Ardmore Country House - Kinnity, Birr, Co Offaly

Property: Ardmore Country House - Kinnity, Birr, Co Offaly

Theme(s): Walking

The picturesque village of Kinnitty nestles at the foot of Knocknaman in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the very heart of Ireland.  Its central location marks the crossroads of Ireland so it is not too far from anywhere- Dublin, Galway, Cork or Belfast. Here you will find no warmer welcome, no more hospitable bed and breakfast than Ardmore House a charming country house located on the edge of the village, just a stones throw from two pubs; two churches, a few shops and the impressive Kinnitty Castle hotel.  A haven of peace and tranquility set in beautiful lawns and gardens Ardmore was built circa 1840 for a member of the Bernard Family of Kinnitty Castle and is definitely worthy of the association.

Over the past 12 years, Christina Byrne has lovingly maintained the period features of Ardmore enhancing them with beautiful antique furniture and fine paintings, whilst providing a high standard of modern homely comforts expected by today’s guests. Breakfast is in keeping with all things good in the region, local produce, award winning cheeses, freshly baked Irish Soda bread, preserves made on the premises with fruit culled from the garden and hedgerows. Christina is very flexible about breakfast time and when you are fully fortified by this hearty feast you can spend the days wandering in the hills. For the non-walkers there are many other things to do so ‘better be off’!  Christina, a member of the Offaly Heritage Forum, with her knowledge & expertise will be delighted to help you plan your day; for budding astronomers, Birr Castle Giant Telescope; for the more down to earth, the Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Bog Train.  For those not easily spooked, the haunted Leap Castle is for you. 

Have you got your walking boots parked under the bench in the hall facing the Slieve Blooms?  No matter what grade of walker you may be, a complete novice or a veteran, the Slieve Blooms will welcome you. Slieve Bloom is full of hidden, magic places for walking, especially perhaps along the streams and rivers that radiate from the hills in all directions. The real Slieve Bloom can only be explored on foot.
The mountains have a veritable web of graded walks of all kinds. Looped walks of 5 to 15 k’s, linear day treks, eco walks, or the long distance Slieve Bloom Way that links minor roads, forest and farm tracks and moorland paths.

Anything you may need for your walk through the hills and valleys has already been thought of and acted upon by your caring hostess. Before you start out, you can check today’s weather forecast and pack up your lunch and flask of homemade soup.    The hire of a walking guide should you require one, touring and walking maps of the Slieve Blooms; a podcast of the History of the Villages; walking poles, Ordnance Survey Interactive Maps and there’s even a GPS for hire, no chance of you getting lost. Except, perhaps if you choose to, amongst the wild flowers and the waterfalls and the singing of the birds in the trees, you’re a million miles away (even from Kinnitty!!).  It is said that from the top of the Slieve Blooms- Ard Eireann on a clear day you can see the highest point of every province, definitely one to remember. The Slieve Bloom Walking Club hosts the Slieve Bloom Walking Festival on the first weekend in May each year and has organized walks every Sunday from May to mid November if you prefer to be part of a larger group.  At the end of your loop walk, day trek or long distance walk, Christina will be waiting to greet you with a refreshing cup of tea and hot buttered scones in front of a warm turf fire at Ardmore.  Park those boots back under the bench, ready for another outing tomorrow.

Rest up a while, feast on dinner at Ardmore if prearranged or in a nearby Restaurant. Ready for bed? Not yet. It’s time to go and see Christina play traditional Irish Music in a Seisiun in the local pub.  As you drift off to sleep that night, just think, the freshly baked soda bread will be on the table when you get up……

SPECIAL OFFERS WALKING BREAK.

Package 1 (Price €170.00 PPS): Special Offer - Self Guided Three Day Walking/Heritage Break (Weekend or Mid-Week) including Three Nights B&B, 2 Packed Lunches, 2 Evening Dinners, Free Walking Maps and Entry to either Leap Castle, Birr Castle Gardens,Clonmacnoise.

Package 2 (Price €115.00 PPS): Special Offer - Self Guided 3 Day Walking Break (Weekend or Mid-Week) including Three Nights B&B, 2 Packed Lunches, Free Walking Map, Traditional Music Session locally Wednesday nights.

Package 3 (Price €80.00 PPS): Special Offer - Self Guided 2 Day Walking Break including 2 Nights Accommodation, 2 Packed Lunches, Free Walking Maps and Traditional Music Sessions Wednesday nights only.

Contact Ardmore Country House directly for further information about special offers.