Accessed by a winding lane, this handsome property is actually on the County Dublin side of the river that divides Leixlip, although the address is Kildare. The house was once the home of Samuel Beckett’s mother and it is now an unusual small hotel, offering contemporary style and a high level of service for both private and business guests.
Imaginatively converted to its present use, corporate clients can avail of one of three luxury suites, added during renovations and allowing for a boardroom-style annexe to be incorporated.
Public areas, including a bar, sitting room and an attractive modern restaurant, have a far less business-like atmosphere and are very welcoming.
Cooldrinagh House overlooks the Eddie Hackett-designed Leixlip golf course, for which golf tee-off times may be booked in advance.
Conference/banqueting (350/250) Business centre/secretarial services. Free WiFi.Golf. Ground floor wheelchair accessible. No pets. Rooms 10 (not wheelchair accessible). Bed and continental breakfast from about €69 single, €89 double. Open all year except Christmas.
Restaurant:
Atmosphere is the trump card in this stylish conservatory restaurant, with its stone walls, old wooden floors and soft lighting - and an exceptionally warm and genuine welcome.
Pristine white tablecloths, gleaming silverware and glasses, and candlelit tables create a romantic atmosphere.
Arriving guests are shown to their table promptly, and menus quickly follow, along with a basket of home-made breads.
The à la carte - which is relatively expensive - is available every night. There’s a choice of nine starters – roast fig and Cashel Blue tart, for example, or perhaps goat’s cheese and lentil dumplings – may be followed by pan-roast rump of Slaney Valley lamb or fillet of hake or seabass. There’s also the Beckett’s Steak House selection with a choice of sauces.
It is, however, worth getting here in time for the early dinner, which offers great value. Ham hock with apple terrine or spiced lamb kebab to start, for example, with a choice of seven mains perhaps including crispy Silverhill duck, salmon and pork fillet.
Desserts are extremely tempting – how to resist black cherry meringue with mascarpone cream or Beckett’s ‘Wonderful Sticky Toffee Pudding’?
An impressive range of wines (seen across the back wall as you enter the restaurant) is another attractive feature - and all this, plus the warm and efficient service that is part of the charm at Beckett’s, ensures a strong local following, so booking is advisable.
