Searows

Searows

Searows

Shimmering Sea, Stunning Sunsets, Atlantic Air

Book this home

County Galway

A gabled bungalow of unassuming simplicity, Searows lies in the bend of a sheltered Connemara inlet – absolutely Wild Atlantic Way – just a stone’s throw from the ocean.
This is an ideal family vacation home, with stunning sea views, and lots of relaxing outdoor attractions just minutes away in every direction.

 

Bleached walls and a wealth of windows

On arrival, an entrance porch efficiently separates the cosy contemporary interior from westerly Atlantic breezes.
The main living area is an expansive amalgam of sitting, eating and cooking, each area passing seamlessly through to the next.

In the living area a stylish and restrained open fireplace lends contentment to the interior while westerly windows frame the whimsical patterns of bunched clouds, unceasing tides and sparkling seas that define Connemara.

 

The generous dining alcove is surrounded by a panorama of picture-windows. An oak table seats ten, consistent with its attendant oak chairs and floor.

Oak also features in the kitchen, which is elegantly fitted out for some serious cooking, with a large Britannia 6 ring cooker, blended Silestone quartz work surfaces, and a three stool breakfast-bar preparation island.
In addition, there is a variety of other premium appliances in a fine utility room off the kitchen.

Pure white and natural wood, mostly oak, feature in furniture and walls throughout this home, with wide board oak floors in the living areas.

Down the corridor, the unpretentious bedrooms too, are bright white offset with subtle tones provided by the bed linen.

The principal bedroom dramatically opens onto the sheltered back terrace through a pair of French Doors.
The adjacent ensuite bathroom is fitted with countersunk his-and-her basins.

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Brittania gas range with twin ovens and 6 rings
• Integrated Fridge with Ice dispenser
• Freezer
• Microwave
• Dishwasher
• Toaster
• Blender

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Tumble dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• One King-size and one Super King-sizebed, and 4 Zip & Link
• Hairdryer

Tech & Entertainment

• Mobile phone coverage is patchy
• Good Wi-Fi Internet
• Flat-screen Smart TV
• DVD player
• BOSE Bluetooth speaker

Other

• Charcoal Barbeque
• Good selection of books
• Table tennis table
• Some DVD’s
• Garage available

Outside

Searows faces out across Mannin Bay – the lapping waves and rocky shoreline are just a few steps across the coast road.

A patio of informal flagging encompasses the house, and the gardens are landscaped using local stone. A gentle lawned incline to the rear leads up to a decking platform where you can share a barbecue and catch the soft ribbons of Europe’s closing sunset.

The large detached boathouse contains a full size table tennis table, and the garden furniture.

 

Provisional Booking Form

This Home is only let by the week from June to September.
Weekend breaks are available in low season only and  run from Friday PM till Monday AM – 3 nights
A week is any seven consecutive nights…

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

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

October to May €1,600 per week Weekend/Midweek €1,200
June- September €2000 Weekend/Midweek (Sept. Only) €1500
Christmas Rates 23-28th
December 
€2,000		 29th-3rd January
€2000

 

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.

Restrictions

Smoking – No, sorry!
Dogs and Pets – No, sorry!
The owners regret Stag or Hen parties are not admissible.

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Reviews

 

Our stay at Searows was wonderful…

The home is well appointed with a spectacular view of the sea and coastal homes. We loved the proximity to Clifden as well as Dog’s Bay beach and the village of Roundstone. We enjoyed cooking dinners at Searows and it was so nice to have the long summer days of sunlight! We had a wonderful day at Inishbofin and enjoyed walking the western loop. Another day was spent at Kylemore Abbey as well as Westport.
We have already begun to look at other homes offered by Unique Irish Homes for another trip.

Catherine Ryan, August 2017

 

From the guest Book…

We had a fantastic time at Searows. The house was excellent, spotless and so well equipped. We have since bought our own tennis table as it was enjoyed so much by everyone.

Thank you!!! We still can’t get over how beautiful the landscape is, and this exquisite luxurious home fits right into the perfect picture…the whole stay was fabulous and we’d love to return!!

NYC, May 2019

Superb and well equipped house, great location, fantastic scenery. And we were soooo lucky with the weather! Just gorgeous!!! Many thanks!

Lorrach, Germany, June 2019

Beautiful location, lovely house. Thank you for enabling us to have a great holiday here. Weather was very pleasant too.

Guildford UK and Kilkenny, June 2019

‘Gorgeous views and the best equipped house we’ve ever stayed in. Kids loved the table tennis. Lots of swims and walks. Thank you.’

January 2019

We had a super few days, the house is lovely and the kitchen is brilliant – a real cook’s kitchen. I hope that we will be back.

…As for the property, it’s absolutely faultless. A real quality home and the owners are willing to share everything, nothing locked away…

September 2018

A great house for 3 generations spanning 70 years.Great location. Most enjoyable. Many thanks.

Wonderful house in super location. We truly enjoyed our stay (and had great weather!). Thank you.

July 2018

Just one word: Perfect !
We’ve seen quite a lot of holiday homes, but this one was probably the best. Thanks a lot!

Dusseldorf, August 2017

I just wanted to get in touch

to let you know that we had a fantastic stay at Searows. The house was perfect and the sun shone throughout. We will definitely recommend to others and hopefully return ourselves at some point.

David Qunlan, June 2018

Click here for reviews on using Searows in Search for Posts

 

Out & About

 

For generations Connemara has been the choice of holiday location for families seeking unspoiled tranquillity. There are truly amazing blue flag beaches for surfing and kayaking, fabulous golf courses, incredible lake and river fishing and brilliant restaurants.

Here are some of our favourites…

 

The Locality

 

 

Searows is about half way between Clifden and Ballyconneely, about 5 minutes away.
Known as the capital of Connemara, Clifden is packed with great shops, pubs and restaurants. Catering for all shopping and craft needs, it is the central crossroads for daytrips.
Try the Steam Cafe in the Station House complex for the best coffee. Watch out for the Arts festival (September) and Clifden Pony Show (August).

Keep your eyes open for the hardy Connemara Pony. A breed collected internationally, they are known for their athleticism, versatility and good disposition.

photo Satu Pitkanen

The small village of Roundstone is 15 minutes away, and has a number of very fine restaurants with lots of fish on the menu. The village buzzes in the evenings as visitors and locals alike gather above the naturally sheltered harbour to share a yarn and a pint.

Wild Atlantic Way
Click here to find out more…

You can climb the 300 metres to the summit of Errisbeg Mountain which rises up behind Roundstone in about two hours. The view is fantastic, and North from the summit, you will see over 365 bog-land lakes of various sizes that populate this environmentally unique habitat.

How to get there – Car advised…

By Air: Flights to Dublin, or Shannon airports.
Dublin Airport – Just under 4 hours from the house.
Shannon Airport – About 2 and a half hours from Searows.

By Sea:
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is under 4 hours from the house.

​

The exquisite twin beaches of Gurteen Bay and Dogs Bay are not to be missed. The pair sit back-to-back along a sandy peninsula or tombolo – a rare tidal accumulation of the remains of microscopic shellfish.

photo Raul Corral

The whole region is dominated by the majestic Twelve Bens (or Pins), a series of craggy mountains in Connemara National Park that are a magnet to the serious hill walker, but it is the fast flowing rivers that have made Connemara the Mecca of Trout and Salmon fly-fishing.

A drive or cycle around the deeply indented coastline reveals many beaches of staggering beauty, and some of golden coral. You will also discover quirky little fishing harbours; sanctuary from the huge Atlantic swells.

On 15th June 1919 British aviators Alcock and Brown, made the first transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Connemara. Taking less than 16 hours to complete the journey, they made landfall in what appeared from the air to be a suitable green field, but which turned out to be a bog, near Clifden – Derrygimlagh is still marked by a white Cairn beacon.
At the foot of the beacon the foundations remain of a Marconi station from which some of the earliest transatlantic wireless messages were sent in 1907 – a huge engineering feat at the time.

The Connemara 100 Mile Ultra Marathon, occurs in mid August every year, and passes right by Searows. There is a 30 hour limit and every participant must have their own crew with them at all times to look after water, food etc. Last year the winner did it in just under 16 hours – 6.35 miles an hour!

For Golfers, the magnificent and scenic eighteen hole Connemara Championship Golf links is just 15 minutes away.

Map

Danieli

Danieli

Danieli

Bleached Beaches and Dry Stone Walls

Book this home

County Galway

Like a balcony onto Mannin Bay, Danieli commands Atlantic vistas that include Europe’s last sunsets.
Among the rocky outcrops and faded grasses of Connemara, and just a stone’s throw from the sea, this contemporary cottage affords an idyllic base for the entire family to indulge in Ireland’s most acclaimed region.

 

Capacious Cottage Life

Landscaped into a gently sloping site, and named after a lucky horse in the Grand National, this is a generous sprawling stone cottage with classic Connemara seascape views, uniquely suited to cross generation family vacations.

The sitting room with its roughly plastered chimney breast is mainly what remains of the original stone cottage.
Open stairs climb up to an expedient and low mezzanine playroom in the loft, with an overlooking balcony.

Off the living room, an expansive and comprehensively equipped family kitchen complete with Aga range, annexes the southerly aspect of the cottage.
This space is shared with a generous dining table, leather and chrome chairs, marble floors and a wood burning stove that together imbue a contemporary character to this multifunctional room.

French doors in a span of elegantly draped glazing open south onto a spacious front terrace.

Here stunning sea views across Mannin Bay, and left to Errisbeg Mountain are shared with the comfortable panoramic sunroom that leads back through more double doors into the cottage at the far end of this patio.

The ensuite master bedroom which exclusively occupies a corner of the cottage, and theatrically opens on to its own sunny sheltered patio, has a super king sized bed.

All the showers are of the walk in rain type, while the roll top bath invites a bit of pampering in the family bathroom.

Bookend beds feature in the twin bedroom, making it an instant hit with kids.
The two single bedrooms have been cleverly slotted in under the mezzanine in the original structure.

Facilities

The house is equipped with everything you would expect from a family home – from Wi-Fi to barbeque, clothes dryer, children’s books, some toys, games and videos …
If you have a particular requirement, be sure to tell us…

The entrance lobby at the centre of the home, opens into a multi-purpose open space that links the semi-random layout of accommodation and finds lots of use on family vacations…

Restrictions

Smoking – No, sorry!
The owners regret Stag or Hen parties are not admissible.
Dogs and pets – No, sorry!

Outside

There is ample parking on the property for cars and boats. Paved patio surrounds most of the cottage, affording ubiquitous tidal vistas stretching out to the Atlantic, and sheltered barbecue-ing.
It is possible to scramble down to the rocky shoreline, but a short walk or cycle in either direction is more rewarding.

Provisional Booking Form

Weekend breaks are available in low season only and  run from Friday PM till Monday AM – 3 nights
A Week’s booking consists of any 7 consecutive nights

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

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

October to April €1,900 per week Weekend €1,200
September or May €2,400 per week Weekend €1,400
June to August €2,850 per week Weekend not Available

 

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.

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Booked
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Reviews

 

A wonderful break in this beautiful home away from home.

From this perfect base we explored the stunning Connemara – the sun even shone for us! This corner of the world is good for the soul. Our children loved the playroom too! Thank you for sharing your home with us

From the guest book, April 2019

We had a wonderful holiday. House is amazing. Thank you for everything. Hope to be back soon.

From the guest book, July 2019

Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. You have created a very special place here, full of light and warmth, even on the stormiest days – and we got a few, but enjoyed the front-row seat on the power of the wind coming in from the Atlantic. We hope to return.

From the guest book, August 2019

Our family loved the house

“It’s surrounded by a great landscape. It’s a great home and all in all it has been a great stay here in Ireland. We are going to miss the AGA and hope to come back someday to enjoy another stay.”

From the guest book, September 2018

Danieli is a beautiful home…

on an exceptionally scenic site, and we greatly enjoyed the house and our stay in west…could not have been better. We ran into Pat Shortt on Friday, Mitchells on Saturday and pints in O’Dowds on Sunday – and with plenty of strolling was all in all great fun.

Pat Gleeson, November 2017

Click here for reviews on using Danieli in Search for Posts

We had an exceptionally happy family gathering

at Danieli, or Stone Cottage, as it is known locally.
The site was glorious: From the raised vantage point of the house, we watched the weather advancing along Mannin Bay; dramatic purple clouds disgorging horizontal rain. With each low tide, seals and otters emerged onto the rocks. Hours of happy binocular viewing.
The house itself was solid, supremely comfortable, and a delight. The underfloor heating was a revelation, although the heating controls proved a tad too complex for us visitors. The kitchen was the star of the show–but, again, the Aga heat defeated us. We were almost obliged to eat our dinner and play board games in our underwear, such was the furnace-like strength of the range. We could, of course, have adjusted the temperature of the Aga, but that would have added substantially to cooking times. Not a complaint, merely an observation–a luxurious quandary. The heat was such a novelty for my Irish mother, who grew up with frost on the inside of the windowpanes and toothpaste frozen in the tube.
Continuing the heat theme, it was good to find some logs by the hearth, but a few more, and maybe some briquettes, would have been gratefully received. Also, a couple of tables by the sofa would have obviated the need to keep standing up to put glasses on the mantlepiece, but I realise space was tight.
Everything was thoughtfully laid out; all needs catered for. It is obviously a much-loved family holiday home, though I did wonder whether the profusion of photos of children and generic household clutter might be reduced during rental periods. One had the feeling of somehow intruding on someone else’s family time. The provision of Yuletide decorations was very thoughtful and welcoming.
Rereading this, it sounds like I wasn’t entirely delighted with our stay–which I certainly was. I just wanted to point up a few, minor, issues that could perhaps be improved upon. Overall, our stay at the house was a huge success. Danieli looked beautifully designed, supremely well-appointed and beguiling in photographs, and proved no less so in reality. We all relished our time there, and would have no hesitation in recommending it to future guests.
Many thanks for all your help, and for selecting such a unique Irish home for your portfolio.

 

Sarah Newell, Christmas 2017

 

Out & About

 

Families have been visiting Connemara for generations, and it’s easy to see why. Apart from the amazing blue flag beaches for surfing, ocean inlets for kayaking, incredible lake and river fishing, there is a fabulous golf course and brilliant restaurants.

Here are some of our favourites…

The Locality

 

Danieli is about 5 km south of Clifden at the start of the Ennislannan peninsula
Easily the largest town in Connemara, Clifden is the central crossroads between north and south regions and has a host of interesting and often quirky shops, pubs and restaurants catering for all shopping and craft needs. There are 3 major supermarkets.

The hardy Connemara Pony is to be found roaming throughout west Galway. With origins traced back to the Vikings, this loveable breed collected internationally, they are known for their athleticism, versatility and good disposition.
Watch out for the Arts festival (September) and Clifden Pony Show (August).

The small fishing village of Roundstone is 20 minutes away, and has a number of very fine restaurants with lots of fish on the menu.
Just a few minutes to the west, the legendary back-to back swimming beaches of Dog’s Bay and Gurteen are stunning examples of tombolos. Not sand at all, they are rare accumulations of the remains of microscopic marine shells.

A drive or cycle around the deeply indented coastline reveals many other beaches of staggering beauty, and some of golden coral. You will also discover quirky little fishing harbours; sanctuary from the huge Atlantic swells.

Connemara is famously dominated by the awesome Twelve Bens (or Pins), a series of craggy mountains that challenge hill walkers annually as they attempt to hike all twelve in a single day.

This western wilderness continues to attract game fishermen with their flies in search of the elusive salmon or trout in the hundreds of interconnected lakes and rivers.
More information can be found at G. Stanley & Son, Market Street, Clifden.

Clearly visible to the south from the cottage is Errisbeg Mountain which rises up behind Roundstone. The 300 metres to the summit can be reached in about two hours. The view is fantastic, and North from the summit, you will see over 365 bog-land lakes of various sizes that populate this environmentally unique habitat.

Wild Atlantic Way
Click here to find out more…

On 15th June 1919 British aviators Alcock and Brown, made the first transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Connemara. Taking less than 16 hours to complete the journey, they made landfall in what appeared from the air to be a suitable green field, but which turned out to be a bog, near Clifden – Derrygimlagh is still marked by a white Cairn beacon.

At the foot of the beacon the foundations remain of the Marconi station from which some of the earliest transatlantic wireless messages were sent in 1907. A huge engineering feat at the time, the endeavour required some 15,000 volts of electricity to power, while the aerials sizzled with sparks that could be heard for miles.
Starting just a few hundred metres from the cottage, a fascinating two hour loop walk across the bog has recently been developed which takes you on a journey through these two events.

For Golfers, the magnificent and scenic 27 hole Connemara Championship Golf links is just 15 minutes away.

“A true Championship Links Course…The elevated greens on the back nine are spectacular” – Tom Watson.

How to get there – Car advised…

By Air: Flights to Dublin, or Shannon airports.
Dublin Airport – Just under 4 hours from the house.
Shannon Airport – About 2 and a half hours from the Cottage.

By Sea:
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is under 4 hours from the house.

Map

Streams End

Streams End

Streams End

Breathtaking location in Connemara

Book this home

County Galway

This magnificent and light filled home is on a large elevated site offering breathtaking views of Ballinakill Bay and the Twelve Bens mountains, in the ever changing landscape of the Connemara Loop.
With two acres of natural gardens, trees and waterfront, Streams End is a holiday home that has been designed to maximise the views of the surrounding spectacular countryside.

 

Luxuriously appointed waterside bungalow

A very private residence, Streams End is superbly designed with large floor to ceiling sliding doors overlooking sloping lawns which sweep down to the clear waters of Ballinakill Bay.

The house is elegantly decorated and fitted out to an exceptionally high standard.

The entrance is from a grand paved courtyard, which is a beautifully sheltered sun trap ideal for enjoying barbecues.

A welcoming wide hall leads into the spacious living room which is flooded with natural light from the large windows, and features a rustic granite stone open fire.

The generous master bedroom with its classic furniture and tasteful decor, has a bathroom ensuite.

The state-of-the-art kitchen is fully fitted with stylish, modern units with a centre island forming the main feature of this impressive room which is open plan with the twelve seater dining room, making it a perfect space for entertaining guests.

Sliding French doors encourage you dine alfresco in the wonderful courtyard outside.

There is a spacious Loft bedroom reached by a dedicated stairway, which has two full gable windows, one overlooking the beautifully landscaped and maintained front lawn and the sea. Lots of room here to sleep an additional two guests.

The other two bedrooms also have fitted wardrobes and all boast panoramic views of the sea and mountains.

Outside

In addition to a extended patio facing into the bay, there is an elevated decking platform at the waters’ edge, which is accessed by a winding boardwalk , where you can absorb the stunning scenery.

The house is reached through a short tree lined driveway where there is ample parking for five cars.

Restrictions

Smoking – no, sorry
Pets – no, sorry
Children – the property is not suited for toddlers or children under 12
The owners regret that their home is not available for Stag or Hen bookings.

Facilities

The house is equipped with everything you would expect from a five star home. Unfortunately, due to its location, there is no television signal, however there is Internet, and DVD.

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Twin Oven electric range
• with 5 rings
• Two Fridges
• Two Freezers
• Wine Cooler
• Dishwasher
• Microwave
• 2 Coffee machines
• Toaster
• Blender

Utility room Appliances

• Washing machine
• Clothes Dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• 1 Super King size bed
• 3 Double beds
• 2 single beds
• Hair dryer

Tech & Entertainment

• Good Wi-Fi Internet
• Good Mobile phone coverage
• Due to its location, there is no television signal

Other stuff

• Some Books
• Some DVD movies
• Children’s high chair
• Barbeque

Provisional Booking Form

This home is only let by the week
Important – A Week’s booking runs from Saturday to Saturday

Please note that high season rates apply over periods of National and Public Holidays, such as Christmas, New Year etc.

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

March to May €2,300 per week
June to August €2,950 per week
September to November €2,450 per week
December to February €2,000 per week

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.

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Reviews

 

We had a lovely time in Steams end…

it was very comfortable and such a well-equipped house . We all marvelled at the supply of absolutely everything we needed when and where we needed it. We got 4 fabulous days of sunshine which made it all so memorable for everyone so all in all a great success. Hopefully we will do it again sometime soon.

Joe & Helen, July 2020

We absolutely loved it…

We walked in and were thrilled which is always a great start. Mary was wonderful throughout and took our numerous calls as we tried to figure things out. The house was fantastic in every way. We appreciated the generosity shown by the fact that the house was beautifully kitted out with lovely linen, towels, crockery, glasses, furniture books etc and we felt we were borrowing a family members house as opposed to renting somewhere.
There were also lots of towels, cleaning agents, turf etc which was great.
We are hoping to rent it again next summer but this time in July in the hope that we might get luckier with the weather. Let me know what dates are available.

Nora, August 2019

Just to let you know…

that ‘Streams End’ was a perfect rental and we thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of staying there. The view and setting are glorious, the deck by the inlet is a delight and the interior design flare is charming, comfortable and very unique. Everything at Streams End was perfect and Mary Lydon is lovely and makes the house easy to understand and a fine way to start a wonderful stay.
We will certainly rent again from Unique Irish Homes; we particularly like the one in Balydehob (where we have previously stayed) and look forward to renting in the future.

Richard Yurko, September 2019

Our stay at Streams End was absolutely relaxing…

exactly what we were looking for. Unfortunately the weather was not quite as nice as it could have been. Luckily there was a fireplace and some peat briquettes. That and a good book and we were as happy as the day was long. The sitting place down at the water is an absolute gem – when the weather lets you.
It was a pleasure doing business with you.

Olivier Spieth, Switzerland, September 2017

Click here for reviews on using Streams End in Search for Posts

The property is very special…

We arrived in the dark and when we opened the curtains in the morning we couldn’t believe the view at the rear over Diamond Hill. It was breath-taking. The while house was kitted out to perfection. And was a lot bigger than expected. We even had a Christmas Tree waiting for us. That honestly made our Christmas. Please extend out thanks to the hosts. We will be back.

Alec, December 2019

Spent August and September reveling in the wonderful atmosphere of this home from home. Will miss the wonderful view of the mountains and waking up to the sound of the herons and curlews. We even saw an otter and a mink. The location is perfect for really getting to know the best of Connemara. Great home for a family gathering. Everything you need is there. Check your problems at the door and discover the best of wild atlantic coastline.

Orla Sheehan, September 2014

 

Out & About

 
This is a part of the world where nature and the outdoors prevail. Fabulous walks and cycle routes abound. Not only are there some of the best beaches to be found anywhere, but all things watery, from fishing to sailing are catered for. Then there’s the restaurants – numerous and excellent.. There is so much to enjoy – and of course we have left a comprehensive portfolio in the house for you to peruse…

Here are some of our favourites…

 

The Locality

 

 

Connemara has long been a favourite location for anyone wanting to escape into nature. This most westerly part of Europe is exposed to the wild vagueries of weather. In places, stunted trees grow, fighting against the winds, and plants struggle to survive in this wilderness.

Wild Atlantic Way
Click here to find out more…

Keep your eyes open for the hardy Connemara Pony. A breed collected Internationally, they are known for their athleticism, versatility and good disposition.

The area is dominated by the majestic Twelve Bens (or Pins), a series of craggy mountains in Connemara National Park that are a magnet to the serious hill walker. Diamond Hill, which is just above the house, is a good starter for the amateur.

The area between Clifden – the regions main town – and Roundstone to the south, contains over 365 bog-land lakes of various sizes. But it is the fast flowing rivers that have made Connemara the Mecca of Trout and Salmon fly-fishing.

A drive or cycle around the deeply indented coastline reveals many beaches of staggering beauty, and some of golden coral. You will also discover quirky little fishing harbours, sanctuary from the huge Atlantic swells.

Inishbofin (White Cow) Island lies just 11km off the coast, and can be reached two or three times a day by ferry from Cleggan, only 10km away from the house. As well as birdwatchers and scuba divers, Bofin is an important centre for traditional Irish music and song. Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht region is here in Connemara where the Irish language (Gaeilge) is the everyday spoken language.

Unique to the region, Connemara marble shows twisted and interlocking bands of soapstone, in various shades of light and dark green. It has been used over the centuries as a means of exchange, for features in stately buildings and is recognised for its beautiful colour and resilience, with no two pieces being similar. A broad range of souvenirs and ornamental products are produced from the stone which is more than 500 million years old.

It is estimated that Inishbofin was inhabited as far back as 8000 – 4000 B.C. Passing the signal light into the harbour you will notice Cromwell’s 16th Century Barracks. It was used as a prison for catholic priests from all over the country after the English Statute of 1585 declared them guilty of high treason.

On 15th June 1919 British aviators Alcock and Brown, made the first transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Connemara.Taking less than 16 hours to complete the journey, they made landfall in what appeared from the air to be a suitable green field, but which turned out to be a bog, near Clifden.

The first transatlantic telephone cable transmission was sent from Valentia Island off Co.Kerry on August 16th, 1858. On the 12th December 1901, using a 152 metre kite-supported antenna for reception, Marconi claims to have sent the first transatlantic radio message, establishing the first regular, if unreliable, transatlantic radio-telegraph service on 17th October 1907 between Clifden and Glace Bay, in Nova Scotia.

The Connemara 100 Mile Ultra Marathon, occurs in mid August every year. This year the winner did it in just under 16 hours – 6.35 miles an hour!

Picturesque Clifden is just a 10 minutes away with Galway city a further hours drive.

How to get there – Car advised…

By Air: Cheap flights to Dublin or Shannon airports.
Shannon Airport – approx 2 and half hours from house.
Dublin Airport – approx 3 and half hours from house.

By Sea: Ferry crossings
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is approx 4 hours from house

 

Caha

Caha

Caha

An Ancient Canvas where Time Stands Still

Book this home

An Ancient Canvas where Time Stands Still

County Kerry

Bedded into the rocky northern slopes of the Beara peninsula and looking out on the Atlantic Ocean across the broad Kenmare estuary, Caha is a chic contemporary limestone cottage beautifully designed to maximise its stunning location.
The cool white minimalist interior spills seamless out into a terraced natural rock garden where the mountain and sea views work their charm. It’s time to explore yourself in this magical landscape.

 

Limestone and Light…

The expansive open interior of polished marble floors and white surfaces makes a striking contrast to the rustic limestone walls of the exterior.

Here reception rooms blend doorlessly together in a split level rambling arrangement where light and sound bounce around you.

The cool Scandinavian styling owes more to geometry than decoration. Details are key in such a Spartan design, and so we find elegant use of contemporary lighting, and polished granite fireplaces that are uniform and unassuming.

Under-floor heating, and an integrated audio system keep services inconspicuous. Functional blinds supplant curtains above windows that everywhere frame picture postcard coastline views.

 

Furniture is restricted to essential elements, and well chosen pieces of leather and oak.
Warm, wide board floors in the drawing room balance the exposed pine rafter and ties above.
An impressive walnut and chrome staircase spirals invitingly towards the sky-lit mezzanine – a tranquil reading refuge.

The stylish thoroughly modern kitchen has copious worktop space in quartzite to match the flooring, fitted cherry cabinets with integrated appliances, and a generous helping of those ubiquitous views.

A handful of broad steps lead off the main hallway to three ensuite double bedrooms on two levels, each with warm floor to ceiling tiled shower rooms.

All the bedrooms reflect the same restrained minimalist interior with no compromise on comfort.

Facilities

The house is equipped with everything you would expect from a five star home – from WiFi to piano … microwave, books, games and DVD’s ..
If you have a particular requirement, be sure to tell us..

Outside

French doors open from the living room onto a sunset patio, and from the main reception area onto a generous south facing sheltered courtyard, with low stone terraced beds of purple heather and built in benches of duck-egg blue.

There is something very special about this sculptured garden and the tufts of flamboyant yellow gorse that tumble their coconut fragrance down the slopes around this multi-gabled home.

Restrictions

Smoking – No, sorry!
Parties – The owners regret Stag, Hen, Wedding or 21st parties are not admissible.
Children – although a family home, this property may not be suitable for toddlers or very young children. Please enquire on the provisional booking form.
Pets – No, sorry!

 

Provisional Booking Form

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

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

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

Please Note: Though this is a family home, due to the open-plan design and staircase it is not suited to young children – Thank You.

October to May €1,550 per week
June to September €1,750 per week

 

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.

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Reviews

 

We had a more than perfect holiday

All the times we have been to Ireland, Wales and Scotland we felt ready to go home after a week, but this was the first time that we all felt that we could stay for at least one more week.
In our opinion Beara is the nicest part of Ireland: beautiful scenery, very nice and tiny roads, not many people and impressing (loop)walks. In in our advantage was the weather, almost spring. Kenmare is great and also Gleninchaquin (almost in the backgarden) and Black Valley. We have been to Castletownbere but not even to the far end of Beare; that is for next time as is Allihies.
Your house is as perfect as Beara is. Laid out in beautiful, quite area with nice views; and (very) close to everything we wanted to do. In our opinion the house is huge but also very cosy. We loved the open fires and the fact that all the bedrooms were close to the center. Very nice kitchen too with everything we needed. Good to have a lot of information available about the area. We had a lovely dinner at the bistro in Eyeries; we also had a meal in 35 in Kenmare; nice but rather expensive. And off course we had tea in the Park Hotel; great place to be and just watch other people.
The kids loved the quality of the WIFI; high quality for such an isolated area. Good idea to have Apple-TV; we used Spotify a lot for playing our music. That was sure more than enough for us but the only tip we have for you is making a link between Apple TV and the great audio-sound system in the house; we felt it as some kind of pity that such a soundsystem couldn’t be used by us because of lack of (our) CD’s.
So in a few words, your house is just great. All the feedback is positive; no critics at all.

Bart and family, Nederland, January 2017

We have spent the Christmas days of 2019 in Caha again with the family. A better than great house with four superb bedrooms and two living rooms. Both have an open fire; on gas, so it is always warm within minutes. And Beare is so beautiful with Glenbeg lake around the corner and Gleninchaquin Park only a couple of miles from Caha. Don’t forget your hiking shoes and visit Beare while staying in Caha. We all highly recommend it and sure will come back.
Thanks for all the help and best regards, Bart

Bart and family, Nederland, January 2019

We spent 4 weeks this summer in this lovely house…

on Beara Peninsula and we would come back any time. Not only that Caha is a spacious house, it offers every comfort that you might expect. The house is tastefully decorated and has every amenity to feel home.
It is situated in a beautiful and remote landscape with magnificent views over the sea. In clear nights, you can enjoy a starry sky which can hardly be seen elsewhere. Although, it is a very quiet place, the next small shop or filling station is only a ten minutes drive away. It is a wonderful place to spend time with friends and family.

Jacqueline and Stefan, September 2017

Facebook Page

using Caha in search for posts

We had an absolutely delightful time at “Caha” last month

The house was exactly as described and pictured on your website. The kitchen was well equipped, which was important as we tended to have most of our evening meals in. The beds were very comfortable and the bathrooms were super. The living areas were also very comfortable and there were some lovely spots to sit and relax with a good book.
The outside patio was nice and sheltered, but if there is one area I would comment on for improvement it would be the outside furniture. Not enough of it and what was there could use an upgrade. [ Thanks Mark, we have lovely new set now…]
We felt well supported by Unique Irish Homes throughout with the helpful updates and info from Mary and especially having someone right there to help with the inevitable bits and pieces as one settles in was great. Thanks Elaine!
So all in all, I would say we were very happy with the experience. Now if you could just arrange for Teddy Sullivan’s to be magically transported across the bay, that would be perfect……………!

Mark Bowyer, July 2018

We spent an amazing week at Caha …

which is located in Collorus on the Beara Peninsula. It was a beautiful, secluded, restful location in an architecturally stunning home. Every convenience could be found in the home, including a fabulous, fully equipped kitchen which was essential to us, as we like to cook in as much as we like to explore the local fine dining scene. It has the advantage of being close but not too close to Kenmare, a village with a great bakery and at least two outstanding restaurants. From Caha, it was easy to explore the beautiful Beara Peninsula with day trips to the Eyeries, Healy Pass and beyond, or head east to Waterford or Wexford.
A must do for visitors is to purchase some fresh, local oysters! Shucking them is another story but we did manage to release those buttery morsels, eventually.
Many thanks to Elaine who guided us to the location of the house and made sure we felt welcome and knew the run of the place as well as the area. This is a hidden gem, and we will come back one day very soon.
Below are some photos, a screen saver opportunity everywhere we looked!

Anne Maree Healey , June 2018

“We have just had a terrific week on the Beara peninsula…

Caha house was so comfortable with every mod con available for our use.
We were met by a most friendly Elaine who showed us around and told us about places of interest etc. She had left us a welcome pack very thoughtfully put together and the house was spotless.
We were blessed with gorgeous weather which meant we saw the stunning scenery at its very best. We would highly recommend Caha house to anyone looking for a special place to holiday”.

August 2017

Out & About

 

Isolated but not remote, the Beara Peninsula defies analysis. The sea, the air the history, there’s so much to explore, and so many flavours to try
We just can’t list it all, so here are a few of our favourites…

Here are some of our favourites…

 

The Locality

 

The nearest town for basic requirements is Ardgroom just 3km away. Close to the village there is a picturesque stone circle, one of a plethora of megalithic monuments to be found in the region.

For more serious shopping, gourmet restaurants, and an informal farmers market on Wednesdays, Kenmare is a delightful 30 minute drive back up the Bay.

The rugged Beara peninsular is shared by counties Cork and Kerry – Caha is balanced on the border. The Ring of Beara road twists its way around this headland, exposing colourful hamlets in its path. Narrow, but with minimal traffic, it is a splendid tour, and the views are spectacular. For Cyclists or walkers the Beara Way offers a safer route.

Wild Atlantic Way
Click here to find out more…

At the tip of the peninsula a spur off the loop road continues to Ballaghboy. From here you can catch Ireland’s only cable car for the ten minute ride to Dursey Island. The rickety car carries six passengers (or the equivalent in sheep) about 250m above infamous Dursey Sound, where strong tides make traveling by boat hazardous.

With magnificent views stretching from the Skelligs to Mizen Head, only a handful of inhabitants brave this wild and windy island. Dolphins, whales and innocent basking sharks are frequently seen in the surrounding seas.

For a period during the 19th century copper mining was the major industry in the area, and much evidence still exists in the small town of Allihies where there is an interesting museum.

Castletownbere on the southern side of the peninsula is Ireland’s largest white fish port. The harbour is deep and is reputed to be one of the safest in the world. Sheltered by Bear Island, it has a long military history.

West Cork is blessed with an exceptionally warm and wet micro-climate. The Gulf Stream ocean current ensures that summer sea temperatures are about 17 C, approximately the same as Long Beach California.
As a result, you will come across palm trees, luxuriant sub-tropical vegetation and exotic flowers growing in abundance.

The tiny Garnish Island, just off the town of Glengarrif demonstrates this in a series of gardens flush with rhododendrons, azaleas and other surprising plants.

The Caha Mountain range runs down the spine of Beara, and Hungry Hill is the highest of its peaks. The panorama at the top is of course staggering, but the route is a bit all-terrain and needs fine weather.

To cross back to Caha, don’t miss the Tim Healy Pass. This zigzag road is worth it for the wonderful scenery, and is one of the classic Irish Car Rally stages.


There are ample sites for fishing into deep water straight off the rocky Beara shoreline. Glenbeg Lake, is also teeming with trout and the short Glenmore river spate is extremely prolific, with runs of Spring Salmon coming in March, and Sea-Trout in mid June to late July.

 

How to get there – Car advised..

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