This is the library at Bellinter House in Navan, County Meath, Ireland. I snagged it from their website months ago after my friend Stephanie sent me a link to the hotel. "It looks like your kind of place," she said.
Does it ever.
I've imagined myself in this room so many times that I know every detail by heart. Can't you see me, just out of frame? I'm padding around in my stocking feet because my muddy boots have been sequestered on the boot rack in the massive hall. I was out investigating some nearby Celtic ruins but had to cut my ramble short because an ominous cloud appeared over the hills and I realized I had no umbrella. I sought refuge in the library and I'm so glad I did. Just look at the light coming in from that window. The sky has turned an unearthly gold that immediately precedes a heavenly downpour. How fabulous. We can spend the rest of the afternoon drinking copious cups of tea and investigating the bookshelves by candlelight. Isn't that an entire set of World of Interiors over in the corner?
Who's in?
33 comments:
Of course I'm in! I'll bring my boots (in case we decide to go out for an adventure) and some nosh (in case we decide that we can't tear away from that dreamy library). See you there!
World of interiors and cups of tea? Yes please (but really sounds like a typical saturday afternoon chez stefan!).
I'm enjoying a cup of Barrys irish breakfast tea this morning with homemade shortbread I made last night for the office. Delicious!
Blogger retreat at hotel Meath(bellinter house)- see, it even rhymes! Meant to be.
Lisa -
I am already rummaging thru the closet for my tall rubber boots and suitcase!
hoping also for a pub chase
:^)
To ArchitectDesign...
i like your rhyme
:^)
Susan, I like your pub crawl idea!! Bottoms up!
Scott Fazzini: I may meet Sean from Royal Apothic for lunch on Friday -- wish you could join us!
Architect Design: So funny about that Barry's tea! And I love that you made shortbread. You are too, too fabulous. Your rhyme has me wishing we could all meet there. xx
Susan: Love that idea.
Lisa, Barry's tea was founded by my grandmother's uncle- so keeping it in the family!
Let me just pop in the kitchen to get a fresh pot of tea for everyone.
what a perfect afternoon, and evening.
In a heartbeat!
Pour me a cup, putting on my rubbers now.
pve
Count me in. You set the scene so beautifully. Is there possibly a murder mystery setting here? Lord Peter Wimsey or Melrose Plant (Martha Grimes novels) would be at home here.
And we will pour a wee bit of sherry to warm our wet toes.
HI LISA-
YES...a dreamy room to sit around in all day, sipping Irish Breakfast tea, munch on some scones with fresh blackberry jam and butter made from the milk of Jersey cows., Fresh Irish air off the Atlantic.
Yes..and reading Yeats, I think?
Do you think Farrow & Ball has a paint that approximates the color on the bookcases? I am sure they do...with some odd and evocative name.
cheers, DIANE
www.thestylesaloniste.com
Happy St Patricks day Lisa, I know Bellinter House well, it is not too far from me. So I am definetely up for the bloggers retreat suggested by architectdesign, I could also suggest some fabulous ruins close by x
just lovely, altogether!
Do stop by down the road to my little estate, Hibernian Hall. I'll be sure to have a fire going and a hearty supper waiting...
--read in irish brogue--
When tomorrow dawns how about I meet you all at Bellinteer and we shall drive to Dunsany Castle and spend the day on the grouns and read some of Lord Dunsany's work. Then afternoon I will take all of you to the Hill of Tara, we will have more tea in the teashop maybe Lions Green Label for a change (sorry Architect Design- I love Barry's too) and some homemade scones.
Helen Tilston
Who needs a plane ticket to far off destinations when your descriptions do the trick for me. Thanks for wonderful, albeit brief, trip to Ireland today.
Well, that wonderful lived in chair back there in the corner next to the Natural History books , please keep it for me while I pour my cup of Barry's Irish Breakfast Tea!
Let's chat...
I swear that paint color is Farrow and Ball French Gray. I've been obsessed with using it ever since I saw Michael Smith's Bel Air house -- he painted a dutch door that color.
Helen, I love that you live near Bellinter House. You can be our glamorous tour guide and help us all put the trip together. We'll probably have to rent out all 34 rooms, right? I mean, otherwise our raucous late-night laughter will undoubtedly have the other guests seeing red at 2am...and we wouldn't want that. I can see it now: days of exploring and shopping, and evenings of endless scintillating conversation made spicier by not-so-wee drams o' whisky and then we can all tell ghost stories a la "The Turn in the Screw" or "The Moonstone", etc. Everybody better start saving their pennies...!
I'm so IN! Have never been to Ireland, now, after seeing this image, and hearing your heavenly little depiction, am dying to go!
Ah God!!! Now I wish I was irish (I have the red-ish hair and freckles, but the way with the words???? ) Makes living in sunny Sydney seem like a silly thing to do - beautiful room, beautiful books, and beautifully written about (see what I mean about the words??)
My dear, the Irish library does look very similar to your sweet home. All you need is a soft sunlight coming through your window projecting on your bookshelves and a couple of nuns walking about with a pint of beer in front of your house and then you can imagine yourself in Ireland ;)
add Irish toast and Jam & I'm in too
Yes, please. Found my Wellies!
Count me in!! I was always fascinated by old libraries and have to say that having a chance to explore a few I was never disappointed. Adding a rainy day in the countryside and a cup of tea make this an even better treat. I believe I could see the reflex of a fireplace… Am I right?
Farrow and Ball paint on library could be Stony Ground, Old White or Light Gray.
I thoroughly enjoyed the craic with all of you, it made my St. Patrick's Day. Slan agus Beannacht (Bye and Blessings)
I'm in. I'll bring good wine.
Yes! Yes I can!
What a room
Oh, I am! All packed and ready to go.
Lisa, I can find out the colour of the library wall for you if you like
Helen: Ooh, that would be TOO fabulous of you. Only if it's no trouble... xx
Lisa, my detective work is complete and I can inform you with authority that the colour is Farrow and Ball, Vert de Terre. A little brighter than the french gray but similar, so you were very close, particularly that you have seen it only through the computer screen. Impressive!
Post a Comment