PATSEY MURPHY VISITS THE NUREMORE HOTEL IN CO MONAGHAN.
THE PROPRIETOR of the Nuremore Hotel rejoices in the name Julie Gilhooley, which tickles us silly, although she is a formidable woman who has developed this family-run hotel into one of the most popular resorts in the country, which is no laughing matter. The White House of the northeast is loved by all who go there, for its excellent food as well as its 18-hole golf course and convivial clubhouse. What perhaps isn't as well known is that it is only an hour's drive from Dublin and Belfast.
The Nuremore evolved from Gilhooley's parents' Edwardian country-house estate on the outskirts of Carrickmacross.
By 1991 its original nine-hole golf course had grown to 18 holes around a lake. Its old-style leisure centre has grown into a spa, with Elemis treatments on offer beside the 18m pool, sauna, steam room and gym. The two tennis courts are widely used, and horse-riding is available nearby. The lounge is a popular local spot for afternoon tea, as is the bar after local sporting occasions.
A recent wedding brought us there, and we had, as Dryden would have said, a merry, dancing, drinking, laughing, quaffing and unthinking time. Residents of Carrickmacross, and possibly Dundalk and environs, were treated to fireworks along with ourselves as part of the celebration, and the dining room was decorated with a stand of birch trees by the garden designer Paul Martin, who also lit the gardens with a tumble of floating spheres. His floral arrangements in both the church and hotel were glorious. Downturn be damned.
The attention to detail was staggering, and the service friendly and unfailing, from the pink-champagne-and- oysters reception to fish and chips at midnight. And a five-course meal in between.
The restaurant and banqueting facilities are overseen by head chef Raymond McArdle, who came to the Nuremore via Michael Deane's Michelin-starred restaurant in Belfast, and one of Gilhooley's ambitions is to provide great food, be it for a table for two or cast of thousands.
So we ate well for the whole weekend, feasting on Monaghan lamb and duck,
Old Spot pig and a long list of local delectables. A wine room within the restaurant is also carefully stocked.
We weren't the only guests in the hotel, but, happily, the other residents didn't seem to mind the ruckus. There are two entrances to the hotel: one from the Ardee road that runs up through the golf course, to the main hotel entrance, and one from the Dundalk road that leads to the banqueting facilities, so guests and revellers remain separate.
Music from the Camembert Quartet kept us going like the Duracell bunny until at least 2am. Not that the party stopped there. The next day guests recovered in all manner of ways, although it has to be said a lot of barefoot women were hobbling around the place, having kicked off their high heels. Not for them a round of golf, tennis or a walk around the lake; the smart ones had booked a massage. A swim and session in the steam room also worked a treat. The rooms have a restful, country feel, with trees and gardens all around. They are comfortably furnished with lavishly draped windows, botanical or architectural prints on the walls, TVs, of course, and everything you need, including complimentary water. Breakfast was the full wally, relaxed and cooked to order.
Nor did it end there. At 3pm guests repaired to the club house for a Mongolian barbecue - it didn't rain! - and a sing-song to beat all sing-songs, thanks to the indefatigable, infectious, hilarious, good-time band known as Tropical Storm.
Doubtless, I am unlikely to post an unfavourable review, having been a guest at the banquet. But I have been to some terrible weddings, in airless function rooms with slapdash service and staff rolling their eyes and looking at their watches. Generally, I don't even like weddings. I find them excruciating and painful and they go on and on and somehow encourage complete strangers to tell you everything you don't want to know about them. But this one was memorable, with nary a lull, wonderful food, great music, a staff willing us on to enjoy ourselves and, of course, two young people at its centre, to whom we wish enduring love.
• Where: Nuremore Hotel and Country Club, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, 042-9661438, www.nuremore.com.
• Atmosphere:Relaxed, popular country hotel and golf club set in rolling hillsides.
• Rooms:Country chintz greens and cream; ask for one overlooking the lake.
• Best rates: Golf and spa packages include one night's dinner, bed and breakfast and a round of golf for €145pps. Weekend offers include two B&Bs plus one dinner for €220pps.
• Restaurant:Reasonable and top-notch fare, plus excellent wine list.
• Child-friendliness:Kids' club, special rates and 18m pool should keep them happy. Family rooms can sleep up to six with large double rooms and smaller annexes.
• Amenities:18-hole par-71 championship golf course, pool, sauna, steam room, gym and spa. Two tennis courts. Great walks.