Make yourselves comfortable in this grand home from home. This Irish country house was built to entertain and is perfect for gathering family & friends together for a vacation, a special birthday or anniversary. You'll be the hero for booking it!
Built in the 1840s by your host's family, it's a the perfect blend of modern and antique with a bespoke modern kitchen, fast WiFi & a modern heating system! Seclude yourselves in this rural haven, or get out and explore all that Wexford has to offer.
The space
You will have the main block of the house all to yourselves - plenty of space to make yourselves comfortable in beautiful surroundings. It is the perfect way to gather and celebrate a special occasion with your family or friends around you. There is plenty of space outside the house too, with lots of walks around the private grounds. The kids can run around and burn off some steam at the playground.
Ballinkeele was built in the 1840s and is beautifully decorated in a classic style blending heritage with modern comforts. You enter the Front Hall with its original stove and scagliola columns which lead you through to the new kitchen - it's modern but sits so well in the large room, set off by the chandelier. It's kitted out with a boiling water tap, Fridge/Freezer with ice & water 'on tap', an induction hob, built-in microwave, oven and plate warmer & every other gadget you can think of to cook up a storm. There is loads of space for relaxed dining in the kitchen or have a more formal dinner by candlelight in the rich red dining room which can seat up to 18 around the original mahogany dining table with the lead crystal chandelier sparkling above. The house is self-catering, so if you don't fancy cooking yourselves, just ask us for contact details of our recommended caterers.
Next to the kitchen is the drawing room, where you can relax by the fire and watch a show on Netflix or Cable TV or challenge the family to one of the many board games. There is even a karaoke speaker - just search up for favourite songs on YouTube on the TV. Sit in the armchairs by the bay window and take in the view or read a book - we have plenty here to choose from. From here, you can also venture down the steps out to the garden to explore the grounds.
The gorgeous staircase hall has an impressive cantilevered staircase that sweeps up from a glorious bronze statue of Mercury on the breath of Apollo. It's the perfect photo opportunity!
Upstairs are 7 large bedrooms, 6 with their own private bathroom and the 7th with a dedicated WC down the hall. All the beds are either king size, super-king or large singles and almost all are antiques, most original to the house, with bespoke mattresses. We have an additional 3 fold out beds & 2 travel cots available - please ask your hosts when booking.
All beds are made up with beautiful linen and there are towels & even beach towels for your trip to the beach!
For the little ones we have 2 high chairs and even a few toys & books you can borrow to keep them busy.
The laundry room is tucked away in the wing off the grand staircase - saves lugging all the clothes downstairs - with an 8kg washer and dryer.
Ballinkeele House Rules - by booking our home, you accept these.
Please note that this is our family home for 6 generations. We see ourselves as caretakers of a little piece of Irish history & we would ask that you respect it.
We know accidents happen & we ask that you notify us of any damage on departure. Depending on the damage we may charge for repair or replacement.
We allow a maximum of 19 people + 2 infants.
Due to the antique nature of the house and contents, we are so sorry but we do NOT allow dogs - no matter how quiet or well behaved. If you are missing your doggie - you can borrow our labradors Redd & Kyra for a walk. They are great fun and they don't get into the main house either!
Guest access
You have full use of the main block of the house and a portion of the upstairs wing. Both upstairs & down are divided from where the family live, giving you total privacy.
There are 6 king-size double bedrooms - all en-suite and an additional triple bedroom (3 single beds) with a dedicated WC just down the hall. All bedrooms have views over the grounds, a modern kitchen, front hall, staircase hall, sumptuous dining room, drawing (sitting) room with access to the garden, downstairs WC, laundry with washer & dryer.
There is a patio outside with banquet-style table and BBQ. You also have full access to over 200 acres of grounds with 2 looped walks, either side of the house to keep you busy for hours - just borrow one of our many pairs of wellies. There is lots to explore with a lake, ponds, woodland, walled garden & castle folly. There's a playground and if you've got kids ours would be happy to show them around. Our 2 Labradors, Redd & Kyra, are really friendly & always up for a game of fetch!
Other things to note
It's hard to explain how beautiful this house is and how calm and relaxing it is. We've had insomniacs sleep here!
It is very grand and carefully maintained by us. We are the 5th & 6th generation of original family who built the house, so we really care about the old place and love sharing it with people. It is such a calm welcoming place and there is such a wonderful feeling of peace here. It's packed full of history but so relaxed that it doesn't feel stuffy or like a museum. It's got everything you could need - fast WiFi, efficient heating, a modern kitchen with every kitchen appliance you could possibly need to prepare tasty meals. A smart TV, board games, karaoke speaker, books, a baby grand piano etc.
We do ask that you help us take care of it and leave it in the state that you found it - please do your best not to break or damage things and make sure you let us know if you do.
