LONGUEVILLE HOUSE, MALLOW, CO. CORK
LOCATION: Southwest Ireland, 4 miles west of Mallow on Killarney Road NEARBY GOLF COURSES: Longueville House is perfect for those wishing to play the great courses of the Southwest from Limerick to Kerry and Cork. The Trent Jones designed Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Club is just an hour away, as are the great courses of Killarney - Mahony's Point, Killeen and Dooks. Waterville & Ballybunion are about 2½ hours drive from Longueville, while The Old Head of Kinsale is approximately 60 minutes drive.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Ireland's Southwest is truly an area of stunning beauty. The Mitchelstown Caves and legendary Blarney Stone are both about 20 minutes from Mallow Town, while Killarney and its famous lakes are an hours drive. Slightly further afield one can tour around the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula or view the beautifully scenic Gap of Dunloe. The visitor is spoiled for choice in terms of shopping - Mallow Town is 4 miles from Longueville House, Killarney about 1 hour and Cork City only 30 minutes.
Overlooking the Blackwater - one of Ireland's most beautiful river valleys, Longueville House regally presides in the middle of a privately owned 200 hectare wooded estate.
The centre portion of this beautiful Georgian mansion, which is owned and run by the O' Callaghan family, was built as far back as 1720, while its two wings were added in 1800 and the beautiful Victorian Turner Conservatory in 1862. The history of Longueville is essentially that of Ireland in miniature. The ruins of Domineen Castle, the original home of the O' Callaghan Clan, stands testament to the Cromwellian invasion in full view of the present day house.
At this time, their lands were confiscated but today, some 300 years later, the estate is once more under the ownership of the O' Callaghan family. The drawing room at Longueville has been described as one of Ireland's grandest rooms, its atmosphere enhanced by the eternally burning log fire. The dining room is a fitting venue to serve the exquisite cuisine prepared by William O' Callaghan.
The portraits of Ireland's former Presidents gaze down from the walls, while the ceiling, which was designed by Italian craftsmen some 200 years ago, is so high that it reminds you of the Sistine Chapel.
ROOMS: 20 guest bedrooms, all en-suite, including 7 suites. All guestrooms, some of which boast antique furnishings, are elegantly decorated with modern amenities and offer superb comfort.