Mount Falcon Estate

We arrived today a our first impression was Wow! The check in process was quick and efficient. We decided to walk the grounds as bags were sorted and deliver to rooms. Trails could become more clearly marked but they were beautiful. We had martinis at the bar before dinner and the bartender did a great job preparing them to our specifications. The dining room experience was very disappointing. We were sat outside in a large tent which had large screens displaying golf??? The table was very wobbly and we asked if they had table shims to correct the problem as our still water spilled on our table. They fumbled trying to fix it and eventually moved us to another table. They did not replace the water. The menu makes no sense. We were looking forward a C nice bottle of wine and steaks however we had to order most options for two persons with little options. After questions we gave up and ordered a Langoustine starter and the Cod Main with 2 sides and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. The wine did not arrive until we flagged down our server. The wine bucket was placed at the other end of the table as our which I had to move as our stained glasses were never refilled. The Langoustines were cold and watery and continued less than 2 oz of meat. The cod was then delivered in cold bowls with sides and were over salted. Poor food, poor service and premium prices???

On approach the house looks a little disappointing as the formal frontage cannot be seen and instead you drive towards the modern rear extension which looms somewhat ahead. However, once out of the car and we did find the picturesque building promised in the advertising. The staff were lovely, Catherine in the front desk could not have been warmer. Our room was huge although disappointingly it was in the modern extension that I had not wanted. The furniture gave the feel of an old building so not all was lost. Bathroom enormous and water pressure fantastic. The bed was vast with nice bed linen, although pillows could have been softer. Tea, coffee and the most delicious homemade biscuits were also in the room. The Spa was lovely. The young lady was friendly and helpful; even when we arrived 15 mins before closing to warm up after being out in the rain (thank you). Breakfast was amazing with the best granola I’ve ever eaten! It looked so good I broke my never eat granola whilst staying in a hotel rule. It was served in a lovely old restaurant in the hotel and was perfect. Now we come to the marquee for dinner. Sorry, Mount Falcon, but I just cannot get over this. I had my reservations while booking (excuse the pun) and I was not wrong. It has to be said the marquee was beautiful and not cold despite the howling wind and rain outside, but it was still a marquee. Our stay was at the end of the season, the hotel was was quiet and the marquee even more so. The first evening we were probably one of 30 in a marquee that must hold around 150 people. On the second night we were alone! There was live music but think more 1980s cabaret and less historic Ireland! Needless to say the intimate, romantic weekend planned was replaced by an amusing, silly one. The waiting staff was just the right degree of attentive, helpful, and lovely. The food was truly delicious. I found the lobster a little overpriced but not disappointing and the Château Brianne couldn’t have been better. The vegetables were delicious and reasonable portions although I was rather surprised that the (out of place) garlic mushrooms came in a crispy crumb! Sadly the marquee was a deal breaker and spoilt the intimate weekend away we sought. I would have been disappointed but the warn staff and excellent food did go along way to make up for it.

We booked in for the August Bank Holiday weekend for two nights and planned to have dinner in the marquee on the second night. Our package was two nights B&B for €680 and this allowed €50 credit in the restaurant. We arrived on the Friday evening to find a large function in full flow, although we had been warned about this beforehand. No worries, we decided to dine in Ballina and have our "special" meal in Mount Falcon on our second night. We tried to have a drink when we returned and it took 30 minutes to actually get served by bar staff; they were very busy and they completely forgot about our order as we waited in the Lounge. I had to go back out to the bar to remind them of our order. Anyway, they were busy and we were warned ! So, for the second night we were really looking forward to a special dinner in the marquee. We had a drink at the bar before being shown to our table. The ambience was good and the music was excellent. We ordered our starters and mains. I had the prawns (€22) and my wife had the beetroot & goats cheese (€13 ?). We both ordered the rib eye steak (€44 each), mine was to be cooked medium and hers well done. We also ordered four sides at €7 each. The steaks arrived and my wife's was cooked to rare and mine looked to be medium to well done. We called the waiting staff over, and then someone else came over - a man dressed in a black tee shirt whom we took to be the maitre d. It was agreed to cook some fresh steaks and bring fresh sides too. All good. Some time later the man in the black tee shirt appeared with the steaks and said he had cooked them himself and put them in front of us. My wife noticed that there were some long black hairs across hers, and we pointed this out. The man made a joke of it saying they couldn't be his as his hair was too short and walked away. I called him back and asked him about the kitchen hygiene to which he made no reply. He was not wearing chef's hat and I asked him again about the food hygiene, again no reply. I suggested that to him that our dining experience had been appalling and we got up to walk out and he decided to follow. When we got to the outside of the marquee I said I was going in to the hotel to discuss this episode with the hotel manager and he replied that he was the hotel manager. So, this man is a waiter/chef/manager. He was quite irate and unapologetic for what had happened and made no effort to remedy the situation. We went back to the hotel reception desk and explained what had just happened, the lady offered us a drink and went off to investigate. When she returned she confirmed that this man was indeed the hotel manager and although sympathetic there little she could actually do in the circumstances. The comedy farce Fawlty Towers springs to mind when Basil ends up cooking for some guests because the chef had finished for the evening. Our man in the black tee shirt was a jack of all trades and master of nothing, just like Basil except this joke was was on us. So,

I attended a wedding at Mount Falcon Estate, not only was the food superb, the waitress attending our table could not have been more polite and helpful. Annabelle really made our day so much more enjoyable and personal, caring to our every need. She taught us so much about the local history of the grounds also. Kudos to the Mount Falcon estate for the great staff 👏 will definitely be back.

Lovely hotel, charming staff. Magnificent estate, very well organised. Spacious comfortable room. Good restaurant, though I didn’t like being in a vast marque, used in the summer months. I guess it makes sense for summer events and weddings, but not great early in the week when only a few tables were occupied. Do NOT miss the Birds of Prey experience very well worth doing. Only 45-50 minutes but fascinating.

We had a dinner reservation for Father's Day. Our experience was very disappointing and we won't be returning. First impressions- the summer marquee dining room was beautifully decorated but many tables were uncleared when we arrived. There was loud 'disco-type' music playing on speakers that was not in any way suitable for an intimate evening dining experience. There were two video screens on with a random rte channel but no sound thankfully. There was absolutely no atmosphere. We had a random 5 waiters/waitresses throughout the evening and had to try to get their attention for water, dessert menu etc. Despite the place being less than half full. Although all staff were pleasant only one appeared to be properly trained. We felt totally neglected and considering the price it was a real let down. Our other complaint is the lack of options for vegetarians. Beetroot salad and Gnocchi. No other options. Not good enough. Food was grand but nothing out of the ordinary. We didn't order steak but thats the focus...its really a steak house. No amuse bouche or even breads while waiting. Not the experience we had expected. Really Really overpriced.