Bruff, Ireland: Visiting Lough Gur and The Old Bank B&B

Our stay in Bruff, Ireland was cozy and comfortable at The Old Bank B&B

We looked forward to our stay at The Old Bank B&B in Bruff, Ireland, and who wouldn’t? Bruff is a charming little village located about 25 minutes south of the city of Limerick in midwest Ireland. From our reading, we learned that The Old Bank B&B building is described as a banking “townhouse,” and the facade is unmistakable as you drive along the village’s main street. Bruff also boasts a number of oversize painted murals, which give out a distinctive personality.

Bruff has two big claims to fame. First, it’s the ancestral home of the FitzGerald family, ancestors of Americans “Honey Fitz” and his daughter, Rose, who went on to marry a Kennedy and give birth to a President. Second, it’s the home of champion horseflesh, the hurdler Istabraq, whose Seabiscuit-like story endears him to underdog-lovers worldwide. As we learned from our new friend behind the bar at Clancy’s, Istabraq retired after making his owner, who still lives in the area, a fortune.

The Old Bank B&B delivered the atmosphere we anticipated with just the right mix of period detail and modern luxury.  Owner Miriam and her family have lovingly restored the historic bank building into a charming and unique bed and breakfast. We were not disappointed.

The public room with cheery fire set the mood for a glass of wine easily procured from the local market right next store. Our charming room had its own ensuite jacuzzi bath, which took the edge off the damp and wintry weather outside. Heated mattress pads and piles of quilts and blankets made for a memorable rest underneath the canopy bed details. Quite possibly the coziest night in Ireland!

The next morning we were treated to a generous Irish breakfast and entertained by the family’s four young children. It was glimpse back into the sort of busy life we remembered when our families were young: Saturday sports and lessons, hustle and bustle.

Don’t miss the archeological richness of Lough Gur near Bruff

Thank goodness all we had to do was relax and sightsee in the area. According to The Old Bank B&B website, Bruff is “a mystical Irish town situated in the beautiful Golden Vale & Lough Gur District, and the area around Bruff is quite scenic with buildings up to the early Christian period dotted about as well.” We stumbled upon the “new church” amidst other archeologically significant stone remnants and monuments in the Lough Gur area, a few minutes out of town.

Nestled along the highway is a stone circle older than Stonehenge. Lough Gur has been a farming settlement since before the time of Christ. It was amazing to see modern-day farming occurring in and around these historically significant sites. Soaking up this moody atmosphere in midwest Ireland after a comfortable stay at The Old Bank B&B was a fine way to pass our Sunday morning.

Look over Passing Thru’s other posts on Ireland.

 

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