With a teeming lake on its doorstep and the salmon capital of Ireland up the road, Pontoon Bridge Hotel is an angling Mecca, writes Derek Evans
YOU WOULD be forgiven for assuming that Pontoon Bridge Hotel, which overlooks Lough Conn, in Co Mayo, is geared towards the angling fraternity.
The hotel certainly excels in this regard during the angling season, with every comfort and amenity for a fishing break on one of Ireland’s finest wild brown trout and salmon fisheries.
Located on the scenic route from Swinford to Ballina, the hotel borders Lough Cullin – also famed for its angling qualities – while the River Moy, at nearby Ballina, has been declared the salmon capital of Ireland by Fáilte Ireland.
From the moment you arrive at the hotel, the fishing theme captures your imagination. Its corridors are adorned with photographs of memorable catches (mostly from bygone days), and mounted specimen fish look down from fireplace parapets. But for me the most exquisite feature is the private harbour access to the lake.
Pontoon Bridge Hotel is owned by Brendan and Ann Geary and their daughters Mary and Breeta. A young Brendan and Ann bought the hotel in 1964 as a 10-bedroom seasonal operation. Now, 45 years later, it is a thriving all-year 58- bedroom hotel that caters not only for anglers but also for aspiring cooks, creative artists and those in pursuit of relaxation.
Our en-suite room is elegant and bright; our balcony overlooks the lake, with Glass Island in the foreground and the silhouette of the Nephin Mountains beyond. All mod cons are at hand, including tea and coffee facilities, a hairdryer, TV, broadband and, in the super bathroom, a shower spout like a watering-can rose.
A notice in the room grabs our attention: “Please keep windows and patio door closed at night or you may receive unwelcome visitors of the four-legged winged type.”
We join forces with other guests for the revived end-of- season trout fly-fishing competition. A group of 58 anglers and entourages from seven countries gather at Pontoon Bridge, including Jack Charlton, for a day’s fishing on Lough Conn. A good wave and stiff breeze produce nine fish for the morning session, but as the day progresses the weather deteriorates, ending any serious fishing.
We look forward to our banquet in the Twin Lakes Restaurant, which has been billed as the highlight of the weekend. After all, Mary Geary, who is the hotel’s head chef, brings a wealth of culinary experience to the table. She has worked extensively in France, Germany, the US and the Cayman Islands; is a founding member of the Chefs of Mayo group; and has given demonstrations on RTÉ and TV3.
We are not disappointed. The range of starters includes award-winning Newport black pudding served with organic apple compote, followed by west-coast seafood chowder with fresh dill and cream.
For my main course I choose mouth-watering grilled fillet of Cloonacool Arctic charr topped with buttered greens and smoked bacon.
Desserts arrive on a trolley with a selection of homemade platters. What a selection.
Pontoon Bridge Hotel works hard to attract guests through its learning-for-leisure courses. In one, the artists Pat Goff and Harry Feeney provide one-, two- and four-day courses in beautiful surroundings.
The hotel’s fly-fishing school, established in 1988, was the first of its kind in Ireland. Today, local instructor Jack Mellette teaches both novice and experienced anglers the gentle art of fly fishing.
The cookery school forms a major part of Pontoon. Upcoming classes take place on March 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th, with groups of three to eight people.
The hotel is offering a weekend package this month and next.
- Derek Evans was a guest of Pontoon Bridge Hotel (Pontoon, Co Mayo, 094-9256120, www.pontoonbridge.com), which is a member of the Great Fishing Houses of Ireland (www.ireland flyfishing.com)
6 other tempting Irish angling destinations
1Butler Arms Hotel. Waterville, Co Kerry, 066-9474144, www.butlerarms.com. On the scenic Ring of Kerry, this hotel was second home to Charlie Chaplin and his family. Its atmosphere and hospitality are legendary, and the Fisherman's Bar is noted for its cosmopolitan ambience. Nearby, Lough Currane is a Mecca for anglers and renowned worldwide for salmon and sea-trout fishing.
2Mount Juliet Conrad. Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, 056-773000, www.mountjuliet.ie. A four-star hotel on 600 hectares of unspoilt woodland and gardens. Mount Juliet is blessed with two salmon and brown-trout rivers within its walls – the Nore and its tributary the King's River. Twelve named pools offer excellent fishing.
3Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel and Fishery. Recess, Connemara, Co Galway, 095-34706, www.loughinaghlodgehotel.ie. A charming country retreat with 12 rooms, five furnished to deluxe standard. The fishery comprises two outstanding loughs – Inagh and Derryclare – and the Inagh River. Salmon and sea-trout fishing commence in May and continue until the end of September.
4Delphi Lodge Fishery. Leenane, Co Galway, 095-42222, www.delphi-salmon.com. Delphi Lodge is a beautiful 1830s country house, sheltered by woods and overlooking Finlough Lake. Salmon catches average about 500 a year; 50,000 tagged salmon are released annually as part of a successful enhancement programme.
5Clonanav Fly Fishing Lodge School. Ballymacarberry, Co Waterford, 052-36141,
www.flyfishingireland.com. A three-star 10-bedroom guest house in the heart of the Nire Valley. Fishing is confined to the River Suir and its tributaries. Clonanav has some of the finest dry fly-fishing for wild trout in Europe. Manager Andrew Ryan runs the fly-fishing school.
6Mount Falcon Country House Hotel. Foxford Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, 096-74472, www.mountfalcon.com. Steeped in history, Mount Falcon is a four-star hotel with 32 bedrooms, four deluxe rooms and two suites. The estate also offers self-catering suites. Fishing comprises of a three-kilometre double bank beat on the River Moy for salmon. All legal fishing methods apply.