room and look at all the wonderful treasures that have been collected over hundreds of years. The 29th Knight of Glin, Desmond Fitzgerald offers the lucky visitor to his castle an exceptional view of 18th and 19th centuries at his home.
But for us it did not rain, in fact we had some of the brightest and sunniest early summer weather, and so took ourselves off a couple of times to explore the gardens.
We took plenty of photographs of the formal gardens, the follies, and especially the walled garden which supplies the castle’s kitchen with fruit and vegetables as well as cut flowers for the rooms. Our early evening walk so inspired us that we set off again the next morning to explore further!
While you feel like Lord and Lady of the Manor at Glin and are certainly treated as such, the meals we enjoyed there were heavenly. The dinner menu was full of local seasonal dishes prepared with classic flair and included Roast Rack of Lamb, Pan Fried Sea Bass, Char-grilled Barbarie of Duck and wonderfully succulent Pan Seared Scallops. With inspired appetisers and decadent desserts we finished a marvellous meal with a creamy Irish Coffee.
Indeed we needed the long walk next morning before heading for a late breakfast feast which set us up for the day ahead. Fellow guests were equally enthralled by the whole Glin Castle experience, and we chatted to some regarding their experiences at other hotels as they travelled around Ireland. Suffice to say that not many hotels matched the standards found at Glin Castle.
Other things that marked Glin Castle out for us as a really special place to stay included the exceptionally friendly yet unobtrusive service from all the staff; the afternoon tea with mouth-watering home-baked biscuits; the fresh cut colourful flower arrangements throughout; and the stylish comfort found in every design detail.
With just 15 bedrooms the hotel has an intimate ambiance, and as one of the most historic properties in the country it is a wonderful place to visit. We felt it a perfect location for a romantic break, a couple of days here would be the ultimate de-stress opportunity. We have been spreading the word already; Glin Castle is one of our very favourite hotels.