As they say in Ireland, "there are as many ways to relax as there are shades of green". With St. Patrick's Day approaching, we thought we might highlight a few of our member inns with a special connection to the Emerald Isle.
The Irish Inn, Ozark, IL: Stay in a stone and log chalet, comfortably cool in summer with blazing log fires in winter. You will enjoy the company of a genuine Belfast-born innkeeper, a full unbelievably big Irish breakfast, and best of all there is no charge for big doses of the blarney, storytelling, and good Irish luck. One day a month is not enough to celebrate the luck of the Irish here, so look forward to a celebration every single day. Irish music, storytelling around warm fires, special catered dinner feasts of Irish stew, corned beef and cabbage or four other dinners, full Irish breakfasts, and the blarney of your Irish Innkeeper will make your visit one to remember. Over the years some interesting guests have found their way to The Irish Inn, including two kilted Irishmen from a place called Islandmagee and a fine artist James Cameron of Carrickfergus who painted a portrait of the inn now on display at the inn.
Fitzgerald's Irish B&B, Painesville, OH: Come for the warm Irish hospitality in a unique sixteen-room French Tudor built in 1937 and you'll be wow'd by the ornate staircase, hard-wood floors throughout, unusual turret and 11 foot fireplace. Reminescent of an Irish (not French) castle, yet only 30 minutes outside Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it's no surprise that the guest rooms here have Irish names like the Galway and Dublin rooms.
Killahevlin, Front Royal, VA: Even within this inn’s blog, you’ll find a bit of the blarney. Offering an "Emerald Isle" for travelers to the Shenandoah Valley reminiscent of turn of the century hospitality this hilltop Edwardian Mansion welcomes visitors from throughout the world. The Irish influence can be spotted throughout the guest rooms and the inn filled with stained glass transom windows and reproduction wallpaper from 19th century Ireland. Yet it’s the Irish pub offering complimentary Irish draft beer on tap, plus wine, soft drinks and snacks that guests love. From the moment you enter the entrance with its green shingles to the time you leave, enjoy a wee bit of rest and a big dose of Irish hospitality here.
For those interested in traveling a little farther than Illinois, Ohio or Virginia, take a trip across the pond to Ireland for a taste of the Irish B&B blarney. BedandBreakfast.com lists hundreds of Irish B&Bs. In search of the lucky leprechaun? Choose from Irish inns from Aclare to Westport and plan your trip starting with BedandBreakfast.com.