I feel like I am an invited guest to a magnificent country manor in the 1800's! You do NOT feel like you are in a hotel. For those of you who have been fortunate enough to visit the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, Bally Fin feels a lot like the Vanderbilt's estate home! There is even one room with real gold on the ceiling! It took 11 years to restore the manor home which had greatly deteriorated as a school until it was purchased in early 2000. The current owner is in residence while we are here. We are told he is Mr. Keebler and I'm speculating that it's the Keebler of the cookie and crackers fame-- with the Keebler Elfs looking a lot like leprechauns! Service is impeccable. It's like they read your mind for every desire and then remember for the next day. The Chef makes incredible dinners. Tomorrow we are touring the 8 miles of grounds by horse and trap.
Today, however, we had a delightful guide by the name of "Mick" (hates Michael) Coghlan who took us first to Kilkenny Castle. We very much enjoyed the tour of the castle AND the shopping at the design center across the street.
Then, because Mick is an EXCELLENT golfer (he'd be the first to deny that though he had a 6 handicap and has played with Rory McElroy and Tom Watson) he took us to the Mt Juliet Golf Club for lunch-- a jewel of a place and former home to the American Express Tournament! We also saw the 13th century St Canice's Cathedral.
He drove the back roads for us to enjoy the fabulous Irish country side and villages. We had, once again, the most PERFECT weather day!!! Sunshine and perfect temperatures-- you would hardly believe it was Ireland!
After lunch, we went to Waterford to tour the factory! It's a wonderful tour where you can see the craftsmen blowing and etching the famous crystal. We also did a bit of shopping there! (Is anyone surprised?)
Then back to our wonderful BallyFin for drinks and dinner. We met a lovely couple in the "Salon" - two Former Navy Captains whom we are having dinner with tomorrow night. The wife currently works for USAA and he actually ran the scoreboard at the Navy-Notre Dame game!! They're a very interesting couple.
Staff at this hotel is phenomenal. Attention to detail is their expertise.
The manor house only has 15 rooms-- it can hold 29 people! So you see, it is like being someone's guest at a country estate!!
Tomorrow is our last day but I will try and do one last blog tomorrow evening!! Such a lovely place....
Check out amazing BallyFin in Ireland!
ReplyDeleteWe know just what you've been experiencing. It's almost like the recent McGrath vacation. We were in Dublin and "saw" the Aviva stadium; toured the Waterford factory; stayed two nights at Mt. Juliet; and yes, have been to the Biltmore and broke our Model T axle while on the grounds. Now we've got to put Bally Fin on our bucket list! What a unique experience for your family!
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