Ferrycarrig Hotel the jewel in the Slaney

 

When I entered the busy carpark at Ferrycarrig late one Friday evening I already knew I was in for a treat. The bustling hotel was holding a wedding and was fully booked for the weekend that I was staying and outsode there were some wedding guests looking stylish and content. It’s strange the way the carpark can set the tone for the whole visit. It felt instantly welcoming and although cold I drank in the scenery. The views are the first thing I must comment on. The River Slaney is a gorgeous and so peaceful. I stayed in a Balcony room for two nights and would have happily stayed there a week, the hospitality was amazing and the staff while helpful not overbearing. The check in was fast and the reception was well staffed and there was a lovely buzz and atmosphere. The hotel was decorated for Christmas too which made it slighly magical.

So, let’s get the basics out of the way. The room was a decent size with great space for two people. I travelled alone but the bed was a king size one with a two-seater sofa, dressing table and somewhere to work should you be there for that purpose. The room was spotless, and they left a bottle of local cordial and water there. A refreshing change after three hours of travel from Cork. There were all the essentials like plenty of sockets and a full-length mirror. The rooms were quiet, and the functions don’t affect the sleep of the guests. There is plenty of space if you are travelling with a family for extra things like bouncing chairs or items you might need to keep children happy like toys etc. There is also WiFi for the all-important technology.

The first night I ate in the bar and has a lovely toasted sandwich. They serve sandwiches 24 hours, but hot food stops at 9 pm so just be aware of that, they don’t do any chips etc after that time but are happy to accommodate you for something yummy. They serve wine by the glass, carafe or bottle so I enjoyed a crisp Sauv Blanc and enjoyed the entertainment. The Friday night there were no children in the bar but there were lots of families staying in the hotel. The staff there were professional, and it was busy due to live music, which was great fun, especially for a solo traveller. I like when hotels cater for a variety of guests needs and I think Ferrycarrig have absolutely got this sewn up. The band was great, and I didn’t feel uncomfortable being in the bar on my own. They added to the atmosphere of the night overall. Sometimes I find hotel bars dull, but this was not the case at Ferrycarrig.

The breakfast was a buffet, both for warm and cold, something I am not a fan of personally, however with the price point of the hotel and the number of guests they cater for it is probably the only thing that works. The restaurant is roomy with lovely views and the food was up to a good standard for a buffet. They had nice extras like home made granola bars and baked goods which I enjoyed more than the cooked breakfast if I am honest. The restaurant was busy though well-staffed and the children that were there were well catered for.

 

 

The dinner in the bar was the highlight for me. Normally not tempted by three courses I saw the other diner’s food and decided that I had to try all three. I opted for dining on the bar, but there is a restaurant too. I ate around 7.30 pm and the bar was buzzing.  To start I had the most incredible chicken wings and the waiting staff were so nice and accommodating. For main I decided on a steak which was cooked to perfection and the salad I ordered on the side was fresh and worked so well with the steak. To finish I has some cheesecake which was fresh and light although I couldn’t finish it. From a pricing perspective the bar is good value for money and about average price for food and drinks. Food service stops at 9pm the bar them comes alive with locals and guests and transforms from a food space into a vibrant pub style atmosphere.

 

Ferrycarrig is close enough to Wexford and just about 30 mins from Gorey which has an amazing selection of shops. Honestly though once you step inside the hotel there is very little reason to leave except to explore.

All in all, Ferrycarrig would be a lovely getaway, the food is great, and the setting is quite magical. Springtime I would imagine is special with the views. I can’t wait to return when the weather is better and I can enjoy the views!