Ballydrain hôtels

Room information

The Old Schoolhouse Inn has 12 en suite bedrooms, each named after an American President of Ulster descent.

Food & beverage

The restaurant is located in the old schoolhouse building, which is full of character. Highly regarded by some as the one of the best in the country, the food has a French ‘cuisine de granmére’ feel. Chef Avril cooks using traditional methods, but often experiments with new combinations of seasonal fresh produce. Both à la carte and fixed-price menus are available. Dinner is served from 19:00 each evening. Please be aware that the restaurant is closed on some evenings – contact the Old Schoolhouse before arrival to be sure.

Area information

A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Strangford Lough is one of only 3 Marine Nature Reserves in the UK. The largest sea inlet within the British Isles, the area is a great place to spot a range of marine wildlife. Seals can often be seen on the rocks near the shore. Just 2 minutes down the road is Castle Espie Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, which has the largest collection of ducks, geese and swans in Ireland. A beautiful 60-acre site, the wildlife can be viewed amid ponds, lakes, woodland and swampland. A 5-minute drive from the Old Schoolhouse is Nendrum Monastery; ancient ruins dating back to the 12th century. Also within reach is Mahee Island Golf Club, a 9-hole parkland course, set on an island with magnificent 360-degree views over Strangford Lough and its many islands.

Quick description

Similar to a French ‘auberge’, this inn offers an award-winning restaurant in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by the shores of Strangford Lough, 2 minutes from Castle Espie. At the Old Schoolhouse, a friendly face, a good meal and a comfortable bed are just the ingredients needed for the businessman and weary traveller. There is a homely atmosphere throughout the inn, where a celebrated restaurant serves French-style cuisine in traditional surroundings. Situated within one of Europe’s richest areas for marine wildlife, the Old Schoolhouse Inn is also very close to Castle Espie Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre.