LONGUEVILLE HOUSE

Grand estate presiding over Ireland's Blackwater Valley

LONGUEVILLE HOUSE BECKONS WITH a return to grand Ireland. Resonating with history, this 500-acre estate has seen off 17th century rebellions, forfeiture by Oliver Cromwell and has oak trees dating back to the Battle of Waterloo.

With its wooded grounds, sheep-grazed meadows, Smoke Walk (where gentlemen used to puff on their cigars after dinner) and vistas over the leprechaun-green Blackwater valley, it has all the hallmarks of a grandly leisured age. Decorative ceilings, an Adams fireplace, statement-making staircase and inlaid mahogany doors all underline the Georgian setting.

Longueville House offers all the luxurious throwbacks of centuries past with not a hint of pomp and pretension. Chef-patron William O’Callaghan (whose family have owned the house on and off for centuries) and his wife Aisling run the estate with an ever-relaxed Irish welcome.  We felt right at home in the lounge, with its swags and velvets, gilded mirrors and burnished gold-painted glow.

Sky-lit Victorian conservatory

Each of the spacious bedrooms – kissably pretty in classic style  – has its own colour theme, with boldly patterned wallpapers (copies of the originals), lush furnishings and bathrooms made for pamper-time. We were taken with the canopied bed and mock leopardskin cushions of Blackwater, though the sprawling Vineyard suite – big enough to throw a party – scores on extravagance.

Outstanding Irish-French cuisine is another big reason to stay at Longueville House. Guests can dine in the dark-walled warmth of the library, the adjacent silver-service President's Room (named after the portraits that line the wall) or in the fetching sky-lit Victorian conservatory – pretty-pretty under candlelight – with its huge Moroccan glass lanterns.

Chef William O’Callaghan governs here with gourmet authority, and menus tempt with flair and with fare from the estate’s walled gardens, farms and rivers. You’ll get a glass of fizz before dinner before dining on Longueville-grown meat and produce. And you'll probably want to snap up some Longueville House liqueurs (elder fruit, wild plum, white currant), organic salmon, chutneys and jams when you leave.

Keen to burn off your indulgences? Wander through the grounds, go fly-fishing on the estate (William will cook your catch), join an autumn mushroom hunt or hit the golfing fairways nearby.


Longueville House was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North

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

Dining in
Dining here is an out-and-out treat, and you can have drinks in the cosy bar while making your menu selections. Opt for the warm and traditional President's restaurant, whose walls are lined with pictures of Ireland's past presidents, or the wonderful Victorian conservatory, set off by golden lamps and tented muslin drapes.

Look forward to the best in Irish cuisine using  produce grown in Longueville's own walled garden.  Beef, lamb and river-caught fish also come from the estate. Try the roast loin of Millstreet venison with a wild peppercorn sauce, followed by a devilish chocolate mousse with poached pears and garden berries.

Dining out
Cork city has some great restaurants if you can tear yourself away. We rated lively Farmgate Café, on top of the English Market, where fresh local produce is used in simple, traditional Irish and British dishes.

See & Do
Country pursuits are the thing here. Go fly fishing on the Blackwater river with a ghillie or game shooting (though you'll need an Irish gun license and insurance). Chef William O’Callaghan will cook anything you catch. For a fee you can participate in day's hunting with the local Duhallows hunt. If this kind of sport is not quite you, simply head off for an arm in walk through the estate.

You're also within striking distance of Killarney, Cork and Caragh Lake, not to mention the Ring of Kerry and more of Ireland's visual high points.

Shop
The stores of Cork are just 35 minutes away, though you can do much of your retail spending right here: Longueville House sells its own estate-made jams, chutneys, liqueurs, apple brandy and smoked lamb sausages to take home. You'll also see some of the estate's produce on sale at the weekly Mahon farmer's market (Thursday).

After dark
Dining is the focal point at Longueville House, so linger over an indulgent dinner and round things off with a Bailey's at the bar.

Dates
July
Cork's Midsummer festival stages dance, theatre and music of every genre.

Late August - early September
Head into Cork for the Feile Traidisunta Chorcai (Cork Folk Festival), held in different pubs. No two nights are the same.

October
If you’ve been to one ceilidh too many, head to the south coast for the Kinsale Jazz and Blues Festival.

GETTING THERE

Location
Mallow, Co. Cork

Parking
There is free guest parking, not to mention a helipad if you want to arrive in style.

Trains
Mallow station – 5km

Taxis
Private transfers can be arranged.

Airport
Cork – 35km

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
EUR 235 - 360

Open/closed
Closed 7 January – 15 March

Check-in
2pm

Check-out
Midday

Minimum night stay?
No

Breakfast
Full Irish breakfast  is served until 10am

Room service
Available from 7am to 10pm

Children
Welcome

Pets
No

Air conditioning
No

Languages
English, Spanish and French

Wedding license?
Yes. Between 60 (minimum) and 110 (maximum) guests can be catered for, but at weekends the whole property must be booked for at least two days.

Eco conscience
Longueville House is is virtually self sufficient in its farm produce.

Your contact
Aisling O'Callaghan – owner