Over two hundred and thirty years old, the gate-lodge Self Catering dates back to the late 1700′s when Robert Gregory purchased Coole Estate.
Inside, the gate-lodge is decorated with many antiques, artifacts and paintings to reflect the Lady Gregory era at Coole. Many antique shops were searched for such items which are used to decorate and furnish every room in the lodge.
Throughout the lodge, paintings relating to Coole adorn the walls and some are the work of local artists such as Fran McCann and Alladin. As you enter the gate-lodge a painting of Lady Gregory hangs on the wall, along with a photo of a rare Irish Wolfhound called Sebastian.
Pictures of all the great literary figures are found in the hall. In the centre hangs a frame with four rare bronze sculptures of Behan, O’Casey, Synge and Joyce. More paintings can be found in the sitting room, and a late 19th century ladys hunting rifle hangs above the stone fireplace. Also hanging above the fireplace are a pair of deer antlers found in Coole many years ago.
A small reference library contains many rare and interesting books relating to Coole, Lady Gregory and famous literary figures of that era as well as literature relating to various tourist attractions and amenities in the area. In the corner is a handmade cabinet containing a rare and complete willow dinner set with a dining area along with satellite television and VCR.
The kitchen is furnished with modern facilities, as well as a solid oak dining table and chairs, and on a shelf are some rare lanterns from an old horse drawn carriage. There is a utility room adjacent to the kitchen containing a clothes washer and dryer as well as cleaning brushes and detergents.
The gate-lodge can accommodate up to six people with two double rooms en suite, and one twin room. The bedrooms are furnished to a very high standard with bedside tables and reading lamps, full size mirrors, dressing table and drawers, stools and waste paper bins in each room. The en suites are fitted with a shower, toilet and wash hand basin with electric shaving facility, and each bedroom has a hair dryer.
The main bathroom to the rear is large, and has a bath, shower and an electric shaving facility. Towels, are provided in the en suite bedrooms and main bathroom, and extra blankets and pillows can be found in the hot press. In the cloak room, there is a clothes iron and ironing board and a clothes line is provided outside. The lodge is fitted with timber floors throughout and has central heating. There are fire alarms and a secure burglar system installed in the building.
Our visitors book contains the names of many guests from all over the world that have stayed at Coole Lodge, including Sir Humphrey Wakefield, a leading antiques expert and owner of Chillingham Castle in Britain and once the owner and restorer of nearby Lough Cutra Castle, which was once the home of the Gough family whom Lady Gregory used often visit.
The gate-lodge is secluded by mature trees surrounding the grounds, and the privacy and peacefulness that Coole Lodge affords to anyone that visits, will always be remembered. A flagstone path in the lawn leads to an oak tree, where one can sit on seats, custom made from the trunk of an old oak tree, and read or have a quiet reflective moment to themselves. There are also picnic tables and chairs in the lawn for ‘al fresco’ dining. There is also a barbecue stove facility where visitors can cook and have a barbecue outdoors.
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