#10 Cable Station

The entrance to #10 is via an almost nautical galvanised gangway. The apartment is on two floors – the majority of the lower level consists of a spacious open-plan, wainscoted living area which seamlessly accommodates the well-appointed kitchen, eight seater dining area and comfortable sitting room. A shower room with WC off the entrance lobby separates a single bedroom and a small study, which offers an intimate escape for reading or phone calls.

Large sash windows flood the apartment with light during the day whilst curiously steampunk fittings light up the evenings.

Steep vaulted ceilings with ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ bonnet windows are a feature of the upstairs quarters, where there are two azure blue double bedrooms and one twin room.

The master bedroom has an ensuite with shower – the others share a family bathroom.

The private gardens are shared with other residents of The Cable Station where there is ample parking. It’s only a short walk into the village and down to the seafront.

• Tour an 18th century village Bog Village
• Birdie a hole on stunning Waterville Golf Links
• Fine dining with sunsets at The Smugglers Inn
• Enjoy a gentle hack on Waterville Strand
• Play a round at Hog’s Head Golf Club
• Swallow some scallops at Dooleys
• Boat around The Skelligs
• Taste a chocolate shoe

• Savour fine seafood at The Moorings
• Ramble along the Kerry Way
• Catch a trout on Lake Currane
• Compare fish sizes over a pint at The Butlers Arms
• Cycle around the Ring of Kerry
• Go for a dip at Derrynane
• Ride along the strand at Cahirdaniel
• Coffee & Quiche at Westcove Bakery
• Live music & Craic in The Lobster Bar

Waterville is a busy village situated on Ballinskelligs Bay which is on the world renowned Ring of Kerry. There are two supermarkets, a chemist and other shops, petrol stations and several fine restaurants. Click here to find out more.

The village rose to prominence in the 1880’s when an American telecom company laid two undersea cables across the Atlantic connecting North America with Europe – all routed through this station in Waterville. The purpose was to break the then virtual monopoly of the existing line to Valentia Island and thus bring down the prices. To this end The Commercial Cable Company was formed in 1884 and its fine logo is visible on the outside of The Cable Station.

Siemens in Germany produced some 2,399 miles of cable for the job, and the town rapidly expanded to cater for an influx of some 300 techies and their families, building fine new homes along the Promenade – even eventually constructing a golf links. The cable station in Waterville relayed its last message in 1962.

The connection, known as the Mackay – Bennett line after its owners, was laid and serviced by a specially designed ship of the same name, which famously happened to be working in the vicinity of the Titanic on that fateful night, and undertook the unenviable assignment of gathering up bodies adrift in the ocean after the disaster.

There is a permanent exhibition of Waterville’s place in the history of the Transatlantic Submarine Cable at the nearby Tech Amergin art centre. In the summer there are walking tours of the village taking in all the important landmarks.

Waterville was a favourite holiday spot of Charlie Chaplin and his family who used to stay in the Butler Arms Hotel. They first visited the town in 1959 and came back every year for over ten years. There is now an annual Charlie Chaplin Comedy Festival in the village during the month of August.

West of the village, there is a long strand adjacent to the golf links, which is bisected by the tidal estuary of the River Inny, excellent for blustery walks. The beach at Derrynane is one of Ireland’s truly great strands. It is 20 minute drive away around the headland with simply stunning views on the way. While you are there you could pop in to Derrynane House, the ancestral home of the great 19th century politician Daniel O’Connell . It must have been a long ride from here to sit in Parliament in London.

15th century Ross Castle is worth a visit if you plan to visit Killarney.

The towering World Heritage Skellig Islands can clearly be seen rising steeply from the ocean about 12km off the tip of the peninsular. On the summit of Skellig Michael there is a remarkably well preserved monastic settlement that bears testimony to the hardiness of sixth century monks. Renowned for its huge population of gannets, the Skellig islands are also home to Puffins, with more than 4,000 on Little Skellig alone. The outcrop features as a location in the latest Star Wars movie.

Renowned Fly Fishing for Sea Trout and Salmon, Lough Currane is the largest of several lakes on the Cummeragh River. It is 3 miles long and just under 2 miles at its widest. Ghillies are available, providing boats and engines. Over 90% of Specimen Sea Trout (6lbs plus) in Ireland, are hooked on this famous lough.