Burren Cottage

Burren Cottage

Burren Cottage

Flutes, Fiddles, Bodhrans and Bag Pipes

Book this home

Flutes, Fiddles, Bodhrans and Bag Pipes

County Clare

Once a cowshed, and the smaller of two exquisitely remodelled farm buildings, this romantic rural barn has been transformed into a sumptuously appointed cottage.
Uniquely located, a few minutes from the unpredictable Atlantic along the remote and rocky coast of west Clare where cliffs, castles and traditional music endure, and time marches to the beat of a different drum.

Stylish and surprisingly spacious

 

Seating and dining share opposite ends of an expansive room, with a wood burning stove providing the focus for one, and a serving hatch to the kitchen for the other.

Chalky hues of coffee and khaki offset by warm oak flooring and solid wood doors, together with attention to detailing bring a sophisticated 5 star style to this remote cottage.

AT A GLANCE

  • Sleeps
    Up to 4 guests
  • Bedrooms
    Two double bedrooms-both ensuite
    Walk in Wardrobe
  • Other Rooms
    Open Plan Living/Dining Room
    Galley Kitchen

    Mezzanine Study

    Entrance Lobby
    Guest WC

  • Contempo
    Paved Breakfast Patio
    Logs
    Barbecue
    Internet

  • CHECK HERE

An open string stairway leads to a snug mezzanine where a relaxing study provides a measure of privacy in the warmth of the apex.

Opposite the entrance, a shimmering alabaster contemporary kitchen, gallery in style yet tailored for every appliance, is harmoniously finished with matching marble worktops and glossy white floor tiles that follow through from the hall.

Facilities

This is a wheelchair friendly home, and comes with all the contemporary conveniences you would expect.

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Electric Oven
• Fitted Microwave
• Electric Ceramic Hob
• Dishwasher
• Twin Toaster
• Coffee Machine

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Tumble Dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Two Super King-size beds
• Hairdryer

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet – moderate speed
• Flat-screen TV

Two generous and stylish double bedrooms are at opposite ends of this long cottage, each with a singular dividend. With one you get a large walk-in wardrobe and a half paneled bathroom.

Outside

You are so close to the Atlantic here that the scent of it wafts in the wind, and soft ribbons of sunset skies wash the horizon. For practicalities, ample paved parking is provided, although the gardens are shared with a separate cottage, similarly tastefully restored.

The ensuite for the second has a shower, but comes with an expanse of French doors that open onto a charming sheltered patio.

Restrictions

Smoking – No, sorry!
Parties – The owners regret Stag, Hen, Wedding or 21st parties are not admissible.
Children – The property is not suitable for toddlers or children under the age of 12. SORRY NO PETS.

Provisional Booking Form

 Information & Rates:

Please email me here for rates on bookings@uniqueirishhomes.ie

Or call us on +353 (0) 85860 0027.  Thank you for enquiring.

A refundable breakages deposit of €350 is payable with the rental amount will be refunded within seven days of departure, provided all is in order.

Select your Dates

AVAILABLE – BOOKED

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Your travel arrangements are important, so all provisional bookings are double checked with the owners to ensure that your plans do not conflict with theirs, this can take up to 24 hours, but we haven’t forgotten about you.!

Provisional bookings will be followed up by email, at which point we can answer specific queries you may have, verify your booking and request a deposit to confirm.

Please note that all unconfirmed provisional bookings will expire after 3 days.
If your preferred dates are not available, please click here to review all houses that match your dates.

Available
Booked
Pending
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Reviews

New to Unique Irish Homes – 2019

Be the first to leave a review

 

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Out & About

West Clare has fishing, hill walking, golf, horse riding and a whole lot more, you’ll discover there’s too much to do…

photo Brian Meagher

Here are some of our favourites…

 

The Locality

The villages of Doolin and Lisdoonvarna are less than 10 minutes away by car.

Doolin is known as the capital of traditional music in Ireland, and most of the social activity in the village’s four main pubs caters to this, with skilled musicians stopping for sessions as they pass through. County Clare is particularly home to the concertina.

This is also the nearest point to the Aran Islands and ferries depart from Doolin harbour regularly as well as sightseeing trips below the famous cliffs. Trips to the two smaller islands of Inisheer at 11km or Inishmaan are make for terrific days out, but to appreciate the cliff fortress of Dun Aengus, a stop-over on Inishmore makes sense.

Peaking at 213 metres high, and stretching south for nearly eight km, the dramatic Cliffs of Moher are probably the most visited tourist site in Ireland.
The Cliffs are home to an immense number and a variety of nesting seabirds, including the only mainland colony of breeding Atlantic Puffins in Ireland, a species on the decline elsewhere in Europe. Built in 1835 by local entrepreneur Cornelius O’Brien, as an observation point for the hundreds of tourists who even then visited the Cliffs, the tower bearing his name is unmistakable on the headland.

Beneath the Cliffs, enormous waves born of distant Atlantic storms race towards the coast.
Big wave surfers travel by jet-ski from Doolin to catch the wave known as Aileens at the bottom of the Cliffs which can be over 35ft high.
But for most surfers, the seaside town of (6 miles) Lahinch is the place to be. Here you will find a magnificent beach where in 2006 a world record for the number of surfers riding on one wave was achieved.

For the serious sea cliff rock climbers, Ailladie on the coast just north of Doolin is popular.

Wild Atlantic Way
Click here to find out more…

Excavated in 1986, Poulnabrone Dolmen is probably the most photographed of some seventy Neolithic tombs across the Burren region. The bones of 18 adults together with 6 children were found, dating back to about 3,600 BC.


photo Trish Steel

Lisdoonvarna, the nearest main town, is home to one of Europe’s largest annual matchmaking events. Attracting over 40,000 romantic hopefuls, bachelor farmers and accompanying revellers. The current matchmaker is Willie Daly, a fourth-generation matchmaker.

The Burren starts in earnest less than a kilometre away – its strange karst landscape consisting of limestone slabs divided by crevices (or grikes) is famous for its remarkable collection of animals and plants, including orchids and the European Pine Marten.
This is Ireland’s most important cave area, where only one river manages to reach the sea without being swallowed into a sink hole. More than 35 miles of cave passages have been surveyed and some can be explored for nearly seven miles.

photo Ingo Mehling

How to get there – Car advised..

By Air: Flights to Dublin or Shannon airports.
Dublin Airport – about three and a half hours from the cottage
Shannon Airport – is just over an hour away.

By Sea: Ferry crossings
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is about three and a half hours from the cottage
Rosslare Harbour for Ferries to South Wales is approx 4 and half hours from house.

 

Map

Beechwood House

Beechwood House

Beechwood House

Woodlands and Water in West Cork

Book this home

Woodlands and Water in West Cork

County Cork

Sheltered behind a small woodland just above Dunmanus Bay, this eco-friendly sea-side home has been designed to blend in beautifully with its surroundings.
It is spacious, luminous, and contemporary, and enjoys some extra luxuries, like an outdoor Jacuzzi and an indoor sauna. An ideal remote retreat for families who relish walking and water…

 

Modern, bright, and roomy

The broad entrance lobby, impressive kitchen, and ample dining room, flow effortlessly into each other. Dove grey and white tones, polished concrete terrazzo floors and clean minimal lines unify these contemporary ground floor rooms into an inclusive family home.


Magnificent glass sliding doors separate the interiors from an expansive south facing terrace that overlooks the woodland and river, sucking in the sunlight.

Typical of the quirky delights in this home, a relaxing coffee area occupies a corner of the kitchen – complete with colourful cocktail chairs, but there are also stools around a central island for casual grazing.

AT A GLANCE

  • Sleeps
    Up to 11 guests
    From €2,500 per week
  • Bedrooms
    Three double bedrooms (one ground floor)
    Two with ensuite showers
    One twin bedroom
    One triple, with double and single bed
    Two bathrooms
  • Other Rooms
    Sitting room, Dining room
    Kitchen with Coffee area
    Landing with Sauna
    Utility room
  • Features
    Hot Tub Jacuzzi, Large Terrace, Pizza Oven, Barbecue
    Woodland paths & Gazebo
  • Contempo
    Flat screen TV, Netflix, WiFi internet
    Good Cell phone reception
  • Availability
    Weekly: Saturday to Saturday
    Weekends: Friday to Monday, September to March
  • Restrictions
    Sorry, pets are not permitted

The ample artisan dining table began life as an Ash tree in the woodlands below, and the floor boards in the sitting room similarly were fashioned from beech trees on the property. Other surplus timber ends up in one or other of the two wood-burning stoves.

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Electric oven
• 4 ring electric hob
• Fridge with ice and water dispenser
• Freezer in utility room
• Microwave
• Dishwasher
• Toaster
• Blender
• Coffee machine

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Tumble dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Sizes – One double bed, three King-size, and three singles
• 2 Hairdryers

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet
• Flat-screen TV
• Netflix

Other

• Sauna
• Outdoor Hot Tub
• 2 Multi head showers • Good selection of books
• Kids toys
• Children’s high chair
• 2 Wood burning stoves

The large sitting room also faces directly onto the sunny south terrace – a very magical spot for the whole family to enjoy a barbecue or something from the outdoor wood fired pizza oven.

Built to be environmentally conscious this home employs the most efficient modern technologies, with a heating system that ensures endless supply of hot water, a heat recovery unit, with vents located throughout the house, and triple glazed Doors & Windows.

A double bedroom occupies the other side of the ground floor. It is adjacent to a family bathroom – Beechwood House is wheelchair friendly.

A limed white stairway returns onto the generous first floor landing, where there is room for a relaxing seating area. Here too is the sauna – wonderful for heating up the bones after a dip in the sea or a long walk!

There are four spacious bedrooms on this level – two have ensuite shower rooms with multi head showers.

 

One bedroom sleeps three, with a double bed and a single bed, and shares a family bathroom (with bath) with a fourth twin bedroom.

Outside

Just a short stroll from the village, the house is accessed via a small bridge over the river and electric gates – there is ample parking inside. The 5 acre property slopes down towards the bay, a view that is concealed in the summer months by a magical woodland. From the terrace area you can meander down to the river on conveniently constructed paths, or just chill out in the gazebo. There is a Hot Tub Jacuzzi in a small garden to one side of the house.

Provisional Booking Form

This Home is only let by the week.

Important – A Week’s booking runs from Saturday to Saturday

2023 Holiday Breaks

Easter weekend Friday 7th April to Monday 10th April € 3,500
Halloween Friday 27th October to Wednesday 1st November € 3,500
Christmas break Saturday 23rd to Thursday 28th December € 3,500
New Year break Saturday 30th to Tuesday 2nd January € 3,500

NB: A refundable breakages deposit of €600 applies to this home.

Rates Table

Per week
October to May € 2,600
June to September € 2,900
July to August € 3,900

Select your Dates

AVAILABLE – BOOKED

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  • Please note all booking requests are subject to 24 hour approval.
  • Once your provisional booking has been placed, the UIH team will verify it, answer any specific queries you may have, and request a deposit to lock in your dates.
  • Please note if your provisional booking is not confirmed and the deposit paid within 3 days it will expire.
  • If your preferred dates are not available, click here to review alternate options.
  • For additional information please contact us on +353 85 860 0027

Restrictions

Smoking – No, sorry!
Parties – The owners regret Stag, Hen, Wedding or 21st parties are not admissible.
Pets – No, sorry!

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Reviews

 

New to Unique Irish Homes – 2019

I had been meaning to give some feedback…

We were extremely happy with the house in Ahakista. It really is a special place and the whole experience was fantastic. The house itself is beautifully finished and really comfortable, and the grounds make it extra special. Niamh and Damian were very warm and welcoming when we arrived, and eager to help throughout.
We’re looking forward to our next stay!

Karl, August 2020

Sounds like fun…

First I’d like to express, on behalf of the whole group, our thanks for such a wonderful trip. Like for many others, Covid-19 provided an opportunity for us to explore our home country and although the situation has at times been quite bleak, it’s also helped us see what’s been on our doorstep this whole time. We had a great time and I can confidently say that we will be back to you to you in the future for more trips!

 

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Out & About

 

Rugged and remote, this part of West Cork encourages leisurely endeavours, rambling, cycling and of course eating.
Enjoy amazing sailing and boat tours, and equally brilliant restaurants.

 

 

Here are some of our favourites…

 

Festivals

• Ahakista Regatta( August Bank Holiday weekend) – with a Quiz hosted by TV personality & Author, Graham Norton.
• West Cork Chamber Music Festival – Nine days of concerts, masterclasses & talks in various venues in Bantry town – 28th June to 7th July – www.westcorkmusic.ie

West Cork Literary Festival – Week-long celebration of writing & reading for people of all ages in various venues in Bantry town – 12th to 19th July – www.westcorkmusic.ie

• Ellen Hutchins Festival – Celebration of life of Ireland’s first female botanist with walks, talks, workshops all with a botanical theme – 17th to 25th August – www.ellenhutchins.com

Masters of Tradition Festival – Celebrating Traditional Music in its purest form in various venues in Bantry town – 21st to 26th August – www.westcorkmusic.ie ,/p . ,p . • A Taste of West Cork – 6th to 15th September

The Locality

 

The Memorial Garden located at the edge of the village remembers the death of over 329 people in a terrorist attack on an Air India Jumbo Jet in 1985, this being the closest spot to the bombing.

This neck of the woods generally is a magnet for those of us who pursue quality food and quality cooking, and you may be surprised by what’s on offer in the local shops, but you will need to travel the 17km to the sleepy market town of Bantry for larger shops and supermarkets.
Friday is market day in Bantry’s large town square, and should not be missed for the excellent local artisan food on sale.
Bantry Bay is renowned for mussel fishing – be sure to try them.

At the end of the 18th century a republican group seeking to overthrow British rule in Ireland, and spurred on by activities in America and France, managed to persuade the French to send a sizeable fleet of ships and some 14,000 troops to Bantry Bay.
Storms and general mismanagement doomed the Armada – an exhibition in Bantry House details more of this, plus the gardens are fantastic.

Wild Atlantic WayClick here to find out more…

Across Dunmanus Bay to the south is the Mizen Head Peninsula. Its lighthouse marks Ireland’s most south westerly point, and can be reached via a dramatic bridge.

The comparatively warm Atlantic ocean caused by the gulf stream current, ensures an abundance of nourishment for maritime fauna. Apart from whales, dolphins and seals, the whole area is a Mecca for bird watchers.

There are excellent walks, trails and views throughout this popular and remote region – the Sheeps Head Way is a classic. 88km of walking around this narrow finger of land protruding into the wild Atlantic Ocean, although you can drive most of the way. The final loop to the small lighthouse at the very end of the peninsula, is worth the trip with its blow holes and the possibility of seeing dolphins or whales, with a rewarding cuppa & apple tart at Bernie’s Cafe once your round trip is completed !

If you are out on the Mizen, you might like to visit a megalith at Toormore Bay, known as the Alter Wedge Tomb. It is one of a dozen or so similar Stone Age constructions to be found around the peninsula.

Beautiful and busy Barley Cove beach, just around the corner, has extensive sand dunes and an interesting floating pontoon link, which helps to protect the dunes from visitor erosion.

The Fastnet rock lighthouse 14km offshore is the most southerly and the last visible point of Ireland for emigrants traveling to Ellis Island in the 19th century. It is also extremely exposed. The original cast iron lighthouse used to shake violently in storms.
A rogue wave reportedly washed over the 48m tower in 1985.

Sailing is the most ubiquitous pastime along this stretch of Corks coastline, and from Crookhaven to Kinsale there are countless regattas throughout the summer, and great opportunities for the serious sailor to up their skills.

How to get there – Car advised..

However, There is a bus service to Bantry three days per week

By Air: Cheap flights to Kerry Airport (Farrenfore) Cork, Dublin or Shannon.
Kerry Airport – approx 2 hours from house.
Cork Airport – approx 1.5 hours from house.
Shannon Airport – approx 3 hours from house.
Dublin Airport – approx 4.5 hours from house.

By Sea: Ferry crossings from Pembroke/Fishguard to Rosslare.
Stena Express – 120 mins (summer only from Fishguard)
Swansea/Cork Ferry is 1.5 hours from the house.
Rosslare Port is approx 4.5 hours from house
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is approx 4.5 hours from house

 

Map

Doolin Lodge

Doolin Lodge

Doolin Lodge

The Rocky Edge of Europe

Book this home

County Clare

In the anodyne air of west Clare where time drags its heels, Cliff walks beckon, and music reigns supreme, sits this little lair of self-catering luxury.
The larger of two meticulously restored 18th century farmhouses, Doolin Lodge’s surprising interior shows great attention to detail, and brings an international 5 star quality to a remote rural cottage.

 

A comprehensive cottage makeover

An expansive open living space is at the centre of the cottage extending to two informal seating areas.

Cool coffee-and-cream neutral tones and warm oak floors combine to create a cosy contemporary ambience throughout this home, while roof lights augment the traditional small shuttered cottage windows.

, AT A GLANCE

  • Sleeps
    Up to 8 guests
    From €2,100 per week
  • Bedrooms
    Four Double Bedrooms, Two Ensuite
  • Other Rooms
    Open Plan Double Living Room
    Family Bathroom
  • Kitchen with Dining Area
    Entrance Lobby
    W/C with Shower
  • Contempo
    Paved Terrace
    Wi Fi Internet 
    Fire Logs
    Barbecue

  • CHECK HERE

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Electric Oven
• Fitted Microwave
• Electric Ceramic Hob
• Fridge-freezer
• Dishwasher
• Twin Toaster
• Nespresso Coffee Machine

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Tumble Dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Sizes – One double and Three King-size beds
• Hairdryer

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet – moderate speed
• Flat-screen TV

Off the living area, a gleaming chic kitchen in ivory tones, replete with concealed appliances, is tastefully finished with matching marble worktops and up-scaled white floor tiles.

For informal nibbles a high stooled breakfast bar postures in a diagonal crescent at one end, but for dinner in the same space a two tone table fits snuggly against banquet seating to accommodate eight.

If your preference is al fresco, and the weather permits, handy sliding French doors open onto a sheltered sun-kissed private patio.

There is a sumptuous ground floor double bedroom opening off the living area with ensuite shower room, which some will find especially convenient.

A returning stairway from the living area winds up to three more, equally generous, double bedrooms – one of which is ensuite – and a family bathroom.

These carpeted upstairs rooms also come with stunning views of the local landscape, including the Aran Islands and the unique limestone / karst backdrop of the Burren.

Outside

Just a kilometre from the Atlantic, the tang of the ocean hangs in the air, and some of the most spectacular sunsets anywhere paint the skyline. Ample paved parking is provided, although the gardens are shared with a smaller cottage, similarly tastefully restored.

   

Restrictions

Smoking – No, sorry!Parties – The owners regret Stag, Hen, Wedding or 21st parties are not admissible.
Children – The property is not suitable for toddlers or children under the age of 12.  SORRY NO PETS.

Provisional Booking Form

Information & Rates:

Approximately  €2,500 -3,500 per week in the off-season
Approximately €4,500 July – August  . The price varies by the week,

Please email us here for details. Thank you.

A refundable breakages deposit of €350 is payable with the rental amount will be refunded within seven days of departure.

 

Select your Dates

AVAILABLE BOOKED

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Your travel arrangements are important, so all provisional bookings are double checked with the owners to ensure that your plans do not conflict with theirs, this can take up to 24 hours, but we haven’t forgotten about you.!

Provisional bookings will be followed up by email, at which point we can answer specific queries you may have, verify your booking and request a deposit to confirm.

Please note that all unconfirmed provisional bookings will expire after 3 days.
If your preferred dates are not available, please click here to review all houses that match your dates.

Available
Booked
Pending
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Reviews

 

The pictures do not do this place justice…

The house and the location is beautiful. I loved the little nook in the kitchen. There was loads of space and the beds were really comfortable. The house is obviously well taken care of and there are some really nice touches everywhere. I will definitely be back to explore the area again.

Ylonah, February 2018

A family weekend stay at the beautiful Doolin Lodge

The house is in impeccable condition, extremely comfortable, spacious for the seven of us, with a well appointed large kitchen/living area for family cooking and dining. We all commented on how comfortable the beds are too!
We had a wonderful stay in spite of two storms with resultant power outages. We just lit the huge wood burning stove and enjoyed cosy, board game playing evenings.
Sharon was very attentive and we enjoyed the local food items which she provided. We would highly recommend Doolin Lodge as a haven of peace and comfort and a great base for visiting nearby sights.

Noreen Keane, March 2019

Click here for reviews on using Doolin Lodge in Search for Posts

Out & About

 

What with the island hopping and the caving, you’ll discover there’s too much to do, so here are a few of our favourites…

photo Brian Meagher

Here are some of our favourites…

The Locality

 

The villages of Doolin and Lisdoonvarna are less than 10 minutes away by car.

Doolin is known as the capital of traditional music in Ireland, and most of the social activity in the village’s four main pubs caters to this, with skilled musicians stopping for sessions as they pass through. County Clare is particularly home to the concertina.

photo Gerald Tapp

This is also the nearest point to the Aran Islands and ferries depart from Doolin harbour regularly as well as sightseeing trips below the famous cliffs. Trips to the two smaller islands of Inisheer at 11km or Inishmaan are make for terrific days out, but to appreciate the cliff fortress of Dun Aengus, a stop-over on Inishmore makes sense.

Wild Atlantic Way

Click here to find out more…

Peaking at 213 metres high, and stretching south for nearly eight km, the dramatic Cliffs of Moher are probably the most visited tourist site in Ireland.
The Cliffs are home to an immense number and a variety of nesting seabirds, including the only mainland colony of breeding Atlantic Puffins in Ireland, a species on the decline elsewhere in Europe.

Built in 1835 by local entrepreneur Cornelius O’Brien, as an observation point for the hundreds of tourists who even then visited the Cliffs, the tower bearing his name is unmistakable on the headland.

Excavated in 1986, Poulnabrone Dolmen is probably the most photographed of some seventy Neolithic tombs across the Burren region. The bones of 18 adults together with 6 children were found, dating back to about 3,600 BC.

photo Bogman

The Burren starts in earnest less than a kilometre away – its strange karst landscape consisting of limestone slabs divided by crevices (or grikes) is famous for its remarkable collection of animals and plants, including orchids and the European Pine Marten.
This is Ireland’s most important cave area, where only one river manages to reach the sea without being swallowed into a sink hole. More than 35 miles of cave passages have been surveyed and some can be explored for nearly seven miles.

Beneath the Cliffs, enormous waves born of distant Atlantic storms race towards the coast. Big wave surfers travel by jet-ski from Doolin to catch the wave known as Aileens at the bottom of the Cliffs which can be over 35ft high.
But for most surfers, the seaside town of Lahinch (25 minutes by car) is the place to be. Here you will find a magnificent beach where in 2006 a world record for the number of surfers riding on one wave was achieved.

Lisdoonvarna, the nearest main town, is home to one of Europe’s largest annual matchmaking events. Attracting over 40,000 romantic hopefuls, bachelor farmers and accompanying revellers. The current matchmaker is Willie Daly, a fourth-generation matchmaker.

For the serious sea cliff rock climbers, Ailladie on the coast just north of Doolin is popular.

How to get there – Car advised..

By Air: Flights to Dublin or Shannon airports.
Dublin Airport – about three and a half hours from the cottage
Shannon Airport – is just over an hour away.

By Sea: Ferry crossings
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is about three and a half hours from the cottage
Rosslare Harbour for Ferries to South Wales is approx 4 and half hours from house.

Map

Island Retreat

Island Retreat

Island Retreat

The Way We Were…

Book This Home

County Down

AS SEEN ON BBC 1 television Countryfile on Sunday 24th April 2022…
On a private island off the western shore of the singular Strangford Lough, is an enchanting 250-year-old cottage. A historical home of unique character where generations of families have escaped.
Secluded, and with stunning views and bird-life; direct access to the lough and a tennis court, it’s hard to believe you’re just 45 minutes from Belfast.

Heritage with a good dollop of fun

The owners family lovingly restored this cottage in 1935 as a summer retreat, and sensitive extensions over the years have retained many original features, including deep-set window sills, quarry-tiled floors and Belfast sinks – quirks and curiosities have been deliberately left unchanged.


The rambling layout of interconnecting rooms divides naturally into two wings, and is ideally suited to a couple of families holidaying together or multi-generational (3G) families.

The principal entrance is through the original kitchen. Idiosyncratic lemon panelling and hand-built furniture are typical to the cottage, as is the sizable Victorian hand pump, once the water supply.

AT A GLANCE

  • Sleeps
    6 to 8 guests
    From €2,250 per week
  • Bedrooms
    Two double bedrooms – 1 ensuite
    Two triple bedrooms
    Two Bathrooms
  • Other Rooms
    Sitting room and Living room
    Family Kitchen
    Entrance Porch/Conservatory
  • Features
    Wood-burning stoves
    Oil fired central heating + electric heaters
    All-weather Tennis Court
    Loughside Jetty & Slip
  • Contempo
    2 Flat screen TV, WiFi internet, DVD players
    strong 4G Cell phone reception
  • Availability
    High season Weekly only: Saturday to Saturday
    Weekends: Friday to Monday
    Midweek: Monday to Friday
  • Restrictions
    Children are welcome
    Pets by arrangement

  • CHECK HERE

The main living room has an eclectic collection of sofas with a wood burning stove as the focus.

There is also a vintage piano for sing-songs, and a gramophone with a selection of old 78 rpm records to explore.

Here a wonderful bay-window dining area with a panoramic view of the lough extends southwards.

A short hallway connects to the second sitting room, carpeted, with an enameled stove, and its own cushioned bay window.

Between the two, is a family bathroom, and opposite, a sunny porch-conservatory opening onto the South-facing lawn.

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Electric Rangemaster twin oven
• With 5 ring gas hob
• Fridge-freezer
• Dishwasher
• Toaster
• Microwave

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine and dryer in Bathroom
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Sizes – Two double beds, six single beds
• Travel cot
• 2 Hairdryers

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet
• 2 Flat-screen TVs
• 2 DVD players

Other

• Large selection of books
• Large selection of DVDs
• Children’s high chair
• Children’s books
• 2 woodburning stoves
• All weather Tennis Court, racquets and balls
• Charcoal Barbecue

Bedrooms

There is a double bedroom and a triple in both wings, with some reached through the adjoining bedroom, and two having  direct access to the garden.

Again, with a nod to the past, the conspicuous flower pattern on the curtains in one room, is an exact copy of one used to decorate some of the first-class cabins on Titanic.

The black cooking range used by a series of evacuee families during the second World War, is still to be found in “The Kitchen Bedroom”.

Beyond the last bedroom in the West wing, is a large, rustic, pine-paneled bathroom that also serves as a laundry room. It can also be reached directly from the garden.

Its vintage, cast-iron shower/bath has been adapted for modern use with an electric shower.

Outside

The lawn gently slopes to a rocky shore where there is access to a slip and a concrete jetty for launching. In addition, you may utilize a second slip for trailer launching via the lane that runs down the side of the house  – so if it floats, bring it!

In addition to the shoreline, there are amazing walks through woods (award-winning arboretum) and some breathtaking birdlife.
There is also an all-weather tennis court on the property.

Provisional Booking Form

This Home is normally only let by the week, except as follows:
Mid-week bookings run from Monday PM till Friday AM – 4 nights
Weekend breaks run from Friday PM till Monday AM – 3 nights
Important – A Week’s booking runs from Saturday to Saturday

Christmas and New Year are high season as above, for other Public holidays – please apply for rates.

A refundable breakages deposit payable of €350 with the rental amount will be refunded within seven days of departure.

Christmas 2022 – 23rd to the 28th December – €2,800
New Years’ 2023/4 – 29th to the 2nd January – €2,680

  Per week Weekend Mid-week
October to April €2,250 €1,300 €1,300
May to September €2,800 Not Available Not Available

Select your Dates

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Your travel arrangements are important, so all provisional bookings are double checked with the owners to ensure that your plans do not conflict with theirs, this can take up to 24 hours, but we haven’t forgotten about you.!

Provisional bookings will be followed up by email, at which point we can answer specific queries you may have, verify your booking and request a deposit to confirm.

Please note that all unconfirmed provisional bookings will expire after 3 days.
If your preferred dates are not available, please click here to review all houses that match your dates.

Restrictions

Smoking – No, sorry!
Parties – The owners regret Stag, Hen, Wedding or 21st parties are not admissible.
Pets – Possibly, check with us.

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Pending
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Out & About

The lough is home to a multitude of yacht clubs – the local one around the corner caters for water sports – canoes, paddle boards, etc, – better still, bring your own water toys…

There’s so much to see and do, we just can’t list them all, so here are some of our favourites…

The Locality

Mahee is a small privately owned island on Strangford Lough, the last in a chain linked by road causeways to the mainland. The nearest neighbours are a couple of fields away – mostly with woods between properties – but the nearest sizeable town is Comber, on the mainland 25 minutes away.

This is an island steeped in history, starting with the ruins of Mahee Castle (1570) and Nendrum, a 5th century monastery at one end of the island with its own small museum, and Europe’s oldest known tidal-mill site from the 7th century.

More recently the island became home in the 17th century to the industrious immigrant Andrews family from Scotland, who subsequently achieved diverse acclaim, including the design of the Titanic.

You may be interested in a recently published book curated by the daughter of the Helen Turtle – Midnight Again – a collection of poignant letters written to her mother and sister in America before and during the war when she lived here with her young children.

Strangford Lough is one of the most richly bio-diverse regions in Europe, with over 2,000 marine species spread across 150 km2. It is the largest sea inlet in the British Isles, and boasts at least seventy islands and multiple drumlin islets.

The narrows are also subject to a highly energetic tidal race. With water moving backwards and forwards at up to 15kph twice a day the channel has become a test-bed for experimental power generation, most lately by a Swedish company who are currently trialing their fascinating “sea kite” technology.

For a bird’s eye view over the lough, the tower at the top of Scrabo Hill, 20 minutes north, is one of Northern Ireland’s best-known landmarks and the views from the platform at the top of the 122 steps are spectacular.

Migrating Brent Geese in their thousands arrive from Arctic Canada to Strangford Lough from October through the winter months to eat the lough’s eelgrass before the long journey back to Arctic Canada to breed. It is a spectacular sight and a great venue to see this is WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, 5 miles from the Cottage and one of the venues for BBC Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch 2021/2022.

From the Strangford village at the bottom of the lough, there is an entertaining ferry – every 30 minutes – across the narrows to Portaferry on the Ards Peninsula, where there is a small Aquarium (Exploris ) that is popular, and an important lifeboat station.

Shellfish is the name of the game around these parts, with pot fishing, mainly for prawns and crabs and licensed shellfish farming within the lough, so it’s not surprising that you will come across some of the finest seafood restaurants in Ireland. For divine Fish and Chips, make a wee journey to the pier at Ardglass farther down the coast…

Castle Ward is an 820-acre walled demesne owned by the National Trust on the edge of Strangford with terrific sheltered woodlands and trails, great for walking, running, cycling. The historic farmyard was the location of Winterfell where the deadly Game of Thrones® series is set in motion.

If you’re fond of the odd G&T you must be sure to try some of the home-grown local varieties that have sprung up in recent years. The Echlinville Estate lists Jawbox amongst their brands, and invite you to enjoy a tour of their distillery, or you may prefer to try Shortcross from the 500-acre Rademon estate.

The Titanic, which has strong links to the nearby town of Comber, has its own “Comber Titanic Audio Trail” which guides you to special places of interest throughout Comber that relate to the Titanic story. If you are going to Belfast – don’t miss a visit to the renowned Titanic Belfast Experience.

How to get there – Car advised…

By Air: Flights to Dublin, Belfast or Shannon airports.
Dublin Airport – is about 2 hours from the cottage.
Belfast Airports – Belfast International is just over an hour from the cottage & George Best’s City Airport, Belfast, is 35 minutes away.

By Sea: Ferry crossings
Ferries from Belfast, about an hour away, run to Liverpool and Scotland
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is about two hours from the cottage
Rosslare Harbour for Ferries to South Wales is about 4 hours from the cottage.

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Map

An Cúlú

An Cúlú

An Cúlú

Clifftop Cottage re-imagined

Book This Home

County Donegal

Confidently perched on a coastal precipice with spectacular views over Donegal Bay, this elemental cottage has been extended and transformed into a luxurious Atlantic retreat.

Its chic contemporary interior merges seamlessly with an opulent floating deck that features integrated seating, firepit and spa.

An Cúlú featured on the RTE program My Bungalow Bliss presented by Hugh Wallace and designed by McCabe Architects.

 

Smart design in Donegal

The canary-yellow traditional stable-door entrance leads through the original cottage into an entirely unexpected elegant open-plan living area annexed to the rear.

Full height glazed panoramic walls define the south-eastern elevation of the home, with remarkable views spanning Inver beach, the Atlantic Ocean and all the way around to Benbulben in county Sligo.

The dining area is sandwiched between the handle-less kitchen and the sitting room, in a continuous extension of monochrome black and white, and furnished with fully upholstered high stools.

AT A GLANCE

  • Sleeps
    Up to 8 guests
    From € 2,950 per week
  • Bedrooms
    Two double bedrooms – 1 ensuite
    One double bunk room – sleeps 4
    Bathroom
  • Other Rooms
    Open plan Living room, Dining room
    Kitchen
    Utility room
  • Features
    Extensive Patio, Jacuzzi Spa, outdoor hot Shower
    Sunken Firepit with seating
    BBQ and Pizza Oven
  • Contempo
    Flat screen TV, fast WiFi internet
    Good Cell phone reception
    Underfloor heating
  • Availability
    High season Weekly only: Saturday to Saturday
    Weekends: Friday to Monday
    Midweek: Monday to Friday
  • Restrictions
    Children over 6 are welcome
    Sorry, pets are not permitted

  • CHECK HERE

The television and its companion electric cassette fire are recessed into a satin black gable end, with more of the impeccable detailing and choice of materials that is a mark of this property.

Two large sections of patio door slide away from the corner of the sitting room to access a stylish glazed-balustrade balcony that almost spans the width of the bungalow.

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Electric cooker with twin ovens
• Ceramic hob with built in extractor
• American Fridge-freezer
• Dishwasher
• Microwave
• Toaster
• Nespresso coffee machine

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Spin dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Sizes – King-size bed, double bed
• and two double bunks (sleeps 4)
• Hairdryer

Tech & Entertainment

• Fibre Wi-Fi Internet
• Flat-screen smart TV

Other

• Outdoor Jacuzzi Spa
• Patio with Sunken firepit area
• Hot outdoor shower
• Selection of books

Outside

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The comprehensive multi-level patio area extending south-west of the cottage, and reminiscent of a cruise liner, incorporates some really exquisite features in addition to barbecue al-fresco dining.

To add a stretch into the evenings, an innovative and spacious outdoor sunken seating area wraps around a welcome firepit and provides some wind shelter.

Just a few hundred metres away, there is a secluded beach, and when you return, there is an inspired outdoor hot shower to flush away the sand…

There is also a sloping lawn with ample parking to the front.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms remain in the original cottage, with the superlative ensuite master bedroom indulging in more of those extravagant sliding doors directly onto the patio with its endless vistas.

Here too a genuinely charming bunk room – in radiant white – with built-in beds for four, is a magical retreat for kids. The beautifully detailed alabaster marble family bathroom with bath, is an absolute delight.

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Provisional Booking Form

This Home is ONLY let by the week.
Important – A Week’s booking runs from Saturday to Saturday

A refundable breakages deposit of €450 payable with the rental amount this will be refunded within seven days of departure, provided there are no issues.

 

Rates Table

May to September €2950 /week
October to April €2,950/week

Select your Dates

AVAILABLE BOOKED

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