An account by Mim Scala" A most exotic stop-over awaits the visitor. Perched as it is on the side of Tom
Duff, with views from Carlow to Rosslare, Go on splash out and spend the night
in Mogul luxury, in beds carved in Rajastan. Moongate is a marvel of eclectic
workmanship, and there it is, by the side of the road leading to the summit of
Mount Leinster. Take a walk down the hill to the village of Rahana and have a
talk and a bottle of Guinness with the octogenarian keeper of the bar and petrol
pump. Marie Osbourne. Fit as a fiddle at 83 , she will give you a fill of
petrol, pour you a drink, while she tells you that she knows everyone under the
grave stones leaning silently in the church yard outside. On the way back, dont
mind the local festival committee carrying their Viking boat over the hill,
drumming up publicity for their annual event.
Drive slowly, mind the sheep, or the jockeys riding out on the roads. Tootle
into Borris for a spot of Rosie Fitzgeralds lunch in O’Shea’s grocery/pub.
Walk it off along the river or through the woods of Borris House, Home for
hundreds of years to the Macmurragh Kavanagh’s .
Among Ireland's top magnificent houses and estates, Moongate is hugely
original in its style. From the outside it appears to be a very rural rambling
cottage, yet inside it is sumptuously decorated and hugely comfortable. It is
built to an impressive structural design, with plenty of grandiose chandeliers
and original antiques. Catering exclusively for big groups, Moongate offers
'pure decadence in the most luxurious of settings', in the spirit of Marie Antoinette
at Le Petit Trianon
It stands on Mount Leinster, the second highest mountain in Ireland, in one of
the most visually stunning parts of the country, with breathtaking views of
County Carlow countryside from all the windows.
Accommodation
What began as a 300-year old cottage has been transformed into a
no-expense-spared 7,300 sq ft mansion, with tall stone chimneys, ornate
balustrades, exposed stone and intricate woodwork. There are 6 doubles, 1
twin bedded & 1 single bedroom, all richly furnished & individually themed (styled Indian,
Moroccan, Venetian, Swiss, Swedish and so on. The Empire bedroom and the
Venetian master bedroom are the best). From the bathrooms you can take your pick
between a Napoleonic bath for two or a modern power shower for six. Most are not
en suite. Amongst the 9 staircases and 8 split levels, the house has a huge billiard
room, dining room, library, music room, utility room and study. Out in the
landscaped gardens are various sculptures, a lovers seat, a dovecote, a
picturesque gazebo and the lunar-shaped stone creation which gave the house its
name.
Facilities
Moongate has the perfect dining room for large parties with a long, oval wooden
table in a room with chandeliers and exposed brickwork; a grand music room for
lounging, and a kitchen full of mod cons and an Aga. Cordon bleu chefs, a butler
and a housekeeper are always on hand. Holistic weekends can include therapeutic
massage with aromatherapy oils, yoga, meditation, steam showers and brisk
mountain walks.
Mount Leinster and the surrounding area
Moongate is between Bagnalstown and the quaint village of Borris the place
for local amenities and services. A short drive away is the county town of
Carlow and the medieval city of Kilkenny, both with a wide range of shops and
activities. East coast sandy beaches are close by. Outdoor pursuits on offer
include quad biking, hang gliding, fly fishing, horse riding and mountain
walking. Gowran Park Race Course is only 40 minutes away. Bus and train services
run regularly to Dublin and other major cities.
the summit of
Mount Leinster. Take a walk down the hill to the village of Rahana and have a
talk and a bottle of Guinness with the octogenarian keeper of the bar and petrol
pump. Marie Osbourne. Fit as a fiddle at 83 , she will give you a fill of
petrol, pour you a drink, while she tells you that she knows everyone under the
grave stones leaning silently in the church yard outside. On the way back, dont
mind the local festival committee carrying their Viking boat over the hill,
drumming up publicity for their annual event.
