GORMAN'S CLIFFTOP HOUSE

Hospitable haven on Ireland's wild Dingle Peninsula

GETTING LOST IS PART OF THE FUN of getting to Gorman's Clifftop House  – especially since the roadsigns are predominantly in Gaelic in this neck of the woods. Heading west takes on a whole new meaning in the furthest reaches of south west Ireland on one of the country's loveliest stretches of coast.

Owners Vincent and Sile Gorman have transformed this house on the scenic Dingle peninsula from a simple B&B into something rather special. You're at the heart of Irish-speaking Ireland here, and as we sipped a welcome cup of coffee (accompanied by delicious home-made brownies) Sile broke into animated Irish as a local delivery man arrived.

Set back from the Dingle Way, Gorman's Clifftop House matches simplicity with comfort. Rustic pine furniture, cosy-comfy velvety sofas, open fires, hand-thrown pottery lamps and tapestries lend a welcome-home feel. Sunshine-yellow walls feel bright and sunny, whatever the weather – and you could well experience all four seasons in a day here.

Big skies and deserted shores

The sunshine theme continues up the stairs, with warm Mediterranean colours, nautical wood-panelled walls, pine furniture and paintings by local artists on bedroom walls. View the sun setting over the Atlantic from your window, where spray from the sea below lashes the panes on stormy nights (what better excuse to snuggle up), or make waves of your own in a deep jacuzzi bathtub.

Looking across Smerwick harbour and the Three Sisters, Gorman's restaurant comes into its own after dark. Cooking is taken seriously here, and menus feature delicious Dingle Bay prawns and crab claws, followed perhaps by tender Irish beef and farmyard cheeses.

Outside, the huge skies, deserted shores and dramatic Brandon mountains just beg to be shared. Long sandy beaches lead to little coves and tucked-away harbours, while ever-changing light and cloud formations bring nature up close. Take one of the hotel’s bikes for a ride along Slea Head Drive or find a craggy suntrap on the beach to watch the crashing waves.Room service is on call from eight till late, positively encouraging lazy love-ins under the sheets.


Gorman's Clifftop House was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mark MacGee

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NEW! SUMMER SPECIAL AT GORMANS CLIFFTOP HOUSE – Kerry

Lap up good food, good wine and good company at Gormans' Clifftop House

As well as the good food and wine you can be drooling over the glorious views over the Dingle Peninsula and soaking up the invigorating sea air as well as the great company at specially discounted rates. Stay three nights or more and you'll receive a complimentary upgrade to a Superior room (all with jaw dropping views) and a 10% discount on rates. Settle down in your room with a view and enjoy summer in the Dingle Peninsula starting from just EUR 80.

*Quote Room For Romance on our Inquiry Form.

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
Gorman's welcoming bistro-style restaurant is done out in shades of terracotta and midnight blue, set off by a stripped pine floor. Floor to ceiling windows framing wide-open views of the Atlantic and the rocky peaks of the Three Sisters could almost distract you from your food here – if it wasn't so tasty. Go Irish, and start with traditional potato cakes served with Annascaul black pudding and a bacon and mushroom sauce, followed perhaps by grilled scallops with toasted hazelnuts, coriander butter and carrot fritters and polished off with scrummy Chocolate Nemesis.

Dining out
Dingle is lively after dark, and there are several gastro-style pubs along the main drag – such as John Benny's – where you can enjoy a fish and chip supper with live Irish music. Doyles of Dingle is a top-flight seafood restaurant.

See & Do
Driving around the Slea Head Peninsula is a must to take in the region's dramatic cliffs, seascapes and rugged terrain. You're on the Dingle Way, so get your walking boots on or pick up a cycle – Gorman's rents out bikes. Dingle itself is well worth exploring, and you can go rock fishing or take a boat ride to the nearby Blasket Islands – as well as join the tourists in search of Fungi, the resident Dingle Bay dolphin. The town also has an aquarium with a shark tank. There are a wealth of Bronze age relics around, especially in the Loch A'Dúin Valley, on the northern side of the Conor Pass.

Shop
Dingle has a good selection of gift shops selling Irish tweeds and linens, crystal and locally made pottery.

After dark
You won't have far to go in search of entertainment – traditional Irish music flourishes here and on summer evenings you'll find up to a dozen live venues in Dingle. Listen to the fiddlers at John Benny's, Murphy's, O'Flaherty's and McCarthy's and other music pubs.

Dates
August
Watch Dingle Bay come alive with yacht races and a regatta.

September
Take in some Irish films and new movie releases at the film festival.

GETTING THERE

Location
Glaise Bheag, Ballydavid, Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry

Parking
There is free guest parking.

Trains
Tralee station – 65 km

Taxis
Around EUR 100 from the airport

Airport
Kerry – 72 km

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
EUR 150-200

Open/closed
Closed January – February

Check-in
2pm

Check-out
11am

Minimum night stay?
No

Breakfast
Buffet breakfast featuring a daily changing menu is served until 10am.

Room service
Available morning and evening

Children
Welcome, but not in the restaurant after 8pm

Pets
No

Air conditioning
No

Languages
Irish, English, French and Spanish

Wedding license?
No

Eco conscience
Fairtrade and organic foods are used wherever possible. Recycling of compost and waste is carried out and water and energy usage is monitored.

Your contacts
Sile and Vincent Gorman – owners