Irish farm stays: this Co Clare gate lodge marries rustic charm with modern luxuries
If you're looking for a peaceful retreat to book this summer, this self-catering stay has everything you could want.
Arriving at the Gate Lodge at Armada farm, the magic started the moment we were welcomed by two friendly alpacas. The duo are among the resident animals, a menagerie that includes miniature Shetland ponies, sheep and lambs.
Animals roam freely around the farm, while the walled gardens have supplied the nearby Armada Hotel with fresh daily produce for decades. In recent years, the farm’s Gate Lodge building was carefully restored and transformed into a peaceful retreat. A textural haven in muted colours, it’s truly the loveliest self-catering property we’ve ever stayed in.
The Gate Lodge is small but never feels it. The kitchen living space is open-plan, with a separate double bedroom and the coolest bathroom, with both an indoor and outdoor shower. Warm concrete walls and exposed copper pipes add texture, while fluffy white towels and Handmade Soap Company products provide a luxurious touch.
The kitchen’s dark wood-stained cabinets provide a beautiful contrast against the off-white walls, paired with a simple shelf and vintage serving plates. The light-filled living area has the most beautiful views over White Strand Bay and sunsets to die for.
A solid-fuel stove is ready to be lit in colder weather or to warm yourself up after an outdoor seaweed bath (or after you’ve braced yourself under the plunge bucket!).
The bedroom is minimalistic but cosy, with a comfortable iron bed, layers of blankets in muted colours and heavy curtains that allow for a well-deserved lie-in. The house is designed for two people but we brought our kids with us and they had a very comfortable sleep on the pull-out sofa.
Everything here has been considered. Outside is a boot room, with wellies to explore the farm, where you can collect free-range eggs, test your plant knowledge in the polytunnels, wander through the apple orchard or mingle with the ponies and sheep. You can even pick some fresh herbs to top your pizza, cooked in your very own pizza oven.
Honestly, if I could I would use the blueprint of the lodge, copy every detail and live happily in it forever after.
Where to eat nearby Have a coffee at Moher Cottage or enjoy pub-grub and pints in the courtyard at Pot Duggan’s. Head to the Armada Hotel for the freshest seafood, and sample a pint of locally produced beer next to the open fire in Johnny Burke’s bar.
What to bring Not much, just yourselves and your dog if you have one. You’ll receive an artisan basket with breads, jam, chocolates and crisps on arrival. Tea and a Nespresso machine will keep you hydrated and the fridge is stocked with milk and butter. Bring the basics for making your own pizza, or order a kit through the Armada Hotel. Don’t forget carrots to feed the alpacas.
A one-night stay starts from €310.
Photography: Ruth Maria Murphy
This article originally appeared in the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of IMAGE Interiors.
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