Cois Bladhma Cottage Guidebook
Convenience
The market town of Mountrath is just a 3 minute drive from the property where you will find grocery stores, a hardware store, 24 hour garage, bakery, cafés, restaurants/take-aways, hair salons, a florist and most impressively Bloom HQ - a digital and co-working hub with gym, tennis and basketball courts. The Cosy Café prepare Picnic Boxes that you can take to the mountains with you as well as Afternoon Tea Boxes to enjoy in the comfort of your accommodation. There's also a great park for the kids with zipline.
Mountrath
The market town of Mountrath is just a 3 minute drive from the property where you will find grocery stores, a hardware store, 24 hour garage, bakery, cafés, restaurants/take-aways, hair salons, a florist and most impressively Bloom HQ - a digital and co-working hub with gym, tennis and basketball courts. The Cosy Café prepare Picnic Boxes that you can take to the mountains with you as well as Afternoon Tea Boxes to enjoy in the comfort of your accommodation. There's also a great park for the kids with zipline.
City/town information
The heritage town of Abbeyleix is just a 15 minute drive away where you will find a number of restaurants and cafés such as McEvoys Steak & Wine Bar, Brambles Café and our favourite, Mueller & O'Connell that freshly bakes the best sourdough bread, muffins and pastries around. You will also find a great boardwalk across the bog located to the rear of the Manor Hotel with Polly's Food Truck for great coffee or wood-fired pizza.
Abbeyleix
The heritage town of Abbeyleix is just a 15 minute drive away where you will find a number of restaurants and cafés such as McEvoys Steak & Wine Bar, Brambles Café and our favourite, Mueller & O'Connell that freshly bakes the best sourdough bread, muffins and pastries around. You will also find a great boardwalk across the bog located to the rear of the Manor Hotel with Polly's Food Truck for great coffee or wood-fired pizza.
Portlaoise has everything you need for your stay and here are some of our favourites. Kelly's Steakhouse is a must. Croft Alley make amazing wood-fired pizzas. Lana's Asian Street Food is a definite and if you like Indian food, Mayur is the place to go. Jeremiah Grants is always delicious and Kelly-Lous does great breakfasts, cupcakes and coffees. Costa, Insomnia, Subway etc. are also in the town. You'll find Tescos, Dunnes Stores, Aldi, Lidl, Homestore & More, Homebase, Harry Corrys and many more stores also. Dunamase Theatre, Odeon Cinema and Roll&Bowl Bowling Alley also provide more entertainment.
Portlaoise
Portlaoise has everything you need for your stay and here are some of our favourites. Kelly's Steakhouse is a must. Croft Alley make amazing wood-fired pizzas. Lana's Asian Street Food is a definite and if you like Indian food, Mayur is the place to go. Jeremiah Grants is always delicious and Kelly-Lous does great breakfasts, cupcakes and coffees. Costa, Insomnia, Subway etc. are also in the town. You'll find Tescos, Dunnes Stores, Aldi, Lidl, Homestore & More, Homebase, Harry Corrys and many more stores also. Dunamase Theatre, Odeon Cinema and Roll&Bowl Bowling Alley also provide more entertainment.
Durrow is always a treat. Durrow Castle is a must for Sunday brunch. Annebrook House and Bowe's Foodhall are always a treat. Durrow Woods is great for a stroll and the annual Scarecrow Festival is always good entertainment.
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Durrow
Durrow is always a treat. Durrow Castle is a must for Sunday brunch. Annebrook House and Bowe's Foodhall are always a treat. Durrow Woods is great for a stroll and the annual Scarecrow Festival is always good entertainment.
Emo Court is a must-do when in Laois with great walks around the lake and a beautiful little tea-rooms. In Emo village you will find Batonis Italian restaurant with exquisite food and the best wine.
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Emo Court Demesne
Emo Court is a must-do when in Laois with great walks around the lake and a beautiful little tea-rooms. In Emo village you will find Batonis Italian restaurant with exquisite food and the best wine.
Discover Roscrea in County Tipperary, one of the oldest towns in Ireland - just a 20 minute drive from the property. Tour the Roscrea Heritage Centre, or take in an exhibition and admire the architecture of the 13th century Roscrea Castle and Damer House. Hop on a mountain bike and enjoy the thrilling courses at Bike Park Ireland, play a lively tennis match at the local club and later, relax with a peaceful stroll through the glorious Golden Grove Forest.
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Roscrea
Discover Roscrea in County Tipperary, one of the oldest towns in Ireland - just a 20 minute drive from the property. Tour the Roscrea Heritage Centre, or take in an exhibition and admire the architecture of the 13th century Roscrea Castle and Damer House. Hop on a mountain bike and enjoy the thrilling courses at Bike Park Ireland, play a lively tennis match at the local club and later, relax with a peaceful stroll through the glorious Golden Grove Forest.
Food scene
The property overlooks Roundwood House which is probably one of the nicest places in Ireland to enjoy an exquisite meal followed by an intimate play in the library.
Roundwood House
The property overlooks Roundwood House which is probably one of the nicest places in Ireland to enjoy an exquisite meal followed by an intimate play in the library.
The exclusive and world renowned Ballyfin Demesne is just a five minute drive from the property. Their 8 course tasting menu is something that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime.
Ballyfin Demesne 5 Star Hotel
The exclusive and world renowned Ballyfin Demesne is just a five minute drive from the property. Their 8 course tasting menu is something that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime.
Kinnitty Castle dating back to 1209 offers good hearty local cuisine in the Dungeon Bar after a walk or drive in the mountains with open fires.
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Kinnitty Castle Hotel
Kinnitty Castle dating back to 1209 offers good hearty local cuisine in the Dungeon Bar after a walk or drive in the mountains with open fires.
Fiacrí House is one of our favourite places to eat - a 25 minute drive from the property cross-country, this exquisite locally sourced food served almost entirely in Nicholas Mosse pottery in a warm homely environment with fireside drinks in the bar is an absolute must.
Fiacrí Country House Restaurant & Cookery School
Fiacrí House is one of our favourite places to eat - a 25 minute drive from the property cross-country, this exquisite locally sourced food served almost entirely in Nicholas Mosse pottery in a warm homely environment with fireside drinks in the bar is an absolute must.
Batonis Italian Restaurant in Emo is one of our favourite places to eat. The food is mouth watering as is the decor.
Batonis
Batonis Italian Restaurant in Emo is one of our favourite places to eat. The food is mouth watering as is the decor.
The only place to go for freshly baked sourdough bread and great coffee. Queues from 8am! Stop off at Rose Cottage Farm on the way back to Mountrath where you can buy freshly picked berries and fresh juices.
Mueller and O'Connell Bakery
Main StreetThe only place to go for freshly baked sourdough bread and great coffee. Queues from 8am! Stop off at Rose Cottage Farm on the way back to Mountrath where you can buy freshly picked berries and fresh juices.
Sightseeing
The Ridge of Capard offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. This wild windswept ridge is home to a vast array of wild plant and animal life and it is possible to see well into the counties surrounding Laois. On a clear day the Wicklow Mountains are visible to the east. Also on the ridge is an ancient stone cairn known locally as "The Stoney Man" which was build during the time that quarrying was carried out in the area.
Ridge of Capard
The Ridge of Capard offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. This wild windswept ridge is home to a vast array of wild plant and animal life and it is possible to see well into the counties surrounding Laois. On a clear day the Wicklow Mountains are visible to the east. Also on the ridge is an ancient stone cairn known locally as "The Stoney Man" which was build during the time that quarrying was carried out in the area.
The Slieve Bloom Mountains have a rich historical, natural and built heritage. Fionn McCumhaill, the legendary leader of the Fianna warriors, was raised in a forest in the Slieve Bloom mountains.
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Slieve Bloom Mountains
The Slieve Bloom Mountains have a rich historical, natural and built heritage. Fionn McCumhaill, the legendary leader of the Fianna warriors, was raised in a forest in the Slieve Bloom mountains.
Coolrain is a historic village close to the ruins of the ancient monastery of Anatrim which had associations with Saint Kavin. The well of Saint Kavin is also located nearby.
A pleasant little village bounded on both sides of the street by dwellings. It originally had a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks, a forge, two mills and at least one shebeen. Sheeran's Pub (now Hogan's) offers a great pint and Sunday lunch. There is also a well equipped play park in the village.
Coolrain
Coolrain is a historic village close to the ruins of the ancient monastery of Anatrim which had associations with Saint Kavin. The well of Saint Kavin is also located nearby.
A pleasant little village bounded on both sides of the street by dwellings. It originally had a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks, a forge, two mills and at least one shebeen. Sheeran's Pub (now Hogan's) offers a great pint and Sunday lunch. There is also a well equipped play park in the village.
Camross is a quaint village nestling close to Ard Erin - the highest peak in the Slieve Blooms. Places of interest include:
The Poet's Cottage: this is a thatched cottage depicting the type of house which was common in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Old Village Church: the church and adjacent millennium garden showing the parish townlands and its inhabitants.
Bergins' Camross Inn is a traditional Irish pub with a great pint and a friendly welcome.
Camross
Camross is a quaint village nestling close to Ard Erin - the highest peak in the Slieve Blooms. Places of interest include:
The Poet's Cottage: this is a thatched cottage depicting the type of house which was common in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Old Village Church: the church and adjacent millennium garden showing the parish townlands and its inhabitants.
Bergins' Camross Inn is a traditional Irish pub with a great pint and a friendly welcome.
Glenbarrow is one of the main attractions in the Slieve Blooms with a number of walking trails of varying difficulty and breath taking waterfalls and scenery. The Falls at Glenbarrow tearooms is also set to open early summer 2021.
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Glenbarrow
Glenbarrow is one of the main attractions in the Slieve Blooms with a number of walking trails of varying difficulty and breath taking waterfalls and scenery. The Falls at Glenbarrow tearooms is also set to open early summer 2021.
Monicknew is less than a 10 minute drive from the property with fresh mountain air, walking trails, waterfalls and picnic areas.
Monicknew Slieve Bloom Mountains
Monicknew is less than a 10 minute drive from the property with fresh mountain air, walking trails, waterfalls and picnic areas.
You can hire mountain bikes from Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Centre before hitting the bike tracks.
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Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Centre
You can hire mountain bikes from Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Centre before hitting the bike tracks.
No matter where you go in the mountains you won't be disappointed. Flora, fauna, fresh air and peace is aplenty.
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Slieve Bloom Mountains
No matter where you go in the mountains you won't be disappointed. Flora, fauna, fresh air and peace is aplenty.
The Cut
Another great viewing point on a spectacular mountain drive.
Hiring out bikes and cycling the tracks around Lough Boora Discovery Park is one of our favourite things to do - approximately a 30 minute drive across the mountain from the property.
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Lough Boora Discovery Park
Hiring out bikes and cycling the tracks around Lough Boora Discovery Park is one of our favourite things to do - approximately a 30 minute drive across the mountain from the property.
Birr Castle Demesne is about a 30 minute drive from the property and is the ideal place to bring a picnic and get lost in for a day. It has a great café, museum, play area complete with hobbit house and castle tree house, formal gardens, wide open spaces, woodland walks, lakes, American redwoods not to mention The Great Telescope, one of the largest telescopes in the world.
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Birr Castle
Birr Castle Demesne is about a 30 minute drive from the property and is the ideal place to bring a picnic and get lost in for a day. It has a great café, museum, play area complete with hobbit house and castle tree house, formal gardens, wide open spaces, woodland walks, lakes, American redwoods not to mention The Great Telescope, one of the largest telescopes in the world.
The Rock of Dunamase is a rocky outcrop sits 151' above a flat plain and has the ruins of Dunamase Castle, a defensive stronghold dating from the early Hiberno-Norman period with a view across to the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
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Rock of Dunamase
The Rock of Dunamase is a rocky outcrop sits 151' above a flat plain and has the ruins of Dunamase Castle, a defensive stronghold dating from the early Hiberno-Norman period with a view across to the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum is 15 minutes away housed in a restored workhouse originally built in the early 1850s. The Museum aims to tell the story of the families who lived and died within the famine workhouse walls before, during and after the Great Famine era of 1845-1849 where about 1,200 people (or 10% of the population of the area) were forced to seek refuge here.
The museum uses guided and self guided tours combined with various exhibitions.
Donaghmore Workhouse & Agricultural Museum
Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum is 15 minutes away housed in a restored workhouse originally built in the early 1850s. The Museum aims to tell the story of the families who lived and died within the famine workhouse walls before, during and after the Great Famine era of 1845-1849 where about 1,200 people (or 10% of the population of the area) were forced to seek refuge here.
The museum uses guided and self guided tours combined with various exhibitions.
Vicarstown
You can hire a barge in Vicarstown and travel down the canal.
The entrancing eighteenth-century landscape at Heywood Gardens, near Ballinakill, County Laois, consists of gardens, lakes, woodland and some exciting architectural features. The park is set into a sweeping hillside. The vista to the south-east takes in seven counties.
The architect Sir Edwin Lutyens designed the formal gardens, which are the centrepiece of the property. It is likely that renowned designer Gertrude Jekyll landscaped them.
The gardens are composed of elements linked by a terrace that originally ran along the front of the house. (Sadly, the house is no more.) One of the site’s most unusual features is a sunken garden containing an elongated pool, at whose centre stands a grand fountain.
The Heywood experience starts beside the Gate Lodge. Information panels and signage will guide you around the magical Lutyens gardens and the surrounding romantic landscape.
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Heywood Gardens (Lutyens)
The entrancing eighteenth-century landscape at Heywood Gardens, near Ballinakill, County Laois, consists of gardens, lakes, woodland and some exciting architectural features. The park is set into a sweeping hillside. The vista to the south-east takes in seven counties.
The architect Sir Edwin Lutyens designed the formal gardens, which are the centrepiece of the property. It is likely that renowned designer Gertrude Jekyll landscaped them.
The gardens are composed of elements linked by a terrace that originally ran along the front of the house. (Sadly, the house is no more.) One of the site’s most unusual features is a sunken garden containing an elongated pool, at whose centre stands a grand fountain.
The Heywood experience starts beside the Gate Lodge. Information panels and signage will guide you around the magical Lutyens gardens and the surrounding romantic landscape.
Just 30 minutes from the property, set in the former grounds of the Wandesforde Estate, Castlecomer Discovery Park comprises 80 acres of stunning natural woodland and lakes and began as a community project to rejuvenate the town of Castlecomer following the closure of the coal mines in 1969.
This relatively ‘young’ park opened to the public in 2007 with the launch of the Coal Mining Exhibition, Visitor Centre and Design Craft studios which are located in the former stable yard. The Park continues to evolve and is actively developing a range of exciting recreational, cultural and educational activities for visitors of all ages.
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Castlecomer Discovery Park
Just 30 minutes from the property, set in the former grounds of the Wandesforde Estate, Castlecomer Discovery Park comprises 80 acres of stunning natural woodland and lakes and began as a community project to rejuvenate the town of Castlecomer following the closure of the coal mines in 1969.
This relatively ‘young’ park opened to the public in 2007 with the launch of the Coal Mining Exhibition, Visitor Centre and Design Craft studios which are located in the former stable yard. The Park continues to evolve and is actively developing a range of exciting recreational, cultural and educational activities for visitors of all ages.
Of modest stature, even by Irish standards, the Arderin (height of Ireland) was once inexplicably regarded as Ireland’s tallest mountain. It is just half the height of Carrauntoohil, but it was historically important as a place of pagan assemblies and Lughnasa over-indulgences.
Arderin
Of modest stature, even by Irish standards, the Arderin (height of Ireland) was once inexplicably regarded as Ireland’s tallest mountain. It is just half the height of Carrauntoohil, but it was historically important as a place of pagan assemblies and Lughnasa over-indulgences.
Nothing outside the garden gate suggests the extent or beauty of Gash Gardens. Once inside you are greeted by an amazing oasis packed with interesting and unusual plants to lure and inspire both the keen plants person and the garden novice. Colourful herbaceous borders, a large rock garden and a well established collection of trees, shrubs, rhododendrons and deliciously perfumed old style roses combine to present a succession of colour through all the seasons. Visitors can sit wooden bench on the lawninside a small rocky cavern known as the Moon House and watch gushing water cascade from above or enjoy the soothing ambience of still ponds and meandering streams. A hidden walkway leads through the fernery and on to the tranquility of a looped walk along the banks of the River Nore where nature abounds. Whether you are a keen gardener, an armchair gardener or a visitor looking for an enjoyable day out, then Gash Gardens is for you.
Gash Gardens
Nothing outside the garden gate suggests the extent or beauty of Gash Gardens. Once inside you are greeted by an amazing oasis packed with interesting and unusual plants to lure and inspire both the keen plants person and the garden novice. Colourful herbaceous borders, a large rock garden and a well established collection of trees, shrubs, rhododendrons and deliciously perfumed old style roses combine to present a succession of colour through all the seasons. Visitors can sit wooden bench on the lawninside a small rocky cavern known as the Moon House and watch gushing water cascade from above or enjoy the soothing ambience of still ponds and meandering streams. A hidden walkway leads through the fernery and on to the tranquility of a looped walk along the banks of the River Nore where nature abounds. Whether you are a keen gardener, an armchair gardener or a visitor looking for an enjoyable day out, then Gash Gardens is for you.
Golf
Mountrath Golf Club (18 hole) is a 5 minute drive from the property wrapping around the quaint and scenic village of Castletown.
Mountrath Golf Club
Mountrath Golf Club (18 hole) is a 5 minute drive from the property wrapping around the quaint and scenic village of Castletown.
The Seve Ballesteros designed Golf Club at the Heritage 5-Star Resort in Killenard is less than 30 minutes from the property.
The Heritage
The Seve Ballesteros designed Golf Club at the Heritage 5-Star Resort in Killenard is less than 30 minutes from the property.
Fishing
Laois Angling Centre is less than a ten minute drive from the property, the perfect place to recharge for a day. There is a local fishing and tackle shop in Mountrath.
Laois Angling Centre
Laois Angling Centre is less than a ten minute drive from the property, the perfect place to recharge for a day. There is a local fishing and tackle shop in Mountrath.
Shopping
Kildare Village Luxury Discount Shopping Village is 30 minutes from the property.
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Kildare Village
Kildare Village Luxury Discount Shopping Village is 30 minutes from the property.