Amenities

• 2-minute walk to Clifden village center

• Fireplace with carved mantle, traditional Aga stove, beautiful garden.

• Sky TV, Ipod dock, video player and DVD, books, games, DVD's

• Appliances: Siemens double oven, hob, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave.

Description

• Bedrooms: 11

• Bathrooms: 11 + 1 Guest Powder Room

• Beds: 14

• Accommodates: 22+

• Weekly Rates from: €4500

• Minimum Stay: 7 nights (3-5 during off-season, nightly rate available by request)

This house, right in the village, is one of the oldest houses in Clifden. It was built by John D'arcy, who founded Clifden town in 1823. In the mid-1800's, it became the property of the Church of Ireland. During the Irish Civil War, it was under siege and one gable was breached. For years after that, it was a Sisters of Mercy girls’ finishing school. It was eventually purchased by the present owner's family, who restored the building.

The house is perched on a hill above the village. It's a 2-minute walk down to the High Street. Views are over the village and the church and the Twelve Bens Mountains. There are 11 ensuite bedrooms, including 5 standard double beds, 4 Queen beds, 1 California King and 1 King/Twin split. Some rooms have extra single beds for families or room shares. 

Access the house by crossing a mature and exuberant garden. Enter an inviting hallway that has Connemara marble floors, golden-yellow walls and crisp white woodwork. The drawing room is to the left, the dining room to the right. The drawing room is sunny and bright. Decorated in traditional Irish style that is consistent with the house, with family antiques, a turf fire, paintings, Oriental rugs, and high ceilings that add to the warm ambiance.

Across the hall, the long dining room has a large window looking onto the front garden and, beyond that, glimpses of the village. A long mahogany table seats 16 comfortably. An additional small table can be added, but it's a bit of a squeeze.

Adjacent to the dining room is a comfortable study that has a cushy leather sofa and a leather wing chair, an antique writing desk. There is a fireplace with a carved mantle, Sky TV, Ipod dock, video player and DVD, books, games, DVD's. A large window looks toward the front of the property. This is a great place to completely relax or have a quiet conversation away from the rest of the crowd.

A terrific office/library is near the kitchen. It has finely crafted built-in book cases, an Aga stove for beauty and warmth and a table with four chairs in the middle of the room. There is high speed wireless internet connection, a fax machine and a writing desk, as well as many brochures, pamphlets and books about the incredible Connemara region. People gravitate to this room, as did we.

The cook's kitchen has a Siemens double oven and a commercial hob, two Belfast sinks and a large American refrigerator with an ice maker, a commercial dishwasher and a microwave. Walls and Shaker-style cupboards are painted cream. A large window looks out to the pool and garden. The adjacent utility/ironing room has two washing machines and two dryers.

All bedrooms are ensuite. There are 3 bedrooms on the ground floor, behind the small sitting room and close to the kitchen. The Master bedroom has a California or Supersize King bed (6' 6”). Adjacent to the Master bedroom is a room with a Standard Double bed (4' 6”) and a single (3' 3”). Also on the ground floor is a bedroom with a Queen size double bed (5'). 

Upstairs, there are two bedrooms off the main stairs, separated from a wing with the remaining bedrooms by a stout fire door. Upstairs are a total of 3 Queen double (5') bedrooms, 3 Standard double (4' 6”) bedrooms, 1 room with a Standard double (4' 6”) and a Single (3' 3”) and 1 bedroom with Twin beds that can be made into a Super King bed (6' 6”) if needed. Several of the bedrooms have views to the garden or out toward the village. Some look over the pool. 

The swimming pool, open from May to mid-September, has a 6-person sauna which is available year round. The hard tennis court is there for you to enjoy, and guests of the Mansion also have access to a private leisure club with indoor heated pool and gym, within a 3 minute walk of the property. 

Cooking service, catering, cleaning and other services are available for hire during your stay. This is a tremendous property for celebrations, reunions, parties, and corporate events. It can be rented with the two or three adjacent properties (Clifden Lodge and Clifden Schoolhouse, as well as the Cottage or the Mews apartment) for a much larger group to take over the wonderful village of Clifden.

Clifden

A 2-minute walk takes you into right into the village center. Clifden is a lively and friendly place with excellent restaurants, authentic pubs and very nice shops - including a high-end grocery store. It is an excellent base for touring the gorgeous and haunting area called the Connemara. The beaches are beautiful, empty and clean. At every turn, you'll see glorious mountain scenery. There are Irish craft shops, many ancient Celtic sites and places to ramble in the Twelve Bens Mountains. County Mayo, just to the north, is beautiful. There's lots of golf, of course, and we can tell you all about that.

Day trips to the Aran Islands (Inishbofin, Clareisland, Inishturk) can be arranged by ferry or, for smaller parties, the owner might take you there in his motor boat. This must be arranged in advance. Children are warmly welcomed at this property, but be aware that the pool is not gated. Shannon Airport is 100 miles. Galway City is 45 miles. Dublin is 180 miles.