Cuilfail, Kilmelford

The main part of the hotel, dating from the 1870s, added to an old drovers’ inn and it is the rather extraordinary interior of the latter which is of interest here. It was re-fashioned in 1957 (date on the fireplace) and is a now-rare example of the kind of theming that was then so popular. In this case the theme is rugged stonework. But beware! The only real rocks are around the fireplace. The rest is fake, created by applied concrete, pointed to look convincingly rustic. The ‘rock’-faced counter also incorporates segments of imitation brass-strapped whisky casks with and the gantry also features similar work. The original lower shelves have been replaced by a fridge and some modern shelves.

There’s a quadrant-shaped screen at the entrance with a Perspex centre amid the ‘rocks’. The flooring is of terrazzo. In the rear alcove a door leads to the former games room, now a kitchen. Crittall windows, with coloured glass panes, survive. The exposed beams are thought to be original as they extend into the roof space. On the hotel side there is a short passage with dado panelling (again of 1957? and repeated in the hotel reception area) and an arch leading to a small tiny snug. Its hatch to the servery is now blocked. ‘Cuilfail’ (pronounced ‘cool-fail’) means ‘sheltered corner’ in Gaelic.