Reviews of Property: Restored Stone Church, West Coast of Ireland as seen on Grand Designs.

Description Castle, 200 m²,
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10, 3 Bathrooms
Facilities near the sea, rural, garden, TV, DVD, parking
Rates per property
Set rates in Euros
€1,200 - €1,800/week 
GBP Conversion - Estimated
£1,081 - £1,622/week 
Jackie & Andrew Lohan
+353 (0)87-292 1444
Speaks: English, French, Spanish

7 Reviews of Property 67101 in County Mayo, Ireland

Rating
5 out of 5

une expérience magique

PRADINES FRANCE
Review Submitted: August 18, 2009 Date of Stay: July 2009
Depuis longtemps, mes parents souhaitaient découvrir l'Irlande, la beauté de ses paysages, la gentilesse de ses habitants... un vieux rêve de gosse exaucé de la plus belle des manières en cet été 2009 et un séjour terminé en apothéose au coeur de "the old church" !
Nous sommes donc venus à 11, frères, soeur, petits enfants pour les entourer dans leur beau voyage et vivre cette belle expérience à Killagan.
Rénovation parfaite, beauté et sérénité des lieux, très jolies chambres et salles de bain, décors de rêve, surtout à la nuit tombée quand l'église brille de tous ses feux et qu'on découvre l'église en habit de lumière.
"Là tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté, calme et volupté"... magique je vous dis !!!
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Tourists without a Car, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No
Rating
5 out of 5

An Inspiration!

Review Submitted: May 5, 2009 Date of Stay: April 2009
We've just returned from an amazing weekend break in Kilgallan to celebrate our mother's 60th birthday. My parents are currently renovating their own church in Co Wexford and we thought a trip to this wonderful restoration would give them lots of inspiration and we weren't wrong; they've gone home with lots of new ideas and renewed enthusiasm.

The property accommodated all of us comfortably, in fact, there were so many nooks and crannies we had to do a headcount when we were setting off anywhere. We happened to be blessed with fair weather which was partly a shame as I could have spent hours enjoying the splendid interior.

Andrew and Jackie really know how to make their guests feel at home with really comfortable bedrooms and living areas. The kitchen is a joy to potter in or sit and read a paper and is very well equipped. It was great having all the larder essentials and the makings of a cooked breakfast for our first morning was a really nice touch.

I've heard and read that this property has achieved the seemingly impossible by making a historic and imposing building comfortable and dare I say it, cosy! It really catered for our mixed group very well - the children had a great time exploring but were always within eyeshot.

There is plenty to do for old and young around the area (Westport, lovely beach at Luisbourg, Clew Bay etc) but we could have had equally good time spending more time back at base.We've been on plenty of self catering holidays and the places we've stayed have always fufilled our requirements but we will never forget our time in Kilgallan - it was so much more than a self-catering break, it was an amazing experience. Thank you for sharing this amazing place with us!
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Adventure Seekers, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 5/5
Rating
5 out of 5

Absolutely perfect

Stainless Norwalk Iowa USA
Review Submitted: October 13, 2008 Date of Stay: September 2008
From the moment we drove to this beautiful place I was impressed, the attention given to this building during it’s renovation was well thought out and they have done a great job!
The location is perfect, and the accommodations where everything we needed!
A well stocked kitchen with room for every one to get together for breakfast and dinner.
Plenty of beds and bathrooms for everyone, and a great place to relax! Listen to music through out the house.
Sit by the fire place and read a book, walk up to the local hotel pub for a drink with the neighbors, and we found a great golf course near by!

Thank you for sharing this beautiful place!
I didn't want to leave!!!

Seamus
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 5/6
Rating
5 out of 5

Perfect

miss molly Des Moines, Iowa USA
Review Submitted: October 13, 2008 Date of Stay: September 2008
My family and I traveled through the UK and Holland and our stay at Kilgallan was a highlight. The accommodations where very comfortable and spacious enough for 7 of us to have plenty of privacy. Perfect location for a variety of day trips and yet enjoyable to just stay put.

We arrived late and were greeted with wine and makings for breakfast the next morning! These small details made us feel immediately at home.

I recommend it highly.
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 7/7
Rating
5 out of 5

Designer Holidays

Tim & Louella London
Review Submitted: September 12, 2008 Date of Stay: August 2008
If you want to live in a beautiful building ideally positioned to explore the romantic west coast of Ireland this may be your best opportunity, even if only for a week or two. It was raining almost the whole time we were there - it was the worst August for many years - but we still had a wonderful time, Mayo is still largely undicovered by the travel press despite its wonderful scenery, the rich history and the warmth of the locals. Kilgallan offers a chance to enjoy all this while establishing your own space in luxurious surroundings. The building speaks for itself (if you haven't done already, look up the Grand Designs programme about it on the web). The light and space are exciting and the kitchen and bedrooms are high spec and well thoughtout. Una, who will look after you, is a star. Nothing is too much trouble: she will come when asked and has a fund of local knowledge to help you get the most from your holiday. As you may be able to guess we are hoping to go back. Book soon to avoid disappointment.
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 7/7
Rating
5 out of 5

Kilgallan

Matthew B London, UK
Review Submitted: September 11, 2008 Date of Stay: April 2008
My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Kilgallan. The house is as spectacular as it looks in the photographs and is a fabulous and luxurious place to stay. I will not forget evenings listening to the amazing sound system bouncing around the high ceilings with the clever lighting. The local arrangements to meet us and support were very convenient and helpful.
Within one to two hours drive there is some spectacular scenery and fascinating places. Dont miss the Doulough valley - awesome, but also we went to Achill island, Galway, Connemara and tracked down Grace O'Malleys castles!
I would thoroughly recommend it, and hope to return one day. The owners were very helpful and accomodating.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 7/7
Rating
5 out of 5

An absolute joy

calm_simon Ireland
Review Submitted: September 10, 2008 Date of Stay: March 2008
Myself and my siblings (and their children) try to get together once a year for a weekend break, as we all are busy, and spread across the country of Ireland. Instead of booking a hotel this time, I decided to look for something a little different. I had seen the "Grand Designs" episode on the church and when I found it to rent, I thought, what the hell! I booked for 9 days, as my family needed a break before the others arrived.....
I didnt think the place would live up to the hype of the TV programme, but it did. It is an amazing architectural feat to make the church feel comfortable - but it has been achieved. It didnt feel cold in any sense, and the decor is somehow still in keeping with the structure.
Bedrooms - well furnished and beds comfortable. Good storage space.
Bathrooms - nicely equipped, especially the 2 ensuites upstairs with full baths.
Living area - split level but still warm and cosy - especially with the big fire. Small choice of DVD's and a TV - which is nicely hidden in an old cabinet.
Kitchen - well equipped with high end equipment (SMEG!), nice tableware - had everything we needed from mixers to cafetiere to propoer cooking utensils.
Tower and stairs area - brilliant for kids! Like their own castle
Garden - huge, with the odd gravestone!
Pub - 15 minutes walk to a good pint (my brother did dissappear into the ditch on the walk home while avoiding a car...)
Location: car needed.

Overall? It is more expensive than other options, but it was worth it - a real treat.
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No Helpful votes: 5/5