A pretty country house built in 1720 in the Petit Château style on the banks of the Bandon, Innishannon retains plenty of casual character. The bar and dining room are hung with contemporary Irish art, and have a busy local trade. Guest rooms vary greatly in shape and size—as do their windows—but have a variety of interesting antiques and strong color schemes. The hotel is surrounded by gardens and woods, with an attractive stretch of the Bandon River running through it, bordering the grounds. It's in a quiet rural location just off N7, about 6 km (4 mi) from Kinsale; it's quite perfect both as a retreat and as a base for touring the area. Pros: scenic riverside location; highly romantic; private car parking. Cons: a mile from nearest village; sometimes hosts wedding parties.
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