Luxury Country Houses

Many of Ireland's country manors have been converted to small, intimate hotels. These premises can be considered as small guesthouses though many will provide full bar facilities. The emphasis is on personal attention, fine cuisine, and superb ambience in an old-world atmosphere.

Here are a few of our favorites to serve as examples:

MOY HOUSE
Lahinch, Co. Clare

Moy House was originally built in the mid-18th Century as home to Sir Augustine Fitzgerald. In its majestic splendour, the house prevails over the breathtaking Lahinch Bay, set on 15 acres of grounds adorned by mature woodland and a picturesque river. Major restoration has transformed this Country House in keeping with present day expectations of superior standards, yet preserving its unique character, style and ambience. Each room is individually designed in a remarkable combination of past and present. Furnished with luxurious fabrics and fine antique furniture, Moy House provides every contemporary comfort and extravagance to make this Country House a memorable experience. www.moyhouse.com

EMLAGH HOUSE
Dingle, Co. Kerry

Emlagh House is a Georgian-style, family-run country home on the outskirts of Dingle town. Emlagh House has been designed to meet and exceed the needs of the discerning traveller. This stylish country home combines old-fashioned luxury and period furniture with the highest international standards of accommodation. The meticulous attention to detail and genuine concern for your comfort comes from the personal touch that only a family-run guesthouse offers. www.emlaghhouse.com

THE FAIRVIEW
Killarney, Co. Kerry

Located in the centre of Killarney, the Fairview sets new standards for accommodation and service, offering the guest comfort and standards which few can match. Spacious rooms, each decorated with a very fine eye, feature ensuite bathroom (some with Jacuzzi), king-size bed, antique furniture, hardwood floors, iron and trouser press, tea/coffee making facilities, multi-channel television, direct dial telephone, to name but a few amenities. The attention to detail sets out Fairview from its competition.

For golfers, a drying room is available which always comes in handy when one travels to Ireland. A full and extensive breakfast menu is on offer to the hungry guest, served by trained and experienced waiters. Enjoy the buzz of this wonderful town and be close to the great restaurants, entertainment and night life. Just a short walk away is the National Park, the ancient friary and unique to Killarney, the Jarvies, who provide a pleasant trip around the area by horse-driven carriage. www.fairviewkillarney.com

PERRYVILLE HOUSE
Kinsale, Co. Cork

The Perryville House gives you the perfect balance of luxury, privacy and location. Kinsale is a haven in County Cork, with its enticing shops and streetscapes and a reputation as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland. Poised in the centre of this medieval fishing port overlooking the marina and the colourful streets with their forests of hanging baskets and window boxes, Perryville House combines the grandeur of the past with the luxuries and convenience of today. Elegance and charm pervade an atmosphere of comfort and attention to detail prevails.

With the ambience of a private country home, host Laura Corcoran reflects her passion for interior design and Irish antique furniture stylishly decorates Perryville House. Laura's sharp eye is evident in every detai, from the blazing turf fires and scented candles to the baskets of fresh flowers cut daily from her own garden in West Cork and displayed profusely throughout the house. At the end of the day there is the indulgence of sleeping between the finest cotton in a luxuriously large bed, in beautifully appointed guest rooms individually decorated with a blend of luxury, tradition and imagination. www.perryvillehouse.com

ARLINGTON LODGE
Waterford, Co. Waterford

Arlington Lodge has long been intertwined in the history of Waterford and its people. Originally the residence of the Paul family, prominent merchants in the city, it later became the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Waterford and Lismore and remained with the church for over 200 years. It has once again returned to a Waterford family who now share with you its unique charm and sophistication. After careful restoration, it provides all the amenities of a luxury country house, with superb accommodation and fine dining restaurant.

Each of the twenty luxurious guest bedrooms is individually decorated and charmingly furnished to create true comfort. An irresistible mix of the past with the present will enchant the most discerning guests. All bedrooms have queen- or king-size beds and some have four-poster beds and fireplaces. Facilities include hospitality tray, hairdryer, CD player, trouser press, ISDN lines, and a wealth of thoughtful extras. It is conveniently located in historic Waterford, close to the Waterford Crystal factory and yet so splendidly isolated from the everyday world. You will find a relaxed atmosphere that will draw you back time and time again. www.arlingtonlodge.com