Tankardstown

Rooms

You can either rent the main house (sleeps 12 in 6 double bedrooms) or one of the 7 cottages (see below), each of which has 1 or 2 double/twin bedrooms.

We were treated first to a thorough tour of the 1760 main house, although we weren't part of the wedding party from the previous day - who were in various states of recovery after lavish Irish nuptials.

The ground floor has a soft-toned, gilt-edged drawing room with a Georgian ceiling, antiques, oil paintings, fireplaces, a sofa and a warm, bookish ambiance. Next door is the elegantly restored living room, whose original features and recessed arches have been coaxed back to full glory by Trish's careful monochromatic design. Added in the late 18th-century, the entrance hall features a baby grand piano, a large fireplace, original mouldings and a sweeping staircase up to the spacious landing, where an antique armoire conceals yummy cookies, cakes, tea and coffee.

From there you reach the 6 double bedrooms, all on the first floor. The master bedroom has a superb walk-in wardrobe and a huge ensuite bathroom with a freestanding roll-top bath. The other 5 are named after Trish's daughters: Roisin and Laragh share an ensuite bathroom, as do Deirdre and Georgina. All rooms boast fine views over the surrounding countryside, Emperor-sized double beds, fireplaces, thick satin curtains and vintage pieces, yet are individually styled to reflect each daughter, with carefully chosen fabrics and wallpapers.

We stayed - as you will, if travelling as a couple or family - in the smartly restored stable block close by. It's a U-shaped building of ashlar stone surrounding a lavender-fringed fountain, which now houses 7 cottages for 2-4, as well as the office. Gravel paths and box hedges delineate the cottages, each of which has a car parking space, and exterior woodwork is painted a gorgeous duck-egg blue.

Cottages come with either 1 or 2 bedrooms, most of which are double (kingsize) bedded, though 5 can be configured as twins - so state your preference when booking. The same high standards of the main house are in evidence here, albeit on a less grandiose scale. The beds were wonderful - we had the best night's sleep in a long while - and you'll find luxury amenities such as snazzy plasma screen TVs and power showers. The cottages are also deceptively large, each with a living room and a fully-equipped kitchen. All bedrooms have their own bathroom (most are ensuite) and all cottages bar one have fireplaces. And everything is immaculately kept.