Luxury Seaside Mansion
County Clare, Ireland
You can glimpse the house from the road as you drive along the coastline of Liscannor Bay. It is welcoming even from a distance. The house is on a 15 acre estate with mature woods, a picturesque river and commanding views of the Bay.
Once at the property, drive on a private drive bordered by bright flower borders and approach the house, It is large, rambling, framed by the grasses and the sand and the sea.
Built in the early 18th century for Sir Augustine Fitzgerald, this gorgeous water-side house has been completely restored to the very highest standard. Considerable attention was given to preserving its unique style, character and ambiance.
Enter a wide, beautifully decorated, hallway/library. The colors, furniture and lighting tell you that you are going to be very happy.
To the right is the elegant drawing room with views of Liscannor Bay. The room is done in a slightly Victorian style, formal, but not stuffy. Comfortable sofas and easy chairs are arranged in conversation groups. There are interesting appointments, books, a roaring fire.
The professional kitchen is on the lower level. Country in style, it has the very highest standard of everything.
The beautiful, intimate dining room seats 20 at a long mahogany table. A large dresser displays antique dinnerware.
The breakfast room has khaki walls above cream-painted wainscoting. The beautiful, heavy dark oak dining table has beautiful legs. There are a few smaller table that can serve people separately or be pushed together. Beautiful side table for serving breakfast.
The new sea-facing dining room has five tables all with crisp white linens, heavy silver, best crystal, beautiful dishes. There is a long bench at the end of the room that is a grand perch for watching the weather from the room. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out to the rich green lawn and Lisconner Bay.
Ballyvashin Room. This is the well room. It's downstairs. Z&L. Perfect colors: grays and crèmes. Window over bed (to bathroom), gray, fireplace with insert, cozy chair, armoire, and large wardrobe at the room's entrance. New conservatory has a gray sofa, a small round table and two chairs, an easy chair upholstered in white wool. The floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows look out to the grass and Lisconner Bay.
The en suite bathroom has a glass floor over the well. Mosiac tile, old loo, claw foot tub and SSS.
All of the elegant bedrooms have views of the bay. They are furnished with luxurious fabrics and fine antique furniture. Some have a fireplace. Some have four-poster beds. Three have king beds that can convert to twins.
Each bedroom has an en suite bathroom. They are large and beautiful, combining modern necessities with touches of the past. Three bathrooms have deep cast iron bathtubs.
The master bedroom is a large room with a king bed and lovingly chosen appointments. A window seat in the bay window is perfect for gazing at the sea. The TV rises at the touch of a button from a beautiful mahogany cabinet. The large bathroom has a claw foot tub with a shower for two, antiques, great lighting, many little touches.
Another room was small, but smashing. A 4 poster bed fills most of the space. The bed linens are sumptuous. The bathroom is simply wonderful.
There are many elegant touches throughout the house. One bedroom has rich honey colored walls, brown and apricot fabric, an Oriental rug and those amazing sea views.
All rooms have bathrobes, a tea set, easy chairs. All have telephones and computer lines. Nothing has been forgotten.
There is a viewing area at the top of the house. Step outside and you are on the house's private sandy beach.
This is not a self-catering property. It comes with full staff. When not booked as a self-catering property, this is an excellent B&B.
The property is off the the coast road. The Killimer/Tarbert ferry, connecting Kerry with Clare, sails every hour - it's a 20 minute ride. Golf is synonymous with Lahinch - the course is considered the "St. Andrew's" of Ireland. The new Greg Norman golf links at Doonbeg is 25 minutes from the house. There are a few bicycles at the house and more can be rented. Many coastline or inland walks begin right at the doorstep. Lahinch Strand is only one mile. Seaworld in Lahinch has also a pool, sauna and Jacuzzi. The Burren, Ailwee Caves and Cliffs of Moher are all within an easy drive. The Aran islands are accessible by boat.
60 minutes to Shannon Airport; 70 minutes to Limerick City; 70 minutes to Galway City; 30 minutes to Ennis Town; 30 minutes to Doonbeg; 3.5 hours to Dublin.