Built in 1840, this impressive country house still belongs to the Maher family four generations later. It is approached up a sweeping avenue and is set in 140 hectares of farmland. Apart from the addition of such modern conveniences as bathrooms and heating, it remains much as it was built, with a distinctively Victorian flavour. The master bedroom, which has a four-poster bed, is the same shape as the drawing room below. The rooms are furnished and decorated to a high standard, and they all have hairdryers.

The Mahers are a friendly, welcoming couple, and Margaret produces delicious dinners (if booked in advance), served by candlelight in the elegant dining room. Breakfast, which is organised by John, can include hot pancakes and homemade jams. The former billiard room has reverted to the big drawing room again, and has a TV. It is the only place where guests can smoke.

Visitors are welcome to walk around the farm, old walled garden and grounds, and Wellington boots can be supplied if it is muddy. There is also a croquet lawn. Pets are accepted outside. To reach Ballinkeele from the N11, turn in Oilgate at the signpost. Access, Visa, American Express accepted.

OWNER John & Margaret Maher
OPEN March - November 6
ROOMS 5 double or twin; 2 bath, 3 shower en suite.

From Bed & Breakfast Ireland, the independent guide to over 400 B&B's throughout Ireland.

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Bed and Breakfast Ireland the comprehensive guide to Irish B and Bs

A best-seller in Ireland and a real insider's guide, Bed and Breakfast Ireland has been continuously in print since 1991. The latest edition has been completely revised and updated. "Bed and Breakfast Ireland" covers more than 400 of Ireland's best bed and breakfast accommodations (b and bs), including guest houses, small hotels, country mansions, private homes, and farmhouses. Each location has been visited by the authors, who provide informative, personal descriptions, as well as logistical information such as rates, addresses, and phone and fax numbers--all accompanied by a selection of helpful maps. This comprehensive and charming guide to Irish B and Bs will help make any holiday in Ireland a trip to remember.
Bed and Breakfast Ireland has been researched and written by Elsie Dillard and Susan Causin, former travel agents with 40 years of experience between them. They divide their time between the Britain, Ireland and the US.

First class guide to Ireland's bed and breakfast lodging

Bed and Breakfast Ireland reviewed in Chicago Tribune
Maybe you'll stay in the place described as a pre-Famine wisteria-covered farmhouse -one of several overnight options in Westport, County Mayo. Or maybe you'll opt for the large Georgian mansion just beyond an iron gateway in Ballymote, County Sligo. Maybe you'll stay in one of the other 400 or so accommodations in this revised and expanded version of the book (Bed and Breakfast Ireland) that first hit the United States in 1991. Only an occasional line drawing interrupts the text; and in the back of the 319 page book, regional maps-which include ferry routes-cover the whole of the Irish Isle, from Derry and Belfast in the north to the Dingle Peninsula and Cork in the south. Each lodging entry ends with the names of the owners, season of operation and number of rooms. This review refers to an earlier edition of Bed and Breakfast Ireland as is the extract above. The latest edition of Dillard and Causin's Bed and Breakfast Ireland contains even more entries.

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