Win a Break for Two in Longueville House

When Jane and the late Michael O’Callaghan opened Longueville House in Mallow County Cork to guests in 1967, it was one of the first Irish country houses to do so - and, today, it is one of Ireland’s finest country house hotels.

The present house, a particularly elegant Georgian mansion of pleasingly human proportions, dates from 1720, (with wings added in 1800 and the lovely Turner conservatory - which has been completely renovated - in 1862), and overlooks the ruins of their original home, Dromineen Castle.

Very much a family enterprise, Longueville is now run by Michael and Jane’s son William O’Callaghan, who is the chef, and his wife Aisling, who manages front of house. The location, overlooking the famous River Blackwater, is lovely.

The river, farm and garden supply fresh salmon in season, the famous Longueville lamb, and all the fruit and vegetables. In years when the weather is kind, the estate’s crowning glory is their own house wine, a light refreshing white, “Coisreal Longueville” - wine was always Michael O’Callaghan’s great love, and he also used their abundant apple supply to make apple brandy too.

Public rooms include a bar and drawing room, both elegantly furnished with beautiful fabrics and family antiques, and accommodation is equally sumptuous; although - as is usual with old houses - the 20 bedrooms vary according to their position, they are generally spacious, superbly comfortable and stylishly decorated to the highest standards.

William O’Callaghan is an accomplished chef, and home- and locally-produced food is at the heart of all his cooking, in starters like house smoked salmon, or salad of crab with dry cured Longueville ham; main courses of Longueville lamb and home-reared pork – and, perhaps, wild rabbit; and a dessert trolley offers treats such as a croustade of caramelised apple with Longueville apple brandy ice cream - and it is hard to resist the local farmhouse cheeses.

Dining in the 84 seater restaurant Presidents Restaurant is always a treat and breakfast is also very special, offering a wonderful array of local and home-cooked foods, both from the buffet and cooked to order; Longueville is a former National Winner of our Irish Breakfast Awards, and it’s worth calling in even if you can’t stay overnight - what a way to break a journey! (And the light lunch offered in the bar is ideal for travellers too.)

As well as being one of the finest leisure destinations in the country, the large cellar/basement area of the house has been developed as a conference centre, with back-up services available.

The house is also available for small residential weddings throughout the year.

The lucky winner of this free competition will have a short break for two people (subject to availability), to include:

•  2 nights B&B
•  Dinner one evening

Read more about Longuville House on their website.

To enter the competition simply tick the answers to the questions below, you must be a logged in member to enter (if you are not a member click here to join, it's free):

Question 1. In which county is The Victoria Killarney located?
Co Wicklow
Co Dublin
Co Kerry

Question 2. Which famous national park is located near The Victoria?
Wild Nephin National Park
Killarney National Park
Kerry Seas National Park

Question 3. What is the name of the new outdoor terrace at The Victoria Killarney?
The Botanical
The Courtyard
The Ivy Room
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