Roundwood House
Set on eighteen acres of pasture, woodland and gardens at the foot of the unspoilt Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Laois, Roundwood House is a charming Georgian-style country house hotel with 10 guest rooms, providing an upscale B&B and fine dinners for its guests. Roundwood House is owned and operated by Frank and Rosemarie Kennan, who over twenty years have lovingly restored the home and create a special place where good service and hospitality comes naturally, life is taken at a more relaxed pace and good food, wine and conversation abound.
Roundwood is a charming Georgian house that possesses immense character, charm, and historic interest. It is a fine example of a Palladian Villa from the early Georgian period, secluded in its own woods of lime, beach and chestnut. Each of the Roundwood House's ten bedrooms and three self-catering cottages have their own unique and interesting features, are filled with books and paintings and have beautiful views of the gardens. In the main house there are seven rooms, along with three more rooms in the old house. There are six large double/twin bedrooms, each with bathroom ensuite, and central heating. In the old house, which dates from about 1650, there are four more double and twin rooms, all with bath and shower ensuite. In keeping with the informal relaxed atmosphere typical of an Irish country house, guests are encouraged to linger in the atmospheric dining room, drawing room and study.
Roundwood is ideally situated in the heart of the midlands� nestling at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains � the most unspoilt range in Ireland . Despite its remoteness, Roundwood House is easily accessible, just three miles from the main Dublin/Limerick road. . Whether its hillwalking on the Slieve Bloom Way, a seventy kilometre hill walk just four miles away, or many shorter walks nearby to Roundwood. Birr Castle Gardens , with their world famous arboretum and science centre, is just 19 miles. Historic Kilkenny, with its Design Centre and beautiful Castle, is 40 miles Site of the great monastic settlement at Clonmacnoise on the banks of the Shannon � 40 miles. There are many other fine gardens, great houses and historic sites in the local area.
Evening meals at Roundwood House are prepared with great care and imagination, using ingredients that are always fresh. The prevailing philosophy is to provide an informal, Irish atmosphere, where it is possible to meet and enjoy the company of other guests. We hope that you will have the chance to discover the many charms of Roundwood House and its surroundings for yourself.
The coach house (4 star) is an original, stone building which has been fully restored and furnished. It is very spacious with two double ensuite bedrooms, one with additional bunk beds and one with an additional single bed. There is also a bed settee in the sitting room. The Forge (4 star), also an original, stone building, is fully restored as a single split level apartment. There is one double bed and a small settee bed in the sitting room. Its design is an unusual and interesting use of a wonderful architectural space. The Cottage is an original, two-roomed building. Its isolated woodland setting makes it a perfect romantic hideaway. It has one bedroom with a four foot bed and ensuite bathroom. There is also a sitting room with a cupboard kitchen. Everything is on a tiny scale.
