Ard na Sidhe Country House

Good Food Ireland® Approved Since 2023

We stand over our recommendations. With exacting selection and regular review processes, we ensure a rewarding local Irish ingredient-led experience. You can count on it!

Overview

Ard na Sidhe Country House is everything you could wish for in a relaxing and secluded country house getaway. Located on 32 acres, Ard na Sidhe Country House is embraced by woodland to the rear while the front of the house looks onto Caragh Lake and is surrounded by beautiful gardens throughout the estate. This lends itself to the intimate and magical atmosphere of this house, aptly named Ard na Sidhe or ‘Hill of the Fairies’ in Irish folklore. This 20th-century traditional country house was built by Lady Gordon in 1913 who wished to have her home set within the lands her ancestors hailed from.

 

 

 

Taking inspiration from her favourite Elizabethan and Victorian architectural designs, Lady Gordon also included elements of ancient Gaelic Culture, proudly proclaiming it her Irish home. In the present, this homely setting is very much apparent. When you arrive to Ard na Sidhe Country House, you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. Inside, General Manager Debbie Brosnan is on hand to give you that amazing warm Irish country house welcome. Inviting couches and seating areas with open fires add to that cosy feeling. Spacious rooms with antique features along with an intimate dining space, further encapsulate that authentic country house getaway that is so desired by guests and visitors to this magical gem.

 

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Dining

Dining at Ard na Sidhe Country House continues the traditions of an authentic Irish country house. Set in the refined elegance of the Dining Room, Head Chef David Norris and his team present a menu that is designed around real country house cooking using the best of local ingredients.

 

Afternoon Tea is also a key feature and attraction for guests at Ard na Sidhe Country House and is something to be experienced sitting out on the terrace or in front of a cosy open fire.

The Dining Room at Ard na Sidhe Country House follows the traditional elements of a country house dining space. This intimate setting features tables adorned with crisp white linens, crystal glassware, and dinner by candlelight. All of this gives the impression of the elegance and refinery of a bygone era.

 

This elegance is furthermore presented within a menu that is exciting and full of local flavours. When we had the pleasure of staying at Ard na Sidhe Country House, we had dinner in The Dining Room and were immediately taken in by the intimate and relaxing atmosphere. Baskets of fresh homemade bread were a prelude to a dinner that was delicious in its entirety.

 

For the starter, we couldn’t resist sampling the Crab Salad that was perfectly balanced with melon and cucumber. We also had the pleasure of tasting the Smoked Salmon starter that was served with herbs from the Ard na Sidhe Country House Garden.

 

The mains once again featured a great selection of options and we went with a roasted Cod served with Mussels and Leeks, what a tasty seafood feast. You’ll find a great choice of seasonal fish and seafood on the menu, taking in its proximity to the Irish coastline, seafood lovers are sure to enjoy dining at Ard na Sidhe Country House. The menu also includes plenty of meat and poultry, including a seared Sirloin Steak and roasted Chicken Breast all seasoned to perfection.

 

For dessert, we enjoyed a frozen peanut butter Parfait featuring chocolate mousse and chocolate crumble that was the perfect way to finish off a delightful dinner. Light and sweet tasting, we couldn’t get enough of it.

 

Refined country house cooking is at its best at Ard na Sidhe. Each dish was presented with elegance in reflection of the setting of the Dining Room.

 

Similar to its sister hotels, The Europe Hotel & Resort and The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens, beef and lamb are sourced from the group’s own herd of Irish Angus Cattle and other livestock. This keeps food miles down to a minimum while also giving diners a true taste of the local region. This home-rearing is supplemented with fresh produce from local butchers, fishmongers, and so on, all in support of the local economy.

 


Rooms & Facilities

Between spacious and luxurious rooms along with gardens filled by exotic plants and trees, there is plenty to enjoy and discover when you visit Ard na Sidhe Country House. The atmosphere at this country house is all about relaxation and a retreat away from the busyness of everyday life.

 

 

The rooms at Ard na Sidhe Country House are something to behold. Spacious with natural light and luxurious in decor, rooms are in keeping with traditional country houses. Antique furnishings are complemented by crisp white linens and bedding that just by looking at it will guarantee a restful night’s sleep. Everything is designed for comfort and relaxation with no compromise on style and luxury.

 

Another charming element of the rooms is that there are no TVs or radios in sight. You’ll be lulled to sleep by the calmness of the setting and the natural sounds of the nearby lake.

 

Visitors of Ard na Sidhe Country House have the option of bedrooms in the Main House or the nearby Garden House, located on the grounds. Rooms in the Garden House are family-friendly, comfortably sleeping two adults and two children.


Sustainability

At Ard na Sidhe Country House, environmental practices and impacts are of the utmost concern for the staff and management. The hotel group which consists of Ard na Sidhe Country House, The Europe Hotel & Resort and The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens have their own herd of livestock which supplies the hotels with their requirement for beef and lamb. This is then supported by sourcing from local farmers and producers. All of this contributes to a significant reduction in food miles.

 

Moreover, the house also has daily environmental practices in place to minimise any effects operations have on the environment. Practices include close monitoring of waste and water usage. Also, any coffees ordered to go are served in ‘To Go’ recyclable cups while plastic straws are being replaced by bio-degradable alternatives.

 

 


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