The best short break ever; wonderful house and terriffic hosts I travel a lot, and stay in hotels all over Europe and elsewhere, but none compares to this gem that is almost on my doorstep.I have visited the house several times to take in the tour, but never stayed there before now. A few days ago I put that right when I arranged to stop over for a bed and breakfast and evening dinner, and I am still impressed with the quality of the overall offering.The house is the seat of the O'Connor Clan, the longest family line in Europe. The current owners are of the family of Ruairi O'Connor, the last High King of Ireland who reigned from1166 to 1183. To be precise, they are actually descended from his brother, since Ruairi's line faded out a hundred or so years later. In any case, they still hold the family seat and maintain it for the nation, along with all its historic collections that include Carolan's harp, for instance, and the coronation stone.On arrival, guests are greeted in the library with tea and delicious home-made cake, and are free to roam the grounds until dinnertime.Dinner, preceded by drinks in the library with the hosts, is served in the ornate dining room. Food was delicious, with local and fresh produce a key element of the fare. After dinner we retired to the library for a drink and were joined by the hosts for a pleasant and interesting couple of hours of conversation. The term 'perfect hosts' comes to mind as I look back on the evening -- you are treated as a valued guest and not as a customer to be processed, as is the case in some other places.The bedroom we had was beautiful, with a huge four-poster and elegant furnishings. Sleep quality was exceptional; this is one of the quietest rooms in Ireland, with the house located well away from the road at the end of a kilometre long driveway.Breakfast was excellent, again with fresh and local produce and eggs from the farm, all served up in the dining room overlooking the parkland. We could have stayed forever; this house is so welcoming and homely, as well as being a veritable living museum that is at the very centre of Irish history.I have mixed feelings about Clonalis -- tell everybody about it, or keep it a secret so that it is enjoyed by the few who have taken the trouble to find it. It's hard not to talk about it though, in a good way.One thing is sure, we will definitely be back. I don't know when we've had such an enjoyable short break, anywhere in the world. Recommended, with no exceptions -- I can't think of a single fault with this wonderful place, or the lovely people who run it with such dedication.
- 21/06/14