Ireland’s Landmarks: Lodges To Lighthouses You Can Sleep In
It’s true what they say, the old ones really are the best. Thanks to the Irish Landmark Trust, some of Ireland’s oldest and most historic buildings have been tenderly restored so we can bed down for a night or two in these fascinating places! We’ve cherry-picked a few romantic hideaways where we know we’d like to stay a while. How about you?
Great first impression at Salterbridge Gatelodge in County Wexford
SALTERBRIDGE GATELODGE: We all know that first impressions are important. A firm handshake, a bright smile, a handsome gatelodge… Okay, so gatelodges aren’t as popular as they used to be but they certainly had a purpose back in 1849 when the charming Salterbridge Gatelodge in County Wexford was built by the Chearnly family. The idea with gatelodges was that they gave an impression of grandeur and taste before you’d even stepped out of the horse-drawn carriage. You’ve got to ask yourself though: if the gatelodge looks this good, what was the main house like?
Hidden treasure and no homework at Annaghmore Schoolhouse
ANNAGHMORE SCHOOLHOUSE: Okay, so the idea of going back to school isn’t everyone’s idea of a break, but rest assured – you won’t leave Annaghmore with homework! Located in lovely County Sligo, the house was owned by Hughie Savage who rarely stayed here and spent most of his time on the other side of the Owenmore River farming cattle. It’s debatable whether he would recognize this luxury spot now, as when he did stay here he did so without running water or electricity (yes, the house now has both!). Hughie also went through his life without ever owning a bank account, instead choosing to keep all his money in a tin box. The box is still buried somewhere at Annaghmore and remains hidden to this day!
Earls and heiresses at the Barbican miniature castle in County Antrim
BARBICAN GATELODGE: Back in the days when property and estates were only passed on to male offspring, Randal William McDonnell, the sixth Earl of Antrim, was blessed with three daughters. So, with no strapping lads to pass his fortune to, in stepped his eldest daughter Anne-Catherine. Her father’s memory was well served and between her and her husbands (Anne-Catherine was married twice) she made this 19th Century miniature castle in County Antrim a unique and splendid home.
The Gothic Chic of Batty Langley Cottage in County Kildare
BATTY LANGLEY COTTAGE: In 1747, the wonderfully named Batty Langley published Gothic Architecture. The book was a bit of a hit, it seems, so much so that Thomas Connolly and Lady Louisa remade the façade of their Casteltown House Lodge into somewhat of a Batty Langley shrine (it was locals who named the site Batty Langley Cottage). The County Kildare cottage is quite a distance from the main house, which made it a perfect place for the lords and ladies to hide when they were tired of bowing, curtseying and discussing the price of eggs.
The stuff of fairytales at Helen's Tower in County Down
HELEN’S TOWER: If you have a Rapunzel in your life, she’d love Helen’s Tower in County Down. While she’s unravelling her hair she might even be able to spot the shores of Scotland off in the distance. The surrounding demesne was used by the 36th (Ulster) Division to train before they left for France to take part in WWI. And should you feel inspired by the sight of Helen’s Tower, you’ll be in good company as Alfred Tennyson dedicated one of his poems to this stunning sight.
The glittering jewel of Blackhead Lighthouse in County Antrim
BLACKHEAD LIGHTHOUSE: There’s something wonderfully romantic about lighthouses, perched out there on some craggy scrap of coastline with its light illuminating a choppy sea. Wouldn’t all of this would be even more romantic if you were snuggled up in an attic bedroom with moonlight streaming in the window? Interestingly, County Antrim’s Blackhead Lighthouse nearly never existed because the Northern Lighthouse Board thought the light wouldn’t benefit a wide enough area. They persevered, though, and along with the Giant’s Causeway, the Lighthouse is one of the prettiest jewels on Antrim’s coast.
Channel chases and royal demands at Galley Head Lighthouse in County Cork
GALLEY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE: Life for a lightkeeper at Galley Head Lighthouse in County Cork would have been an interesting little posting. From the windows here, lightkeepers would have witnessed the tragic loss of the Lusitania as well as British destroyers chasing German ships up St George’s Channel. They also would have been asked to alter the light because the Sultan of Turkey, who was staying nearby at Castle Freke, wanted to be able to see it from his room. The light now shines in an unusual landward arc, making the lighthouse that little bit quirky – as if it needed it!
If romance is on your mind, we’ve got the perfect Ireland honeymoon blog for you!
Whether it’s a B&B, a castle, or a hotel that tickles your fancy, there are lots of great accommodation options in Ireland. Read our blog post about castles in Ireland – some of which you can stay in.
If you are planning to come over there are some apps for your smartphone that’ll make picking a hotel, restaurant and things to do in Ireland a lot easier! In this blog post we pick the best apps for visiting Ireland.
Love The Irish Landmark Trust ethos! Have been in a few of their properties and captured some HDVR (High Definition Virtual Tours)
Two of my favourites.
The Barbican, County Antrim
http://j.mp/TheBarbican
Blackhead Lighthouse, County Antrim where I watched a pod of dolphins feeding as I was shooting the exterior. Fab!
http://j.mp/BlackheadLightkeepers
The Barbician looks fab – where in Antrim? Love to go there. Do you take the booking? I think I saw it on tv this week
Hi MaryJo! The Barbican certainly is a handsome spot, perfect for a romantic break! You’ll find it in the lovely town of Glenarm just a few kilometres from the Antrim coast. I’m afraid we don’t take bookings here but the very friendly people at the Irish Landmark Trust will be happy to organise your stay. You can book online here: http://www.irishlandmark.com/RestoredProperties.aspx and check the availability of where you’d like to stay here http://www.irishlandmark.com/Bookings.aspx. Really hope you enjoy staying there and maybe you’ll tell us how the trip goes?
Thomas those videos are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing. Feel free to pop up with any videos that may match our blogs in future! And yes, the Irish Landmark Trust really do wonderful work, Lovely to know that the stunning historic houses of Ireland are in their hands!
What about the old lighhouse in Wicklow town? Great view!
Hi Carina. Great call, Wicklow Lighthouse certainly is a smashing spot (you can get a look at it here http://www.irishlandmark.com/PropertyInformation.aspx?propertyid=8)! Have you stayed there yourself?
David, lovely piece about some of our properties. Keep up the good work! Dorothy-Ellen
Hey Dorothy. Really glad you enjoyed the piece. The properties are stunning and the little stories behind them are fascinating, too. I may be knocking on one of the doors in the near future for a little romantic break.
Thank you sooo much for the beautiful pictures and histories of Ireland. Ireland has been calling my name for years, hopefully, I will get there one day.
Interesting article. Thanks a lot!
What about Dromoland Castle. One of my friends said it was not to be missed. Thanks, Saly
Dromoland certainly is a stunning spot Sally and I’m sure we’ll get around to visiting it on our blog soon. The Landmark Trust post though, was more specifically about the properties owned by that group. They run things like gatelodges, castle outhouses and such, not necessarily the big boys like Dromoland!
Hi David, I’d be interested in talking to you about your blogs and the USA interest. Can you email me please? Hope to hear from you soon. Dorothy-Ellen
Thanks David, we are looking forward to our trip next spring and hope to arrange to stay in some of the wonderful properties you have listed. We live in Canada’s arctic, where by the way it snowed already today. Glad to see no Igloos are listed
no, the hunters now just make them when they are on the land hunting.
Thanks again for all the information.
Hey there Annette. Snow already? Well, there’s no better time for a holiday then (and you won’t have to worry about igloos or hunters over here!). The Landmark people are so nice and they do incredible work so it’s lovely to see people staying in their properties. Have a wonderful time on your holiday and be sure to tell us how you get on or if you have any questions direct them at us right here!
David
Can anyone recommend one of your favorites for a large group (10)? Would like to be somewhere between Shannon and Dublin give or take and have access to golf. Budget on the high side.
Thanks for the awesome pictures and info. I have a dream of staying in a castle when we visit this year. I too am looking for a “Big Boy”. Any info for my husband and I would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Sharon,
Great that you plan to stay in one of the properties.
When you say ‘Big Boy’ what exactly do you mean? Are we talking a large property? A fast food restaurant?
Apologies, we’re not on tip-top form this morning. Might need another coffee…
We’d also strongly suggest contacting the Irish Landmark Trust personally. They’re a really friendly bunch and more than eager to help:
bookings@irishlandmark.com
Cheers,
David
Can anybody suggest where I can go for a great holiday with my husband.
Is it a holiday in one of the Landmark Trust properties you’re looking for, Jess, or just generally in Ireland?
Would you like a city or a country break? Seaside? Walking? Outdoors? Culture?
You give me some parameters and I’ll give you some tips!
Cheers,
David
We are coming in May, 2013. It will be our daughters High School Graduation gift. This is a must place to go. Can’t wait.
David, I’m hoping you can help me! My fiance and I have just purchased our tickets to Dublin for the first 9 days of June! Very excited! His first time there and my 3rd! We want to drive around but I’m a little worried we may not find accomodations on the fly…? Would you suggest we just wing it? Or make reservations? We are definitely going to spend a day and night in Wicklow as my mother’s side is all from there! Apparently there is a manor called East Priory Cottage in Delgany that my 7th Great Grandfather, James Evans, built adn it’s still inhabited by an Evans family. So we are definitely coming your way! Do you have a suggestion of where we should stay there?
Hi!The Galley Lighthouse looks nice.I want to visit the beautiful places of Ireland..I want a place to relax that is not crowded and noisy.Can you suggest some?Thanks..
Hi there James,
I’d love to suggest some places.
Could you maybe narrow down where you plan on staying in the country (close to Dublin, the west coast, the north etc)? That way I’ll be able to refine my suggestions a little.
All the best,
David