Weekend break: Discovering a hidden gem in Roundwood House

Unusual entertainment, eco walks and epic dining provide weekend attractions in Roundwood House, says Joe Dermody.

AN eco walk in the gently rolling hills of Slieve Bloom followed by an epic buffet of Iranian lamb roulade, sticky sesame beef and brandy ice cream — do weekends away get any better than Roundwood House?

Well, sometimes they do. The weekend we visited the historic Georgian home of Paddy and Hannah Flynn at Mountrath, Co Laois, the evening featured a performance of the Donal O’Kelly play Joyced!, delivered with immense power and charm by his daughter Katie.