My latest Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast is a Co Meath destination special, in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book, where we will be celebrating and discovering the historic and magical Boyne Valley with two local hoteliers over two episodes. Listen here https://open.spotify.com/show/5hgnRplkJm0EOU4Q3ByqYV?si=397faeafd60041bc
In the first part, I chat to Suzanne Mullen from the Station House Hotel, the newest member of Ireland’s Blue Book collection of family owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. For more details go to https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/houses.html/station-house
The Station House Hotel is an award winning boutique hotel located in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East and is set on 12 acres of manicured gardens and woodland and offers an idyllic country escape, approximately 40km from Dublin airport.
#irelandsBlueBook #Meath #thestationhousehotel
The Station House Hotel Ireland's Blue Book
My latest Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast is a Co Meath destination special, in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book, where we will be celebrating and discovering the historic and magical Boyne Valley with two local hoteliers over two episodes. Listen here https://open.spotify.com/show/5hgnRplkJm0EOU4Q3ByqYV?si=397faeafd60041bc
I chat to Tadhg Carolan from Tankardstown House, a Meath native and board member of Ireland’s Blue Book collection of family owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. For more details go to https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/houses.html/station-house
Tankardstown Estate comprises an 18th Century Manor House, adjoining Orangery and a central courtyard of Cottage Suites. Tucked behind the Main House finds the ‘Garden Village’, where classic evening dining takes place in the 2AA Rosette Restaurant, ‘Brabazon’, as well as serving casual lunch and Afternoon Tea.
#Tankardstownhouse #irelandsBlueBook #Meath
Ireland's Blue Book Tankardstown House
Fly Fishing on the River Suir
I walk most days on the Tipperary Blue Way by the Suir river in Clonmel in Tipperary and I pass these fishermen most days during the summer - Michael Lynch and John Ryan. Michael called me over as he had just caught and released a huge salmon. John is known as a fly tier who makes his own flies. And Michael has written a little ditty to celebrate John. #flyfisherman #tipperary #suirblueway #suir #suirbluewaytipperary #clonmel #tipperary
My two latest episodes out today are Kerry destination specials, in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches 2,500 kilometres along the west coast of Ireland from Donegal to Cork. The Blue Book is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Focusing on Kerry, probably Ireland’s most famous tourist region, with an interview with Patrick Hanley in part 1 from the Lansdowne Kenmare and Frank Slattery from Carrig Country House in part 2.
I love the Blue Book because they are generally family owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. You really get to see Irish hospitality at its best and the properties are generally old country houses, so you get a real sense of the history of the area you are staying in and their website is https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie.
The Lansdowne Kenmare has been an intrinsic part of the history of Kenmare since 1790 and was fully restored in 2021 by my guest today Brian Hanley whose family have been associated with the centre of Kenmare for many years. The Heritage Town of Kenmare is affectionately known as “The Jewel in the Crown” as it is a landmark destination on the famous Ring of Kerry. For more information check out https://www.lansdownekenmare.com.
If you haven’t already, I'd ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will be the first to get a new episode. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.
My two latest episodes out today are Kerry destination specials, in conjunction with Ireland’s Blue Book, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches 2,500 kilometres along the west coast of Ireland from Donegal to Cork. The Blue Book is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Listen here https://shows.acast.com/travel-tales-with-fergal/episodes/kerry-destination-special-carrig-country-house-part-2
Focusing on Kerry, probably Ireland’s most famous tourist region, with an interview with Frank Slattery from Carrig Country House and Patrick Hanley from the Lansdowne Kenmare.
I love the Blue Book because they are generally family owned and run Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, castles and restaurants. You really get to see Irish hospitality at its best and the properties are generally old country houses, so you get a real sense of the history of the area you are staying in and their website is https://www.irelands-blue-book.ie.
The Carrig Country House is hidden away on Caragh Lake and lies at the foot of the northern lower slopes of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks at the head of the Caragh Valley. It is a magnificent tranquil location midway between the bustling town of Killorglin to the east and the charming village of Glenbeigh and Rossbeigh Beach to the west. Check here https://carrighouse.com.
If you haven’t already, I'd ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will be the first to get a new episode. Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations.
The Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches from Donegal to Cork, over 2,500 winding kms of glorious scenery, beaches, villages and hotels, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and the Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast will be interviewing famous hoteliers along this world famous route over the coming months.
The first two Connemara Destination episodes focus on Connemara with interviews with two hoteliers Brian McEvilly from the Cashel House Hotel and Henry Hodgson from Currarevagh House who are both founding members of Ireland’s Blue Book collection, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Situated in the heart of Connemara, the Cashel House Hotel overlooks the majestic Cashel Bay on the west coast of Ireland. This classic country house retreat was built in the 19th century and converted to a family-run four-star hotel in 1968 by the McEvilly family. I had a great chat with Brian all about Connemara, the Wild Atlantic Way, tip and recommendations and the history of his family’s hotel. Check them here https://www.cashelhouse.ie
The 2nd Connemara Destination episode is an interview with Henry Hodgson from Currarevagh House, whose family were founding members of Ireland’s Blue Book collection, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Currarevagh House is an early Victorian Country House, set in 180 acres of private parkland and woodland bordering on Lough Corrib. Visit here https://currarevagh.com
Listen here Connemara Destination Special Part 1 Cashel House Hotel
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dHiJcQ3RUsAq5QNhTaCtj?si=gD8AdpmiQw-kcyZjWwzAPA
Connemara Destination Special Part 2 Currarevagh House
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qM74E9ZxBOcOmognEtJU1?si=qfskwyBRSCa1iScuq-4NVw
New Travel Tales with Fergal Podcast out now
Irishman Dermot Cosgrove lived the life of an old school adventurer by leaving home as a teenager to join the mythical French Foreign Legion before the Gulf War. Dermot served in some of the most dangerous conflict zones during the 90's in the Middle East and Africa. He has since worked as a security consultant in many conflict zones around the world. He takes us through his life from the arduous training as a legionnaire to being in the middle of firefights in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a true adventurer and anyone who grew up reading about the renowned French Foreign Legion will find this episode fascinating. Out now on all podcast platforms.
Travel Tales with Fergal brings weekly chats with interesting people telling great travel stories and adventures.
