Roundood House Country House Accommodation Bed and Breakfast Cottage Rental

Exploring the Roundwood House library and literary links

Staying in a country house that has beautiful places to sit quietly and watch the world go by must surely count as one of life’s great pleasures. Now add shelf after shelf of fascinating books, and the picture becomes even more appealing. At Roundwood House, a firm favourite with guests is Frank’s library. This cosy room is piled high with books and offers a secluded nook for some reading, quiet chat and even a tray of afternoon tea.

Located in the quiet Coach House in the grounds of Roundwood House, the library is is home to 2000+ books, organised across two levels. There are armchairs and desks for the use of guests and tea and refreshments can be arranged for anyone wishing to spend a few hours engrossed in literature, art,  history or general escapism through the pages of a book.

Literary links

The Roundwood House library is eclectic in its contents, reflecting the many and varied interests of its creator. In a similar vein, Ireland is home to many literary luminaries, writing across several genres down the centuries. From playwrights to poets, critics to novelists, the Emerald Isle has inspired a high number of writers. Here are just a few with links to Dublin and other locations that can be reached from Roundwood House for anyone interested in a literary day trip or two. Perhaps you will find some of their works nestling in the shelves of Frank’s library at Roundwood House this year…

Wilde and Joyce

Oscar Wilde is arguably one of Ireland’s most famous playwrights, known for his biting wit and flamboyant, often scandalous lifestyle. Known for such plays as The importance of Being Earnest and Lady Windermere’s Fan, Wilde was born in Dublin in 1854. Dublin also produced the novelist and poet, James Joyce, who was born there in 1882. His novel, Ulysses was written in 1922 and set in the capital city. It has many passages in it that describe the vibrancy of early 20th-century Dubin in detail.

Beckett and Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin in 1856 and was a prolific literary critic and writer of plays. These included Arms and the Man, Man and Superman – and Pygmalion, which later inspired the musical, My Fair Lady. Bernard Shaw won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925. Playwright Samual Beckett was born in County Dublin in 1906 and died in Paris aged 83. He was another Irish Nobel Prizewinner for Literature and wrote in both English and French. His best-known play is Waiting for Godot, which looks at the absurd nature of human existence.

Irish Booker Prize Winners

Irish authors have made a significant impact on the literary world, with several winning the prestigious Booker Prize. Notable winners include Anne Enright for “The Gathering” in 2007, Roddy Doyle for “Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha” in 1993, and John Banville for “The Sea” in 2005. These authors have captivated readers with their unique perspectives on Irish life and culture. The most recent Booker Prize winner for 2023, Paul Lynch, is also Irish. He won it for his haunting and lyrical novel, “Prophet Song”.

Finally, County Laois celebrates its own links to literature at the annual Leaves Festival of writing and music every November. A line-up of workshops, performance and other literary and musical events will be presented across the county. It’s never too early to book your accommodation at Roundwood House in readiness for some literary inspiration later on in the year.

If you want to find out more about Roundwood House or want to contact us about availability please use the form HERE

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Roundwood House Luxury Accommodation Bed and Breakfast Cottage rental

Get on your (mountain) bike in 2024 at Roundwood House

Who fancies a new fitness challenge for 2024?

Mountain biking in Ireland is one of the best hobbies out there for getting fit, learning new skills, getting out into the fresh air and meeting new people. It is an environmentally friendly way to see the glorious Irish countryside too, without the need for lots of driving or worrying about where to park the car.

There’s good news for ardent fans of mountain biking who are looking for the perfect place for their first adventure of 2024. The Slieve Bloom mountains in central Ireland are well set up to welcome mountain bikers of all abilities. The region is one of the most beautiful in Ireland and jam-packed with picturesque trails that range from flat forest roads for beginners to challenging ‘hilly’ routes for the more experienced. Helpful signage and downloadable trail maps help make navigating your way a simple task.

Prepare your bike – and yourself

Many of the mountain bike trails in the Slieve Bloom mountains are challenging and require higher levels of fitness and bike maintenance. Follow up on that new year’s resolution to get to the gym and get your strength and cardio levels up. The fitter you are the longer you can carry on following the trails – and the less likely you are to sustain any injuries. The same goes for your bike. Book it in with your local bike shop for a full service before setting off on your trip. Give it a New Year’s present of new tyres, brake pads and chain. Even though you are bound to meet up with mud and dirt in the mountains, disassemble and clean your bike before you set off, so that you can start off with it in the best possible condition.

Choose your trails

Be realistic when working out which trails to follow – and especially when planning how long each one will take. You will doubtless want to stop for rest water and snack breaks. Factor in extra time in case of unexpected delays. Check out local websites for details of the trails you might want to ride. There are currently 35km of new, waymarked trails in the region, stretching from Kinnitty to the north-west to Baunreagh in the south-east. Each trail is marked for its difficulty level from blue (moderate, some single-track sections) to red (difficult with challenging climbs and tricky descents). Always stay safe and do not attempt the harder trails until you have built up enough relevant experience.

Safety first

As with any physical activity or adventure sport, safety must be paramount.

It is likely that you will encounter wet and windy weather, especially during the winter months and early spring. Dress warmly and wear or carry at least one waterproof layer. Always wear a helmet. Do not go out on the trail if there are weather warnings or severe conditions. Let someone know where you are going to ride and carry a mobile phone or other means to call for help. Always carry a first aid kit and bike repair equipment, including a tyre pump, spare inner tubes, basic tools and puncture repair kit. Take a map, GPS, compass and plenty of water and high-energy snacks. Warm up before setting off.

A warm welcome

Finally, book your accommodation at Roundwood House to ensure a warm welcome and practical base for your mountain biking Slieve Bloom adventures.

Our comfortable rooms are the ideal place to get a good night’s sleep ahead of your ride, and to wash off the mud and dirt when you get back for the evening.

Our home cooked meals will restore your energy and warm your feet and hand while the friendly team will be waiting to hear all about your day in the mountains. Roundwood House is perfect for couples and families as well as larger mountain biking groups.

We can tell you about the local wildlife that you may encounter on the trails tool, as well as the best places locally to buy supplies or meet other mountain biking enthusiasts.

If you want to find out more about Roundwood House or want to contact us about availability please use the form HERE

You can also check us out on our social media pages here:

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Roundwood House County Laoise Best Food and Drink Luxury Country House Accommodation and Cottages

Calling all foodies: amazing food and drink at Roundwood House

If, like us, you believe that good holidays revolve around excellent food and drink, then you have come to the right place.

At Roundwood House, we take pride in offering our guests the very best that County Laois and Ireland has to offer.

Delicious, locally sourced ingredients, turned into mouth-watering dishes, cooked on site to your taste by our talented chef, Paddy. What more could you ask for?

Famous Irish foods

Ireland is well-known around the globe for a number of fabulous food and beverages that must be sampled and enjoyed.

Some favourites include Guinness stew, seafood chowder, treacle soda bread and, for those brave enough, black pudding.

For dessert, there is a slice or three of whiskey-laced cake or a brilliantly boozy sherry trifle.

There are multiple local cafes and restaurants in the area that are eager to serve up top quality Irish food and drink, or guests can sit back and enjoy delicious home-cooked treats at Roundwood House.

Home-cooked heaven

Roundwood House Best Food and Drink Luxury Accommodation and CottagesThe kitchen at Roundwood House really is the heart of the home, buzzing with activity and wafting delicious aromas throughout the house as Paddy works his culinary magic.

Guests can enjoy amazing meals, cooked from scratch and served in cosy surroundings alongside excellent company.

The whole experience is made even better by just having a short climb upstairs to bed while someone else does the washing up.

Local produce

One of the main reasons why guests rave about the food and drinks served at Roundwood House is the fact that so many ingredients are sourced locally.

Meat is provided by Mick, the trusted local butcher, who supplies amazing grass-fed lamb and beef.

Vegetables are pulled out of nearby soil, mushrooms provided by a local forager, while artisan local producers supply cheese, oats, barley and wheat. Soda bread, crackers, yoghurt, muesli and flapjacks are freshly made for guests on site, every day.

Alcohol August

Ireland is just as famous for its alcoholic delights as it is for its fine food.

As well as the world-renowned Guinness, there is a wide range of whiskeys waiting to be sampled.

These form the basis for a number of other famous beverages, including the soul-warming Irish coffee, made by combining black coffee and cream with whiskey and sugar.

Irish cream blends whiskey and other spirits with dairy cream, chocolate and vanilla, to be enjoyed straight, on the rocks or as a cocktail ingredient.

The ultimate in indulgent after-dinner drinks!

If you want to find out more about Roundwood House or want to contact us about availability please use the form HERE

You can also check us out on our social media pages here:

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10 of Ireland’s Most Charming Hotels – Trips to Discover, June 2021

You might say the entire country of Ireland is charming with its long list of beautiful destinations to explore, and in general, you would be right, but there are some hotels that truly do stand out above the rest. Expect to find welcoming hospitality in addition to cozy on-site restaurants, lovely garden atmospheres, and historic castle settings. From top-rated stays in Dublin to the iconic stays near the famous Cliffs of Moher, these are the most charming hotels in Ireland…

Roundwood House, Co. Laois

popular bed and breakfast in Ireland, Roundwood House in Mountrath is just an hour from the capital city of Dublin. It was once named among the top one percent of the world’s hotels by TripAdvisor, which is quite an accomplishment for this grand 18th-century country house that sits at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Well lived-in, it has plenty of character, along with exceptional service. Guests can peruse the library, dedicated to the development of civilization, as well as enjoy dinners cooked using seasonal, local ingredients. If you prefer to eat alone, you can dine in the study, or enjoy the company of fellow guests. When the weather cooperates, enjoy exploring the surrounding parkland and lovely gardens, along with multiple outbuildings that make for a unique Irish experience.

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Trips to Discover, June 2021

10 Great Gourmet Getaways… here is our pick of great accommodations for food lovers – Irish Examiner, June 2021

Roundwood House, Co. Laois

Every evening at 8pm, chef owner Paddy Flynn, rings the gong in the reception hall of Roundwood House and announces that dinner is about to be served. Aperitif glasses tinkle as guests make their way to the intimate dining room to enjoy Roundwood’s knock-out candlelight dinner – sans pretension.

Focussed on great local producers from Laois and neighbouring Offaly, dishes here include seared fig with mint labneh, hummus, maple glazed carrot and harissa vinaigrette followed by roast lamb loin with blueberry sauce, sweet potato & roast garlic purée, seared asparagus and duck fat roast Potatoes.

Overnighting in this Palladian family-home is a dream, as is the overall ambiance thanks to warm hosting from Paddy’s wife Hannah, their two daughters, and a supporting act of two pet dogs and Brewster the resident rooster. A real gem.

Stay with dinner and breakfast from €150pps roundwoodhouse.com

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Delight for Laois family hotel as major award announced – The Leinster Express, October 2020

A beloved Laois country hotel has won the Irish Hotel of the Year Award.

Hannah and Paddy Flynn who own and run Roundwood House in Laois have won a prestigious César Award, “Irish Hotel of the Year” from the Good Hotel Guide.

It is all the more meaningful for the couple who took over the reins 12 years ago from Hannah’s parents, Frank and Rosemarie Kennan, because they themselves won a César Award in 1989.

“Winning that award was a real turning point for their business”, says Hannah, and she remembers how excited her parents were as they headed off to London for the award ceremony.

Hannah and Paddy won’t be going to London to collect their award, 31 years later, but rather will attend a ceremony on Zoom during which they will open a bottle of Tattinger Champagne, kindly sent to them by the Good Hotel Guide for the occasion. No doubt Frank and Rosemarie will join them for a glass too.

The Good Hotel Guide’s range of entries, 750 hotels, inns and B&Bs in the UK and Ireland, is deliberately eclectic and according to it’s editor, Adam Raphael, their selected properties “are not just the pick of the best; they have hospitality built into their very fabric.”

Bubble Breaks for Groups – 10 of the Best, Georgina Campbell’s Ireland, May 2020

As travel restrictions ease this summer we’re all dying to get away for a break and need something to look forward to, but we also need to feel safe – so, while all hosts will take special care to ensure that guests feel comfortable with their arrangements this year, those destinations that can cater separately for families and other ‘bubble’ groups offer the opportunity of a particularly relaxing stay...

Here are just a few especially appealing options to tempt you… Most plan to re-open on 20th July but dates and services may change, so do check regularly.

Roundwood House, Co. Laois

Secluded in mature woodland, at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, this unspoilt 18th-century house is an absolute gem and a sense of history and an appreciation of genuine hospitality (and good food) are all that is needed to make the most of a stay at this magical property. Restored by Frank and Rosemarie Kennan over many years, it is now run with equal dedication and charm by their daughter Hannah and her husband Paddy Flynn. Just don’t expect television or techie devices here: despite (or perhaps because of) Frank’s work ‘before Roundwood’ this is the place for a digital detox – and there’s an absolutely magnificent library in a converted coach house, which is perfect for quiet relaxation but it can also be set up for a drinks reception. The house is available for groups / private parties and the ten lovely en-suite rooms can accommodate up to 20 – but they also have two charming self catering cottages each sleeping two. Roundwood is a one-off and the area is a treat to explore.

https://www.ireland-guide.com/ten-of-the-best/bubble-breaks-for-groups---10-of-the-best.14098.html

10 secret hideaways in Ireland’s Ancient East, www.ireland.com

From castles and cottages to lighthouses and lovely glamping spots, Ireland’s Ancient East offers some truly unique places to stay...

An award-winning, family-friendly Georgian country house hotel, Roundwood House nestles in parkland below the Slieve Bloom mountains. This lovingly decorated oasis features blazing fires, communal dinners, expansive gardens and was once described as having a “marvellous doll’s house-like quality”. Explore the beautiful scenery of the Laois mountains, and retire to the unusual, purpose-built library in the evening to delve into the history of world civilisation with a glass of wine.

https://www.ireland.com/en-no/accommodation/articles/irelands-ancient-east-unique-acommodation/

An Idyllic Escape with Food Worth Fixating Over, The Taste, Darina Coffey, September, 2017

A Hidden Ireland gem you simply must uncover... In this country of hidden gems and uncovered treasures, hopping in the car and taking the road less traveled is always a fantastic idea. That road, for me, veered off the familiar N7 to Mountrath, a tiny County Laois village about which I had heard very little, apart from whispers from ardent food lovers of uncharted culinary territory. After a surprisingly painless drive, just an hour and a half after leaving Dublin, I navigate a winding tree-lined driveway through an enchanting forest to arrive at what can only be described as a Palladian villa, the 300 year old Roundwood House awaits. A member of the prestigious Hidden Ireland portfolio, I was about to find out just why the 33 member properties are so sought after. Owner Hannah greets you at the grand double doors and children’s shoes line the entrance way, you are being welcomed into someone’s home, but certainly not your neighbour’s two up two down. A double height entrance hallway is breathtaking in baby blue, with a mahogany round table centre-piece of fresh cut flowers and goodies from local artisan producers proudly on display in every corner. The personal touch, that genuine warmth, is an element of a property which can’t easily be faked and within minutes of my arrival I’m perched by the open fire, settling in and drinking in the ambiance of a historical house bursting with character and charm. Handmade oat flapjacks and coffee follow swiftly and the phones are set aside to simply unwind in the moment. Paddy, Hannah’s husband, co-host and chef, comes to greet me and tells me enthusiastically that he has been hard at work in the kitchen, with a group of chef friends helping him put together tonight’s five course surprise feast. I can’t but peruse the menu ahead of visiting a restaurant, but Paddy is giving nothing away about what will appear on the list of locavore delights later in the evening, building quiet anticipation. As Paddy and co work their magic in the kitchen, an afternoon of wandering the grounds and lounging without the white noise of modern life lay ahead of me, and I couldn’t have been more content. Roundwood has ten guest rooms, four of which are in the main house, and my Yellow Room, just up the grand staircase which dominates the entrance hall was true to its heritage in every way, lovingly restored rather than renovated. The presence of a fireplace harked back to the room’s original state and as would come to be a theme throughout my stay, a selection of books sat atop a handsome dressing table, willing me to dive in. The entire house is dotted with bulging bookcases rather than plasma TVs and wifi routers, reminding you that pleasures of the past can be just what the doctor ordered to escape the pace of life we all tend to keep these days. As it was a mercifully dry day, strolling through the cobbled courtyard, stopping to pet Rococo the golden retriever, admiring ducks and being mildly terrified by a plucky and inquisitive hen was the perfect way to while away an afternoon in nature. Roundwood’s extensive grounds are storybook beautiful, I sigh to myself, even before I clap eyes on the piece de resistance – A Beauty and the Beast-esque library. Spread over two levels, with ample armchairs in cosy corners, The History of the Evolution of Civilisation library is packed wall to wall with everything from Fisk’s tome on the Middle East to the Book of Kells. This enchanting space is couched in exposed brick, with beautiful brass lighting fixtures hanging from exposed beam-lined arched ceilings. I couldn’t help but feel like this space, in its sumptuous solitude, was luxurious in a way no hotel, five star or otherwise, has ever compared to. Reluctantly leaving the library, the aroma of all kinds of deliciousness greeted me at the doorway and filled the main house, beckoning guests to the dining room for the centerpiece of our stay – a dining experience to remember. As a Hidden Ireland property, guests can sit at a communal table to further the homely ambiance and in this case, despite being dotted all around the grand red-walled dining room, conversation flowed between guests immediately, something you just don’t get in a hotel dining setting. A couple who married at Roundwood mere months earlier and a family of four, their children now teens whose childhood holidays were spent here, were fantastic gauges of Roundwood’s enduring charm. “There aren’t enough superlatives, it must be my 10th time here” I’m told, and they speak of Paddy, Hannah and their kids like old friends and reminisce about many a session in the drawing room post dinner. Unburdened by choice, our starter was one of the most more-ish lamb dishes I have enjoyed in recent times- a wispy crisp of lamb crackling sat atop melting slow braised Lamb Cheeks with sweet velvety parsnip and a herbaceous mint chimichurri. Simple and ample as this was, every mouthful was to be savoured and I would have eaten it four times over – a triumphant start indeed. For our second starter, meaty Oyster Mushrooms are crispy fried and umami rich, and the heady scent of truffle lingers in the air. Leaves shouldn’t be exciting, but here they shone, freshly plucked from the garden hours before. Finished with a Mossfield cheddar crisp, which added to the intense savoury edge of the dish as well as providing pleasing crunch, this was a plate of simple ingredients with incredibly tasty results. Clever balance and emphasis on fantastic ingredients becomes the obvious order of the day by the time an ample main course of Sirloin of Beef arrives. Homegrown produce is a common theme, but Paddy tells me one of the girls who works here grew the asparagus – I’ll allow it, charred and grassy against blushing pink beef and magenta sweet beetroot puree with a dash of piquant horseradish. Seductively simple and entirely satisfying. The sound of greedy scraping of plates punctuates the evening – although each of the five courses are generous in size, there is a shared feeling that leaving any go to waste would be a travesty. “Does anyone feel like cheese?” chimes Paddy, emerging from the kitchen once our demolished mains are cleared – that most wonderful of propositions. What a happy girl I was to be presented with a quadrant of quality Irish Artisan Cheese alongside homemade sesame crackers and a pot of Hannah’s mother’s own green tomato chutney. Mossfield Cheddar (Bruce Springsteen’s favourite, Paddy tells me) sat next to one of my favourites, Crozier Blue, Little Milk Company brie and the jewel in the crown of Irish farmhouse cheese, the ever distinctive and ever enjoyable Milleens made up an expertly curated cheeseboard worth lingering over. A final flourish of a Chocolate Cup, filled with a scoop of homemade craisin and Cognac ice cream – that’s rum and raisin with added oomph – put my sweet tooth to bed and ushered me towards my room after what had been a thoroughly enjoyable dinner which alone was worth booking in for. The fact that Paddy is not a formally trained chef baffles me, but not unlike the gifted Kevin Murphy of ídas in Dingle, he is innately connected to his ingredients and committed to helping them shine. This carries through to a simple yet scrumptious breakfast, which begins with stewed rhubarb from the garden with local curd and granola and freshly squeezed orange juice. A French press of good coffee later (something which has proven elusive to even the finest hotels), and having sworn I was still full after last night’s extravaganza I had made good inroads into one of the better full Irish breakfasts I’ve enjoyed, all sourced from local farmer and butcher Mick Keegan, with two plump and perfectly poached eggs and more of that excellent green tomato preserve. Worth it. Lamenting that the rest of my day couldn’t include lingering in the library and saying my goodbyes, I reflected on the words of a fellow guest, he who comes year in year out – “three days at Roundwood is worth a week anywhere else in the world.” Utter tranquility, inimitable original charm and a welcome as warm and inviting as an open fire after a winter’s trek in the neighbouring Slieve Bloom mountains combined with an exceptional culinary offering, Roundwood is a feast for the eyes and the (hungry) soul – a Hidden Irish gem you simply must uncover. https://thetaste.ie/wp/roundwood-house-mountrath-laois-review/

Lesser Spotted Ireland: Midlands magic in overlooked Laois, Harry McGee, The Irish Time – August 2015

Forage with Wild Food Mary, dine at the gorgeous 17th-century Roundwood House and discover a lost village in the Slieve Blooms: Laois is under-rated... Poor Laois. For many tourists it’s just a name on a blurry sign as they zip through on the M7, M8 and M9 motorways to destinations where there is the neon of the sea and the tinsel of mountains. When you flick through Lonely Planet, the portents are not good: “Little-visited Laois is often overlooked as drivers zoom past . . . ” is its sad introduction. Yep, it’s a county that just can’t compete with the Atlantic counties, or even with Kilkenny or Tipperary, in the “come hither” department. In fairness to Lonely Planet, if you persevere for a few more sentences, the guide book points out that there is an allure to Laois. A real hidden corner of Ireland, it says. Or, a prime candidate for Lesser Spotted Ireland, in Irish Times speak. Okay, any time I have sat down in January and plotted my summer holidays, Laois has never emerged at the top of the list. It might not be as dramatic as the rugged Macgillycuddy’s Reeks or the Skelligs or Aran or the Rock of Cashel. It might not jingle like Killarney or Tramore or Salthill or Strandhill. But this road less taken brought me to a more discreet and mildly magical place this summer.  Eye-pleasing house Five kilometres from the town of Mountrath, the first wonderful stop is unveiled in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom mountains. Down an avenue roofed with trees and dappled with sunshine lies Roundwood House, an eye-pleasing Georgian House dating from the 17th century. This Palladian villa is gorgeous inside, with high ceilings, great windows, authentic period pieces and architecture. The floorboards are like the deck of a galleon: ancient, well-trodden but comforting. A “don’t touch” museum it is not. It’s a guest house and restaurant, and part of the Hidden Ireland group. The house is old but the vibe is young. Its owners, Hannah and Paddy Flynn, have taken over the running of the house in the past few years from Hannah’s parents, who ran it for three decades. The atmosphere is relaxed, laid-back and mellow. If a particular beverage company did Airbnb, this is what it would look and feel like. It’s very much a fully lived-in family home. We have our four-year-old daughter, Sadhbh, with us. Within seconds she has struck up a friendship with the couple’s young daughters, Amelie (7) and Lucie (5), and over the next day the three explore every inch of the house and the amazing grounds of long-grassed meadows, with their broadleaf woodlands of oak, beech and ash. A serene rainless sky helps. For a child this is what a carefree summer’s day is all about. Animals abound: hens, ducks, geese, two dogs, and cattle in the surrounding fields. There used to be a peacock but he was not replaced; he made a cacophony of noise during the night that undid the spectacular daytime displays of feathers. There are other unexpected discoveries to be made in the woodlands and meadows. We meet Mary Bulfin, aka Wild Food Mary, a forager and chef, who acts as a guide on a novel journey. Mary is a fascinating guide, full of knowledge and information, with a lively disposition. We walk no more than 500m, through a woods, a field overgrown with grasses, a hedgerow, past an oak and through a rhododendron passage. But it involves a kind of epic journey that opens up a new micro-universe of grasses, nuts, flowers, plants and weeds, all either edible or medicinal. Armed with a small utility knife, which she uses like a machete, Mary gathers massive mushrooms, which turn a suspicious toxic blue immediately after being picked. “Are they poisonous?” we ask. “Not at all, but those ones over there are,” she says, pointing to an innocuous-looking group of mushrooms with pointy heads. And then there are the nettles, wild garlic, sloes, whin, St John’s wort and a host of other stuff. Earlier in the Slieve Blooms she picked fraughans – blueberries or bilberries that are native to this corner of Ireland – which have a wonderful tart, sweet taste. There was lots of information. Be careful picking wild garlic leaves: they often grow next to bluebells, whose leaves are similar but as poisonous as they are beautiful. That long, ground-hugging sticky weed you find in your back garden is highly edible, healthy and can be juiced. In times past it was bunched together and used as a kind of sieve. It would catch the impurities as goat’s milk was poured through it. Whin (furze or gorse) is edible. You can use it in salads or make wine or tea from it. Areal bonus of the excursion was that it provided the inspiration for dinner. Paddy is an excellent chef, and the meal he prepares that evening includes all that has been foraged. The blue mushrooms make a starter (we hesitate until Mary has taken her first bite). The garlic, fraughans and other plants all find their way into garnishes and dessert. Like a lot of the Hidden Ireland houses, dinner is a communal affair, with all the guests sitting around one table. You kind of fear it will be all awkward small talk, but it turns out to be very convivial. Walking the Slieve Blooms The next day I drive up into the heart of the Slieve Blooms, where I meet Gerry Hanlon, an amiable shopkeeper from Mountmellick and a stalwart of the local walking group. These mountains are not Ireland’s most vertical: the highest is about 500m and the tops tend to be round and a bit boggy compared with the more jagged mountains farther west. But in the context of the midlands they are dramatic, rising suddenly out of the bogs. Unusually for a hill walk, we begin at the summit point, work our way down to the lowest point and come up again. That is at the Ridge of Capard, a viewing point where you can see a vast panorama of the midland plains that takes in 12 counties. In the far distance, you can see the Wicklow mountains, the Comeraghs, Galtymore, and the Knockmealdowns 103km away. Here on the ridge, you can see the fruits of projects to open up the Slieve Blooms to recreational walkers: dozens of waymarked trails and boardwalks erected over the mushiest terrain. These trails criss-cross the range from more than half a dozen starting points, including Kinnitty in Co Offaly on the far side. The walk we partake in is about 12km, a variation on an Eco trail that skirts the river Barrow before rising through forest and meadows up the Ridge of Capard. On our descent, Hanlon and I stay off the roads and tracks and follow obscure – and sometimes very overgrown – pathways through the wonderful broadleaf forests (and some newer coniferous growth) of the former Capard estate. The trailhead for this walk is at Glenbarrow, which is a nice picnic spot. On this Saturday its ample car park is jammed: a good sign. The walk from Glenbarrow includes a broad path among elegant tall trees near the river. Soon, you come to a waterfall named Clamp Hole. From there the path follows steeper ground uphill as it rises above the river valley. We pass long-derelict stone quarries: what back-breaking toil must have been involved. We stay with the river for a while, walking up on wide flags of sandstone rocks that protrude above the water. The river’s water has eroded and smoothed the sandstone so much that it looks like the limestone flags of the Burren. And what do they look like? Holey Emmental cheese. Another remarkable sight is the Lost Village, the ruins of a settlement of houses near the remote hilltop, some of which were occupied until the early 20th century. The most extraordinary ruins are of what was once a prosperous stone farmhouse, which has become engulfed by the forest. Wild Food Mary’s tutorial the previous day has not been totally lost. Along the way, I spot some St. John’s wort, along with an impressive blackthorn bush and its sloes. I do not come across any fraughans, however. They are a little bit like Laois, those native berries: a little overlooked and elusive but well worth the effort of the search. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/lesser-spotted-ireland-midlands-magic-in-overlooked-laois-1.2316089