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Annebrook House stands on the site of a medieval building that
was depicted on earlier maps as The Frank House. The term 'frank'
was used to describe Norman's who settled here from the 1170s.
The Frank House operated as a hostel and was run by the Knights
Hospitalers who were a religious military order. Over the centuries,
the property has undergone a number of transformations, the
most notable one which has resulted in the current Annebrook
House. This house was built around 1810 by the Westmeath Board
of Guardians as a residence for the county surgeon. It was an
imposing Georgian home with extensive gardens, including the
River Brosna that winds its way through the estate. The house
was home to Maria Edgeworth in 1782. She was a writer of children's
stories, novel and other works, her inspiration for many stories
coming from the estate. Maria is supposed to have carved her
initials into one of the walls. In the 1950s, the house was
also home to Mr. J.A. O'Connell (F.R.C.S.I.), a county surgeon,
and Olive O'Connell, a medical doctor, and their children. The
O'Connell's were the last family to use Annebrook as a family
home.
The house has now been lovingly restored and extended and operates
as an elegant hotel. There has been an exquisite attention to
detail in every aspect of this hotel. There are now 111 en-suite
bedrooms of five standards, yet each room has been individually
decorated to the highest standards, some including period furnishing.
In-room facilities in all bedrooms include coffee/tea making
facilities, bottled mineral water, TV with DVD player, CD player,
phone with voice mail, ISDN and broadband, and a personal safe.
Complimentary newspapers are delivered to the door each morning.
All guest may avail of a number of hotel services, which include
porter service, 24-hour concierge service, complimentary morning
newspaper, dry cleaning/laundry service, ironing facilities,
trouser press, wake-up call service, nightly turndown service,
direct dial telephone, facsimile on request, PC printing facilities,
voicemail & high speed data ports, wheelchair accessible rooms
available, nonsmoking rooms on request, foreign currency exchange
facility, DVD library, cots available, babysitter service available,
TV lounge, private reading lounges.
The Brosna Bar is named after the river, which flows through
the grounds. This is a stylish, contemporary bar attracting
diners for lunch and traditional evening meals.
Brook Restaurant is located in the cellar of the old house,
which retains the original architecture of an old wine cellar,
which includes original limestone walls and intimate dining
areas. The fireplace gives the restaurant a warm and inviting
feel.
The Old House Bar joins with the Reading Room and the Drawing
Room. Each room is decorated with leather sofas and armchairs,
and fires are lit in each of the hearths every day, making these
rooms very attractive havens from the hustle and bustle of the
outside world. Annebrook House's famous Afternoon Tea is held
in these rooms.
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