The Irish Times

May 2007

If you fancy a bit of old-world atmosphere and don't mind being based out of town, Temple House, nr Ballinacarrow, Ballymote is family-run and well worth investigating.

The Sunday Independent

April 2007

Splendid Georgian pile -- home to the Perceval family since 1665. Open since the Eighties but recently taken over by the younger generation, Roderick and Helena Perceval, who are bringing this great house forward with style.

Food & Wine Magazine

Ireland's food and drink bible

April 2008

A true country estate, this unique place offers many rural activities... A one off.

Frommer

A grand manor house tucked away amid pastures, forest, and terraced gardens, Temple House is where you can live out your country house dream. Overlooking a lake and the ruins of a Knights Templar castle, the house impresses with its sheer size and historic authenticity. The Perceval family has lived here since 1665, and recently a new generation, Roderick and Helena, have taken over. They artfully juggle raising their two young children with caring for their guests and running their working farm. Guest rooms are enormous -- one is so big that it's called "The Half Acre Room" -- and filled with family heirlooms. Beds are firm and comfortable, and all the bathrooms are fully modern. The walled garden a short walk from the house supplies the vegetables served with the excellent evening meals, and the fruit offered at breakfast. Book a place for dinner, where the atmosphere is intentionally like a relaxed manor house party -- guests meet for drinks around the fire in the drawing room and dine together at the vast table. Breakfast includes homemade cereals and fresh fruit compote and yogurt. Staying here, even for a night, is a friendly and unique experience.

TripAdvisor

- traveller reviews click here

Georgina Campbell

One of Ireland’s most unspoilt old houses, this is a unique place - a Georgian mansion situated in 1,000 acres of farm and woodland, overlooking the original lakeside castle which was built by the Knights Templar in 1200.

The Percevals have lived here since 1665 and the house was redesigned and refurbished in 1864 - some of the furnishings date back to that major revamp. Sandy and Deb Perceval first opened the doors of their home to guests in 1981 and it is now managed by their son Roderick and his wife Helena, who are bringing their own brand of youthful energy and enthusiasm to running this amazing house.

The whole of the house has retained its old atmosphere and, in addition to central heating, has log fires to cheer the enormous rooms. Spacious bedrooms are furnished with old family furniture (some also have some modern additions) and all of the bathrooms have recently been upgraded - not an easy task in a house of this age, with a high pressure water system installed throughout.

Guests have the use of an elegant sitting room with open fires, and evening meals are served (every day except Sunday, when residents are directed to a restaurant in nearby Sligo town) in the very beautiful dining room and are a treat to look forward to, based on seasonal produce from the estate and other local suppliers. A typically delicious menu might include: walnut & apricot tartlet with Cashel Blue cheese, pan fried wild salmon, and rhubarb fool; there’s always an Irish cheeseboard too - and home-made fudge with coffee in the Morning Room.

Bridgestone Guide

Roderick and Helena are the latest generation of Percevals to take up the reins of the resplendent Temple House, succeeding the legendary Sandy and Deb, who established the house as one of Ireland’s greatest destinations. The couple have energy and plans, and the many devotees of the house will wish them well.

Fodor's

Off the beaten track on more than 1,000 acres, this vast Gerogian mansion.. with formal gardens and a lake beckon..

Charming Small Hotels

Alistair Sawday

The gardens rolling down to the lake past some very special trees and the ruins of three earlier Temple Houses - medieval, Tudor, Jacobean - announce rich history. The present house, built in 1864 by the 'Chinaman’ ancestor (he made fortunes out east), reveals grandeurs galore in the most welcoming family atmosphere you can imagine, aristocratic relations gazing down on plastic tricycles in the monumental hall, tall morning-room windows sporting gorgeous pink velvet against cream furnishings. The very light is warmly gracious. After that echoing hall where a hundred could waltz, the 'Half-Acre’ bedroom confirms the scale: fifty more could shimmy among the antique beds. Other rooms, though less vast, all bask in this old-fashioned ease, ideally partnered by revamped bathrooms. Roderick and Helena really enjoy their guests, their young children fill the house with youthful laughter and enthusiasm; these natural, unpretentious people wear their treasures lightly, farm carefully and organise winter shoots in this Special Conservation Area. An exceptional experience.

Rough Guide to Ireland

Unofficial Guide to Ireland

Frommers Ireland for Dummies

one of: The Best B&Bs
I love bed-and-breakfasts because you get the company and advice of a friendly local along with a homey, comfortable room — and often a good bargain to boot. Here are some of my favorites.

- A stay at Temple House is what life would be like if you had a close relative who just happened to own a sprawling manor house on 400 hectares (1,000 acres)

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Lonely Planet

Karen Brown

When I travel I’m always in search of something that is completely different from home and this is the case here as most of my house would fit into the entrance hall where Roderick and Helena Perceval keep the “wellies”, fishing paraphernalia, and inclement weather gear. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg for beyond lie rooms of enormous proportions. One bedroom is aptly named the half acre. Another is the twins’ room because it has two of everything—all pleasingly idiosyncratic and just bursting with character. Furniture made for the house is still here along with a grand array of family portraits. Roderick makes certain guests are introduced to one another when they gather for pre-dinner drinks round the fire in the snug little sitting room. Whenever I have stayed there have always been the most interesting of dinner conversations with my fellow guests around the polished dining room table and, of course, the food is always excellent. As for what to do during the day—some folks never leave the estate: there’s a vast lake for fishing (a boat is available for pike fishing), a lakeside castle built by the Knights Templar in 1200, a huge walled garden, and miles of walking paths (Roderick will give you a map). The Percevals have lived here since 1665 and there are some wonderful stories of ancestors’ exploits.

Ireland of the Welcomes

Des O’Sullivan, Upper Hutt, New Zealand

"WHEN I FIRST saw the cover of your November/December 2005 issue, with the juxtaposition of ‘Temple House’ and that wise-looking donkey, I assumed that the picture was taken at Temple House. It brought back memories of the several visits which my wife and I have made to Co Sligo. We always stay for a month near Ballymote and regularly visit Temple House. The broad sweep of the lawns along the long drive to the house and the magnificent trees that grace that approach always gladden our eyes.

In 1993, when we first discovered Temple House, there were cattle grazing but no sheep; however, a few donkeys watched our slow progress. Temple House itself appeared gloomy and cold, no cars were present and some exterior disrepair was obvious. Three years later, we found a few cattle, many sheep but alas no donkeys at the house. However the house was brighter, no allergies noted and a few more cars were in the new gravel parking area. On our most recent visit, we found Temple House and the grounds quite as Dr. Moriarty’s account presented as a fine blend of now and bygone days. It is indeed an inspiring example of caring for one of Ireland’s treasures.".

Irland - Musik: Zusammenkommen im Westen der irischen Republik - schwarzaufweiss

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