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| Essential
Architecture- Ireland Assolas Country House |
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architect |
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location |
Ireland > County Cork |
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date |
1740 |
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style |
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construction |
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type |
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A Queen Anne mansion covered in creepers; a section of the Owenbeg River;
a pair of swans floating gracefully on the water; otters playing at
dusk; and small wooden boats and rubber boots there for the taking --
all in all, this peaceable kingdom, while slightly off the beaten track,
makes for an excellent base for touring and allows you to savor the
peace of the deep, deep countryside. Combining prettiness and elegance
with historical charm, the 1740 manor house is a rare Irish example of
Queen Anne style, with a symmetrical center block and rounded bays at
either end, topped by a mansard roof and pediment with a circular
Palladian window. Picturesquely, the house is surrounded by a grove of
mature trees, fronted by a rolling lawn, and threaded by the Owenbeg
River. Add to this attentive hosts, the Burke family, who have presided
over Assolas since the 1960s and brought more than a few antique
heirlooms with them. Hosts Joe and Hazel Bourke are the second
generation; Joe had the great fortune to marry Hazel, a talented chef,
who revels in preparing delicious dinners from produce organically grown
in their walled garden, and sourced from local farmers and fishermen.
Dinner ($$$$) begins in front of the blazing log fire in the drawing
room, where you peruse the menu over aperitifs. Family silver and white
linen are on the tables in the red Queen Anne dining room, but the fare
may be less traditional -- -an Ardrahan cheese soufflé, or prawns with
fresh tomato and herb salsa to start, perhaps followed by local sirloin
of beef with fresh horseradish sauce. Top it all off with gooseberry
crumble and a night of pure peace. www.assolas.com. 9 rooms. In-room: no
a/c, no TV. In-hotel: restaurant, tennis court. MC, V. Closed Nov.-Mar.
Full breakfast. Address: Signposted off N72 west of Mallow, in Killarney direction, Kanturk, Co. Cork, Ireland Phone: 029/50015 Fax: 029/50795 |
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links |
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| www.essential-architecture.com | |