Gallery & Reviews

Discover what guides and guests say about their stay at Marlagh Lodge.

"... a classic of its era, double fronted with spacious high-ceilinged reception rooms of human proportions."
(Georgina Campbell - The Guide)

"My home in Ireland and a restorative for the soul!"
(Guest Book)

"Wonderfully tasteful restoration... a true labour of love."
(Guest Book)

"Wonderful quirky Victorian furniture everywhere goes well together and suits the building."
(The Good Hotel Guide)

"The highlight of our trip!"
(Guest Book)

"Best B&B we've ever encountered."
(Guest Book)

"... a certain formality downstairs, a lighter quirkier touch informs the luxurious bedrooms."
(Alastair Sawday - Special Places to Stay in Ireland)

"... baths with character and the view,"
(Alastair Sawday - Special Places to Stay in Ireland)

"The best bed in the world and whiskey in your porridge!"
(Guest Book)

"Some people know exactly the right place for the right object."
(100 Best Places to Stay in Ireland)

"Loved it, loved it, loved it ... gracious living and eating!!"
(Guest Book)

"...thoroughly and comfortably restored and filled with antiques, books and interesting and unusual objets."
(The Hidden Ireland)

"A first class operation in every way. Thank you!"
(Guest Book)

Karen Brown's Ireland: Exceptional Places to Stay and Itineraries 2008

Marlagh Lodge dates back to 1853. It was originally built for Henry Hutchinson Hamilton O'Hara, son of local landowners and residents of nearby Crebilly Castle. Now a listed building, it is described as an interesting Victorian mix of picturesque and Georgian elements, gabled bays and roof overhangs. Standing in its own grounds adjacent to the A36, secondary glazing helps to keep the high-ceilinged bedrooms warm and reduces the traffic noise to a minimum. Careful restoration has brought the property back to its former glory with a four-poster here, a brass bed there, antiques and collectibles, and black iron and tile fireplaces. A hearty breakfast is served in the breakfast room, featuring home-made bread, local produce, porridge or a traditional Ulster Fry. A twenty minute drive finds you at Belfast International Airport. Marlagh Lodge is ideal for visiting Belfast, but the great draw lies in the opposite direction where you find the Giant's Causeway and the lovely Antrim coast.

Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay Ireland 2009

A couple of young musicians took on a Victorian house, devoting intense energy to saving and restoring it all: fine proportions, original fireplaces, "servants' quarters", the old garden... and declared themselves "Victorians at heart". Voracious readers who prefer long walks and great food to TV, they treated the house to stacks of books, antique pianos, prints, furniture and beautiful William Morris papers, and shrouded it from the road with shrubs and trees. After strong colours and a certain formality downstairs, a lighter, quirkier touch informs the luxurious bedrooms: salvaged baths with character, imperfections and the view; lovely furniture, fabrics and linens. They did all the decorating themselves, invented Ballymarlagh Tummy Warmer porridge, among other breakfast marvels, and beyond the pretty courtyard where the bell-tower still crowns the stable, planted herbs at the foot of the monkey-puzzle tree, added hens, and a big patio at the back. It is a delight to stay.