About

Entire holiday home in Ireland

More Detail

Location

This private and secluded home is very convenient for Dublin and equally as a starting point for touring the South East of Ireland. The pretty village of Clonegal is 1/2 mile away and Bunclody 10 mins drive. Nearby are the renowned Sha-Roe Bistro, Huntington Castle, Altamont Gardens and Mt Wolseley Golf Club. With two large sitting rooms, one with murals by the artist owner, and a generous kitchen/breakfast room there is ample space for a group or family holiday. A perfect escape.

Things to do

Abbeydown is most conveniently located for a variety of short trips and longer excursions to see places of interest to everyone. Apart from Clonegal being the beginning of the Wicklow Way walk, a forty minute drive to the North or East will bring you either well into the Wicklow Mountains or to the broad beaches of North Wexford. Going a little bit further afield places of interest would be: Russborough House, Mount Usher Gardens, Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens, and towards Dublin the houses and gardens of Powerscourt and Kilruddery. Leaving Clonegal towards the West and South West there are a variety of short excursions such as a visit to historic Kilkenny City with its Castle and Craft Centre. Following on from here there is a very scenic drive passing through the pretty villages of Thomastown, Inistioge and Graignarmanagh which then lead on to the coastal town of New Ross where the Dunbrody Famine Ship can be visited. To the South of Clonegal is the pretty small town of Bunclody which leads to either Enniscorthy or Wexford-two attractive destinations with deep historic interest.

Guest Access

Whilst the house is close to local amenities in the form of shops, pubs, eateries and attractions its charm is in its secluded – but not too remote – position. Access from the road is up a discreet, narrow, lane or “boreen” which climbs the hill between tall farm hedges, opening out as you approach the property.

Other things to note

Your fridge will be stocked with essentials on arrival: local eggs (from hens down the road), milk, butter, marmalade and brown bread freshly baked by Peter, our house manager.

If you would like us to do a bigger food/provisions shop please forward a list and Peter would be delighted to arrange this for you, for a small fee.

Peter is a qualified cordon bleu chef, who worked for many years as a private chef in the British Virgin Islands. Should you wish to have a special dinner at some point, or supper on arrival, he would be delighted to cook for you. Please note this option is only available from April to December. Advanced notice is required and there would be additional charges for this.

Meet your Hosts

Decorative artist, muralist and landscape painter Michael Dillon and his wife Henrietta have painstakingly turned a small, abandoned farmhouse into the large and comfortable home that Abbeydown is today. The family come to the house whenever they can but at other times are happy for others to enjoy this oasis of calm. The murals to be found in the Drawing Room and Master Bedroom are a continuous work in progress for Michael and when on holiday here Henrietta derives much pleasure from playing her baby grand piano.

Peter, the house manager, lives locally with his dog Boris and is happy to help in whatever way he can to make your holiday comfortable and enjoyable.