Foxford Road, Ballina, Ireland | (618) 248-8274
Beautifully
restored country home dating from 19th century
Set on 100 acres
of grounds, including pretty woodland
Lodges with
kitchens, fireplaces, and underfloor heating
Traditionally styled rooms have antique furniture
Elemis spa with indoor pool, whirlpool tub, and sauna
Plenty of on-site
activities, including shooting and archery
Private lake and
stretch of river for salmon and trout fishing
Popular with
wedding parties, which can overtake the property
No Wi-Fi in the
lodges
Restaurant is pricey
The four-pearl Mount Falcon
Estate is a late 19th-century country house set in pleasant woodland grounds in
West Ireland's picturesque County Mayo. Period interiors have been restored to
their former glory, and many rooms and suites have charming original details.
The on-site restaurant is excellent, if a little pricey, but it's the Elemis Spa
that really impresses with its forest-view pool and whirlpool tub. For even more historic
ambience, however, travelers should check out the nearby neo-Gothic Belleek Castle hotel --
though it lacks spa facilities.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Romantic, restored 19th-century country house set on woodland grounds
A narrow driveway
winds through thick woodland, eventually opening up to reveal the immaculate
gray-stone manor house of Mount Falcon Estate. Dating back to 1876, the
interiors have been carefully restored to include numerous original features, such
as colorful tiled floors, intricately carved wooden ceilings, and handsome
marble fireplaces. The effect is like stepping back to the
late 19th century, particularly with evening fires adding a cozy vibe and the original servants' bells bringing a touch of Downton Abbey. Alongside
the original main building, which is rather small by country house standards,
accommodations are also spread throughout a newer section and various surrounding
stone-and-wood lodges. The
estate was first owned by the Knox family, whose ancestors are buried in a
graveyard next to a megalithic tomb in the ground. It's all set on 100 acres of mature forest, manicured
lawns, and a pretty trout lake and river -- making it a draw for fishing enthusiasts.
Built as an expression of love -- a wedding gift from a young groom to his new
wife -- the manor is a popular spot for romancing couples and hosts wedding receptions regularly.
Location
Set in West Ireland's County Mayo, a 10-minute drive to Ballina town
This woodland
estate is located on the the west side of the River Moy in West Ireland's
County Mayo. Off the N26 highway, the setting provides easy road access to
some of the country's most spectacular scenery, including Lough Conn (noted for
its trout and salmon fishing) a 20-minute drive away. The Ballina and
Enniscrone golf courses are a 10-minute and 25-minute drive away, respectively. The lively town of Ballina is 10 minutes away by car. The nearest airport is Ireland West
Airport Knock, which is a 35-minute drive away and has flights from London,
Liverpool, and the East Midlands.
Rooms
Rooms and suites with original features, plus cozy lodges that include kitchens
Deluxe Rooms and
Suites in the original manor house are decorated in traditional country
estate styling with high ceilings, antique furniture, and wooden floorboards,
plus lovely original features such as marble fireplaces and pitch pine window
shutters. Superior Rooms are located in the modern extension of the house,
though they have similar traditional interiors -- albeit with carpeted floors
and a few modern touches. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea- and coffee-making facilities,
and flat-screen TVs; bathrooms feature marble countertops, plus robes and slippers. The
three types of lodges -- Woodland, Courtyard, and Lakeside -- are dotted around the property; all feature living rooms with fireplaces and underfloor heating,
as well as full kitchens -- though no Wi-Fi.
Features
Indoor swimming pool and whirlpool tub with forest views
A full buffet
breakfast of hot and cold items -- plus some cooked-to-order items -- is
included in the rate (for the rooms and suites) and served in the Kitchen
Restaurant. Set in the original pantry and kitchen, this rustic eatery is also
open for lunch and dinner, and serves excellent seasonal dishes using
locally sourced produce, with most vegetables and herbs grown on-site. Food
and drink prices are generally a little high. The cozy Boathole Bar has a log
fire, decent wine list, and a good selection of Irish whiskeys.Spa facilities
are also rather impressive, featuring an indoor pool long enough for laps and an adjacent whirlpool tub overlooking the forest, in addition to a sauna and steam room. High-end
beauty and massage treatments are also available using Elemis products. Guests
can partake in a range of activities such as clay pigeon shooting, archery, and fishing for wild Atlantic Salmon on the estate's own stretch of the river
Moy.
