Ballyfin Demesne
Ireland
Ballyfin Demesne occupies a restored Regency mansion at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Laois. Its 21 rooms and suites take their names from figures in the house’s history, with period furniture, tapestries, paintings and marble bathrooms giving each a distinct character. Restored parquet floors and the Gold Drawing Room preserve the scale of a private country house. Parkland, woodland and a lake surround the mansion, with boating, carriage trips and picnics among the estate experiences. Executive chef Richard Picard-Edwards leads the restaurant, using produce from the kitchen gardens and orchards. Lunch can be taken in the Conservatory, while the State Dining Room provides a grander setting for dinner.