Magherafelt Guest House Accommodation : Guesthouse Accommodation Magherafelt

Magherafelt Guest House Accommodation : For superior guesthouse accommodation in Magherafelt, Laurel Villa provides the highest standards of guest accommodation in a central location

This beautiful Magherafelt hotel standard accommodation has 5 individually styled bedrooms, all en suite. From the wood-panelled dining room to the art nouveau detail in the bedrooms, it oozes quality and style ... yet at a price to suit most pockets! You'll get

It has the charm and ambience of an earlier age combined with the comforts and amenities found in modern hotels or in a boutique hotel. Check out the photos and then come and experience it for yourself. Laurel Villa is a place of accommodation where you can come as a stranger and leave as a friend!

Our Facilities: We have all the usual facilities one would expect from a top-class establishment ... and a few extra ones thrown in for good measure, including a unique Seamus Heaney Exhibition and a Reading Room for genealogists and local historians. We also have facilities for meetings and training sessions which will suit small groups who value personal service coupled with a more private setting. It is the ideal place for a Magherafelt holiday or a short break.

Our Food: At Laurel Villa we use only the finest produce, locally sourced and as fresh as the wind that blows off the nearby Slieve Gallen. We are a member of Good Food Ireland 2007, a guidebook which is regarded as a beacon for all lovers of good food and quality accommodation. A range of cooked breakfasts is available, including the traditional Ulster Fry that we are famed for. All meals are cooked to order and in a way which will appeal to the health-conscious as well as satisfying the taste buds. Another of our specialties is Gerardine's fresh fruit salad. A small herb garden produces fresh garnishes and seasoning throughout the year and visitors are often greeted by the smell of freshly baked traditional wheaten bread as it wafts its way from the kitchen through the house.

There are a number of fine restaurants in Magherafelt Town and we would especially recommend Sean and Helen Owens’ Gardiners Restaurant. We will be happy to book a table for you at this or indeed any restaurant of your choice. On special occasions we can provide dinner here on the premises at Laurel Villa for parties of eight to ten guests.

Our History: If you like to stay in places that are that little bit different then you've found the right spot. This Victorian house, built about 1870, has real character and a chequered history. Of the surviving nineteenth century buildings in Magherafelt, this is one of the most recognisable and interesting. It has featured in the European Heritage Open Days scheme and has been described by local historian Ivor Hawe as one of the landmark buildings of Magherafelt.

The house is believed to have been built by William John Derby a local linen merchant and to have been occupied in it’s early years by people from the medical profession. One of them was the famous Dr. Mitchell Hunter a former surgeon to the Durham Light Infantry who became a family doctor in this town. He was a familiar figure as he did his rounds by pony and trap. His grand-daughter from Australia has been a guest - view her comments on our Recommendations Page. Dr. Hunter also acted as Deputy Medical Officer of Magherafelt Workhouse.

Back L-R: Rev. McCammon, Mrs. McCammon, John Shiels, Mrs. Shiels, Rev. Hanson, Mrs. Hanson, Master Charlie Hunter

Front L-R: Mrs. Martin, Rev. Martin, Gertrude Hunter, Rev. James Graham(groom), Frances Hunter(bride), Mrs. Hunter, Dr. Mitchell Hunter

A very interesting wedding took place in Union Road Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, 9th inst., the contracting parties being Rev. James Graham, B.A. Co. Monaghan, to Frances Mary, eldest daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Hunter, Laurel Villa, Magherafelt. The bride entered the church leaning on her father's arm, who gave her away. She looked lovely in a beautiful dress of ivory georgetta, over satin, veil and wreath of orange blossoms, her only ornament being aquamarine and pearl pendant, the gift of the bridegroom. She carried a magnificent sheaf of madonna lillies. Miss Gertrude Hunter, the bride's sister, acted as bridesmaid. She looked charming in a dress of white georgetta, over silk, with little touches of pink and a pretty velure hat. She wore a pearl pendant, the bridegroom's gift, and carried a bouquet of pink carnations and asparagus fern. The bridegroom was attended by Rev. David Maybin, B.A., Cookstown. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W.J.Hanson, assisted by Rev. Robert McCammon. A great number were present in the church to witness the happy event; the bridal party leaving the church amidst the happy congratulations of many friends and showers of confetti. They drove to Laurel Villa, the residence of the bride's father, where they were photographed, and after luncheon the happy couple left by carriage for Cookstown, en route mail train to Kingston, where the honeymoon was spent. The bride's going away costume was of tweed, with lovely velure hat and set of silver fox fur, the gift of the bride's mother.

Another former occupant of Laurel Villa was Monsignor John Ward P.P. of Magherafelt who used it as a Parochial House for a time. It was he who founded St. Mary's Grammar School in 1927 It has gone on to establish a superb reputation in academic and sporting circles. It's most recent musical production - Oliver - took place at The Grand Opera House in Belfast in November 2007.

Laurel Villa has also been at times both a dental surgery and a veterinary surgery. Countless items are dotted around the house which preserve the memory of these former residents, including a collection of old medicine bottles from Dr. Hunter's time.

The house as it stands today though owes much to the work of the Mary Kielt, Eugene’s late mother, who purchased it in 1961. Along with her family, including her daughter the late Dymphna, she transformed it into the guesthouse that has over the years become synonymous with Magherafelt. For all its rich and lengthy history it has that warm and homely feel that is so often lacking in stately homes and modern hotels. When you first come you will feel as if you've known it all your life.

Our Location: We are superbly located in the centre of Magherafelt which itself lies at the heart of Northern Ireland. Rarely does one come across accommodation of such quality and value-for-money in such a convenient location.

Our Reputation: Our reputation as a place of hospitality is widespread. Like the Bruideans or Guesthouses of Ancient Ireland that were centres of Hospitality in bygone days, this Magherafelt guesthouse is renowned across Northern Ireland and beyond. We have a solid reputation for customer service, quality, professionalism and integrity.

Laurel Villa Events: Look out for special Magherafelt events at Laurel Villa. One of the most popular recent events was An Evening with Cathal O’Searcaigh. This Donegal-born poet thrilled the audience with a bi-lingual reading of his poems and showed just why he is regarded as one of Ireland’s best writers.

Another successful poetry reading featured poet Iggy Mc.Govern, prize-winning author of The King of Suberbia. In October 2007 there was a double bill featuring established Irish poet Joan Newmann and up-and-coming Australian poet Ray Liversidge. This event proved a huge success. Special offers are available for guests who wish to attend one of our unique events.For information on events and special offers go to our Events & Special Offers page. If you wish to be among the first to be informed of forthcoming events, special offers and news about Laureln Villa, Magherafelt and South Derry then go to our Subscribe to Newsletter page.

Our Commitment: We are committed to carrying on the fine tradition of hospitality that Laurel Villa has built up over the years. So contact us today. We know you won't be disapointed!

About Laurel Villa Guest House, Magherafelt