This pink, creeper-clad, two-story Georgian house occupies 30 lovely acres and has an eye-knocking view: a gorgeous lawn backdropped by Ballinakill Bay and the dreamy mountains of Connemara. Inside, the grandfather clock in the hall flanked by framed family portraits and hunting prints sets the informal, country-house tone. The Conservatory Bar is an elegant, light-filled spot with rattan bucket chairs and octagonal marble and cast-iron tables, while the drawing room is decorated in low-key shades. Well-used antiques, four-poster or large brass bedsteads, and sumptuous drapes decorate the solidly comfortable and impeccably kept bedrooms. The best rooms are at the front on the first floor, overlooking the bay. At dinner in the superb restaurant, baked monkfish with crispy capers and balsamic vinegar is one of the tastiest entrees. Pros: quiet and elegant; mesmerizing lake, sky, and mountain views; excellent restaurant. Cons: can be very quiet off-season; sometimes entirely booked for weddings.
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