Reviews ~ overnights, restaurant, weddings & corporate hospitality

Overnights & restaurant

May 2009 A gracious house for peace and calm. The atmosphere is relaxed and carefree and the service discrete, elegant and interesting! Great combination of customer service, excellent food, drink, scenery, activities and service! We'll be back!

April 2011 Myself and my sister took my mum and aunt here as a birthday treat. We loved the big old house and were made feel very welcome. They put us in the two best rooms in the house and the four poster beds and bathrooms were top notch. The food was delicious - we stayed for an evening meal and breakfast. Lots of home made breads, pesto, jam and the main courses were lovely.

March 2011 Loved this beautiful Country house...central location, but so quiet and fab breakfast! Stayed in the little single room fit for a china doll, but was very happy there :)

March 2011 Just back from a lovely weekend stay at Ghan House and we couldn't have had a better experience. Stayed in the main house, the room was spacious but cosy and warm. It's an old Edwardian home and is decorated in line with that era but in our room there was a flat screen tv and Ipod docking station (if you're into that!). A nice touch by the owners - they have music playing in your room as you arrive and little handmade biscuits. We also had a lovely en-suite bathroom with a cast iron bathtub and a separate power shower. Views out to the bay and a short hop to the local pubs and restaurants - a perfect location. And their reputation for food is well deserved - local produce and fab presentation but most of all you can really relax and enjoy your meal, there's no rush on tables

November 2010 This place made me feel so relaxed and comfortable the moment I stepped through the front door into the large hall which had a lovely open fire burning brightly and this feeling lasted throughout our weekend stay. Breakfast menu was extensive and the homemade muesli was delicious. The dinner menu was interesting and food very tasty.  Bedrooms were tastefully furnished and roomy in the main house where we stayed.  Loved the shower.  I have only been in Carlingford briefly once before and was surprised to find so many good shops and friendly pubs/restaurants and lots of historical buildings. A gem of a place, well worth a stay and we intend to return.

November 2010 Just home after spending the weekend at Ghan House, celebrating a friends birthday.  From the first minute we arrived the welcome from Kayley was so warm and friendly. We stayed in the main house, our whole party was accommodated here and it was great to be all in the one place. The fire was burning in the hallway and when we arrived at our rooms, there was lovely relaxing music playing and the beds were so comfy looking we immediately felt at home.  Bathrooms complete with power shower, were clean and spacious. The furniture suited the ambience of the house perfectly.  Location is superb, just a couple of minutes walk from the town and the breakfasts and evening meal were superbly cooked and served.  Staff were lovely, so friendly and nothing was a bother to them.  All in all a great weekend, one which we will remember for a long time to come.  Thanks Paul and staff for making my friend's birthday so special.  Hopefully we will be all back again soon.

November 2010 Travelled with friends for an overnight, Bed, Breakfast and Evening Meal. Arrived early afternoon, fire was lit in the hall which was really charming. We had Bedroom no. 4 which was gorgeous- big roll top bath and walk in shower in the bathroom. After a wander around Carlingford we came back to the house and had drinks in the sitting room where they lit the fire for us it was pleasant and cozy. Then up to prepare for dinner. The dining room was so lovely and elegant with candlelight and sparkling glass and silverware. The Meal did not disappoint it was well cooked and presented. The staff were pleasant. Breakfast the next morning was very good, cooked to order, and the fruit compotes and muesli beforehand were homemade and delicious. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.  If you are looking for a modern hotel experience forget it and book into the Four Seasons next door. This is all about old world charm and experience of staying in an elegant country house.

April 2010 I could stay here again and again. It is romantic, peaceful and with so much to do for such a small place.  The food is beyond belief too!

Weddings

Marie & Steven, June 2011. 110 guests. We celebrated our daughters wedding in Ghan house on June 2nd with 110 guests. Weather hot and sunny. Ceremony in Heratage centre. Champagne, guinness and charcuterie selection on Ghan house lawn with jazz musicians playing in the background followed by speeches on the patio. Meal served inside in three beautiful drawing rooms. Food excellent and in abundance. House buzzing with people mingling throughout from the cosy bar to the comforable lounges out onto the candle lit lawns and by the pond. Band playing upstairs in the dance hall which was full with young revellers dancing through the night with sustainance from chicken curry and gourmet pizza served later in the evening. House rang with laughter and fun. We felt like lords of the manor as Paul the owner who was helpful and courteous from our first moment of contact remained descreet throughout the proceedings. We stayed up to see the sunrise over Carlingford Bay. Wonderful venue, Unforgetable memories, Would highly recommend it for a wedding. P.S. while the weather was a bonus for us on the day we feel sure that had the weather been bad Ghan house would still have been the most perfect venue with huge fires lit (they were lit that night) the candle light and the ambience that this house oozes. Go and enjoy.

Charlene and Robert , 20th May 2011, 72 guests  Both Robert and I just wanted to thank you so much for allowing us to enjoy one of the most special days of our lives.  Our wedding was fabulous.   Everything was so organised, the venue and setting is beautiful, the food delicious, accommodation amazing.  Service so professional and everyone was kind and wonderful.  Everyone had a fabulous day.  Everything was just perfect, I would not change one moment. Thank you so much

Barbara & Jerome, May 2009, 86 guests If you are after a truly amazing wedding venue Ghan House is top of the list. Intimate, charming, cozy and extremely relaxed exuding charm and oodles of character. What a fantastic and memorable day!!! Ghan House we thank you.

Sharon & John, Jan 2011 104 guests If you're looking for a wedding venue that is relaxed, intimate, welcoming, civilised and gives your guests a sense of a private house party with very good food - then I think Ghan House is one of the best options on the island (of Ireland).  In terms of giving overall value for money, an atmospheric location (including the wider village setting), and quality of service - you'll be hard pressed to do better than Ghan House.

January 2010, 54 guests Myself and my now husband had our wedding in the Ghan House in Carlingford on the 29th December 2010. To say the service was second to none would be an understatement! The attention to detail by all the staff was astounding. The food was exceptional, the ambience was stunning. We had all the bedrooms booked out for our guests and everyone commented on the beautiful and exceptionally spacious rooms. I could not recommend the Ghan House highly enough, they made our day so so memorable!! Thank you Paul and Sarah and all your staff!!!! X

January 2011, 86 guests We held our wedding at Ghan House in December 2010. The service and attention from Paul and Sarah was first class, the food was fantastic (especially the cooley beef) and the venue and location are stunning.  I have seen the other reviews on tripadvisor and all I can say is that these reviews do not accord with our experience. I would recommend this venue very highly - visit, speak to the staff and make your own mind up. The venue is, of course, a historic georgian house so if you want a modern hotel this may not be for you.

August 2010, 34 guests Lovely country house in carlingford with fantastic views of the lough and the mourne mountains.  A lovely house with great food ideal for a family wedding.

Corprate Hospitality

“Perfect for a small business group”

April 2011, 14 delegates. I brought a small group of colleagues from across Europe to Ghan House for a two day business meeting. During the planning stage most suggested we stay in Dublin, but I persisted as I wanted to give them a different view of Ireland. From an organisers point of view Paul and Sara could not have been more helpful and accommodating.
When the guests arrived - individually during the first afternoon the annual Leprechaun hunt in Carlingford was in full swing (don't ask !!!). It was suggested they drop their bags and join the hunt. They knew immediately that they were somewhere different than the usual run of the mill business hotel in a big city.
We used the hotel for meals, rooms and also for a meeting room. Everything worked well and our meeting was very efficient and relaxed. Reaction from all participants was extremely positive, with everyone enjoying the relaxed but very personal service. Lunches and breakfasts were fine, but the 'gala' evening meal was quite simply outstanding. The freshest local ingredients cooked to perfection, with excellent presentation.
This is the third time in recent years that I have used Ghan House for such events, and I always know that we will be well taken care of.
Well done Paul and Ghan House for being excellent ambassadors for Irish hospitality.

 

David Duffy, Prospectus strategy consultants, 23 delegates “Holding our team meeting at Ghan House proved to be an inspired choice -  its’ relaxed atmosphere, scenic location, superb cuisine and accommodation was a resounding success for us all. Rounding off the day sailing with East Coast Adventure was the icing on the cake – we’ll be back.”

“Brilliant Stay”

March 2011 Stayed here for 2 days with colleagues and loved it - the food - the service - the rooms.
Stayed in main building so can't comment on the annex, but am booking for my 40th birthday do.
Loved it!!

YOU TUBE VIDEOS

 

GUIDEBOOK REVIEWS

Restaurant Association of Ireland  - 2 years running - Winners 'Best hotel Restaurant in County Louth 2011 & 2010'

1998 to 2011 Bridgestone Guide - 12 continuous years of ‘Best 100 Places to Stay in Ireland’

Good Food Ireland Nominated (1 of 3) ‘Best Country House in Ireland 2007’

Food & Wine Magazine - Nominated ‘Best Restaurant in Leinster 2004’

Georgina Campbell’s Guide to Ireland 2006 - Selected ‘Best of the Best’

‘Good Food Ireland’  along with The Merrion, The Clarence & Ballmaloe Wine person of the year nominated 2008

John McKenna, 100 Best Places to Stay in Ireland 2007, Bridgestone Guide ~ 'Paul Carroll has made Ghan House into both the star of County Louth and the star of enigmatic little Carlingford. He has created a benchmark address that manages somehow , to keep getting better and better. Standards march ever upwards in Ghan House''

Room for Romance Guidebook FOODIES SHOULD MAKE A BEELINE for Ghan House. Inspirational cooking has made it a hot ticket, and the setting – with views of Slieve Foy and the Mountains of Mourne – is the cream on the icing of the cake.

Alastair Sawday’s Special Places to Stay in Ireland 2009 ‘Enclosed within the ancient walls of Carlingford, probably the best-preserved medieval town in Ireland, the house looks over the pond and Carlingford Lough to the distant Mourne Mountains.

There are arched doorways, mouldings….proper bathrooms - everything is impeccably done, everywhere you find thick wool carpets, family antiques, personal bits, a sense of deep comfort, plus books in the cosy little sitting room. The Carrolls know and enjoy what they are doing and are genuinely friendly with it. You won't be short of things to do, either. Restaurants, pubs, watersports, hill-walking or the simple pleasure of sitting by a turf fire.’

John & Sally McKenna, 100 Best Places to Stay in Ireland 2009, Bridgestone Guide Paul Carroll and his crew are welcoming. And they are generous. That welcoming nature, that generosity with time and effort, is why Ghan House is such an outstanding place to stay and eat.

Georgina Campbell’s Finest Places to Stay in Ireland, 2009 ‘Conveniently located just an hour from Dublin or Belfast airports, the Carroll family's 18th century house is attractively situated in its own walled grounds on the edge of Carlingford village, with views across the lough to the Mountains of Mourne.

Dinner is, of course, a high priority at Ghan House.’‘

 

The Irish Food Guide 2006 Everything fits here: the food matches the house, the service and hospitality chime resonantly and Ghan House is a destination that is consummately logical and consummately enjoyable'

May 2009 ‘A gracious house for peace and calm. The atmosphere is relaxed and carefree and the service discrete, elegant and interesting! Great combination of customer service. Excellent food, drink, scenery, activities and service! We'll be back!’

 

Michael and Nikki, Co. Down The Perfect Retreat"

Maria, England "Wonderful welcome, food, rooms, service, place. I'll be back again soon."

Sandra, Quebec "Truely the best of Irish Hospitality"

Ann, Sweden Thanks a million! We love it here!!"