22 GAZETTE 18 August 2011
GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel
Limerick’s hidden treasures and lovely people make it a cool trip MIMI MURRAY
60th anniversary of The Quiet Man honoured at Ashford Castle IN 1951, John Ford’s greatest movie; The Quiet Man starring John Wayne and Irish-born actress Maureen O’Hara, was made in the beautiful landscape of the west of Ireland. John Ford’s award-winning comedy has been both reviled and celebrated for its larger-than-life portrayal of Ireland. The Quiet Man outdoor scenes were shot in various locations in counties Galway and Mayo - mainly around the scenic Maam Valley on the shores of Lough Corrib, Ashford Castle and the nearby village of Cong. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the making of the movie, the five-star Ashford Castle Hotel is offering two unique and luxurious Quiet Man packages, which will be available until September 30, 2011. Package one consists of two nights accommodation in a Corrib View room; full Irish breakfast for two people each morning; fivecourse dinner for two people in the George V on one evening; one-hour tour by Gerry Collins visiting five local sites that were featured in the film in the village of Cong; entry into the Quiet Man Museum in the village of Cong. It also includes dressing up in the costumes in the Museum and allowing pictures to be taken. This package costs €415 per person. Package two consists of two nights accommodation in a Corrib View room; full Irish breakfast for two people each morning; fivecourse dinner for two people in the George V on one evening; half-day tour visiting most of the locations used in the film capturing the splendour of Connemara, Galway and Mayo. This costs €500 per person. For reservations contact 094 954 6003/ www.ashford.ie
LIMERICK, bless it, gets a bad rap. However, when asked to sample the county recently I jumped at the chance, having never been and being easily accessible from Dublin, we headed off on a Friday evening. We were eager to sample both a country and city location and decided to stay in the Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge which is just past the quaint village of Adare. The place is a charming old country house painted in deep, rich colours and is kitted out with comfy antique furniture. The staff couldn’t be friendlier and on arrival the owner, Dan, gave us a warm welcome. We ate in the charming dining room that evening, which was quite busy. Our French waiter was attentive and we thoroughly enjoyed the fresh country kitchen cuisine, much of it coming from the garden that morning. The next day, after a comfortable night’s sleep, I was treated to a Thai massage. Having been to Thailand recently I know only too well the merits of this type of massage if done right, and this one didn’t disappoint. I was left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated as we set off for Limerick city.
No. 1 Per y Square was launched two and a half years ago and is in a quiet area of Limerick beside the People’s Park. A stylish old Georgian building, it houses a restaurant, an underground spa, a bar and is all very compact. After a quick drink we headed out towards O’Connell St and our destination that night, the Corn Store. This was a real find, with some delicious seafood on the menu. After dinner we were happy to discover there was a live jazz band set up to play for the rest of the evening. We fell in with a fun crowd who took us on a tour of some of Limerick’s choice venues, including The Sin Bin, where we danced the night away to some suspect 90’s music.
T he following day the underground spa allowed us to rejuvenate and our weary bones and feet that had taken a battering the night before got some much needed pampering. Next it was off to picturesque Adare, which really is worth a look. It has some stunning boutiques offering topend designer labels. Many are perfect for bridal and mother-of the-bride outfits. We spied a wedding about to take place at the stunning local church and waited around to see the bride step from her vintage car and wave at the gathering crowds. After gorging on all things bridal we headed back to the city for dinner. The restaurant staff were very well versed in Brasserie One and
Onglet steak were interesting, as was the pork belly. There was one fish dish but more could be added and, having dined on hake the night before, I didn’t want to go for the same again. The Milk Market is worth a look on Saturday and Sunday mornings and all the locals gather to catch up over coffee and peruse the many stalls on offer. So, back to that bad rap: Limerick is a cool city with plenty of interesting people and is definitely worth a look.
Above: A bedroom in No. 1
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‘No. 1 Pery Square was launched two and a half years ago and is in a quiet area of Limerick beside the People’s Park. A stylish old Georgian building, it houses a restaurant, an underground spa, a bar and is all very compact ’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------One thing I will say our friendly waiter recabout Limerick – eve- ommended a bottle of ryone is exceptionally Slovenian wine, which friendly and helpful, was perfect on a sunny and, at one point when summer’s day. The menu was slightwe appeared a little lost, a very nice young ly wintry for the time of lady offered us direc- year but was tasty nonetions without us having theless. Beef cheek and to ask.
Above and below; images from Echo Lodge