JokerCapt
September 17, 2023
We chose to visit Ireland for our 12th wedding anniversary mid-week getaway and booked in to Castledale bed & breakfast in Sligo. The accommodation is conveniently based just outside the main city of Sligo in a quiet location, privately secluded in a walled and conifer tree gated entry with a sweeping driveway,. Upon entry, we were presented with beautifully maintained grounds, manicured lawns, shrubs, hedges & bushes of many varieties, then over the bridge to approach the palatial mansion, parking was a relaxed affair and as we passed the fountain, Gerry the proprietor & host was waiting to greet us with a warm welcome and offer to assist us with our bags, provide a tour of the property and hand over our room keys to include the front door key and security gate remote. The mansion, and that is how we would describe it, was immaculately clean and uncluttered, with stone floors and solid wood spiral staircase to our penthouse room (previously the games and entertainment room) with polished solid wood floors, a vast expanse of space to include the original bar, a dining area, tv viewing corner with comfortable sofas, a partially sunken snug by the accessible balcony, the main bedroom with super-king sized bed, dressing table and then the shower room and separate toilet, all beautifully presented and again immaculately clean and tidy. Upon asking Gerry for an ironing board with which to refresh our clothes, he was only too happy to provide one and help deliver it to our room. There was also a large downstairs TV room complete with a very comfortable L-shaped sofa adjoining the conservatory with pool table, for those with a musical background, there is a mini Grand piano in the entrance hall. Breakfast was flexible between 8:30 - 9:30, greeted by Gerry and based in the colossal double height dining room, complete with a large 8-seater dining table which provided great opportunity to meet other guests and invoke conversation and share places visited. The table was pre-laid with freshly squeezed orange juice, jams, marmalades, sugar, milk and we were asked whether we would like tea and coffee, all freshly prepared, as well as toasts. Over the course of our stay we tried each of the breakfast offerings to savour the full experience. The granola was a delight, presented in a fluted glass, layered and full of subtle flavours. The first morning we chose the full Irish breakfast which was made up of freshly sourced local ingredients, rich and full of flavour and was sufficient enough to last right through until dinner time! The second morning the ham and cheese omelette (other fillings available) was quite substantial, and again was plenty along with toast. On our third morning, the plate of pancakes were delicious served with fruit, chocolate spread and syrup, with a light dusting of icing sugar, really tasty. On our final morning we selected the eggs florentine, which was amazing Each of the breakfasts were made by Gerry’s wife Kaajal and yo