KATHY FARRELL
After the Galway Advertiser’s recent Wild Atlantic way supplement, resisting the opportunity to explore our own corner of this amazing country was impossible.
So, with that in mind, I journeyed across Galway to Delphi Lodge, located on the banks of Finlough, near Leenane.
Blessed with no rain, we could not drive through Cong without stopping and having a little wander through the village’s narrow streets, full of tourists and locals mingling together in the picturesque and quaint little village, or visiting nearby Ashford Castle.
Upon leaving the village of Cong, we were rewarded with the most spectacular view of Lough Corrib, which we stopped to take in, before heading onwards to Maam towards Leenane, our journey enhanced by views that would take your breath away. After the short loop around Killary Harbour, we had finally arrived at Delphi Lodge. And what an arrival it was.
As we wound our way up the gravel driveway, the amazing, ivy covered manor came into view. The majestic 200 year-old country house is located deep in the hills of Connemara, overlooking Finlough Lake, with sprawling mountains behind it.Anticipating luxury, good food and stunning nature, we were greeted upon arrival by Philip, the lodge’s general manager, and his wonderful team, in the lodge’s beautiful foyer.
Visiting Delphi Lodge is not like a hotel or a traditional guest house, it is like visiting a home, albeit one from a different era. Constructed in the 1830s, Delphi Lodge features multiple magnificent fireplaces, with roaring wood fires used to warm the rooms. While wandering through the lodge’s many rooms, you can’t help but notice the various specimens of salmon and trout on display, all of which were caught in the nearby lake.
Our room for the night had a beautiful lake view, and also provided stunning views of the mountains which surround the country house. The room was both spectacular and spacious, and despite the age of the building, it was surprisingly modern with a range of Irish products in the bathroom
.All of Delphi Lodge’s 13 rooms are either doubles or triples, boasting a view of the lake or the mountain, and promising peace and tranquillity to guests. The lack of televisions in the rooms was a welcome change. WiFi was available, if we needed it, but there was too much exploring to do.
Dining at Delphi Lodge
Dining at Delphi Lodge is an experience in itself. Before the meal, all of the lodge’s guests gathered in the drawing room for pre-dinner drinks and canapés, warmed by a roaring wood fire, before heading onwards to the dining room, where we all sat together around the huge, antique oak table, exchanging stories and getting to know each other.
With the menu promising the best quality food available, made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients, it did not disappoint. Created by the lodge’s wonderful team of chefs; Shane Sheedy, Kevin Hyland and Cathriona Walsh, we dined on the most delicious oysters, Ajo Blanco soup - which was one of the nicest that I have ever had, mouthwatering whole lobster in garlic butter, and the most tender beef you could imagine, with an exquisite chocolate dish or a selection of Irish cheese on offer for dessert.
There was no issue adapting the menu for guests with coeliac disease, and a wonderful wine list is also available. The menu changes daily, to reflect the season and available ingredients, and the restaurant’s team will often forage for wild garlic, elderflower, wild rose, and a variety of other local plants. The team’s incredible passion for implementing sustainable practices is also evident. After dinner, we all retired back to the drawing room for coffee and an after dinner drink served with petit fours.
The following morning, we enjoyed breakfast, which was also served to order in the dining room. My choice; the Delphi Lodge Smoked Salmon, with poached eggs, rocket and potato cake served with a Hollandaise sauce, was one of the best I have ever had, and the full Irish looked pretty good too.
We had zero complaints about the food, and breakfast set us up nicely to explore the grounds for the day. You can’t visit Delphi lodge without a walk, or two, around the many tracks and trails on the 1000 acre property, where the peace and quiet is only interrupted by a number of cuckoos calling out to each other across the valley.
A visit to Delphi Lodge, be it for dinner, a family gathering, an intimate wedding, or for a weekend away, is a truly unique and special experience. While fishing is their speciality, you don’t need to enjoy fishing to enjoy a visit here, thanks to the peace and tranquillity, the beautiful walks, and most of all the dining. Delphi Lodge is a joy not to missed. We felt right at home following in the footsteps of Marquess of Sligo back in the day, or in more recent times, King Charles.
Delphi Lodge is part of Ireland’s Blue Book. Bookings can be made online at www.delphilodge.ie or by calling 095 42222.
