Legendary Doolin hospitality veterans, Frank and Marian Sheedy, ran the excellent Roadford House Restaurant and rooms for many years before opening this boutique B&B nearby in spring 2019.
It's a new build hardly more than an energetic stone's throw from their old premises and, although still a little raw around the outside edges when they first opened, the house looks very well as you approach and there's nothing left wanting in the detail once you get inside. And the welcome to Sheedy’s B&B starts even before you arrive, as Marian is an unusually proactive host ahead of arrival, giving guests tips on what to do in the area and making dinner bookings in local restaurants.
And once you arrive, the welcome continues with a tour of this smart modern house - the lovely breakfast room, a relaxing lounge (with an honesty bar) and then to one of the five spacious bedrooms. Each is named for the view from its window - so the USP of the Old Castle room, for example, is a 500-year-old ruin that can be seen across the fields.
Space, good design and quality are the keynotes - beds have supremely comfortable bamboo pocket sprung mattresses and feather and down duvets, for example, while in-room facilities include a state of the art en-suite shower, a large TV, Nespresso coffee machine and Wifi.
While dinner isn't offered, there's a great choice of good restaurants within walking distance - and, unless you prefer to relax with a glass of wine or craft beer and catch up with some late night TV in the comfortable guest lounge - the music playing in pubs on the homeward leg is sure to to entice you in for a nightcap.
And the best is yet to come as - given Frank and Marian's well earned reputation as restaurateurs - breakfast is always going to be the highlight of a stay at Sheedys. You will hardly believe the buffet spread that is laid in the spacious and well-lit dining room and there may even be a special to add to the already extensive menu on offer. The fruits, the yogurts, the delicious freshly baked breads and then the perfectly cooked hot dishes all add up a memorable breakfast experience.
Then, when the well-fed guests reluctantly depart each morning, even the Red Setter, Beans, comes out to say goodbye - and, hospitable to the end, everyone leaves armed with plenty of guidance on the best things to do on the next stage of their trip.
There should be nothing but happy memories from a stay at Sheedy’s of Doolin.
