LOUGH RYNN CASTLE SCENE OF 2010'S WEDDING OF THE YEAR
Tuesday 17 November 2009
What have a rugby player, an actress, and a Castle in County Leitrim got in common? A date for the hottest social event of 2010 is the answer - the wedding of Ireland’s golden boy, Brian O’Driscoll and Amy Huberman at Lough Rynn Castle. It has to be a great marketing coup to be chosen by our Becks and Posh for their nuptials. I found it quite disarming watching Amy Huberman on TV recently not go through the whole pretence of keeping the marriage location a ‘secret’. “People ask where you are getting married”, she said quite simply, “so it’s Lough Rynn Castle”.
Lough Rynn Castle and Kilronan Castle are a brace of sister castles within 20 miles of one another in Leitrim and Roscommon respectively. Lough Rynn is just outside the village of Mohill and even the drive up through the leafy forest area adds a touch of Lancelot and Guinevere romance. It was the former home of the Earls of Leitrim, the last of whom was the biggest landlord in Ireland, so unpopular that he was popped off whilst out collecting rents by a disgruntled tenant.
The magnificently manicured lawns are absolutey perfect for a fairy tale wedding, as are the many sitting rooms, and elaborately panelled drawingroom where we had scones (€3.50) on arrival with complementary tea, organised by the welcoming Meeter/Greeter, Aidan, who entertained us greatly. We were taking advantage of a special midweek offer of €99 for a twin room and breakfast. Our very nice room was in the main house overlooking the lake, some are in the Eastern Range and Estate Manager’s House close by.
The stone clad baronial style Sandstone Restaurant is lovely – quite French – as is the chef – one Jean Michel Chevet from Brittany. There is an enormous brass filigree chandelier with matching candelbra, dining chairs are large and comfortable, and service was top class. The food is rustic French in style with starters €7.50/€11.50 and mains €28.50/€30. There is also a table d’hote at €40. We kicked off with a smoked salmon and cream cheese amuse bouche and lovely breads. Carmen’s starter was loin of rabbit (€11.50) on a cushion of red pepper polenta with wafers of crispy chorizo, drizzled with truffle oil, whilst I had two erect triangles of chunky terrine of guinea fowl (€9.50) tweaked with a pear and apple chutney. Both excellent.
Mains included braised pave of wild turbot with a saffron couscous and wild garlic veloute. Fillet of Fermanagh beef was with pommes Macaire, wilted spinach, red wine jus, whilst duck breast came with a gratin of carrots, Belgian endive ragout, and an orange jus. Also available was a Cote de Boeuf, panfried on the bone, at €45 for 500 gr for one or for two at €70 for €800 gr. Carmen’s choice of a ragout of monkfish and scallops (€29) proved good with delicious chunks of monkfish, interspersed with potatoes and scallops, turned carrots, courgettes and a purple broccoli. I had Leitrim loin of lamb (€29) cooked pink, cut in rings, laid along flageolet beans and green beans, which replaced billed Savoy cabbage. Wines are well priced and available by the glass from €5.50 and we had a bottle of Alain Corcia Pinot Noir (€34) and mineral water (€5).
We finished by sharing a selection of five good French and Irish cheeses at €12 – you could have eight 8 varieties for €15 – and as my lamb was sans the Savoy cabbage the Maitre d’ insisted on “standing” us the cheese.”
Brian and Amy won’t be hungry the morning after either for there was an excellent selection including a lovely fruit salad, cereals, pastries, breads and of course the Full Irish and other specialities.
Oh yes, and we did get a sneaky view of the Clements Suite, we didn’t say why of course….. I am wondering will the big circular bath be filled with Champagne! There is certainly room for a tackle or two!
At €220.50 our overnight with bed, breakfast, and dinner, was great value.
This review was published in the Sunday Independent on 15/11/2009.