Weekend break: The Radisson Blu Farnham Estate, Cavan
Gambling debts can be hell; especially when settling them involves losing the family home.
The Waldron clan learned this back in 1664 when it was forced to sell Dromellan Castle to Bishop Robert Maxwell .
The building and its 24,000 acre estate remained in the hands of the Maxwell dynasty for the next 330 years, during which time the castle became known as Farnham House.
Today, that building is the centre-piece of the Radisson Blu Farnham Estate Golf & Spa Resort. To get a feel for the original ambience of the place, we checked into the hotel’s Farnham Suite.
This is composed of three of the mansion house’s original rooms and overlooks 1,300 acres of parkland.
Comfort wise, the bed was more grand than awesome, that’s not to say that the Farnham Suite’s bedroom isn’t colossal.
The décor is the epitome of understated elegance: from the dash of plum that compliments the muted colour palate of the walls and bedclothes, to the simplicity of the original floorboards.
It’s the little touches that make the difference. The tray of Farnham jam macaroons left in the room, the fan stashed away in the wardrobe, the exemplary customer service.
That and the abundant girth of the his-and-her wardrobes makes this pristine, high-ceilinged suite a perfect choice for visiting royalty of the monarchical or Hollywood type.
Both, for all their differences would appreciate the majesty of the natural wonderland outside the three sash windows that light this delightful room.
Of course, there is more to the suite than the bedroom. The oval-ceilinged parlour is elegantly furnished in a style of old-world grandeur.
The bathroom is equally pleasing. Here, bathers can recline at leisure in a voluminous standalone tub. Because of its top floor location, bathing can be done by an open window that overlooks expansive woodland, with zero risk of being glimpsed by voyeurs, gymnophobic or otherwise.
While we luxuriated in old-style bliss in the hotel’s original house - or the ‘Great House’ as it’s now called, the rest of our party (a group of us travelled together), opted for the more contemporary style of accommodation of the hotel’s modern wing.
These bedrooms are furnished in strong colours, with neutral coloured carpets, curtains and comfy chaise longues. The one we visited had a green TV cabinet and a purple easy chair.
If that sounds garish it wasn’t. The overall effect was both tasteful and pleasing, probably because the colour scheme mirrored that of the natural landscape outside.
Our extended party met at the hotel’s Botanica restaurant that evening. Our food choices included the typical mix of omnivore, carnivore, pesky pescatarian (guilty), vegetarian and vegan.
When we discovered that the vegan among us had forgotten to let the kitchen know of her preferences in advance, we presumed she’d have limited choice for dinner, and she was happy with that.
That presumption proved wrong. Our young waiter’s personable banter and professional demeanour masked detective skills of the Sherlock Holmes kind.
Silently noting that while our veggie didn’t seem to fancy any of the entirely acceptable vegetarian dishes on the menu, she had politely and without fuss ordered some of them anyway, he took it upon himself to have a discreet word with the restaurant manager, who in turn had a discreet word with Vasil Arnaudov, the chef.
Total sweetheart that he is, he sent express instructions that our veggie was to let him know what specifically she might like to eat. Total sweetheart that she is, she sent him her thanks and reassurance that she was happy with her choices.
Unconvinced, he sent word that he would prepare a special salad if that might appeal. He did and it did. She meanwhile, was wholly impressed and the entire group was enthralled by the exemplary service and the kindness behind the chef’s actions.
As for the food, Arnaudov’s mains can’t be faulted, but credit must also go to Antoinette for the deserts she creates. Her panacotta was a favourite.
Dinner eaten, we went in search of the bar and in doing so, learned about the maize of underground tunnels that extend the length and breadth of the 16th century mansion.
It was there, in that ancient network of subterranean passageways that we found the Wine Goose Cellar Bar and deemed it to be a delightfully atmospheric spot.
There’s loads to do in the vicinity. Cavan is renowned for coarse and pike fishing and for the wealth of festivals it hosts from June to October.
So, the next day, while the riders in our party took themselves off to a nearby stable, the fishermen took to the water and the golfers made their acquaintance with the 500 acre spread of gentle hills and dense woodland that comprises the hotel’s 18 hole, par 72, Jeff Howe designed course.
Being singularly unsporty by nature, I visited the health spa where the highly skilled and trained Lynda, delivered the robust, muscle-pummelling experience that is the Derrygid Vigorous Ramble massage.
Farnham Estate has around 7 kilometres of walking trails. Most look the same today as they would have done when the Waldrons still owned this magnificent estate. The lake walks were a big draw for us and so we left the hotel and went ambling along peaceful woodland lanes.
There, beneath canopies of branches so leaf-thick they shaded the sky, all that could be heard was birdsong and the lapping of water in the lake.
The Radisson Blu Farnham Estate Golf and Spa Resort is set on 1,300 of parkland. It’s a five-minute drive from Cavan town and less than 90 minutes from Dublin and Belfast airports: 0049 437 7700; info.farnham@radissonblu.com ; www.farnhamestate.com
The Farnham Suite in the Great House costs from €179 per night including breakfast for two. A standard room in the modern wing costs from €125 per night including breakfast for two.
At the Botanica Restaurant, set dinner is priced from €45 per person, A round of golf on the estate’s 18 hole course is €35 per person. Pre-book to ensure availability.
The Radisson Blu Farnham Estate delivers a five star experience in a four star hotel.
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