by Sean Hillen

Ever stayed in a charming Irish guesthouse where you have your very own exclusive pub complete with beer taps and bar stools? 

And a little ‘store’ in a charming inner courtyard.

As my companion remarked, “It’s almost like you’re renting an entire Irish village – pub, shop and square.”

Welcome to the family-owned Nellie’s Farmhouse nestled in the heart of rural Ireland, in county Louth, a charming four-bedroom property that could be straight out of the movie set of ‘The Quiet Man’ or ‘Ryan’s Daughter.’

An absolute delight to behold, it takes little imagination to envision lively family reunions and friend-get-togethers taking place here. And there’s no fear of disturbing the neighbours for this delightful guesthouse is located quite a distance from the nearest homes, with a clear view of Slieve Foy Mountain and adjacent to a field of gentle grazing sheep.

Nellie’s Farmhouse is self-catering accommodation first constructed about three hundred years ago but re-opened as a guesthouse within the last five years. It reflects genuine family tradition, having once been managed by the mother and grandmother of the present owner, Sean, who now operates it with his wife Eileen.

Located in the village of Glenmore, it is an ideal choice for those seeking a classic rural Irish getaway – with the added bonus of Carlingford, a pretty coastal town famous for its oysters a mere 15-minutes drive away whose narrow streets offer a selection of charming restaurants and cafes.

Easily reached down a short country road bordered by hawthorn and pine trees, Nellie’s Farmhouse makes for a surprise arrival due to its colorful entrance featuring a bright red metal gate and an overhead wooden arch decorated with horse collars, and a wooden cart filled with flowers. A shamrock design on a whitewashed wall and the word ‘Failte’ (Irish for ‘Welcome’) on it adds even more charm.

Parking is an enclosed courtyard with a charming little ‘store.’ Or ‘An Siopa’ in Irish as the sign above the door states. This is a colorful red and white building with matching table and outdoor hanging flower baskets. The ‘shop’ stores various kitchen equipment for guest use including refrigerator and freezer, an ice-maker, and a microwave oven, plus a sink for washing dishes. Reflecting Sean’s enduring interest in collectibles and visits to antique fairs, its glass-fronted shelves are filled with vintage items such as brush sets, toy trains,  biscuit tins, ink pots, and wooden pipes and tobacco pouches.

An authentically-designed cosy pub amusingly called ‘An Teach Bo,’ (Irish for ‘The Cow Shed’) was located right beside our bedroom. Impressively-designed, it has its own working beer pumps, a shelf-full of liquors, bar stools, comfortable chairs and tables, an old-fashioned range, big-screen TV, and all the bartending weaponry required to create your favorite cocktail or succulent Irish coffee. It even has a classic juke-box that works.

Complete with an indoor jacuzzi reached through a glass door, our bedroom was spacious. It featured a double bed with carved wooden headboard, a rocking chair, wall TV, tall wardrobe, standing full-length mirror and  a dressing table. Thick brocade curtains and tiled and carpeted floor made it all the more attractive. 

A separate bathroom consisted of a walk-in, glass-plated shower, a sewing machine creatively converted into a wash-hand basin and walls decorated with replica signed photographs of classic movie celebrities including Spencer Tracey, Doris Day, Jane Fonda, Merle Haggard and Richard Chamberlain. A glass-fronted cabinet contained toiletries from a bygone age as quirky decorations such as a vintage razor and a perfume spray bottle. Adding an extra sense of nostalgia were old framed newspaper advertisements for soaps and cough lozenges.

Throughout Nellie’s Farmhouse there is a diverse range of quaint historic decorations reflecting the eventful social history of Ireland. It is in effect, a ‘living museum.’ An old-style public telephone box is attached to one wall. Along the ceiling of the pub are an eclectic collection of horse collars, saddles, stirrups, a brass horn, a fiddle in its case, a banjo, a miniature replica of the Titanic, a scythe, brass binoculars, a blacksmith’s bellows, clay pipes, not to mention a multitude of framed documents, ranging from poems to the covers of Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra records and vintage posters for Irish train journeys. There is even a reward police notice for the capture of an Irish rebel. In this room alone I counted over 100 artefacts, all reflecting aspects of Ireland’s social history, some amusing.

The other three bedrooms are all in an adjoining building, its front door facing the courtyard. The ground floor features a dining room, kitchen and cosy parlour. 

A second courtyard on the other side of the building features outdoor tables created out of an oak whisky barrel, the metal engine cover of a tractor with flower arrangements adding to the overall ambience.

Added personal touches for guests include complimentary packets of potato crisps, an assortment of buns and even a box of chocolates. 

As for what to see in the area, King John’s Castle is 12 kilometers away, while Proleek Dolmen and Louth County Museum are both within 20 kilometers. Monasterboice, notable for its ancient monastic site, is located 50 kilometers away.

If you’re seeking a cosy rural Irish hideaway, Nellie’s Farmhouse may be just the place for you.