Woodbrook House
A country house bed & breakfast under the Blackstairs Mountains in the heart of the Wexford countryside
A pre-1914 visitor writing in 1920 remembered Woodbrook as:
“…a large, square house---very
comfortable, very solid, very
unpretentious—it has an undulating
park covered with fine old trees and
beside it rise up the mountains as if in
protection. There are beautiful woods
there, full of huge beech trees and in
some places near the river groves of
silver birch. There are masses of
rhododendrons everywhere and a little
later the ground is covered with
bluebells. A little river runs through the
woods gurgling over the stones; you can
hear its music sounding all down
the valley..."
Giles and Alexandra FitzHerbert have lived at Woodbrook since 1998, restoring, decorating and improving it, adding bathrooms and central heating where needed. He used to be an ambassador in South America and she is an Anglo Italian-Irish-Chilean. They are both, therefore, well accustomed to entertaining guests from different parts of the world.
They are now handing the reins over to their son Billy and his wife Holly who have recently moved home after meeting in London. Prior to that Billy had spent almost a decade living and working in Turkey and the Middle East.
ABOUT
First built in the 1770s Woodbrook was substantially reconstructed by the Blacker family after being damaged in the rebellion of 1798. It is a spacious and welcoming house with an unusually big drawing room and a spectacular spiral “flying" staircase, the only one of its kind in Ireland.
STAY WITH US
Bed & Breakfast
Our three guest bedrooms are all fine, large rooms on the first floor, each
having its own en suite bathroom.
Food – Strong on seasonal vegetables from the walled garden, particularly asparagus from April to June, followed by new potatoes, salads and spinach. strawberries and raspberries from a local fruit farm in season. Italian and Elizabeth David and Ballymaloe inspired, with a touch of the Middle East and Turkey.
The house is open for guests in principle from Easter
to September and during the Wexford Opera Festival at the end of October.
Stays also can be arranged on an ad hoc basis at other times.
Prices
€100 per person B&B (€20 single supplement)
€55 for dinner, if wanted – usually served at about 8pm
Full house rental
Woodbrook can also be made available for full house rental throughout the year. The house comfortably sleeps up to 18 guests and includes 5 en-suite double bedrooms. We can also arrange for a private chef to cook for you and your party.
Please get in touch for pricing and availability
EVENTS
Woodbrook has played host to many events and gatherings, both public and private.
Several operas have been staged in the gardens including Rigoletto and the Barber of Seville. In 2007 and 2008 we organised and ran the Irish Green Gathering, a music and arts festival with a focus on climate and sustainability.
In addition we have hosted Christmas markets, language schools, charity concerts, corporate away days, intimate weddings, private parties, fashion shows and film shoots to name a few!
If you're interested in holding your event at Woodbrook please get in touch - we'd love to hear from you.
WOODBROOK NATURAL BURIAL GROUND
Some time ago Giles decided he would eventually like to be buried on the land at Woodbrook, among trees and nature. Through his inquiries he came across Colin McAteer, a third generation funeral director from Donegal who had started to notice a growing interest in natural burials, wicker coffins and generally a more nature-friendly approach to end of life. The pair arranged to meet.
Giles explained that he wanted to create a plot for him and his family. Colin said he was actually thinking of something slightly bigger, for everybody. Giles reflected, nodded, and told Colin to put on some wellies. They walked across the farm to an old entrance to the estate, a beautiful 200 year-old chestnut avenue at the top of which stood a rough patch of ground with sweeping views over the Blackstairs Mountains.
“Well, would this do?” Colin looked around and smiled. “Aye, it certainly would.”
That was in 2009.
Today the Woodbrook Natural Burial Ground remains the only natural burial site in Ireland. Over 200 people have chosen to be laid to rest here. There are no large gravestones or concrete but instead small, discreet grave markers and soft, grassy pathways. The emphasis is on nature - native trees and flowers are planted in remembrance - and the space has become a peaceful sanctuary, beautifully maintained by our small team of local caretakers.
We are very grateful to Colin and his team for helping to make the burial ground a reality. It has become a space for everybody as he envisioned, with people of all faiths and none buried here.
If you are organising or attending a funeral and would like to stay at Woodbrook or use the house for a gathering afterwards please get in touch. For further information about the Burial Ground itself please visit www.greengraveyard.com.
THE LOCAL AREA
Situated in the lush north Wexford countryside, Woodbrook is lucky enough to have the magnificent Blackstairs Mountains on its doorstep. For outdoor enthusiasts there is hiking and cycling through the nearby hills, canoeing and kayaking down the River Barrow or golfing and fishing at the Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club a short 15 minute drive away.
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For those looking to relax and unwind Monart Spa is just 15 minutes away. Monart is Ireland's only destination-spa and consistently ranks as one of the best spa destinations in the world.
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There are several charming towns and villages in the countryside around Woodbrook, particularly along the river Barrow. We are 20 minutes from the heritage village of Borris, where the Festival of Writing and Ideas takes place every June, as well a popular weekly farmer's market. Graiguenamanagh on the river Barrow is 25 minutes away and home to the 13th century Duiske Abbey. Further downstream, and 30 minutes from Woodbrook, is the historic village of St Mullins. Once home to a monastery founded by St Moling in the 7th century the area also boasts churches, a high cross, round tower and holy well. Both Graiguenamanagh and St. Mullins have popular riverside saunas that operate throughout the year.
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In the opposite direction lies Wexford's famed coastline, with its long stretches of pristine, sandy beaches. Curracloe - regularly voted Ireland's number one beach - is just 40 minutes away. Further south is the Hook Peninsula and Hook Lighthouse, the second-oldest operational lighthouse in the world after Hercules Tower in Spain. Nearby you'll find the beautiful fishing village of Kilmore Quay.
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Woodbrook makes the perfect base to explore the cities of Wexford, Killkenny and Waterford. All are within an hour's drive and offer many sites and attractions as well as food, drink and shopping options for a day out. Wexford is also home to the internationally-renowned Wexford Festival Opera which takes place every October.
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Guests are equally invited to spend their stay relaxing at Woodbrook with a good book, exploring the gardens and grounds around the house or making use of the grass tennis court and croquet lawn in the summer months.
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Please get in touch if you would like any more information, we're always happy to advise guests on things to do in the area.
GALLERY
