Clanard Court Hotel.
Leading 4-Star Hotel in Kildare
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| Steak! |
Let us begin this tale with a drink even though our host hotel, the Clanard Court, has everything you'd expect to find in a four-star hotel. But this one is rather special.
The drink (drinks really) are their newly introduced Flavours of the Land Summer Cocktail Range featuring the produce of neighbouring counties and indeed some of the ingredients, such as Athy Local Honey and Mary Gruffery’s marmalade, are ultra-local. Other suppliers include Ballykeefe Distillery, Royal Oak Distillery, Glendalough Distillery, Blackwater Distillery, Highbank Orchard, Poachers Drinks and Stillgarden Distillery.
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| Blade of beef |
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| Apple Mojito |
So when we called into the hotel's lively Bailey’s Bar and Bistro that evening, we “studied” the list - no shortage of advice - and made our choices. Top picks were the “Highbank Apple Mojito” based on Highbank Apple Rum, Athy Honey Water, Lime Juice, Local Fresh Mint Leaf, and Poachers Irish Soda (for her) and, for me, the Seven Glendaloughs based on Glendalough Distillery Summer Gin, Highbank Apple Brandy, Athy Honey Water & Poachers Wild Irish Tonic, all Irish ingredients and absolutely superb.
There are six of these cocktails in all and if you want to try the spirits (without all the add-ons) they have a tempting list of perfect serves lined up for you!
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| Baked Alaska |
And that local support is carried into the food as well. “Supporting local and recognising award-winning producers plays a key part in our whole food ethos – our Lamb and Beef are sourced from various craft butchers using livestock exclusively from the pastures of Leinster, our Milk, Wexford Ice Cream and Farmhouse Cheese come from free-range cows, our Signature Tomato Chutney is made in-house from locally grown vegetables and our Seafood is simply the best from Kilmore Quay & Dublin Bay.”
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| Bird's eye view of Clanard Court |
We arrived about 4.00 pm on a Sunday and were surprised to find the car park quite full. It is a large area and there were far more cars there than you'd expect for a 45-room hotel. The reason was the people were here for the excellent food and we got to enjoy that ourselves later on.
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| Ancient East cocktail, based on Blackwater Strawberry Gin |
Highlight for me was the classic 10-ounce Sirloin Steak served with Sauteed Onions & Mushrooms, House Fries, and Creamy Peppercorn Sauce, perfectly cooked and perfectly accompanied, a delicious delight.
CL was also on the beef, enjoying the 32-Hour Slow Cooked Blade of Beef with Spring Onion Mash, Pearl Onion, Barley, Smoked Bacon Ragout, perfectly cooked and presented and another winner.
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| Bath, in bedroom |
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| Breakfast (mini) |
Service was super friendly all through and that continued at breakfast in the morning. Again, there is a range of dishes on offer, some from the buffet, others from the kitchen. After the night before, I settled for a glass of orange, a few spoons of muesli and the mini-Irish (one of everything). Very happy with that tasty start to the day!
The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, with comfortable beds, plush bedding, and all the modern amenities. The bathrooms are also spacious and have large walk-in showers. We had an upgrade and that suite, one of the newer rooms, included a free-standing bath in the large bedroom and a private garden terrace.
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| Homemade! |
The hotel, in a rural area at the edge of historic Athy, is well placed for travel with motorways (M9, M7) close at hand - you’ll be in Dublin in less than an hour for instance - and it is easy to visit much of the midlands from here.
And if you are travelling around or even on your feet all day shopping in Kildare Village, you’ll really appreciate a pampering session in the Revive Garden Spa & Beauty Rooms, “where time is left at the door and you can let yourself unwind and relax in our sanctuary of pure bliss! Revive and rejuvenate your mind & body with our heavenly range of treatments.”
They do weddings here also and in some style. Facilities include their own Little White Chapel. No half measures here! No wonder they are regular award winners and not just for weddings.
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| Alpaca |
Conferences and gatherings are also catered for at Clanard with a number of suites of different sizes, all with the technological facilities you expect these days such as LCD Projector, Screen, Ceiling Speakers, Podium, Markers, Pads, Pens, Iced Water and Free high-speed internet access.
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| Seven Glendaloughs |
The hotel and grounds are really well maintained (the hedges around the car park were being trimmed as we departed on Monday). And, on the grounds, you will also see a group of Alpacas and Jacob Sheep grazing.
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| Alpacas and Jacobs Sheep |
We really felt at home here thanks to manager Eoin Jacob and his extremely friendly and welcoming staff. They certainly went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable.
Also on this visit (thanks to Into Kildare for helping):
Kildare Village - Athy - Burtown House
Recent Visit:
The National Stud & Japanese Gardens
You're on course for a great time when you stay at Lawlor's of Naas
Lawlor's Naas is a great base for Kildare's many attractions
