Innisfree: A Celtic Bed & Breakfast

Céad mile fáilte:   A hundred thousand welcomes

I am not normally a fan of bed and breakfasts; or I should say, TBG is not a fan. But recently we were desperately searching for a hotel in South Bend (Indiana) for a weekend at Notre Dame and they were all booked. A little luck of the Irish led us to Innisfree Bed & Breakfast.

From the moment we drove up, we were charmed. We lived in South Bend for a few years after graduation, and are familiar with the neighborhood. The inn sits on a large flowered lot, with a wide welcoming porch. Everywhere was a touch of Irish whimsy: Notre Dame is after all, known as The Fighting Irish! I’m sure it was not all authentic Irish, but it is authentic Irish-American, and every room in the B&B was filled with period antiques, charm and quirkiness.

We were greeted by inkeeper Cindy, who made us welcome and comfortable as we toured the parlor and dining room (where coffee and tea greeted us on a chilly evening) and introduced us to the Michael Collins suite, complete with cable tv, complimentary wifi, a bathroom brimming with towels and soaps and lotions, cozy terry robes, quilts, a rocking chair, and an efficient electric fireplace. Cindy then showed us the hallway closet stocked with a minifridge and beverages, and movies and games to pass the night away.

We were both tired from a long day celebrating ND’s new football coach and current team, and appreciated a quiet evening in our room. In the morning TBG was downstairs early to bring us each a steaming mug of cinnamon coffee, while I enjoyed all the luxuries of a Victorian bath, with modern heat and plumbing.

Descending for breakfast at 9, we first met Cindy’s other guests and living companions. We were surprised to find 2 other couples staying there: we never heard a sound from them, and felt our quarters were completely private. We chatted in the salon as Cindy worked away in the kitchen, enjoying the comfortable sitting room and garden views over coffee refills. Called into the dining room, I was quickly introduced to Cindy’s  family: 2 tiny adorable and very friendly teacup chihuahuas, Coco and Latte. Too cute, and not beggars!

As we helped ourselves to sliced fruit and hot cinnamon rolls, Cindy served us overflowing plates of scrambled eggs, sausage and biscuits.  Not only did it all taste delicious, it was all served hot: one of my pet peeves.

As we talked and asked Cindy questions about the inn and her business, we learned the history of the house: a 1890 Queen Anne house occupied by the original family for 90 years, then relocated cross-town and used as a business for 20 years, until rescued by Cindy in 2004 and fully restored to a family home once again. And Cindy did make us feel as welcome as family, if only for the day.

The house is listed on the local and national Historic Register. We also learned that in addition to overnight guests, Innisfree welcomes weddings in the garden or parlor, and hosts couples retreats, family occasions, mother-to-be weekends, and gaming weekends (think game-board night for the whole weekend!)

the details:

Historical Note: Cindy named Innisfree for the celebrated fictional town in Ireland (inspired by William Butler Yates poem: Lake Isle of Innisfree) where the Academy Award winning movie The Quiet Man was set. Each room has its own copy of the film, and the inn honors the charm and spirit of Innisfree.