Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

About The Hotel

Downhill House Hotel was a destination hotel long before people ever heard the phrase “destination hotels” which attracted the great and the good, the rich and the famous, who wanted a fun weekend in the West. I hadn’t been there for quite a while and my goodness how it has changed and been updated following a €2m major refurbishment.

Originally home to a Crown Solicitor, Downhill House with its lovely petit chateau style roof and large bay windows, was bought by the Moylett family in the 1930’s. The location on the banks of the River Brosna, an estuary of the River Moy, was splendid for the colonial huntin’ shootin’ fishin’ lifestyle, and so, over the years, Downhill House was transformed seamlessly from a fine country house into a fine Hotel with all comforts and facilities. Its location, ambiance, and sense of fun, attracted golfers and fishermen from all over the world – including 007 himself – or as some might say, the real James Bond, Mr. Sean Connery, who has been known to hit a ball or two around a golf course.

Bedrooms are very comfortably furnished with understated good taste and style and have all facilities that one could possibly want, including wireless Broadband and Satellite TV. You have your choice of standard or deluxe rooms, family rooms or, if you want to push the boat out, there is a fab Presidential Suite beautifully furnished with antiques.

But now to more of the fun which takes place at Frogs Pavilion Bar! Frogs is named after a Black Andalucian Marble Frog which was brought home from Benehavis in the South of Spain by Ann Moylett in the 1980’s. In fact one might say the frog was brought home to Ireland because he was sculpted by the Carlow born Anglo Irish sculptor Lady Rosie Rathdonnell of Lisnavagh who was living in Spain at that time. In fact it could also be said too that Ann Moylett’s meticulous artistic eye spawned a whole wave of fabulous frog sculptures because everybody loved what they saw at the Downhill.

After you have had a few cocktails with the frog, and maybe he has morphed into the Prince, you can take him to dinner in full and certain knowledge that the food will be good, wholesome and lavish. The menu varies of course, and it might be breast of chicken with a green peppercorn, brandy and cream sauce or delicious local Mayo lamb tweaked with garlic and herbs or duck or wild salmon of course…. The rare roast sirloin of beef with horseradish cream is very popular too and don’t forget to leave room for the Downhill mud pie.

The Downhill House Hotel is perfect for all ages and groups – be it golfers or families or a combination of both. There is a lovely Leisure Club called Eagles which is dedicated to providing fitness and recreational services tailored to each guest’s requirements – so you can burn off the extra calories you have indulged in. There is a lovely oval ozone treated swimming pool, a toddlers and children’s swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

What more could you want in Ballina the ‘Salmon Capital of Ireland’.

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