When the national tourist bureau took us to visit Ireland’s ”sunny southeast” and spend a night in Waterford, they put us up at the Granville Hotel. Not surprisingly, it’s the best known hotel in the city. It’s also one of Ireland’s oldest, dating from the early 1700s, and is in a fabulous, central location, overlooking the marina and within walking distance to everything.
But … why is that American flag above the entryway?
Although the Granville Hotel was built as a private residence, the building has quite a historic past, not the least of which is that it was once the headquarters of Ireland’s first public transportation system. It’s also famous because of all the well-known people who have been here, such as Charles Stewart Parnell, Daniel O’Connell and Lord Frederick Roberts. But despite all that, it’s best known as the birthplace of Thomas Francis Meagher, who designed the “Irish Tricolour” (Ireland’s flag) and first flew it in Waterford City.
Thomas Francis Meagher is known for more than a flag, though. His name may not sound familiar to Americans but he also played an important part in U.S. history. He was a decorated hero of the American Civil War, pall bearer at Abraham Lincoln’s funeral, and ultimately became the Governor of Montana.
And that’s why they fly an American flag front-and-center outside the hotel.
Our room at the Granville Hotel
No wonder they wanted us to stay at this hotel: It won the coveted Georgina Campbell Hotel of the Year for 2013. In Ireland, that is a Very. Big. Deal. It was also a big deal for us. Unlike the cold sterility of the chain hotels we’re used to, it had character and warmth.
I loved our room, especially the cozy sitting area and the setup for making tea, complete with biscuits (cookies). Tea kettles are as ubiquitous in Ireland as coffeemakers are in the U.S., and better equipped. Not being in the mood for a cup of tea, Dan immediately opened the drapes to discover that we had a balcony that overlooked the quay and the town’s ancient clock tower.
We were pretty impressed with the size of our bathroom. Plenty of space for two to move around in.
I also got a kick out of the personalized welcome note and two jars of their very own strawberry preserves (which airport security later removed from my possession. But we won’t go there. It makes me sad.)
Eating at the Bianconi Restaurant
We and our fellow travel bloggers dined at the hotel’s award winning Bianconi Restaurant that evening. It’s a white table linen kind of place, but I peeked at the menu and the prices are excellent. Even better, the ingredients are locally sourced.
Anyway, after a caprese salad starter, Dan chose to enjoy a medium-rare beef filet served with a crushed pepper & Irish whiskey sauce while I had a creamy wild mushroom risotto with parmesan shavings.
After dessert our hosts had a treat in store: Irish coffee, complete with lessons in how to make it. This was my only disappointment at the hotel, as they made it with instant coffee instead of fresh-brewed. Dan says I really shouldn’t blame the hotel; that’s the way most people in Ireland make coffee, and besides, I’m a coffee snob. Blame it on having spent the last few years in Bali, Panama and Ecuador, drinking freshly roasted local brews.
Speaking of food, let me tell you about breakfast the next morning. How about a poached egg atop a Waterford blaa and then covered in silky hollandaise sauce? As you can see from the photo, Dan thought that a vegetarian eggs Benedict sounded delicious.
Our waitress had a suggestion that sounded even better to me: an excellent Irish oatmeal called Flahavans (the nation’s favorite, produced locally), served with Baileys Irish Cream, whiskey, and/or local honey. I had two helpings of the porridge, each with a lot of Bailey’s and a touch of whiskey to kick it up a notch. You must try it, too. Amazing.
So that’s about it for our overnight stay in Waterford. Thanks to both Fáilte Ireland and the Granville Hotel for sponsoring our stay, though all opinions expressed here are mine (and Dan’s).
If you’d like to see more, please see our Waterford photo gallery.
