Are Tullamore locals are the friendliest Irish people? We think so!
Having just bought my first house, the idea of a holiday seems pretty unrealistic this summer as we continue to make a house a home — so the opportunity to discover counties of Ireland I'd never seen before, is one I'll snap up.
One of those is Co Offaly, where I stayed last month, at the Bridge House Hotel. Nestled in the beautiful town of Tullamore, the hotel dates back to the 1720s, and that rich history made our visit even more enjoyable.
Thinking of a hotel from the 1700s, one may expect something extremely outdated, and perhaps a bit boring, but our impression of the Bridge House Hotel was much more than that.
The drive from Belfast took less than three hours, and we were lucky that our stay coincided with glorious weather, making a sunny drive, windows down and music on, less uncomfortable.
On arrival, we parked a very short walk away from the hotel's main doors, in the hotel's free car park.
The hotel lobby was breathtaking and grand. There were families and friends enjoying the lobby area when we arrived for check-in, something that always makes me feel relaxed and at home when away.
Having invested over €2.5 million in renovations in recent years, including a €150,000 transformation of its lobby in 2024, the hotel remains a hub of local pride and is a strong supporter of Tullamore's local economy – and that was evident in the footfall that we saw in the communal gym area and restaurant
We stayed in one of 50 newly refurbished rooms, and it was one of the nicest rooms we have stayed in, in a very long time. Our suite boasted double doors which opened up onto a private balcony area, with views right across Tullamore.
Having just set our overnight bags on the bed, there was a gentle knock on the door where a wonderful staff member welcomed us the the hotel, along with a beautiful plate of fresh sweet treats.
It really is the small things that make a huge difference and you can see that every guest is treated as special as the next in the Bridge House.
Everyone around the town is equally as friendly. The hotel is located smack bang in the middle of the town, surrounded by local shops and hospitality venues. And the locals were the friendliest of bunches, and are very proud of their town. And so they should because it is beautiful.
Both having very demanding jobs, it is a real treat for us to be able to switch off, so after a walk around Tullamore, we headed straight for the hotel spa facilities, and it was a well-needed detox.
Staff at the spa desk welcomed us to the hotel with a politeness and charm that is typical of those Irish towns dotted around the country.
The pool area, including outdoor pool, was busy but not too overwhelming and we spent around two hours in the pools and sauna.
Ironically, chilling, doing absolutely nothing makes for hungry work so afterwards we headed for dinner in the hotel restaurant. We were ready for a good feed and that is exactly what we got.
We opted for two courses each, and a cocktail — and as I write this review, my mouth is watering thinking back to the food we were served.
The menu was not exhaustive, but there was certainly something for everyone, and we found it to be very reasonably priced.
We had soup and wings for starter, and then for the mains I opted for the turkey and ham dinner, and my partner had the burger.
Both portions were huge — I couldn't finish mine — but I gave it some go because it was 10/10. The cocktails were also delicious — the perfect way to wash down a great meal, served by brilliant staff
After a great night's sleep, we headed to the gym at 8am, trying to keep our usual weekly routine in check. The gym has everything you need for a good workout and after the session we were very ready for breakfast, which was served buffet style on the first floor, before we hit the road ready for the journey home, with full bellies and even fuller hearts.
And on the drive home we spoke about how we will definitely be returning to the Bridge House Hotel. The staff were attentive and friendly and facilities within the hotel are 10/10. The best part, though, is the town of Tullamore matched the great vibes of the hotel.
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