Patricia and Roger McCarrick's beautiful Georgian style family home, Coill Dara (Wood of Oak), is set in an acre of landscaped gardens on a small sheep farm on the edge of Tubbercurry. It has views of the Ox Mountains, great mature beech and oak trees in the woods at one side and quiet grazing sheep (and new lambs in spring) beyond your bedroom window.
It's an ideal centre for exploring Sligo and Mayo and - with a 9 hole golf course, walking trails, guided walks, horse riding and water sports on Lake Talt all nearby - it's perfect for for activity breaks. Yet, despite the away-from-it ambience, the walk to town takes just five minutes and Ireland West Airport is only 15 minutes away.
Far from being an an average farm home, this is an imposing house just outside the town - a large arched entrance and sweeping avenue with perfectly laid out lawns and flower beds give a sense of grandeur - although it could easily be missed as the entrance is alongside some new housing.
Roger and Patricia meet and welcome you into their high ceilinged entrance hall, then into the guest sitting room and on to a very spacious conservatory overlooking manicured gardens and terraces - and you will find tea, coffee and magic lemon cake awaiting you there...
With highly polished floors, chandeliers, family antiques and some fine modern furniture, it's an impressive house, but interesting pieces and large comfortable seating make for comfort and a warm feeling. The very well equipped bedrooms have the same luxury feeling with high ceilings, lots of pillows and duvets encased in fine white linens, and quality toiletries in the smart en-suite shower rooms. All rooms have everything that could be needed, including WiFi, TV and DVDs and complimentary bottled water.
Breakfast is very good: a sideboard full of all kinds of fresh fruit, cereals and health grains as well as hot dishes prepared to order - including a perfectly cooked Irish breakfast, which is also available in a mini version. Everything is delicious and packed lunches can be provided too.
Patricia and Roger are a delightful couple who love to share their home and their local knowledge with their guests - many of whom go back time and again for the friendliness and just to sit in their beautiful and tasteful rooms, enjoy the countryside and know that they are welcome.
B&B is a misnomer for this fine property, but Patricia feels that the grander 'Country House' name doesn’t reflect her lovely and understated attitude - just the same, this is no ordinary B&B.
