I have to admit I am surprised they are open already. Last time I passed, it was still very much a building site.

I will be out that way on Monday, as I see the American couple who runt he Wildwood Craft Shop nearby, so I will have a  good look round......

They must really have put a wriggle on to be ready for Christmas? Which of course is a huge event here....

Blessings this day

That is a magnificent place, Michele.

I drove in at the back; not sure how the access to the beautiful front will work.. All working like beavers there still.

Drove straight past the security van; no one challenges a habited Nun here... and in through the back of one of the wings.. It is a huge building... elegant and understated decor.... 

The front of the hotel is utterly lovely. It is built around an old castle there; a high fountain playing and beautiful sculptures around.. mature trees and landscaped gardens in the old English castle style... conservatories too... And the view of Lough Eske is truly lovely.

Sense of space and luxury.

Imagining a wedding reception there; there could not be a lovelier venue

Peeped into some of the bedrooms; elegant.

Still some work ongoing; the ballroom etc....

Reception is grand; they were friendly too..

No idea of the cost of the place, but utterly lovely.

Harvey's Point is just a kilometre away....

Blessings; sunny here and beautiful; there will be a keen frost tonight.

It is open now, Michelle.
 
All they have to do now is the finishing and bits in some parts at the back. And they are working like beavers.

Which, in Ireland is quite a sight; they must have been promised large bonuses..

The reception and main area are clear and fully operational....that has been well planned to give an early opening date.

They say the cost has been E84 million, and you can see that. The castle has been so carefully woven into the new buildings. The main bedroom block is long and single storey, so it blends in with the trees etc.

But there will be suites and rooms within the main building too that are open now.  With no noise or mess around...

And the landscaping at the front.. You expect to see pea****s wandering around....

( I came back to edit... what an editor that is!! I mean pea fowl of course, the male of which species has a glorious tail!!!)

And the peace there is a beauty. Lough Eske through mature trees. The Blue Stack in the background.

Yes, we enjoy a privileged position here!! 

I felt like Alice in Wonderland wandering round as of course this is not the kind of place we Nuns enter unless to ask for a donation to our work, which of course I did there. 

I did tell them we have friends in America who are very interested.

And if folk do come, we hope they go to Wildwood Crafts.... that is owned and run by a delightful couple from Texas...
http://www.ccoi.ie/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=detail.php&reference=944&Itemid=280  

Calm cold dry weather here still...

Blessings

-- Edited by Anchoress at 05:36, 2007-12-19