Set at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains just over an hour from Dublin, Ballyfin has long been admired as the most lavish Regency mansion in Ireland. It is a place of history and romance, of tranquility and great natural beauty. With 20 bedrooms, magnificent grandeur, unparalleled seclusion and privacy, decorated with Irish art and antiques from around the world, Ballyfin is in the same spirit of refined elegance that the early House reflected in the 1820s. For today's guest, formality is blended with an informal and relaxed approach that is wonderfully warm and welcoming. Step outdoors to enjoy 614 acres of private parkland, a 28 acre lake, ancient woods, follies and grottoes.
This former school is more than a hotel: dedicated to preserving biodiversity, it is also a convalescent home for injured animals.
The hotel works closely with the local animal rescue center and provides refuge on its large estate and rehabilitation in peace and safety. Too numerous to count are the pheasants, squirrels and wild ducks that have stayed here. And each year, a couple of swans return to this beautiful destination and sing their ode to freedom. Proudly, the largely local personnel keeps a careful watch over them.
