This building was once Ballinahown’s National School and was built by John Ennis of Ballinahown Court in 1863. During 1924 the interior was redesigned by Canon Denis Reynolds making all of the classrooms co-ed as opposed to the segregated classes of the previous years’. This arrangement continued until the closure of the school in 1982 when a new school was built.
The Old School building was leased for a time as a private residence before being sold by the Parish and converted into business premises.
An tSean Scoil
The Old School House
On the ground floor is Westmeath Craft Design selling a range of handcrafted products from jewellery to bog oak carvings.
The upper floor houses ‘Woodfield at Balllinahown Tea Rooms’.
This is a new venture opened by our friend who owns the wonderful Woodfield Cafe in Birr which, as you know from my previous posts, has an excellent menu. At Balllinahown the food is great too and as always the staff are friendly, efficient and brew a wonderful cup of coffee!
Quite literally up the wooden hill.
The Café
The rear view of Ciara at work.
Plates of mouth watering goodies
I wondered what that old bald fellow was doing and then I realised
that he is checking his phone and so I was...
Everything looks so great -- love the plates on the wall! And so many comfy chairs!
ReplyDeleteAgreed Debra, nothing better than a comfy chair next to a sunny window and a good cup of coffee.
DeleteHi Mel - looks really good ... and excellent to turn the building into a lunch/cafe bar ... it has to be glass of wine time here!! But the food looks really good - just too late for me!! Cheers and enjoy your times out - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Hilary, it seems that we are awake at the same time... in which case enjoy your wine wherever you may be :) tho' these days I prefer a herbal tea or a coffeee.
ReplyDeleteThe light in your part of the world often strikes me, Mel! Just beautiful. The old school house mKes a perfect café doesn’t it?
ReplyDeleteThank's for your appreciation Val.
DeleteIt all looks wonderful - as long as you like the colour blue!
ReplyDeleteThe blue of the sea, of the sky and of the distant mountains and the white of the fog, foam and of the lilies
Deletethat grow in gardens - I cannot see what there is not to like John but thank you for the comment :)
I am totally overwhelmed by the beautiful blue decor.
ReplyDeleteThank you Weaver so glad that you enjoy the elegance of the Ballinahown Woodfield.
DeleteOh, if I had that nearby, I'd be there every day. And I'd love to sit and check phones with the old bald fellow.
ReplyDeleteAm sure the old bald fellow would be delighted to treat you to a coffee etc complete with lots of chat and laughter !
DeleteIt's always good to see projects like this. I hope it is a great success.
ReplyDeleteThank you Graham. All I can say as it follows the model of the Birr Cafe then it surely will attract the customers who enjoy dining from organic foods produced by local growers.
DeleteAs sure as I am sitting here I can't figure out that island of yours. Is it real? The amount of amazing places being blessed through your camera lense, seems neverending. That Teahouse looks so cozy, and quite unexpectedly located too! I've noticed that both in Ireland and the UK, the countryside is quite different from that in Sweden. In the summertime you can find odd little shops and cafés but most of them close down in august. As I read your blogs and Pats, there seem to be endless butchers and bakerys and pubs within walkingdistance, to fill the needs of hungry and thirsty people. I've been gone for a while, Mel, I am thinking of making my way back, slowly. Hopefully life is turning for the better more permanently, and I will be more active here!! Its great to see that things are still bright in your part of the world!
ReplyDeleteGoodness what a nice surprise you gave me when I opened my mails this morning Solveig. You are correct in thinking England and Ireland have similarities in the way of numerous eateries and food providers, though having said that there are of course great differences too which you will need to come over and sample for yourself :) !
DeleteHahah, yes I know Melvyn, I know and I do long for those days!! I have a colleague, well she recently filled my position when I went for new pastures, that spent 4 years as minister on you island and loved it!!! I dont remember where she was, I will ask. She constantly triggers me to go, and one day I will for sure.
DeleteIts good to be greeted in such a lovely fashion , I guess hiatus is over!!!
I am not sure that you have heard this phrase before (?) this island of Ireland is known as the land of the of a hundred thousand welcomes or in Irish Céad Míle Fáilte so you can be certain of not being an unwelcome guest !
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