The food is very good and I recommend the carvery menu which is offered most days until 2.30pm. Quality meat such as leg of lamb, turkey and ham, and beef are often available. It’s freshly cooked each day, along with a selection of fresh tasty vegetables. The breakfast is decent too, all you could want in an Irish breakfast. All staff are very friendly, helpful and attentive and make the customer feel welcome ( unlike many other establishments). The hotel is pristine and well looked after from the gardens outside to the inviting spacious interior with lots of comfortable seating and tables available throughout the large ground floor. There’s a very nice balance between old fashioned furniture and fittings to more modern look which works well with nice paintings fresh flowers and well maintained indoor plants.

The only things which I think would make a big difference to the whole guest experience would be to have new modern large smart tvs in the bedrooms. The room which we stayed in ( 60 ), has an old television set with a poor reception and limited amounts of channels. It’s a small tv too ( around 30# ) it’s situated in the far corner the room requiring a pair of binoculars to see the screen from the single bed. Furthermore, some modern sockets in the bedroom such as usb double sockets should be available.

From the time you check in at reception, you feel welcome to this hotel. Everything about this hotel is 5 star 🌟.. but it does not feel intimidating. The furniture is colourful, luxurious, and plentiful. There is beautiful wallpaper highlighting some walls. The plain wall has an array of stunning paintings. There is so much light pouring into this hotel, stunning, fresh floral arrangements abound. We booked the restaurant for dinner for 4. we got a beautiful, well-appointed table. The variety on the menu was perfect, and we all enjoyed our meal. The service was attentive but not interfering with the flow of conversation. Every member of staff was polite, friendly and helpful. Breakfast was 7.30 to 10.30 am, and the options on offer were fresh fruit, cereals, cooked breakfast, a range of breads, juice, tea, and coffee. We were not rushed out of the breakfast room and enjoyed our stay immensely. I would not have any hesitation in recommending the hotel for a stay. We went for a lively river walk and returned to the hotel for lunch, there was a carvery with a good choice on offer at very reasonable prices. There was also a 3 course set menu in a separate dining area. The bedrooms and bathroom are tastefully furnished with an amazing view of the river, the rooms were warm and quiet, ensuring a good night's sleep.

Having to leave

I stayed here on short notice for work and the hotel was amazing. I had no idea that the town even existed before booking, but the location was amazing. A lovely little town right on the River Barrow which includes a medieval castle and beautiful bridge. The hotel was very well managed with beautiful artwork and fresh flowers on display. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. The food was delicious. The restaurant has a great menu and the breakfast was cooked to order. Some of the nicest food I've had in a long time. I will 100% be back.

Outstanding in every way. The Lord Bagenal has all the qualities of a top hotel, but none of the boring/depressing aspects of a 'generic international brand'. It seems to be the unique creation of an inspired and purposeful proprietor. Its walls are hung with his own art collection, and guests can enjoy the magnificent displays of flowers - most hotels would not bother to go to these lengths. This large and spacious hotel may be entered through the small traditional bar on the main street, which then gives one the impression of entering a 'Tardis', or from the main entrance behind. Our room was twice the size that one might have anticipated, and met every expectation. Breakfast was marvellous, and the large dining/bar was full of atmosphere. The setting in Leighlinbridge is picturesque and full of character, as are its people. The staff were very friendly, engaging and apparently highly-motivated. We were delighted by our choice of hotel and can thoroughly recommend it to anyone looking for quality, character and a gracious reception, in a lovely location.

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Breakfast choices were so good, I absolutely enjoyed it. I loved the back setting of the hotel with the river .

When we arrived back from a walk. We had left the windows open. We had to phone downstairs as our ceilings were full of midges and other insects. We were told that we should’ve left our windows shut, we were told this is what happens when you’re next to a river. If a sign had been put on our windows, we would’ve known better the person on duty that night would not have had to Hoover our ceiling..

Food very good staff very friendly and helpful

ILocation of bed room there was a function on and the noise was unbelievable music didn't finish till 2am which to me seemed to be over leagl time as a result got little or no sleep as by the time everything calmed down we were wide awake. When checking out was not asked was everything OK I had to bring this up with the receptionist and asked her to make it known to management

A little gem really in a beautiful part of the country and quaint unspoilt village. Room was absolutely fine with everything supplied.

We were there for 2 nights and would have liked the opportunity to visit a restaurant other than what was available in the bar. In this comment I am not being critical of the bar but it was bar fare.

Stayed only one night for friends birthday in Carlow, location was just ok as i couldnt get a hotel in Carlow Town so was nearest, room was fine, clean & comfortable. Breakfast was very tasty and had good selection .

Location.... Friend picked us up to go to the event but had to get a taxi on return from Carlow Town to Hotel which was €27.00 ,Nothing to do with the hotel but its an added cost

The hotel is located in a quiet small town. On front and at one side there is car parking. The backs of older houses form a third boundary and the river flows along the fourth. It is a well run hotel with evidence of effort to make the guests experience a pleasant one. From Reception to the dining room the staff were very pleasant and most helpful. There were lots of flowers in the lobby area. Our room was bright spacious and comfortable with very nice linen. The bathroom had a freestanding bath.

Would have liked to have a snack or sandwich after 9pm. Kind manager did make a special effort to provide a sandwich which was much appreciated.

Overall a very friendly and inviting atmosphere. Great hotel with gorgeous foyer and a cosy bar and restaurant to the side, we had a nice meal in the bar. Lovely friendly locals. Nice walk along the river. We will come back some day to do the full walk I hope 🙂

The breakfast was nice but I think the the hot food section is a little too small for such an otherwise really well run hotel.