We're thinking about going back to Ireland next year. We've had good experiences with country house hotels in England and Scotland. Can anyone recommend good ones in Ireland? Thanks <BR>Dick

We had dinner at a wonderful country house called the Ballymaloe House in Shanagarry. Unfortunatley, we were unable to get rooms there but it looked wonderful. It's an old castle that has been converted to a hotel and is situated on several hundred acres -- as it is a working farm raising own produce for the restaurant (selected as one of the best in Ireland by many guide books). There's a pool and all the amenities one would want. Shanagarry is about 15 miles east of Cork -- quite remote but lovely! <BR>

Try the Cashel House Hotel in Connemara, County Galway. Great food, superior service and a bit of interesting history. (095)31001/21252

<BR>I have stayed at Ballymaloe and recommend it highly. The food is somewhat overrated but the accomodations are second to none. Also highty recommend Doyle's of Dingle. Excellant food and rooms. Don't miss the archeological tour and the Blasket Islands.

Second (third?) the kudos for Ballymaloe House, and I certainly didn't find the food overrated. The pool is open only July/August, as it is outdoors and unheated, but the accommodatiosn are just great. Another fine - in fact, very fine! - country house is the Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge, which also offers outstanding food. We had time for only one night there, and it was the only regret of our trip that we couldn't stay longer. For a more formal but lovely place, consider Glenlo Abbey near Galway.

Ballymaloe is tops!! Wonderful everything, but book well ahead! I would looks at Karen Brown's Hotel website also. Her suggestions are always really good. There's a pretty little country hotel in Clifden, but the name escapes me! I think it's the Rock Glen Country House, but confirm it. <BR>

I second the recommendation of Cashel House Hotel in Co. Galway. Wonderful and unique. Try the Lobster! Another recommendation is Longueville House in Co. Cork.

<BR>Adare Manor, County Limerick, is a wonderful manor house just outside of the village of Adare. We spent two wonderful nights there in 1996. Did not eat in the dining room there, but enjoyed the public rooms: cozy bar, outer room, library. We did have a memorable dinner at the Wild Geese restaurant just inside the little village. We are going back in the Spring of 1999 for another visit. The grounds are beautiful, breathtaking.

Try Lettercollum House in county Cork. The rooms are large, but a bit spartan. The food however is outstanding. Fommer's suggested it as one of the best places to have dinner in ireland and I would have to concur

There is a guide in called The Blue Book, which I think will give what your are looking for. The web-site is http://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/ <BR>This does not go into as much detail as the actual guide, but it does give an address where you can obtain a copy. <BR>I hope this is of use to you. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your holiday! <BR>Oonagh.

We were in Ireland for a week in mid-June. Six of our seven nights were spent in B&Bs or manor houses in the Karen Brown book. All were charming. We were advised to stay in a farmhouse and chose Ardmayle House (found it on the web, but it was also in Karen Brown)It's a working dairy in "horse country" near Cashel, a center of Irish history. Our first night was at the Park Lodge, between Dublin airport and the city. We were spoiled rotten! It set the gold standard for Irish B&Bs for us. Be sure to check out Karen Brown's book for excellent places to stay and great itineraries. Have a great time. <BR>