The Best of Ireland 2011
Irish Independent Saturday 24th Dec 2011
By Pol O Conghaile
Best B&B Killiane Castle,Wexford.
There is so much to recommend about this 17th century farmhouse- Breakfasts laden with fresh strawberries, local cheeses and bacon from the farm; drawing rooms with deep carpets , antique pieces and sash windows; and grounds laced with a farm walk, tennis court and a cute little croquet lawn.
Most of all though, there’s the hostess – Kathleen Mernagh- whose exquisite brand of hospitality was in evidence from the first cup of tea to the final wave from the door.
SUITE TALK – KILLIANE CASTLE, WEXFORD.
IRISH INDEPENDENT WEEKEND
3rd September 2011
By Gemma O Doherty
Irish guesthouses have been working hard to reinvent themselves in the wake of the Celtic tiger. If any are in doubt as to the basic ingredients for successfully welcoming guests into their family home, however, they could learn a lot from Kathleen and Jack Mernagh’s Killiane Castle. Stashed away down a leafy driveway outside Wexford.
Killiane Castle is named for its 15th century tower, but guests are accommodated in eight bedrooms in the Mernaghs’ 17th century farmhouse. The rooms are comfortably appointed, adorned with homely touches such as homemade biscuits and fresh spring water and you can take a farm walk, play croquet or tennis, or light up a BBQ.
Kathleen’s breakfasts include Wexford strawberries, local cheese and bacon and sausages from the farm, but the USP is the easygoing charm of the hostess herself. “ If you are back early” she told us on a recent stay “ We even give you an Irish coffee”.
Family fun farm stays in Ireland
IRISH TIMES Saturday June 4th 2011
By Sandra O’ Connell
Killiane Castle
Choose Wexford for your farm stay and you boost your chances of having the good weather to get out and enjoy it. The Mernagh family’s home is accessed via a leafy country road that sets the mood perfectly for the peace and quiet on offer within.
The 17th century house – which stands beside the original 15th century castle – is surrounded by acre after acre of prime Wexford farmland. There’s a whispering beech grove to ramble through, fields to explore and cows to stare back at.
As if that weren’t entertainment enough, there’s also a pitch and putt course, a driving range, tennis and croquet. Then nod off over the crossword in the garden. Though a world apart, it’s only three miles from Wexford town, and not much further from the county’s glorious beaches. Guests can stay in the main house on a BB basis, or in its converted stable self-catering apartments.
FARM HOLIDAYS FOR ALL
THE IRISH TIMES, SATURDAY, AUGUST 7TH 2010
By Sandra O’ Connell
If there is a more picturesque farmhouse in Ireland than Jack and Kathleen Mernagh’s Killiane Castle, three miles from Wexford town, we’d like to see it. It is on a leafy country lane and accommodation on the 230 acre dairy farm is in a well preserved 17th century farmhouse adjoining a 15th century castle.
Guests are fee to ramble the farm, watch the cows being milked or play a variety of sports within the grounds; from Pitch and Putt to tennis and croquet. There is also a 300m floodlit driving range.
10 BEST IRISH FARM STAYS
IRISH INDEPENDENT Saturday April 24th 2010
By Pol O Conghaile
Killiane Castle, Co Wexford
Jack and Kathleen Mernagh took in their first B&B guest in 1972. Their farmhouse dates from the 17th century, however, and the castle goes back even further—to Norman times.
It’s a historical layer cake, with accommodation spread between farmhouse bedrooms and self-catering apartments. Guests are welcome to walk around the beech and oak grove, play the new pitch and putt course or even milk the cows. The results? Georgina Campbell and the AA have both voted it Farmhouse of the Year.
