Although it generally operates as a bed and breakfast accommodation, my extended family of thirteen engaged Rathellen House as a vacation rental for a week in June, 2010. It was all we expected and so much more. We all enjoyed the comfortable elegance of the house and its amenities, and the children particularly enjoyed the ranging, well-kept lawns where they had their own Rathellen Cup games. Our gracious and genial hosts, Stella and Eamon Long, have seen to every detail, and made their beautiful home a welcoming "home away" for their guests. We had arranged a catered dinner for the beginning and end of our stay (Eamon is a Ballymoe trained chef) and each was outstanding! The house is an easy driving distance from destinations all over the south of Ireland, but one of the most breathtaking sights is in Rathellen House's own "back yard," the Glen of Aherlow.
Many thanks to the Longs for facilitating an extraordinary holiday experience, and our appreciation for their dog Murphy who tolerated all kinds of attention from the Harty grandkids.

Eamonn and Stella Long warmly hosted us in their beautiful Rathellen House for one week while we stayed and toured Southeast Ireland. They made us feel as though the elegant and comfortable house was our home for the week. They provided us with tips and ideas of sites to see and were available to kindly answer our questions. They also gave us the freedom and privacy to enjoy ourselves in the retreat-like atmosphere. As a family, we created meals in the amazing kitchen and enjoyed our meals and family time in the elegant dining area. The lovely sitting room was a perfect place for us to map out our adventures and revisit our day's happenings. It was an extra bonus to have wifi access to connect with loved ones at home, as well. The library was also a perfect respite for some quiet time and reading. The children were able to play games in the house and truly enjoyed frolicking around the grounds. At the end of each day, our comfortable and serene bedrooms welcomed us, rejuvenating us for the new day.

Rathellen House is a perfect place to stay while visiting Ireland. We will cherish the memories that we created in Ireland and are so thankful to Stella and Eamonn for helping to make our vacation so delightful.
Fondly,
Sheila, Peter, and Petey Grace

During our recent fourth trip to Ireland we stayed at Rathellen House for three nights. There were six of us (3 couples) traveling together. The House is set in a beautiful country setting with views to the Galtee Mountains that are stunning. Stella is a wonderful host and the house itself boasts extremely comfortable en-suite rooms. In addition, there is a large sitting room and smaller library perfect for afternoon tea, reading or meeting new friends. Our stay at Rathellen was at the end of our trip and the big, comfortable beds were especially welcome. There is much to see in this part of Ireland and for hill walkers (such as us) Rathellen is perfectly situated in an area of many lovely signposted walks of all levels. Since we were a larger group, we chose to have Stella and her husband prepare dinner on two nights. Dinner (like breakfast) was served in a formal dining room with impeccable service. We would highly recommend Rathellen House to those that desire a touch of luxury in this beautiful area.

We have stayed in Rathellen house a number of times. My family are originally from Bansha and so it is an ideal place for us to base ourselves when visiting. From the moment we drive in the gate and are greeted by the friendly family dog we are made to feel so welcome. On one occasion we had my elderly grandmother with us who uses a zimmerframe as her mobility is poor, Stella gave her the best room in the house where she had her first jacuzzi bath in her 80's!
We would highly recommend Rathellen house for a romantic getaway or a weekend with family and friends. 10/10 for service, food, hospitality and decor! We'll be seeing Stella again soon!