Killiane Castle & Country House. The perfect property

Finding The Perfect Room

The taxi from the ferry port drove us about 25 minutes to the Killiane Castle & Country House. I had booked it through Booking.com, expecting a “nice” property based on the ratings and comments.

Little did we know!

The driveway seemed almost as long as the main drive from the ferry.

As we approached, we saw the top of an old, abandoned castle. The driver took us to the reception entrance.

We noticed little details, such as pea gravel in the entry rather than pavement. A preserved massive tree graced the entrance.

The entry door was massive, with a secondary door that opened inward. It was as if we had been transported into another century. The foyer of the entry had been a home attached to the castle. Down a few steps was a library/tea room.

After about 10 minutes, of looking for a reception desk we started knocking on doors. Patrycja dressed in black approached us. With a beautiful Eastern European accent, she graciously welcomed us to Killiane Castle Country House and Farm.

After some conversation, she said that we were booked into the courtyard. She said, “We will bring your luggage. I’ll show you to your room now.”

She opened the door to a perfectly appointed room. It had the feel of a Five-Star property. The linens, the details, everything was perfectly thought out and placed with meaning.

She said that “our restaurant is closed but that the Coal Bunker Bar was close by and served good food”.

I asked if we could get a taxi. She replied, “It will cost too much to have a taxi drive 30 minutes from Wexford to take you a couple of kilometers and then return after dinner. I will find someone to take you, and we will find a way for you to get back.” She also asked, “What time would you like breakfast?” We said 8:00 would be perfect.

We thanked her for being so gracious. A few minutes later, she returned with our luggage and said, “We have arraigned for someone to take you to the restaurant, if you are ready to go.”

“Of course, that will be delightful.”

We met Paul, the owner. He has such a distinctive demeanor and explained that his grandparents bought the castle and added on the portion to become their personal home. He said that as a child, he ran up and down the stairs in the foyer.

His brothers were not interested in the property, and after attending college and majoring in Hospitality, he decided to work for the Five Star, Four Seasons Hospitality property in West Palm Beach Florida. It shows in every moment of their property. So down to earth, yet so refined, his skills shine through.

The Dinner at the Coal Bunker Was Excellent.

The restaurant was much larger and more refined than the name indicated. We expected more of a small Pub feel. The waitress said, “We have arranged a ride for you back to the Killiane Castle.” We thanked her.

It took some time and a couple of pints, and one of the staff approached and said, “The owner is here and he will give you a ride back.”

A rather unpretentious man approached and said, “Sorry for the delay, I have been working on a tractor.”

We climbed into his cluttered car and he told us that as a side hobby he restores vintage tractors and automobiles, and pointed to the very unusual John Deere that he is restoring. He also pointed to a Morris Minor automobile that he recently restored, and said “This is only one of three left in Ireland today.”

A delightful gentleman and I knew it would be inappropriate to tip him. I put a €20 note on the console and said, “Please give this to your staff, they were excellent.”

“They will appreciate that, thank you”.

Personal and real.