‘Nestled away on a boreen near The Rower in South Kilkenny, Pat McCarthy’s farmhouse renovation is a star’ says Eamon Barrett. A collection of old outbuildings have had a magic wand – and not a small amount of money – waved over them to create a series of beautiful rooms both vernacular and cutting edge. Exposed stone walls, old dressers and mismatched crockery are mixed with power showers, Barcelona chairs, original art and lovely light fittings. Manager, Mark, offers tea and lemon cake on arrival and later, while we slip into pretending that we live here and read books in one of the lounges, brings local cheese and oat biscuits to go with a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. The surroundings are sylvan, the garden is perfect, good taste abounds.
Next morning the breakfast doesn’t miss a beat: fresh orange juice, homemade brown bread, light as a feather pancakes with Greek yoghurt, blueberries and honey, cinnamon French toast with maple syrup. Value is excellent at €120-€190 per room per night (double occupancy) and The Inn is simply a stunning achievement.
