“An inviolable wilderness preserve” NEW YORK TIMES

“It is an estate of fabulous beauty…..For those who cherish landscape that is wild, lovely and undefiled, take a look at Delphi” FINANCIAL TIMES

“Delphi, that lovely, lonely and wild valley in one of the few unspoilt backwaters of Ireland’s west” IRISH TIMES

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Delphi Lodge is a delightful 1830s country house offering top-quality accommodation in one of the most spectacular settings in Ireland.

Located in a valley of unparalleled beauty, the 1000-acre Delphi estate is one of Ireland’s hidden treasures. Being surrounded by the tallest mountains in Connemara and overlooking a pretty lake, the historic Lodge is the perfect holiday hideaway.

OPEN DATES 2008/2009

Delphi Lodge offers guest accommodation and great food from from mid-February to mid-October each year.

From mid-October to mid-February the lodge is open for group bookings only (houseparties, family reunions, small weddings and corporate outings - minimum 18 people). For details of prices and available dates, click the “Houseparties” tab.

Over Christmas and New Year the Lodge is available for rental on a self-catering basis (only) for €1,600 per night, with a minimum rental of 3 nights. Maximum 24 people.

The Delphi Cottages are available for rental year-round. For details and prices click the “Cottages” tab.

THE LODGE

With twelve lovely rooms, great atmosphere, seriously good food and a wine list to die for, Delphi is a magical place to stay. Guests may walk the hills, fish the rivers and lakes or just indulge in the luxury and beauty of the surroundings.

Formerly the sporting lodge of the Marquis of Sligo, Delphi is wonderfully secluded, yet within easy striking distance of beautiful beaches, championship golf courses, horse riding and all the sights of Connemara and Mayo.

Delphi is special. It is emphatically not a hotel - it has no room service, TVs or a la carte menus. It is a private country house of the highest quality, stylish yet informal, sophisticated yet relaxing. Everyone eats together at a huge oak table, presided over by the owner, Peter Mantle, or by the captor of the day’s biggest salmon. Conversation is lively and the atmosphere is akin to that of a private houseparty.

The bedrooms (all with private bathrooms and many with lovely lake views) are charmingly furnished and the beds exceptionally comfortable. Downstairs, fine reception rooms include a cosy and eclectic library, a billiards room and a large drawing room overlooking the lake. The gardens are extensive and informal, with fine old trees, masses of flowering shrubs and a delightful river walk.

The food at Delphi Lodge is highly praised, with Lochlann O'Mearain and Cliodhna Prendergast and their team producing dinners that are both interesting and delicious. And Peter’s amazing wine list, featuring over 300 fairly-priced wines, is much thumbed and provides welcome relief on rainy days.

In the late summer, autumn and winter, Delphi Lodge may also be taken in its entirety for a private houseparty to celebrate a special occasion. Two or three night houseparties are popular, remarkably affordable and truly memorable.

The estate also owns some of the finest waters for Atlantic salmon fishing in Ireland. The Delphi Fishery includes an exceptionally pretty river and several lakes where fly-fishing is the rule. The fishing is much sought after and not suitable for beginners, but spaces are sometimes available and weekend courses for beginners are run from Delphi Lodge several times during the season.

The Lodge is a member of The Hidden Ireland, a network of historic private country houses that offer exclusive accommodation and exceptional hospitality in some of Ireland’s finest homes.

For those who prefer more independent, self-catering accommodation, there are also five charming holiday cottages on the Delphi estate. Click on Delphi Cottages for more information on these rental properties.

Note that Delphi should not be confused with the nearby Delphi Spa or the Delphi Adventure Centre, which are not connected with Delphi Lodge or its estate.