Mount Falcon
Country House Hotel
I let out a gasp as we drove past the gates of the Mount Falcon Country House Hotel. It was a real Irish “Castle” situated on gorgeous grounds in County Mayo, northwestern Ireland. We followed a circular drive to the regal manor house and entered the lobby where we were greeted like royalty. An ornate staircase and intricately patterned mosaic floors added a sense of warmth and grandeur to the room. We were given the keys and directions to our home away from home, one of the Woodlands Lodges on the 100 acre estate. Just off the lobby, the intimate Boathouse Bar seemed to be calling to us so we decided to have a glass of wine from their extensive wine list. We needed to relax after the challenging drive along Ireland’s winding country roads.
Ireland is the land of the gift of the gab so we weren’t surprised when a man introduced himself and said his daughter was to be married at Mount Falcon the coming weekend and he was “The Father of the Bride”. He explained how the family had taken over the property with the wedding guests. To put things in perspective, the manor house actually had 32 bedrooms (six deluxe rooms including two oversized suites and 26 superior rooms). We soon learned that the estate also included 45 luxury lodges and residences nestled in three idyllic settings, the Woodlands, the Courtyard, and the Lakeside. These lodges offer three or four en suite bedrooms, great for a family get together we thought. We followed our estate map past the lake and within minutes were in another world.
Pulling into the courtyard of our “Woodland Lodge” was like driving into a little picturesque village. Our home away from home had an area of 1463 square feet with three bedrooms, three full baths, a huge living / dining room with fireplace and a full kitchen complete with everything needed to entertain. Plush bathrobes and slippers waited for us on our bed. We noticed that some of the wedding party was staying in one of the other lodges. What a perfect place for a fairytale wedding. I couldn’t wait to observe it.
That night we decided to have dinner on the premises in their dining room rightfully named The “Kitchen” since it was the original kitchen of the manor house and retains a historical feeling with stone walls and fireplace. The service was gracious and elegant giving you the feeling of dining with the gentry and there were excellent choices on the menu. They served not just one kind of bread but a choice of several from traditional Irish brown bread to tomato bread with a delectable pesto for dipping. I ordered the local beef with a savory sauce and the freshest of vegetables and even though I could hardly swallow another bite the dessert menu was too inviting. I gave in to the Chocolate Delight Plate which is a chocoholic’s dream but still had to taste my husband’s Apple Tart served with vanilla ice cream and a hazelnut cream – positively sinful. Philippe Faraneau is the renowned head chef who uses local produce, meats, poultry and seafood and creates the most incredible taste sensations that have earned him the prestigious 2AA Rosette Award. Chef Faraneau was hosting a cooking class at Mount Falcon at a later date that I would have loved to attend just to learn some of his secrets. I couldn’t help but notice that the wedding party was having dinner in one of the beautiful private dining rooms.
Next morning after an Irish breakfast in The Kitchen, Shane Maloney, whose family has a long history with the hotel, gave us a personal tour. I already knew much of the history and had heard about the personal touch that the owners and staff provide. Shane, in his eloquent Irish brogue, captivated us with the tale of how and why Mount Falcon was built. The castle was built in 1872 on the west bank of the River Moy by Ultred Knox for his beloved bride because her family thought she deserved nothing less. It took four years to complete. He told us how the present owners including the Maloney family fell in love with the place while on a visit to the area, decided to purchase it and set about refurbishing it to its present state, taking care not to lose the original charm and grandeur. Believe me; they have accomplished their goals in creating an elegant environment with Irish warmth where you feel like a member of the family.
We toured room after room furnished with period furniture and cozy fireplaces that added warmth to the palatial yet comfortable environment. Also on the ground floor of the manor house was a glass enclosed 17 meter pool and Jacuzzi, gym, sauna, steam room, and the Elemis Spa where you could be pampered to your heart’s content. One day I overheard a bridesmaid talking about her appointment at the spa and thought what a great way for the women to bond prior to the wedding. I wondered if the men were taking advantage of the fishing or golfing. The hotel has its own lake stocked with rainbow trout as well as a two mile stretch of private salmon fishing on River Moy. Every golfer dreams of teeing off in Ireland and there are12 courses within a thirty mile radius of the property, including four championship courses: Enniscrone, Carne, Belmullet, Westport, and Rosses Point.
After one very pleasant afternoon of biking and walking the trails surrounding the estate we decided to take afternoon tea at The Kitchen. It was a wonderful way to end the afternoon and as we were leaving a Rolls Royce pulled up to the entrance with the bride and groom ready to begin their wedding festivities. The Rolls, with its liveried chauffeur, seemed to have jumped out of the time machine and during our stay we felt as though we belonged to another world as well. It’s easy to see why Mount Falcon was awarded AA Hotel of the Year for 2009-2010.
*The hotel has a business office with a computer available to guests and numerous banquet and conference rooms for events. It would also be a great place for a business conference, convention, or reunion and why, yes, a wedding!
Mount Falcon Country House Hotel
Foxford Road
Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland
353-96-74472
353-96-74473 fax www.mountfalcon.com