Bridgestone Guides 2007

Roundwood House

Mountrath in Co. Laois

Frank & Rosemary Kennan

Tel: +353 (0) 57-873 2120

Contact: roundwood@eircom.net

‘It’s a treasure of a place”, our friend Therese wrote
about Roundwood, having partied with her family here for some 50th wedding celebrations.

Indeed it is. Roundwood is just the right house – a
three-storey Palladian mansion – in just the right place – for us the Slieve Bloom region is one of the treasures of Ireland, and mercifully unspoilt and under-explored. But it is Rosemary and Frank Kennan themselves who transform Roundwood from a lovely old pile into a magnificent place to stay. They are quiet people, but very sure, very certain about what they are doing here. This is the old school of Irish hospitality – understated, loquacious, arranged by people who have the time to talk to you and to take care of you. The result of their patient, gracious care is that everyone feels special when staying here, and many of the encomiums we have received over the years about this house have been amongst the most heartfelt and grateful. Back in the 17th century, the estate was known as Friendstown. Friendstown, indeed.

All year, except Christmas & 2-31 Jan

Yes

Turn right at traffic lights in Mountrath for Ballyfin, then left onto R440. Travel for 5km on the R440 until you come to the house