Review of Coopershill, County Sligo

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Hundreds of wild deer roam freely throughout the O’Hara’s vast estate at Coopershill, and so it was with some amusement that I watched the young owner, Simon, stick his hat on the antlers, now the family hatstand which takes pride of place in the centre of the grand entrance hall. Second only to the vast wood-burning stove, heating the entire 18th Century granite mansion, and which warmed me up the minute I came in from the cold.

Simon belongs to the seventh generation of O’Haras to live at Coopershill since it was built in 1774. He is committed to all the principles of grand hospitality, Irish style. And sustainability, with its working farm, rainwater harvesting system, natural spring water, and wetlands sewage system, all of which have contributed to it recently being awarded the EU Flower Ecolabel certification.

There are eight elegant ensuite rooms, all with traditional décor, maintaining as many of the original furnishings as possible. Grandfather clocks, four poster beds, and floor to ceiling gilded mirrors. One of the most striking features is a Victorian roll-top bath, with original fully-integrated cast-iron shower. There was a party going on the weekend I visited, and a general sense of fun and friendship around the place. Coopershill, although grand and elegant, does not take itself too seriously. There is a snooker room in the basement, hats on antlers, and smiling O’Haras at every return of the spiral staircase. It’s almost as if the building has absorbed the warmth of seven generations of welcoming souls.

The recent development of deer farming has involved a lot of work, and yet it is the most fitting form of rural diversification. We visited during the winter, when the deer are brought inside to let the pasture develop. Simon gave my young children a tour of the deer stalls, letting us have a distant peak at the timid creatures feeding. As my boys delighted in the Bambiness of it all, I, the hardened carnivore of a mother, delighted in the family speciality of pot roast venison. Slow food is part of the ethos at Coopershill, with a family-run sheep farm on the adjoining property, and many of the fruit and vegetables served from the kitchen gardens. All eaten off the family silver, which is fitting, because when you stay at Coopershill, that is just how you are made to feel.  Like one of the family.

Top tip: Visit the Sligo Folk Park, a tiny museum in Riverstown, just a quick walk from Coopershill. The folk park is a community-run attraction and provides a glimpse of 19th Century rural and Irish heritage. There is a wonderful museum and exhibition hall where visitors can see one of Ireland’s finest collections of agricultural artefacts. There is a pretty fine collection of locally-made cakes on sale in the café too.

Verdict: So grand, and yet so homely. Real family feel, where you could escape for a romantic break, hire the whole house for a party, or bring the children for a family getaway. Riverstown very remote so bring your walking boots. 

Getting there: Take a train to Sligo, Ballymote or Collooney, then taxi to Riverstown.

Catherine Mack is the author of  ecoescape: Ireland, £8.99 (+£1.50 UK p&p)