This luxury country house on the Wild Atlantic Way on the West coast of Ireland captured my heart as soon as I landed on the website. I needed to book one night as we drove a segment of the Way along the rugged coast. Knowing we would be traveling for 7 or 8 hours a day, we wanted luxury, comfort and quiet elegance in a country setting and we got so much more than that in Barrow House.
Overlooking Barrow Bay, the house was built in 1710 and is now designated an Irish monument. Owner Daragh McDonogh fell in love with the dilapidated Georgian style building that she bought and moved into in November 2016. Renovating took time and energy, but Daragh involved the local community in bringing it back into the imposing house it used to be.
The eight bedrooms each have unique interior designs featuring original artworks and paintings, and each is named after a local bird, such as Sandpiper, Curlew, Egret, Heron, Puffin and Cormorant. We stayed in the Heron, and with high-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, goose down duvets and pillows, upscale elegant ensuite, and magnificent water views, I dearly wanted to linger in the room. Add comfortable seating, a telescope and a welcoming picnic basket, filled with tea and coffee makings, locally made biscuits and sweets, and neither of us wanted to leave.
With white linen tablecloth, antique silver and the scent of freshly baking , breakfast was an elegant and delicious treat that visitors should make time for. A local French chef brought out freshly baked baguettes and croissants to enjoy with locally made jams while we waited for our full breakfast with an enormous variety of choices. Including homemade pancakes, Barrow Kippers,
Eggs Benedict, black and white pudding. Vegetarian, Vegan and Coeliac diets are all accommodated.
Barrowhouse also offers three different type of picnic baskets for guests to take for an outing, along the coast or for their round at the famous neaby Tralee Golf Course. The basets are filled with local smoked fishes, pates, cheeses, and fresh breads and freshly baked cakes, all accompanied by wine.
Next time we’ll tarry longer.