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.

An 18 hole Pitch and Putt Course. This is great fun for adults and children and a great way to spend an afternoon. Clubs available to hire. Group Rates available.

Golf Driving Range:

We have a 300 meter floodlit driving range on the grounds. Open Monday through Sunday. €2 for 30 balls.

Castle tower:

Climb the 13th century Norman tower and view the local countryside and Wexford coastline.

Working Farm:

Our farm is a 230 acre dairy farm. We calve our cows in the spring and our sheep lamb at this time also. Watch the cows been milked and the calves and sheep being fed.

Nature Trail:

Follow the tree lined nature trail down to the canal and back through the farm pastures.

Tennis Court:

Hard tennis court located beside the house.

Croquet lawn:

Enjoy a game of croquet on the long summer days. 
 

The castle contains only one original window all the others having been altered. This window is an ogee style window of the 15th century, with two lights. The main entrance to the castle was on the east side, now bricked up, it provided an adjoining door to the house at one time. A new door has been opened on the south side of the tower.

On the ground floor underneath the stair way , is a dungeon. From this a passageway leads to a door, now bricked up which adjoined the house. The stairs in the east wall is well maintained. The ceiling of the ground floor loft is vaulted. On the first floor is another doorway, again bricked up, adjoining the house. On this floor there is also a garderobe. A brick fireplace has been installed in a corner of this room with its chimney rising inside the building.

The third floor contains a fine granite fireplace, the chimney rising on the outer wall is lined with small smooth stones from the beach. This floor also contains a cupboard recess. The roof, originally of slate has been replaced by corrugated iron. The parapet consists of large sloping slabs and the battlements are of the steeply stepped type with a square turret on each corner. On the outside of the southern turret is a carved head. There are murder holes over each of the doors on the ground hoot.

The large bawn has a round tower on the south east corner and a square tower on the south west corner, castle occupying the north west corner. The north east tower has been removed as has the northern apron wall to accommodate the facade of the house.

The original 17th century house consisted of two storeys with garret on top. At some stage the roof was raised to incorporate the original dormer windows of the garrets into a third storey. The great slant of the original 17th century Roof was also reduced. The staircase of the house is of a simple very wide design of the 17th century. Nearby stands the ruins of the small medieval church of ST.Helen’s which was in ruins by 1835 it and its adjoining cemetery were enclosed by a wall and is reputed to be the burial place of the Cheevers family

killianecastle@yahoo.com

Phone +353(0)53 9158885
Fax   +353(0)53 9158885

They make a wonderful base for a longer stay exploring Wexford and its surroundings, or would suit a businessperson during relocation. The self catering apartments were formerly stables, and are now designed to Failte Ireland 4 star rating with modern stylish furniture, fittings and décor.

A welcome pack of home baking greets you on your arrival to your apartment. Your linen and towels are supplied. Breakfast is available each morning in our dining room if required.

These Self Catering Apartments either sleep four or two people with en-suite bedrooms including power showers, hairdryers and plenty of storage space. The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, microwave and fridge freezer. The lounge area has comfortable couches with TV and electric coal effect fire. Washing machine and a dryer are housed in the courtyard.

Why not sit and relax in our gardens. There is a barbeque available for use and you could also enjoy a bottle of wine from our wine list. Here you can enjoy the peace and quiet, walk through the grounds or stroll along the farm walk looking at numerous and varied wildlife. You could also tour the farm and see the cows been milked or the calves being fed. 

Killiane Castle is situated in the south east corner of Wexford, on a narrow leafy country road - a haven of tranquility, “far from the madding crowd”. Enjoy the peaceful seclusion afforded by our luxury 4 star accommodation in the well preserved 17th century house, adjoining the imposing 15th century castle, nestled in the lush Wexford countryside.

Our guests are welcome to explore the Castle and enjoy the great view from the top of the tower, go for a ramble on the farm walk through the old beech grove or even see the cows being milked! We also have a golf pitch and putt course and driving range, tennis court and croquet lawn. Alternatively you can just relax in the beautiful gardens or in the evening by the open fire.

Only 3 miles from medieval Wexford town and 8 miles from Rosslare Europort and beach resort, Killiane Castle is the perfect bed and breakfast destination for your stay in Wexford.   

The individually designed en-suite rooms offer comfort and warmth with all the modern facilities. The 8 bedrooms occupy the 1st and 2nd floors reached by a typically wide 17th century staircase.

All rooms have views of the gardens and green fields with cattle grazing, some have views of the Wexford coastline.. Rooms are equipped with TV’s, hairdryers, electric blankets, magazines and water. Ironing facilities are also available.

Breakfast is a special treat. Firstly there is a buffet table with a wide range of fruit dishes and home made yogurt.

Followed by a extensive menu of freshly cooked breakfasts using our own free range eggs along with home made bread and much more.

In the evening you can relax in the drawing room or make use of our new BBQ area where every thing you need is provided.
We also supply our own meat from the farm and salads from the garden.

This is the perfect place to stay.

Click here for our sample breakfast menu.

Double or twin bedded room with breakfast:  €100,-
Single room with breakfast:  €75,-
Family room ( 2 adults + 2 children under 12 years ) with breakfast:  €150,-
Family room ( 2 adults + 1 children under 12 years ) with breakfast:  €125,-
Off season mid-week 3 nights Bed & Breakfast ( Friday- Saturday not included)  €135,- p. person

2 Bedroomed Garden Apartments (weekly rates)

May, June & September   €425,-
July, August & Opera festival ( October)  €500,-
Bank Holidays, Christmas & New Year   €375,-
Other week-ends   €325,-

1 Bedroomed Castle & Archway Apartments (weekly rates)

May, June & September   €275,-
July, August & Opera festival ( October)  €300,-
Bank Holiday week-ends, Christmas & New Year   €275,-
Other week-ends   €175,-

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