Research Findings

We have been continuing our research into reviews of Renvyle House Hotel for its 130 year celebrations.  Sommerville and Ross in their book "Through Connemara in a Governess Cart" 1893 have a lovely review of Renvyle House and courtesy of the the Bankcroft Library at the  Univeristy of California, Berkeley we are able to read the book online.  Renvyle House comes into their story from page 134.

Edith Sommerville, a novelist and her cousin and collaborater (Violet) Martin Ross between them published a series of fourteen stories and novels, the most popular of which were "The Real Charlotte", and "The Experiences of an Irish R. M." published in 1899.

Louise Culmer, reviews "Through Connemara in a Governess Cart" as follows
"Edith Somerville and Martin Ross's lively account of their journey through Connemara in the late 19th century. The book contains many vivid descriptions of the places they visit and the people they encounter, and there are some very humorous incidents. Somerville and Ross were well educated, upper class ladies, and their descriptions of the lower class characters they encounter are perhaps a touch condescending now and again, but at that date this is probably to be expected, and they are always good humoured."

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CULINARY HAVEN OF THE YEAR

An Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny presenting Mr. Ronnie Counihan (General Manager Renvyle House Hotel & Resort) and Mr. Tim O'Sullivan (Executive Chef Renvyle House Hotel & Resort) with the award of 'Culinary Haven of the Year' along with  Mrs. Margaret Jeffares (Managing Director Good Food Ireland) and Mr. Pat Connors (Managing Director Marine Harvest) at the Good Food Ireland Awards in Dublin on Tuesday 20th November.

            Renvyle House Hotel & Resort in Connemara was recently awarded the accolade of  'Culinary Haven of the Year' by Good Food Ireland.  The award ceremony was attended by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny who presented the award to Mr. Ronnie Counihan and Mr. Tim O'Sullivan of Renvyle House.  The Taoiseach said the food sector was critical to the economy and the key role that locally produced and artisan foods would play in the economic recovery.

            Renvyle House is an historic country house hotel and resort and is situated on nearly 200 acres on the shores of the Atlantic in Connemara.  The grounds comprise of a 9 hole golf course, a private lake for fishing, a beach and many other amenities on the hotel ground.  It was first opened as a hotel in 1883 and will be celebrating 130 years in operation next year.  It is an independent hotel and will also be celebrating six decades of ownership within the Coyle family next year.  It has a long established name for really good Irish hospitality and great food.

Connemara and the Neighbouring Spots of Beauty and Interest

This is a lovely publication by J. Harris Stone who claims to "like exceedingly the country I write about, and also its inhabitants..... The West of Ireland, as I experienced myself at first, is rather a puzzling part of Ireland to find one's way about in, so I have introduced one or two sketch maps, which, if consulted, will, I think, make the way plain"  - Some might say it can be difficult to navigate today also!

You can download a PDF version of the Chapter about Renvyle by clicking >>HERE

"Connemara and the Neighbouring Spots of Beauty and Interest" by J. Harris Stone, Health Resort Publishing Company Limited, London, 1906 (first edition copy)

(scanning quality is not the best, apologies.  But it can be viewed quite well if you enlarge it close to 200%)

Murray’s Handbook Ireland

A beautiful guide from 1906 in the Hotel's private collection which features wonderful information of the island of Ireland.  With beautifully illustrated maps of the various regions and maps of the cities and larger towns.

Renvyle House features in this guide and reference to our golf course is also mentioned in it, they also comment upon the "perfectly shaped pebbles" on the beach.  "Mrs. Blake with spirited enterprise opened the house as a hotel in 1883.  The spot is singularly attractive.  In addition to being close to the finest scenery in Connemara, it has good bathing, sea and trout fishing.........Golf Links have also recently been laid out"

You can view the review by clicking >> HERE

Murray's Handbook For Travellers in Ireland
London, Edward Stanford, 1906

Black’s Guide to Ireland 1912

Renvyle House features in Black's Guide to Ireland in 1912 and it gives a lovely description of what the house was like back then.  The review commences with " Mrs. Blake's Hotel, Renvyle House (£3 per week), is most homely and comfortable, beside being unique; for its walls, wthin, retain their antique elm and oak wainscotting, and it lies as snuggly embowered as some old English 'grange'".

You can view the review by clicking >> HERE

Black's Guide to Ireland
Twenty Fifth Edition
Publisher, Adam and Charles Black, London, 1912