Mobarnane House

is a peaceful early 19th century country house on the edge of County Tipperary's Golden Vale, surrounded by mountains on three sides and set in 60 acres of pasture, woods filled with spring flowers, and pleasant landscaped gardens.

In recent years, Mobarnane House has been lovingly restored by Richard and Sandra Craik-White, who now provide luxurious country house accommodation for discerning visitors. The spacious reception rooms have fine original plasterwork and chimneypieces, and have been stylishly and comfortably furnished. Richard is a keen and accomplished cook, and his dishes use local ingredients in an imaginative and skilful way, while Sandra has given great attention to the bedrooms, with fresh flowers from the garden, wonderful antique bed linen and supremely comfortable beds.

While Mobarnane is roughly half-way on the drive from Dublin to Cork the house and the region well repay a longer stay. There are wonderful scenic drives over the Knockmealdown Mountains, through The Vee, to Lismore and Cappoquin in County Waterford, returning through the spectacular Nire Valley and the historic town of Clonmel. Or visitors can spend a whole day visiting the mediaeval city of Kilkenny or following the Kilkenny Craft Trail and visiting artisan workshops, potteries and glassworks.

Ancient Ireland is represented locally by the Rock of Cashel, a small hill rising above the plain and the principal stronghold of the kings of Munster until the 12th century, then an important religious centre. The hill is surmounted by a series of interconnected buildings, the most important being Cormac's Chapel (1134), the largest and most complete building of the Irish Romanesque. The thriving market town of Cashel has many fine buildings of the 18th and 19th centuries. Close by is Holy Cross Abbey, a recently restored Cistercian house beside the River Suir, with much superb stone carving and an interesting hunting mural, and the town of Cahir, with the great 15th and 16th century castle of the Butler family and the Swiss Cottage, their descendants' amazing Georgian cottage ornée by John Nash, in the park by the River Suir.

There are good golf courses in the locality, and race courses at Clonmel, Thurles and Tipperary. Mobarnane House is less than two hours from Rosslare, from Cork and from Shannon, and is an ideal centre for exploring this largely unknown area.

Directions:
From Fethard take the R692 (towards Cashel). After 3½ miles turn right, following the signs for Ballinure and Thurles, and Morbarnane is on the right after 1½ miles.