Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

About The Hotel

Le tout Irlande was mesmerised in 1969 when the late General and Mme de Gaulle came on a two week visit to Ireland. The paparazzi of the day ducked in and out trying to get black and white pictures of this legendary tall tall man relaxing in Connemara. It was a wonderful tourism coup at the the time for Ireland and it was even more wonderful for the then newly opened Cashel House Hotel. Cashel House Hotel was no random choice by the planners of de Gaulle’s trip, it was chosen not only for its stunning location overlooking Cashel Bay, but for its superb elegance, comfort, service and style,……and good food.

Kay McEvilly, and her late husband Dermot, have been leading figures in the hospitality world for over forty years and have hosted many well known names from home and abroad throughout those years. Cashel House on its 50 acres of gardens and woodland walks is as wonderful now as it was back then and it has a pretty well unmatchable reputation for ensuring guests are cossetted but free to relax and chill out. I first visited Cashel House Hotel shortly after I was married and was immediately struck by the serene feel to the house and gardens. It exudes true Irish hospitality at its very best in a glorious mid 19th century country house furnished and draped with elegant antiques but not so imposing that you won’t feel you can’t snuggle down in the squish sofas by a log fire with a drink after your day’s activities or to read the newspapers.

Bedrooms are sublimely comfortable, a home away from home, your own retreat from the world overlooking the wonderful gardens, furnished in a traditional country house style. Minimalism is not a word that was ever heard here and it would be a shame if it was. They all have TV’s so it is your choice whether to switch on or switch off – I like the option of being able to keep up with the news or watch my favourite show or sporting event. Standard Hotel rooms offer either twin beds or queen beds – handy for families – and they enjoy complimentary mineral water and a turndown service. All the little touches. Superior rooms are that bit bigger and all incorporate a small sitting room. If you want to push the boat out, go for a Master Seaview Suite, which were the original Master bedrooms of Cashel House dating back to the 1840’s.

The lush gardens at Cashel House are part of the whole experience cultivated down the years by the families in residence– a secret world as you explore the wonderful historic flowering shrubs – many imported from Tibet – including rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and exquisite magnolias. Look up, look around you, you are surrounded by rare plants and specimen trees. They run wonderful gardening courses here too throughout the year from preparing and planning a vegetable garden to planting, pruning and propagating. They also have their own organic herb garden produce from which is used in the kitchen.

Food at Cashel House is sublimely fresh and well executed and features lots of delicious local produce such as Connemara lamb, fish and game straight from the Connemara hills, coast and rivers. There is a wide choice on offer each evening from their five course dinner menu and at lunch time a casual menu is offered in the bar. Oh, by the way, don’t forget to indulge in traditional Afternoon Tea – that’s what gracious living is all about. Read about the food in more detail on the Restaurant side of my website.

By the way, bliss of bliss, you can bring your pet too. It’s a little bit of paradise at Cashel House.

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