Temple House | Country House & Estate

Surrounding Area

This is very much a family home, the Percevals having lived here since 1665! The house overlooks a Knights Templar castle (1200) by Temple House Lake. There are mixed woodlands, fen and bogs on the estate providing a wide mix of flora and fauna to fascinate most people. This region is the richest in Europe for ring forts, megalithic tombs like Dolmens and passage graves, Carrowkeel is 1000 older then Newgrange. There are castles and other old houses open to the public and open farms for children. We are 12 miles from the sea and the mountains provide interesting & beautiful hill walking. Co.Sligo has many archaeological sites, riding stables well known golf courses, magnificent mountain scenery, lakes, waterfalls and miles of beautiful beaches.

Accommodations

Temple House is a Georgian Mansion situated in 1,200 acres of sheep farm and woodland, overlooking a lakeside Knights Templar castle. The Percevals have lived here since 1665. The present house was redesigned and refurbished in 1864 and enhances the atmosphere of a yesteryear house party where Helena and Roderick choose to share their home and estate with a few guests, rather than to use all the house as a busy hotel. There are boats on the lake and fishing rods in the hall with rubber boots you can borrow if the grass is wet.

Rooms/Suites

There are four large double bedrooms ensuite, one is called the 'Half Acre'; and a twin bedded room with canopy beds also ensuite plus a room with a private 1864 mahogony loo and more modern shower just across the hall. Two of the double rooms have a bed + a camp bed in the dressing room for children.Guests dine together round the 1864 table with family portraits hanging on the walls and then move to the 'Morning Room' to continue the conversation over coffee & a glass of wine.

Amenities

Guests dine in the house and many go to local pubs later to hear Traditional Irish music. This region is very famous for its fiddle and flute reels, 'Coleman' style and they often play the Temple House Reel.There are 4 boats on the lake and miles of walks through the woods and bogs for the energetic, the donkeys amuse most people. A snooker room and many book cases keep most people happy. Email can be sent on the house computer. We will draw personalised maps for you to find archaeology nearby or for a longer run to Donegal or Mayo.

Services Offered

This is a family home so we offer afternoon tea when you arrive: we do not serve lunch as most people are too full after a big Irish breakfast but can provide sandwiches for your walk. Children are welcome and we provide high tea at 6.30 for them snd can arrange a mature babysitter. There are two seaweed bath houses in the area which are very popular. We will draw personalised maps for you to tour county Sligo, Yeat's haunts or to find many local archaeological site or perhaps for a longer run to Donegal or Mayo.

Restrictions

We run 1600 ewes, so dogs must be kept under control and sleep in the car or we can provide a stable with advanced notice. According with Irsh Law there is no smoking in the house. The grand porch is a favourite haunt for smokers though. Children are welcome and the house is big enough to muffle the noise.

Rates & Availability

We are open for guests from 1st April to 30th November.B&B: 85 to 95 Euro per person sharing.Single supplement for using a double room 25 Euro.Dinner 45 Euro.

Other Information

A member of The Hidden Ireland. Tourist Board Approved. Bridgestone Guide. Karen Brown. Frommers. Fodor. Alistair Sawday and more.

Directions

We are signposted off the N17 only 6 miles south of the N4:N17 junction south of Sligo, just south of Ballinacarrow. Dublin, Shannon and Belfast are all 3 hours or less away by car.Knock and Sligo airports are 25 minutes away by hire car.Ballymote railway station is 10 minutes away by taxi.A seaplane landed on the lake and was moored at the boat house.The occasional helicopter lands on the lawn in front of the house.

Discounts Offered

just ask