Chilling out in style
Olde worlde charm and the timely hot grog suggested by the friendly barkeep ensured that the long journey from Cork to Lisloughrey Lodge in Cong, Co Mayo, quickly dissolved into a distant memory.
First impressions
A stylish wedding party was arriving into reception at the same time as myself, my wife and our two teenagers. The atmosphere was convivial in the lobby, and the staff saw to everyone’s needs with great efficiency and equanimity.
For anyone unfamiliar with this elegant lodge on the grounds of Ashford Castle, do yourself a favour and add one more slot to your bucket list. The ambience is as peaceful as any urban groundhog could hope for on a refreshing weekend away from the daily grind.
Built around a covered courtyard with ample seating, the 24 deluxe bedrooms, 12 duplex suites and the handful of suites with views of the quays and lakes, are spacious and luxurious, and while the decor follows a theme of luxury, no two rooms are the same.
Each of the 50 boutique rooms is individually designed, all of which adds to the feel of luxury and a customised space designed to meet your most personal wishes. The devil is in the detail — deep-pile carpets, flatscreen TVs, goosedown duvets, padded leather headboards, coupled with bespoke furniture.
One word of advice: bring a big book, as the bathrooms are so magnificent you may never leave. Of all the bathroom’s fancy shelves, lights and mod cons, most impressive for me was the wide mirror in which an oval of clarity magically appears over the sink despite the mist created by your shower.
Frankly, it took a superhuman effort not to revert to a slack-jawed caveman before its mystical power. My wife too was impressed by the mirror, but I could tell she was markedly less interested than me in the demisting technology that powered its lustrous charms; and so now, as I did then, I’ll just move swiftly along.
Wilde’s restaurant on the second floor offers a spectacular view across the Lough Corrib. The open fire and attentive yet discreet service are the perfect match for the lodge’s exquisite food. Though not normally known for their adventurous taste, our teens really enjoyed the Clew Bay scallops with turf-smoked pudding, pan-fried kelp and apple.
Equally popular with the adults were the Clare Island salmon with shellfish porridge and pickled “sea spaghetti”. A little sorbet between courses, a really nice glass of wine, all capped with a magnificent coffee. All that and the music was great too — a cool playlist of pleasant acoustic covers of familiar songs.
A great culinary and social night. This was a four-star experience that we still talk about and recommend to friends.
Everything on the menu is sourced locally. Breakfast is a delight also, with choices including a full Irish, truly delicious porridge or salmon and eggs. We ate in the bar dining area on the second of our two nights. Delicious food and fantastic service, and great value.
Lisloughrey Lodge has a wealth of old-style cubby areas where you can relax in a leather armchair for a quiet coffee with your book or newspaper. You can also stroll through the estate’s woodland walkways and survey Ashford Castle.
Its function rooms make it ideal for a stylish wedding party. For those seeking a guilt-free break from the gym, you may be glad to know that it has neither swimming pool, sauna nor any form of weights room.
There are, however, plenty of healthy outdoor activities nearby. A half-hour of falconry at Ashford Castle will set you back €60 per person for two participants. The superb equestrian centre charges €45 for the first hour, and €20 per hour thereafter. A fishing outing on Lough Corrib can cost as little as €40 for a simple boat hire, or €160 for a half day complete with a guide, boat and tackle.
Frankly, and somewhat shamelessly, I can inform you that we didn’t choose anything from this enticing but all too energetic menu. Instead we took a trip into Cong, the picture postcard village where John Ford filmed The Quiet Man.
Parts of the village have been preserved just as they appeared in the film set. You can nip into the pub where John Wayne and Victor McLaglen began their rolling brawl over Maureen O’Hara’s dowry.
While there, we nipped into Molly Bloom’s cafe for lunch. The homemade jams and chutneys were so tasty that we brought some home. We also acted on Molly’s advice and took the slightly longer mountain road on a trip to Westport, where we visited Matt Molloy’s pub, where the walls are adorned with photos of visiting musical icons and film stars.
We also took a really enjoyable one-hour cruise of Lough Corrib with Corrib Cruises. As we were staying in Lisloughrey Lodge, that trip was included in our two-night package. At €50 for a family of four, I would recommend the tour to anyone visiting the area. The hosts deliver a fascinating pocket history of the owners of Ashford Castle, including the Brownes and Guinness families.
Lough Corrib is reputed to have 365 islands, between them home to only a handful of residents due to strict planning laws which have ensured that no new houses are built, and those that are located on islands rarely if ever leave the ownership of the islands’ native families. The depth of that point sinks in as you navigate the lake’s 175 sq km, or 44,000 acres. It really does make the whole region feel like the last untouched hideaway in Ireland.
Also well worth a visit is Kylemore Abbey, about an hour’s drive to Connemara in neighbouring Galway. With our family deal, that was also part of the package at the lodge.
Given the luxury on offer, Lisloughrey Lodge works out as a reasonable break. For two adults and two children (under 12), a two-night booking in October can cost you as little as €340 all in — rising to €420 for the Halloween mid-term break. That offer includes two nights in a luxury duplex suite, breakfast each morning and a three-course meal in Wilde’s restaurant on one of the evenings. The package also includes a cruise on Lough Corrib, plus admission tickets for the family to Kylemore Abbey.
Alternatively, two adults will pay as little as €130 per night for their double room, full Irish breakfast included. The rates depend on the time of year.
www.lisloughreylodge.com
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