MacNean House

From the moment we arrived at reception to checkin to our room you got the impression that this was going to be something special. When we booked 3+ months ago the only available room was the small standard and for the amount of time we spent in the room it more than sufficed but it is as advertised (small). A welcome note lay on the bed with freshly baked cookies,
We had a drink in the bar downstairs while we looked at the menu and took our order. They had a nice selection of Irish and Scotch whiskey including my favorites GreenSpot and Springbank both of which were very well priced. They also have a selection of very strong and generous measured cocktails. The bar area itself is super comfortable with lots of sofa’s and chairs.
For dinner we went for the 132 e prestige menu with wines (9 courses with 5 glasses of wine — champagne, red/​s, white/​s, desert wine, port etc.). The dining room is one of the nicest I have had the opportunity to enjoy a meal in with chairs that cocoon you and you are certainly not in cramped quarters.
The food was faultless and the focus is where it should be on the food, some of the stand outs for me were the duck which was a lovely pink, the quail and my cheese which came with a baked apple. One other thing for anyone that enjoys mashed potatoes, the potatoes were incredible and creamed with Irish butter in generous proportion.
The wines were explained and every single glass complimented the food, the wines are also available to buy from retailers so we will certainly pick up a few bottles.
The service is not pretentious not are the staff, they are friendly but never false, never overbearing. The have found the perfect balance, I really think it was the best experience I have every enjoyed.
Yes it is expensive but you know this before hand. I enjoyed it that much that I never once thought about the final bill when presented the next morning.

Can I give way way more than a five for this?
What a place!
Six of us when for dinner last night to celebrate two big birthdays.
We stayed in the house itself, our room was small but very pretty. The fact is we spent very little time there but made time to eat the homemade Madeleines and biscuits that were left in the room — a lovely touch.
From the moment we walked through the door the service was flawless, all the staff are excellent! I just wish I could remember all their names.
We had a table booked for 6pm. We went to the bar first for a drink and we had the menu explained to us. We agreed on the prestige menu with wine pairings. If you decide on that just remember it’s for the whole table.
When our table was ready we were brought through. I think we had the best table in the room :)
The dining room is modern, comfy, intimate and v pretty — comfy chairs and chandeliers.
It’s a very special place and OMIGOD the food!!!
Before we had our dinner they brought out little snacks with our drinks — curried popcorn, spiced nuts, salmon meringue and a little biscuit (can’t remember what was on that though!)
The bread selection included pizza, tomato muffin and a cranberry and walnut sourdough.
First course — prawn spring roll and crab salad and a celeriac mousse
Second — I chose the Ham Hock (served with black garlic, Apple sorbet and pork crackling)
Third — Scallops served with pork cheek and textures of carrot followed by a little amuse bouche
Fourth — Duck Breast, cooked medium and served with leg spring roll, cranberry and pine nut quinoa
Fifth — cheese course, the cheese was served with baked apple and toasted cranberry and walnut sourdough
Sixth — pre dessert. A mini Crème brûlée and some sort of mango /​passion fruit mousse
Seventh — dessert for me was the chocolate sensation. The theatre of the chocolate bomb dissolving was just awesome.
We had the wine pairings as well which meant five different glasses of wine. The sommelier, Blaithin, is really something. She is so knowledgeable and the wine really accompanied the food perfectly.
We had told them why we were there and they brought out two plates with happy birthday to the table. Both guys were mortified but it was really lovely and I think they secretly loved it.
Then it was tea and coffee with petit fours which we had in the bar. We got to meet Neven — night made!!! Thankfully that was before a lot more drink. They make really good cocktails. I’d suggest you try the Jameson cider or the Macnean Sunrise.
The following morning we got up for breakfast (served between 9 and 10:30am) brilliant continental breakfast selection. I chose the porridge for «starters» and then the waffles.
So how do I begin to tell you how utterly brilliant it all was? I couldn’t fault any aspect of it. If you ever get a chance to visit here you’re in for an absolute treat and on that note I will let the photos do the talking!