Enniscoe House
Solitary Nephin, Ireland’s highest stand-alone mountain, provides a dramatic backdrop to this classic, pink-washed Georgian country house in wooded grounds on Lough Conn. More
Good Hotel Guide Review
Solitary Nephin, Ireland’s highest stand-alone mountain, provides a dramatic backdrop to this classic, pink-washed Georgian country house in wooded grounds on Lough Conn. Hosts Susan Kellett and her son DJ are descendants of George Jackson, who built a fortified house on the lough shore in the mid-1700s. The present house (in fact two, one built on to the original, older one) is filled with the treasures of a long, rich past – portraits, antiques, hunting trophies. Three of the spacious bedrooms have a four-poster or canopy bed. The drawing room has an open fire, a wealth of sofas, silk Adam-design wallpaper, faded now from its original blue. At night guests meet over drinks before a dinner cooked by Susan with produce from the organic market garden – maybe onion quiche with salad leaves, carrot and cumin soup, roast pork with walnut and apricot sauce, dessert or Irish cheeses. After breakfast with home-made granola and jams, soda bread and scones, you might fish in the lough (boat and ghillie can be arranged), explore forest paths, or visit the on-site genealogy centre, agricultural museum, smithy and café.
Hotel details
Address
Castlehill
Ballina
Co. Mayo
F26 EA34
Ireland
Telephone
00 353 96 31112
Bedrooms
6. Plus self-catering units behind house.
Open
Apr–Oct, possibly closed Mon, Tues nights, but check.
Facilities
sitting room, drawing room, dining room, no in-room TV, wedding facilities, 3-acre garden in 30-acre grounds.
Background music
‘background’ in hallway during dinner.
Children
all ages welcomed, under-12s free, 12–14s €50, sharing with parents.
Dogs
allowed in certain bedrooms (no charge), public rooms, not dining room.
Credit cards
MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from €200, singles from €130. Set menu €50. Sat min. 2-night stay.
Other reviews
Good Hotel Guide articles about
Enniscoe House
- USA Today: 20 of the most beautiful hotels in Ireland
- Huffington Post USA: Seven of the most beautiful hotels in Ireland
- Huffington Post: Five historic hotels you have to visit in Ireland