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Our family run guesthouse and restaurant is situated in the picturesque georgian village of Durrow, Laois in Ireland. The house was purpose built by Lord Ashbrook in 1777 and meticuosly restored by the Murphy family in 2005. It has 10 beautifully appointed bedrooms and the restaurant is open on Friday and Saturday nights and for Sunday lunch. It was formerly called the Bianconi Red Lion Guesthouse.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
The Ashbrook Arms Restaurant in Durrow, County Laios, is a fantastic place to eat. I returned there with my cousins, after my last trip in 2019 from London. It was like it was only yesterday. We went for Sunday lunch and it was just as delicious as I remembered. The set meal was €35 per person. This included a three course meal, then tea or coffee. The roast dinners were large and certainly filling. We were very satisfied with all of our choices. The place was packed, so you certainly need to make a reservation to avoid disappointment. The staff were literally run off their feet, but were courteous and very professional. In these current times when eating out has become very expensive, and often not worth the money, due to the poor quality of food and service. This cannot be said for The Ashbrook. I will always return when I am in Abbeyleix which is only 9kms away. I cannot praise them highly enough for their continued excellence.
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:I have never stayed there but have eaten in the excellent restaurant
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked the Ashbrook Arms as an ideal place to hold a meeting and have a light lunch of Soup, sandwiches and tea/coffee. On arrival we were met by Rozeita who brought us to a well ordered dining room and where we were promtly served our food. piping hot soup and freshly made sanwiches. On completion we were brought into a room perfectly set up to allow us enjoy our lecture. Everything was provided and we have nothing but praise for the Ashbrook Arms, the owners Rozeita and Sean and their efficient and friendly staff. If you are touring the area around Durrow, either singly or as a group we would happily reccommend the Ashbrook Arms for a comfortable and friendly break . On Behalf of The Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association.
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Date of stay: September 2021
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Service
Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:Always book well ahead if at all possible. Staff will advise!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I attended the Laois Heritage Society held their Christmas Lunch in the Ashbrook Arms on December 4th, 2022 in a private room with the tables arranged in a square so we could all see each other. I have many food allergies and intolerences, including gluten, soya,dairy, peppers, pork, mutton/ lamb, onions to name but a few, so I can find it difficult to find somewhere that will cater to my requirements. However this was not the case in the Ashbrook Arms - the staff were so patient and helpful - I had emailed them a couple of days prior to the dinner with details of my dietary requirements and then phoned them to work out exactly what I could eat. They didn't have a suitable dessert and suggested that I bring along something myself, which I did and it was served along with the others' desserts, so had a dessert along with everyone else. I enjoyed a delicious meal and the group spent 4 hours there chatting, listening and discussing local historical stories. Everything was relaxed and we werent rushed out of the restaurant. I definately would recommend this restaurant for the willingness to find solutions rather than barriers to catering to people with food complications.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:If you have food allergies/ intolerances, email ahead with your list and then phone to set your...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Finally out of lockdown and this is where we chose to come in our beautiful county of Laois. Fantastic communication over Messenger and we were delighted when they agreed to our request to have dinner with them and then park our motorhome in their courtyard and sleep overnight in it. All the staff were very welcoming and all Covid procedures were meticulously followed. The food was amazing and the Christmas menu was €40 each for 5 courses including coffee and mince pies. Top notch Gold medal Reserve Cotes Du Rhone wine for under €30 plus a couple of cracking gins to kick off proceedings. When we finished we rolled out the door full to the brim. Cannot praise this place enough and we will definitely be back. Thank you 😊
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I had a family gathering at the Ashbrook Arms after a very long and tedious Covid and I could not rate it highly enough for Sunday lunch. The food, surroundings and service were all first rate. Rosita and her crew looked after us like we'd were HER family. Joe our server was so attentive and helpful we felt chuffed to have him all too ourselves. Cannot wait to do it all over again..... next month. Zita
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for the first (but not the last) time on Saturday 17th October. We were not allowed out of our county due to Covid but for once we were glad because otherwise we would not have considered our home county as somewhere to go for a much needed night out. Sean and Rosezita were excellent hosts and so welcoming. Our appt (Desert Orchid) was just beautiful. Warm, cosy, the candles were lit and the table set for our dinner. We relaxed instantly. The food when it arrived was delicious. My fish was cooked to perfection as was my husbands steak. We loved the al dente vegetables and crispy potatoes.The attention to detail was perfect and this carried through to our wonderful freshly cooked breakfast. We had a lovely night away and have not stopped talking about the Ashbrook Arms and beautiful Durrow. We really really look forward to our return. Can not recommend this wonderful place enough.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rosezita Murphy, Innkeeper at The Ashbrook Arms Restaurant and Guesthouse
Responded Oct 25, 2020
Hi George and Suzanne, Thank you so much for your kind words, it was a pleasure to host you last Saturday night and we look forward to welcoming you back again in the near future. Sean & Rosezita
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My wife and I stayed for two nights in August 2023 in this friendly, courteous, efficient family run hotel in a fascinating building . The bedroom was clean and comfortable. Beakfast was adequate (no Bran flakes) & Dinner on the Friday night was outstanding. I would commend JP for his efficient and friendly service.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:They only serve dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was one of the best little hotels that I have stayed at, and I travel a lot! I traveled to Durrow for a wedding which was held at Durrow Castle (which was booked, but I couldn’t have been happier with this hotel & it was a short 5 minute walk to Durrow Castle). My suite was beautiful and very large (upstairs was a bedroom and bathroom and downstairs a living room). It overlooked the river and was very peaceful. The Christmas decorations were gorgeous, and the staff were very courteous and kind. The food was also wonderful. I would DEFINITELY stay here again if I were to return to Durrow.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Book one of the rooms in the back - they’re quiet and the view is so serene out the back window
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The food is absolutely fabulous, staff were so friendly and helpful. The dining Room was lovely and warm and very comfortable and we were happy to stay there for drinks after our meal. Beautiful reception room with open fire. Rozeita is a fantastic hostess. Highly recommended for a great night out.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked dinner at Ashbrook Arms the night before our wedding and the meal was super! Delicious with generous portions! We had extra numbers last minute and Rose was very understanding and accommodating! We would recommend to anyone else looking to celebrate a special occasion!
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Durrow area.
PRICE RANGE
$156 - $163 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the ashbrook arms restaurant and guesthouse hotel durrow, durrow red lion
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Bianconi Red Lion Restaurant
LOCATION
IrelandProvince of LeinsterCounty LaoisDurrow
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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