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The Lord Bagenal is beautifully situated on the River Barrow, with a fine harbour and marina right beside the inn and a pleasant riverside walk nearby.
Although now a large hotel rather than the pub that is fondly remembered by many regular patrons, proprietor James Kehoe has taken care to retain some of the best features of the old building - notably the old end bar, with its open fire and comfortably traditional air - while incorporating new ideas. (A novel - and highly practical one - is a supervised indoor playroom, which is in the bar but behind glass so that, in time-honoured fashion, children can be seen and not heard).
The bar is a popular meeting place and extra seating added in the summer 2015 refurb reflects the high demand. Meals include a lunchtime carvery/buffet which draws local diners, but it is the restaurant that will be of interest to visitors - and fortunately there is no need to travel far after dinner, as the bedrooms are just a few yards away.
A large marbled foyer has a raised seating area and an unusual circular stairway with toughened glass steps - and, as elsewhere in the hotel, it is enhanced by artwork from James Keogh's fine contemporary collection.
All guest rooms are comfortably furnished in a modern hotel style with phones, TV and tea/coffee facilities, while the newer ones have extra features including flat screen TV and impressive bathrooms with roll top baths - the spacious deluxe riverside rooms with views over the bridge and marina are especially desirable.
Golf & equestrian nearby; fishing boats for hire. Marina (30 berths).Conferences/ banqueting (500/250). Garden, fishing, walking. Children welcome (under 3s free in parents' room, cot available free of charge, baby sitting arranged; playroom). No pets.
Rooms 39 (all en-suite, 5 suites, 2 family, 3 ground floor 2 for disabled). Lift, all day room service; B&B room rate frm about €80.* Special breaks offered.
The Lord Bagenal Restaurant
The evening restaurant is in the old part of the hotel and it has retained its cosy ambience and emphasis on traditional qualities.
Menus reflect this to some extent - several beef dishes, roasted lamb and poached salmon are all likely to feature - but there are international flavours too, and traditional dishes are lifted and lightened by the inclusion of some more contemporary accompaniments. Well-sourced foods are combined in an interesting and flavoursome way, and the cooking has finesse.
Good cooking, together with a pleasing setting, make an enjoyable combination - and then there is the renowned Lord Bagenal wine list. Although reduced these days, it regularly receives Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence; it offers over 100 wines and and gives great value.
Also, overlooking the marina and river, the Waterfront Restaurant is a bright, high-ceilinged room opening on to a large covered deck area; it is used for breakfast and private functions (80).
