KILGRANEY HOUSE
Irish country house with well-travelled vibe
FROM THE OUTSIDE Kilgraney House looks every bit your typical Georgian manor, but cross the threshold and you’re thrown a few left curves. Chintz and swags have been usurped here by the eclectic and well-travelled modern.
Classic Irish country-house surrounds are accented with tall and curvy Marilyn chairs, artefacts made from coconut shells, vivid contemporary artworks and light pulls made from tasselled walking sticks. It all works brilliantly. Cherry-red sofas and stainless-steel framed mirrors give the lounge plenty of vroom, while the dining room, with its deep plum walls, heraldic cherubs and black marble dining table aglow with candles, is all night-time drama.
These are just some of the design moves pulled off with flair and no little irony by Kilgraney House owners Bryan Leech and Martin Marley. Chic bedrooms are individually done up with lush exotic touches, and you can travel the globe at night – sleep in tasteful Thai, serene Buddha or wicked zebra skin surrounds.
Hit the Spot
Half way between the towns of Carlow and Kilkenny.
Pillow Talk
Go native in the Africa room, with its zebra-striped cushions, tribal masks and statues.
Be Savvy
Communal fixed-time dining is the norm here.
Be Smitten
For townies who love their country quirky.
Home-smoked duck
Guests dine convivially around a communal table (or à deux if you prefer), and six-course menus major on local and artisan produce. Signature dishes include home-smoked duck and noodle salad, and you can start proceedings off memorably with champagne on the rear terrace, gazing out at the Barrow Valley.
There's an outdoor hot tub to soak in, and the therapeutic Aroma spa is just the place for more unwinding with pampering body wraps, massage and aromatherapy treatments. Herbs are big here: in fact, Kilgraney does wonders for one’s karma.
Kilgraney House was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North
FROM THE OUTSIDE Kilgraney House looks every bit your typical Georgian manor, but cross the threshold and you’re thrown a few left curves. Chintz and swags have been usurped here by the eclectic and well-travelled modern.
Classic Irish country-house surrounds are accented with tall and curvy Marilyn chairs, artefacts made from coconut shells, vivid contemporary artworks and light pulls made from tasselled walking sticks. It all works brilliantly. Cherry-red sofas and stainless-steel framed mirrors give the lounge plenty of vroom, while the dining room, with its deep plum walls, heraldic cherubs and black marble dining table aglow with candles, is all night-time drama.
These are just some of the design moves pulled off with flair and no little irony by Kilgraney House owners Bryan Leech and Martin Marley. Chic bedrooms are individually done up with lush exotic touches, and you can travel the globe at night – sleep in tasteful Thai, serene Buddha or wicked zebra skin surrounds.
Hit the Spot
Half way between the towns of Carlow and Kilkenny.
Pillow Talk
Go native in the Africa room, with its zebra-striped cushions, tribal masks and statues.
Be Savvy
Communal fixed-time dining is the norm here.
Be Smitten
For townies who love their country quirky.
Home-smoked duck
Guests dine convivially around a communal table (or à deux if you prefer), and six-course menus major on local and artisan produce. Signature dishes include home-smoked duck and noodle salad, and you can start proceedings off memorably with champagne on the rear terrace, gazing out at the Barrow Valley.
There's an outdoor hot tub to soak in, and the therapeutic Aroma spa is just the place for more unwinding with pampering body wraps, massage and aromatherapy treatments. Herbs are big here: in fact, Kilgraney does wonders for one’s karma.
Kilgraney House was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North
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Dining in
Dining is one of the (many) best things about Kilgraney House, and the chrub-adorned dining room makes a great setting. Modern Irish cuisine with a continental twist is prepared using the freshest local ingredients, and you can’t get much fresher (or more local) than produce from Kilgraneys’ own kitchen garden. Dinner is a lavish six-course affair with mouthwatering mains like tranche of hake with a herb crust, followed by lemon posset and berry compote or honey and anise tuile.
Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 10:30am
Room service
No
Where?
Kilgraney House
What’s cooking?
Think cushions of smoked salmon with caper and parsley dressing.
Dress the part
Think informal chic.
Top table?
If you're here with friends, dine together in the tribal art decorated private dining room.
See & Do
Discover the Victorian splendours of Kilkenny castle, the ruins of Jerpoint Abbey, the tumbling waterfall of Kilfane Glen and the fabulous gardens of Altamont House, with its riverside walk. Play a round of golf at one of the seven local courses, go horseriding, walking on the South Leinster Way or fishing. For a thoroughly lazy day, book some spa treatments and curl up with a book.
Spa
Go for the full-pamper experience at Kilgraney's AromaSpa, set in a restored apple storehouse in the grounds. It's all about de-stressing and reviving tired bodies (and minds) here: try a soothing sandalwood or camomile aromatherapy massage, an indulgent Damask rose facial or a reviving juniper berry and pink grapefruit herbal body wrap. There are clay-based facial scrubs for the guys and a facial starting with an Ayurvedic scalp massage.
Diary Dates
March
There's sure to be a St Patrick's Day celebration in the area with parades, music, food and of course a Guinness or two.
June
The Éigse Carlow Arts Festival is a celebration of both the visual and performing arts.
October
For a taste of Wagner, Verdi or Rossini, head off to the Wexford Opera festival.
Dining is one of the (many) best things about Kilgraney House, and the chrub-adorned dining room makes a great setting. Modern Irish cuisine with a continental twist is prepared using the freshest local ingredients, and you can’t get much fresher (or more local) than produce from Kilgraneys’ own kitchen garden. Dinner is a lavish six-course affair with mouthwatering mains like tranche of hake with a herb crust, followed by lemon posset and berry compote or honey and anise tuile.
Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 10:30am
Room service
No
Where?
Kilgraney House
What’s cooking?
Think cushions of smoked salmon with caper and parsley dressing.
Dress the part
Think informal chic.
Top table?
If you're here with friends, dine together in the tribal art decorated private dining room.
See & Do
Discover the Victorian splendours of Kilkenny castle, the ruins of Jerpoint Abbey, the tumbling waterfall of Kilfane Glen and the fabulous gardens of Altamont House, with its riverside walk. Play a round of golf at one of the seven local courses, go horseriding, walking on the South Leinster Way or fishing. For a thoroughly lazy day, book some spa treatments and curl up with a book.
Spa
Go for the full-pamper experience at Kilgraney's AromaSpa, set in a restored apple storehouse in the grounds. It's all about de-stressing and reviving tired bodies (and minds) here: try a soothing sandalwood or camomile aromatherapy massage, an indulgent Damask rose facial or a reviving juniper berry and pink grapefruit herbal body wrap. There are clay-based facial scrubs for the guys and a facial starting with an Ayurvedic scalp massage.
Diary Dates
March
There's sure to be a St Patrick's Day celebration in the area with parades, music, food and of course a Guinness or two.
June
The Éigse Carlow Arts Festival is a celebration of both the visual and performing arts.
October
For a taste of Wagner, Verdi or Rossini, head off to the Wexford Opera festival.
GETTING THERE
Location
Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Bagenalstown – a 15 minute walk
Taxis
EUR 15 from the station
Airport
Waterford – 76 km
Rooms and suites
Six bedrooms and two courtyard suites.
Special features
Quirkily named rooms (Africa, Buddha) have decor to match, while the two suites are stylised and contemporary.
Also…
The two courtyard suites overlook the medicinal herb garden every morning.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 150-250
Open/closed
Closed December and January
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
Midday
Minimum night stay?
Two nights at weekends
Children
Over-12s only
Pets
No
Air conditioning
No
Wedding license?
Up to 24 guests can be catered for, based on exclusive hire of the property.
Location
Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Bagenalstown – a 15 minute walk
Taxis
EUR 15 from the station
Airport
Waterford – 76 km
Rooms and suites
Six bedrooms and two courtyard suites.
Special features
Quirkily named rooms (Africa, Buddha) have decor to match, while the two suites are stylised and contemporary.
Also…
The two courtyard suites overlook the medicinal herb garden every morning.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 150-250
Open/closed
Closed December and January
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
Midday
Minimum night stay?
Two nights at weekends
Children
Over-12s only
Pets
No
Air conditioning
No
Wedding license?
Up to 24 guests can be catered for, based on exclusive hire of the property.
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