Just 55 minutes from Dublin Airport yet set among three hundred acres of rich pasture land in the heart of the Boyne Valley, Bertie and Renée Clarke’s lovely creeper-covered 17th century country house overlooks the River Blackwater and is only a short drive from the towns of Navan, Kells and Slane, and also several golf clubs including Killeen Castle.
Tara and Newgrange are nearby and it is in the Gaeltacht area of Kells/Navan, on the site of one of Co Meath’s many special historical events, the Tailteann Games.
This ancient olympic style sporting event was held here for many centuries until it died out in the 12th century, after the Norman invasion. (The ring fort at Teltown was a prehistoric burial mound dating back to about 2000 BC. Games in honour of the dead were held at Teltown in August each year, presided over by the King of Tara.) Ancient rock art has also been found here recently, so the property itself is historically important.
It is a beautiful old house, set in lovely gardens and with three well proportioned reception rooms, all with polished floorboards and tall elegantly draped windows. A huge dining room has a fine mahogany table that can sit up to 20 10, and there’s also a gorgeous sitting-room and a cosy library – both with open fires.
The lovely big en-suite bedrooms have views over the farm and amenities include tea/coffee making facilities and television – although it’s unlikely anyone would want to watch television in their rooms here, when there is so much of interest to do.
Hearty breakfasts are made by Renée on her trusty Aga and, although she doesn’t do evening meals, they will happily drive you into a local restaurant (The Vanilla Pod in Kells is recommended) and collect you afterwards. And, always, there’s an offer of tea or coffee, and a chat of course, in the library
