Ballymacooda

Ballymacooda

Ballymacooda

Natural Beauty and Memories Remade

Book This Home

County Clare

This lovingly restored and extended rural cottage in an enchanting location has been rescued and transformed into an exquisite lakeside hideaway.
The home is exclusively private, amid some 30 acres of countryside, with an abundance of windows and clever construction configured to embrace the landscape.

Less than half an hour from the rugged Clare coastline and adjacent to the Wild Atlantic Way, you are in Ireland’s Traditional music heartland.

 

An architectural junction

From the paved patio, a generously glazed entrance hall, brilliantly connects the original cottage with a crisp contemporary extension set at an obtuse angle.

From the main living area, it is clear why these additional rooms are askew – the sensational view. Full height windows perfectly capture the isolated lake and forested landscape.

A sliding glass door opens back onto the entrance patio, making it a special spot for sunset socialising.

AT A GLANCE

  • Sleeps
    Up to 6 guests
    From €2,400 per week
  • Bedrooms
    Three double bedrooms – 1 ensuite
    Family Bathroom
  • Other Rooms
    Open plan living
    Sitting room, Dining room, Kitchen
    with walk-in larder
    Entrance Hall, Utility room
  • Features
    Recessed fire place
    Underfloor heating
    Lakeside jetty
    Sheltered courtyard
  • Contempo
    Smart TV, Excellent WiFi internet
    Good Cell phone reception
    Electric curtains & Blinds
  • Availability
    High season Weekly only: Saturday to Saturday
    Weekends: Friday to Monday
    Midweek: Monday to Friday
  • Restrictions
    Children over 12 are welcome
    Sorry, pets are not permitted

  • CHECK HERE

The kitchen and dining area occupy the other end, pastel soft and unobtrusive, with stylishly upholstered dining chairs, and a walk-in larder cached behind the tall cupboards. The countertop lighting can be switched between cool and warm.

Throughout the extension, the luxury vinyl tile flooring runs askew retaining the alignment of the original cottage, and the curtains and concealed blinds are electrically operated.

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Electrolux twin ovens
• 5 ring ceramic hob
• Fridge-freezer
• Dishwasher
• Toaster

Utility Appliances

• Bosch Washing machine
• Bosch Spin-dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Sizes – Three King-size beds
• Hairdryer

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet
• 2 Flat-screen TVs
• Contemporary recessed electric fire
• Underfloor heating
• Electric curtains
• Electric blinds in sitting room

Other

• Use of lake and jetty
• Use of rowing boat (Life vests essential)
• Sheltered yard area

Bedrooms

Under the mono-pitch roof, with stairs leading from the entrance hall, the restrained master bedroom enjoys the same pervasive lake view.

Built in sliding wardrobes and a snug ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower and dazzling skylight, span the opposite wall.

In the cottage wing…

A classic three-quarter paneled corridor in the completely refurbished old stone cottage, leads to two double bedrooms, both furnished in gleaming white, and sharing a family bathroom.

The bathroom is paneled as the hallway, and has a wonderful free-standing double-ended bath to compliment the twin head walk in shower.

The utility room with laundry facilities, is also off this hallway.

​

Outside

The cottage is about as private as you can get, at the end of a few kilometres of winding unpaved road, sitting on an acre, with 30 acres of surrounding land and woodlands to wander.

 

The jetty is great to fish off, and there is a small boat down at the lake, remembering it is extremely important to follow safety procedures around water.

 

There is a paved courtyard to the rear, which can be a sunny spot to sit on windy days; plans are underway to refurbish another of the original buildings as a self-contained annex to the house.

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 with the rental amount will be refunded within seven days of departure.

  Per week Weekend Mid-week
September to May €2,400 €1,200 €1,200
June to August €2,400 Not Available Not Available

Select your Dates

AVAILABLE BOOKED

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Please select a date first.

We don't take payment until your enquiry is confirmed.

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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Out & About

 

Castles, caves and cliffs, not to mention the Atlantic Ocean, surfing, and of course the music. County Clare is rich with the finest heritage in Ireland.

Inis Mor – Aran Islands

Here are some of our favourites…

 

The Locality

 

 

Ballymacooda is only about 10 minutes South West of Ennis by car. A vibrant medieval town, it is the county capital of Clare – the Banner County, and is twinned with Phoenix (Arizona), Clare (Michigan), amongst others. Its narrow streets have much to recommend it.

It is often regarded as the home of Irish Traditional music:

“As the capital of a renowned music county, Ennis is bursting at the seams with pubs featuring live sessions almost every night of the week. In fact “it’s one of the best reasons to stay here”

Lonely Planet (10th Edition 2012)

The nearest beach is 30 minutes away at Spanish Point; so named after the execution of shipwrecked sailors who landed there from the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Lahinch beach

The other is the seaside resort of Lahinch. The curved bay, with its 2 km of golden beach, cultivates Atlantic breakers that are a magnet for surfers and kite-surfers worldwide. It is also renowned for its championship golf links.

About 15 minutes on from Lahinch, the rugged Cliffs of Moher, confronting the Atlantic’s salty onslaught for aeons, are probably Ireland’s most celebrated natural attraction, and not to be missed. At just over 200 metres high, the views are breath-taking. It is also possible to take a sea cruise below them, weather permitting!

Just North of the cliffs is the remarkable Burren National Park, a broken Karst limestone landscape characterized by underground rivers and caves. The area is rich in unique flora -alpine flowers and orchids – and fauna that survive in crevices (grykes) that permeate the region.

The Burren

The vibrant coastal town of Doolin on the Wild Atlantic Way at the start of the Burren, is a hotbed of traditional Irish music, with nightly pub sessions the years round – sometimes four in the summer months.

Doolin is also the jump off point for ferries to the Aran Islands – there are three of them at the mouth of Galway Bay. The passage takes an hour and a half to the most distant one. The legendary semi-circular, cliff edge stone fort of Dun Aengus on Inis Mor is thought to date from around 1,100 BC and is a truly unique spectacle.
Bikes can be easily hired on the islands.

Wild Atlantic Way
Click here to find out more…

There are frequent festivals to watch for across the county, including such gems as The Father Ted Festival in April/May. If you are familiar with the TV series, it was mostly filmed in North Clare.

County Clare was particularly badly affected by emigration during the great potato famine in the mid 19th century. There is a genealogy centre in Corofin which assists with tracing family roots. If your name is O’Brien, this is where you hail from, originally…

 

How to get there – Car advised..

By Air: Flights to Shannon, Dublin or Cork airports.
Shannon Airport – about 30 mins from the house.
Dublin Airport – approx. two and a half an hours from the house.
Cork Airport – Just over two hours from the house.

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

​

Map

Seapoint

Seapoint

Seapoint

Deluxe Seaside Georgian Home

Book This Home

County Dublin

Elegant, Airy and Luxurious

This handsome three-storey residence enjoys uninterrupted views across Dublin Bay. The spacious interior is tastefully opulent with a classic layout and contemporary ambience. An elegant home with entertainment at its heart.

Perfectly located in a chic southside neighbourhood and superbly convenient to the city – thanks to the rapid rail system – here could be the consummate vacation home for the cognoscenti.

 

Ground Floor

Behind the classic fanlight, the granite steps and twin columns, lies a generous entrance hall, characterised by arches and mouldings in gleaming white.

AT A GLANCE

  • Sleeps
    Up to 8 guests
    €10,000 per week
  • Bedrooms
    Four double bedrooms – all ensuite
  • Reception Rooms
    Drawing Room
    Formal Dining / Kitchen room
    Lower Ground Floor Sitting room
  • Other Rooms
    Service Kitchen, Study
    Entrance Hall, Utility room
  • Features
    Gas open fire places, Open rear terrace
    Ocean views, catering facilities
  • Contempo
    Flat screen TVs, fast WiFi internet
    Smart integrated sound system
    Excellent Cell phone reception
  • Availability
    Weekly only
  • Restrictions
    Small pets may be permitted
    Smoking is not

  • CHECK HERE

The ground floor essentially comprises two impressive reception rooms, with a stairwell dividing.

Immediately off the hallway is a finely proportioned drawing room. Alabaster panel wainscoting and panelled walls augment the single pillared 19th century Irish marble fireplace.
Large sash windows, framed with bifold shutters, face the sea with unimpeded views across the whimsical weather of Dublin Bay.

​

Restrained contemporary furnishings, rugs thrown on herringbone parquet floors, a mix of classic antique and contemporary pieces.

The house enjoys an exceptional private collection of Irish art, beautifully hung across all the rooms.

The three bay windows of the south are dedicated to an imposing dining area.

Across one end, moulded panelled presses conceal a full height kitchen including fridge, wine storage and surprisingly, behind closed doors, a walk-in pantry, complete with double oven, a sink and Quooker tap for instant boiling water.

For informal breakfasts, there is a Irish marble island breakfast bar, with a ceramic hob, and an integrated marble sideboard together with a second sink.

There is easy access to the sheltered garden from the end bay via a sweeping stairway, to the rear terrace below – a totally private suntrap, perfect for barbecues and sundowners.

Glazed doors on this level substitute the original, promoting daylight throughout the interior and aligning to reveal unexpected glimpses of the bay.

Facilities & Ameneties

Main Kitchen Appliances

• 2 Siemens twin ovens with warming drawer
• 2 induction 5 ring hobs
• Full height fridge
• Freezer
• Dishwasher
• Toaster
• Quooker instant boiling tap

Butler’s Kitchen Appliances

• 2 Siemens twin ovens with warming drawer
• 2 induction 5 ring hobs
• Full height fridge
• Freezer
• Wine cooler
• Dishwasher
• Toaster

Utility Appliances

• Panasonic washing machine
• Panasonic spin dryer
• Iron and board

Bedrooms

• Sizes – Two King-size, two Queen-size
• All ensuites – Heated towel rails
• Toweling bathrobes & Towels
• 2 Hairdryers

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet
• Full home entertainment system inc. 70″ Cinema screen
• TV sockets – all rooms
• Sonos integrated sound system – both ground floors
• 2 classic fireplaces – gas, remote control

Other

• A parking permit is provided
• Gardener for indoor plant and garden maintenance
• House keeping etc. available as extra
• Gas Barbecue
• Patio furniture – dining table & sun loungers.

Lower Ground Floor

Below stairs, there is an exceptional family room, including asitting room with a large screen home-entertainment system. Still with excellent views across the bay to Howth Head, and with its own remote controlled marble gas fireplace, and sumptuous sofa.

An oval island bar at one end has stool seating for eight, where smoked oak panelling and black marble surfaces are the theme.

An adjacent Butler’s pantry with fully fitted catering kitchen is excellent for the chef when entertaining or for casual family gatherings. Direct access may be had to the front via a lower entrance lobby, which also conceals the laundry utilities.

To the rear, there is an elegant guest powder room, and a well appointed sunny study, with direct access onto the rear terrace, and an extra TV.

A quiet ensuite double bedroom, looking out onto bleached trees of the garden terrace, complete this lower ground floor.

First Floor

The first floor includes three bedrooms, all ensuite, spread across a large atrium landing.

The master bedroom is simply stunning, occupying the full span of the front, with the lion’s share of Dublin Bay vistas through its three sizable windows.

Here as elsewhere, careful placement of mirrors, capture the scenic panoramas, and panelled shutters provide the privacy.

There is a terrific double sink ensuite with shower, but as an extra luxury, a free-standing symmetrical slipper bath is conveniently located close-by a window in the bedroom.

Across the landing to the rear is a comfortably large double bedroom, with a bright windowed ensuite shower room.

A second charming ensuite double bedroom overlooking the garden terrace shares this top floor.

Provisional Booking Form

This Home is normally only let by the week.

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

Per Week
 €10,000

Select your Dates

AVAILABLE BOOKED

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31
Please select a date first.

We don't take payment until your enquiry is confirmed.

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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Please select a date first.

We don't take payment until your enquiry is confirmed.

 

Out & About

 

​There are so many attractions, events and institutions within easy access of Seapoint, that it would be futile to list them all – but here are a few high-profile links that may be useful in planning your stay.

 

 

The Locality

 

 

Monkstown village, a short stroll away, is where you will find a variety of boutique shops, gastro-pubs, excellent restaurants and indeed churches. Both Blackrock and Dun Laoghaire are less than 2km away and have multiple outlets.

Directly opposite the house, is a footbridge across the railway to the popular Seapoint beach and promenade, should you fancy an early morning dip. High tide is best.

Salthill Station for DART trains is a stone’s throw from the house. Trains run along the coast between Greystones (about 30k to the South) and Howth (on the opposite side of the Bay) at approximately 15 minute intervals, making it very convenient to get into the heart of the city in about 20 minutes. It carries roughly 20 million passengers a year.

Dun Laoghaire
Originally Dunleary, the town was renamed Kingstown in honour of King George IV’s 1821 visit, and 100 years later reverted the original Irish form Dun Laoghaire.

Ireland’s very first railway (costing £200,000) and covering the five and a half miles from Dublin to Kingstown was opened in 1834.

In the 19th century sailing Dublin Bay was a treacherous prospect, with access to Dublin Port tide dependant. A veritable graveyard of over 600 ships caught in storms, lie at the bottom of the bay. The remedy settled on in the early 19th century led to the construction of the two granite piers, clearly visible from the house.

Completed in in 1859, and now essentially a playground for water sports, it had taken 42 years to construct the harbour.

​

There are five Yachting clubs based in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The 820-berth marina, a more recent development, is the largest in the country.

You can join a paved walkway below the house which follows the railway connecting Dun Laoghaire and Killiney to the south. A 3.5K section of this utilises “The Metals”, originally a truck railroad, with cast iron rails, designed to bring horse-drawn trucks laden with granite from the quarry in Dalkey for the construction of the Harbour at Dún Laoghaire. Up to 250 horses and 250 drivers were employed to transport the 8 tonne loads.

Video Link to Tracks and Trails Walk

 

The Purty Kitchen gastro-pub, a short stroll along the seafront, is Dun Laoghaire’s oldest surviving premises. Originally a coaching inn and at the centre of the initial settlement, it was constructed largely of clay and straw with a thatched roof and called Old Dunleary Inn. Captain Bligh (earlier of HMS Bounty fame) apparently stayed here in 1800, was not a fan of the harbour “It has nothing to recommend it, being ill adapted for its purpose”

The Martello Tower at the end of the beach below the house, is one of some 50 built by the British in Ireland during the early 1800’s, mostly on the East coast, as an early warning against an expected invasion by Napoleon. The one at Sandycove at the far side of Dun Laoghaire was the starting point of the James Joyce novel Ulysses, and now serves as a museum to the writer.

How to get there – A car may be useful, but certainly not essential.

Trains: Salthill DART station is about 2oo metres from the house, with trains running approximately every 15 minutes. Please click here to download a rail map.

By Air: Flights to Dublin, Belfast or Shannon airports.
Dublin Airport – about 35 mins from the house
Note that there is an Aircoach to and from Dublin Airport that passes very close to the house.
Belfast Airport – approx 2 and half hours from house.
Shannon Airport – approx 2 and half hours from house.

By Sea: Ferry crossings
Dublin City Port / Holyhead has a fast crossing and is just over half an hour from the house
Rosslare Harbour for Ferries to South Wales is also approx 2 and half hours from the house.

Map

2nd Green

2nd Green

2nd Green

Ring of Kerry Diamond

Book This Home

County Kerry

A thoroughly modern twist on the traditional Kerry cottage, comfortable with restrained styling. Adjacent to “One of the best kept secrets in Irish Golf” and a stone’s throw from the glorious, secluded and sandy Dooks beach on Dingle Bay, this recently completed spacious home is just perfect for a family get together

 

Contemporary and commodious

One of five architect designed houses in a stunning new private gated development.
The south and western elevations offer a surprising contrast; contemporary, glazed walls, sharp angled exteriors that hint at the bright modernity of the interior.

Entry through a small glazed lobby reveals a shimmering open plan ground-floor, minimalist in style with elegant detailing.

You are immediately welcomed by a contemporary woodburning stove that faces into one of two seating areas at opposite ends of the home. Both have substantial full height corner windows that oversee a generous shared terrace.

AT A GLANCE

  • Sleeps
    Up to 4 adults & 4 kids
    From €1,800 per week
  • Bedrooms
    Two double bedrooms – ensuite
    Two double bunk rooms
    Family Bathroom
  • Other Rooms
    Two Sitting rooms
    Kitchen / Dining room
    Utility room
  • Features
    Gated community
    Wood Stove, BBQ Terrace
    Outdoor shower
    Adjacent to beach
  • Contempo
    Flat screen TV, fast WiFi internet
    Underfloor heating
    POOR Cell phone reception
  • Availability
    High season Weekly only: Saturday to Saturday
    Weekends: Friday to Monday
    Midweek: Monday to Friday
  • Restrictions
    Sorry, pets are not permitted

  • CHECK HERE

In the centre of the house, the refectory-style dining area flows directly onto that sunny terrace through sweeping glass doors that slide.

The space is shared with a stylishly handle-free fitted kitchen in slate-grey, separated by a large preparation island.

Beyond the kitchen, and a step down, is an expansive and double sofa-ed TV room, with that second corner wall of glazing.

Throughout the home internal views provide clean, fine perspectives out to the garden and vistas beyond; eclectic paintings charm; and underfloor heating ensures a comfortable ambient temperature.

Bedrooms

The first of two large double bedrooms is located on the ground floor, with an ensuite bathroom equipped with monsoon power shower.



Stairs from the entrance hallway reach a landing accessing two kids bedrooms – each with a pair of bunk beds. Alternatively, one of these rooms can be set up with two single beds.

A shared family bathroom with bath and modern power shower, is also off the landing.

The master bedroom is south facing with fantastic views to the Kerry mountains, and its own ensuite shower room.

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Electric double oven
• Ceramic hob
• Tall Fridge-freezer
• Dishwasher
• Twin Toaster
• Coffee machine

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Spin dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Sizes – Two double beds, four bunk beds, or
• Option – 2 bunks & 2 single beds
• Hairdryer

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet
• Flat-screen TV

Other

• Children’s high chair available
• Outdoor Shower

Back downstairs

A large utility room leads off the kitchen and provides access to a private outside patio with external shower (to wash off all that beach sand).

Views south are to the mountains of Kerry, snow sprinkled on the day of photographing.

Outside

A large garden, currently being established, surrounds the house with a well-protected terrace, patio and barbeque area accessed from all living and dining areas.

The house is just a three minute walk from the glorious and secluded sandy Dooks beach, with stunning views across to Dingle.

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 of €350 is payable with the rental amount and will be refunded within seven days of departure, subject to all being in order.

Christmas 2022 – 23rd to the 27th December – €2,650
New Years’ 2022 – 29th to the 2nd January – €2,650

 

  Per week Weekend Mid-week
October to May €1,800 €1,350 €1,350
June to September €2,650 Not Available Not Available

Select your Dates

AVAILABLE BOOKED

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23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Please select a date first.

We don't take payment until your enquiry is confirmed.

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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Please select a date first.

We don't take payment until your enquiry is confirmed.

 

Out & About

 
Anywhere along the Ring of Kerry you will be spoiled for things to do, and nowhere more so than in Glenbeigh. Often referred to as “the Jewel in the ring of Kerry”, there are truly amazing blue flag beaches for surfing and kiting, fabulous golf courses, incredible lake and river fishing and brilliant restaurants.​

Here are some of our favourites…

 

The Locality

 

 

​Just over half an hour from Killarney on the Ring of Kerry, itself one of the highlights of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Dooks is home of one of the country’s most charming golf links and one of three magnificent beaches that straddle Dingle Bay.

The house is adjacent to both.
Wild Atlantic Way
Click here to find out more…

With a charming clubhouse and bar, Dooks is one of Ireland’s oldest and more challenging links. It is also home to the protected Natterjack Toad, the only species native to Ireland which features on the club’s logo. They are active at night with a very loud and distinctive mating call.

Dooks beach is just a stone’s throw from the house and looks directly across to the seven glorious kilometres of sand-spit that is Rossbeigh Strand. Ideal for swimming, windsurfing, sailing, horse-trekking, and sea fishing. It also has an excellent children’s playground – Tir na Nog

Directly across Dingle Bay is the extremely popular narrow peninsula of Inch Strand – 45 minutes by car.

The local town of Glenbeigh, just 4km from the house, is a corruption of the Gaelic word meaning “valley of the Birch trees”. Here you will find a small supermarket plus a number of excellent pubs and restaurants.

Caragh Lake in the hills above, above is a beautiful expanse of water 4 miles long, set among broom and heather with majestic mountains for background, it is well known to anglers for excellent fishing.

Coomasaharn Lake, the largest of the lakes in Glenbeigh, is enclosed on three sides by high rocky mountains protecting it from modern polluters and is known for its trout fishing.

Strange things happened when the last Ice Age receded – some creatures became marooned- and this is one of the lakes in Ireland which has the Sliver Blue Char, a rare example of a remnant fish from that period.

Like the Connemara Pony of Galway, the Kerry Bog Pony originated in Ireland. The breed developed physical characteristics including an unusual footfall pattern, which helped it move on soft ground such as peat bogs. These ponies are known for hardiness and an ability to survive in harsh conditions.

Near the village is the ruin of “Wynne’s Folly”, a castle mansion built by Lord Headley Wynne in 1867. The barbarity and brutality of these land owners in pressing the locals for funds is notorious.In the late 1880’s there were numerous evictions, as tenants were just not able to afford an increased rent of a massive 50% in most cases, to pay for the construction of the Wynne castle.However, Wynn eventually drifted into insolvency, and he made his exit from the Glenbeigh. In 1921 Republican forces burned the castle to the ground and it was never rebuilt.

The Dingle Peninsula is littered with much, much older monuments, mostly cross-pillars and standing-stones, and it would take at least three days non-stop to visit everything worth seeing, but if you pass one – have a look, because these carvings put the a in ancient.

image Snalwibna

Tearaght Island, the most westerly of the Blasket Islands, at the mouth of Dingle Bay, is the most westerly point of the British Isles, and the closest point in Europe to America.

Nobody lives there, it is essentially a bird sanctuary, but the stories of a community living on the edge of the world have become classic writing throughout the world.

Killorglin 19km away is the first town on the Ring of Kerry. First, because coaches touring the route are obliged to travel around in one direction to avoid congesting the narrow roads.

The town is renowned for holding the three-day annual Puck Fair – the oldest traditional fair in Ireland, in which a live mountain goat is crowned King, and then put into a small cage on a high stand in the middle of the town square for the duration of the festivities. Starts 10th August.

How to get there – Car advised…

By Air: Flights to Kerry Airport (Farrenfore) Cork, Dublin or Shannon.
Cork Airport – approx 2 hours from house.
Kerry Airport – approx 1/2 hour from house.
Shannon Airport – approx 2 hours from house.
Dublin Airport – approx 4 hours from house.

By Sea: Ferry crossings from Pembroke/Fishguard to Rosslare
Swansea/Cork Ferry is 1.5 hours from the house.
Rosslare Port is approx 4 hours from house
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is approx 4 hours from house

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Map

Turtle Cottage

Turtle Cottage

Turtle Cottage

The Way We Were…

Book This Home

County Down

AS SEEN ON BBC 1 television Counytryfile 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 eponymous Turtle 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 with the rental amount will be refunded within seven days of departure.

Christmas 2022 – 23rd to the 27th December – €2,800
New Years’ 2022 – 29th to the 2nd January – €2,6800

  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

AVAILABLE BOOKED

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Please select a date first.

We don't take payment until your enquiry is confirmed.

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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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 eponymous 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

Fourpenny Rock House

Fourpenny Rock House

Fourpenny Rock House

Quirky Cottage in the Countryside

Book This Home

County Kilkenny

Developed from the bones of a cottage project, this spacious single-storey riverside residence enjoys completely unique views across the River Nore. With crenulated roof lines and semi-hexagonal bay windows everywhere, this home is extravagant and lush.

Half way between Waterford and Kilkenny, and just an hour from the Rosslare ferry, it’s perfect for private events and family gatherings.

 

Points, Plaster and Corbels

Flamboyant Gothic Ogee arched windows characterize the curious brick façade, in contrast to the main entrance and driveway.

The hexagonal entrance lobby has elaborate arches, cornices and plasterwork that typify this home.

A wonderful reception room lies directly ahead through a pair of arched doors, with a spectacular pastoral view through a triptych of French doors flanked by two fully-draped floor to ceiling sash windows.

The house is centrally heated, but plenty of fire wood is supplied for the two wood-burning stoves.

AT A GLANCE

  • Sleeps
    Up to 8 guests
    From €1,895 per week
  • Bedrooms
    Two double bedrooms – 1 ensuite
    One twin bedroom
    two single bedrooms
    One Bathroom + one showeroom
  • Other Rooms
    Sitting room
    Kitchen / Dining room
    Drawing room
    Entrance Lobby, Utility room
  • Features
    Two wood-burning stoves
    Terraced Garden
    Tennis Court
    River frontage
  • Contempo
    Flat screen TV, fast WiFi internet
    Good Cell phone reception

  • CHECK HERE

Opposing corridors, tiled in Classic Victorian octagon style, lead from the entrance lobby.
To one side is an expansive living room, with a bay of three vivid pointy-arch windows, generous sofas, a broad TV, and a second wood-burning stove set into a black marble hearth.

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Brilliant full height windows are a feature of the house throughout.

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Electric cooker with 2 ovens and 4 rings
• Twin-door fridge-freezer, with water dispenser
• Dishwasher
• Twin Toaster
• Microwave

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Tumble dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Sizes – One King-size & one double bed
• Two singles & one Children’s bed
• 2 Hairdryers

Tech & Entertainment

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

Other

• Tennis Court
• Enclosed play area
• Fishing by arrangement

A broad archway connects the adjacent kitchen and dining area, with its inclusive curved central preparation island.

French doors at the end open onto a sunny enclosed area, with all-weather grass surface – safe for little ones and pets.

A single door from the living room gives access to the terrace-with-a-view, while twin doors, up a step, reveal a substantial utility room; nicely suited for larger scale catering as required.

 

Bedrooms

An accommodation wing at this end of the house has an indulgent double bedroom, a matching twin room and a cosy kid’s room.

The three share a totally tiled shower room.

The sumptuous master bedroom suite at the far end of the house enjoys a dual aspect, split level design, allowing for a flagged bay with occasional chairs, more ogee windows and that spectacular view.

The comprehensive ensuite bathroom has a walk -in shower and a full bath.

Adjacent to the suite, in yet another hexagonal radiant space, is a charming single bedroom.

A wonderful cobalt and white tiled bathroom off the corridor has a delightfully minimal but deep bath with shower.

Outside

The curved private driveway passes the all-weather tennis court en route to the house, where there is ample brick paved parking around three sides.

To the South-West a stunning zig-zag of brick terraced steps, embellished with urns, cascades down across lawns to the River Nore.

Provisional Booking Form

This Home is normally only let by the week, for the moment,

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.

Special social events or gatherings may attract an additional fee.
Please be sure to check with us in advance.

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

  Per week Weekend Mid-week
June to August €2,950 Not Available Not Available
September and May €2,250 €1,400 €1,400
October to April €1,895 €1,250 €1,250

Select your Dates

AVAILABLE BOOKED

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Please select a date first.

We don't take payment until your enquiry is confirmed.

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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Out & About

 

This region has a rich and ancient heritage of Dukes and Earls, Bishops and brewing.
There’s so much to taste and see, we just can’t list them all.

 

Jerpoint Abbey

Festivals and Events
Here are some of our favourites…

 

The Locality

 

 

Thomastown at 5km upstream is the nearest town to the house. There are two large supermarkets, restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and a selection of craft shops to browse.

At one stage there were 12 water-powered mills, for grain and cloth, working locally. Several mills can still be seen upstream from the bridge in Thomastown.

Fourpenny Rock House gets its name from a toll that was levied on the flat-bottom boats known as Cots that transported goods along the River Nore to the ports of Ross and Waterford, and were obliged to pass a particular rock below the house.

Dysart Castle, on the opposite side of the river, was the birth place of George Berkeley.  George, the eponymous philosopher of Berkeley University California, was active in the first half of the 18th century.

The medieval city of Kilkenny – 25km distant – is often referred to as the Marble City due to its unique black marble mining. It is the smallest city in Ireland.

image Kilkenny-castle Sabrina O’Brien

Work on Kilkenny Castle was begun in 1204 and took 9 years to complete.  The Castle became the seat to the Butler family, a very powerful dynasty who lived there until 1935.
Lady Margaret Butler who was born there, was the grandmother of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII of England.

St Canice’s Cathedral with its Round Tower were founded in the 6th century – Cill Channigh (pr. Kil-kenny) is the Gaelic for the Church of Canice. The Round Tower – one of only two that people can climb in Ireland – is the city’s oldest building, with excellent views for those brave enough to reach the top.

The highest air temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3 °C (91.9 °F), at Kilkenny Castle on 26 June 1887.

The extensive ruins of Jerpoint Abbey – 6km from the house – is another ecclesiastical site notable for its stone carvings. Built in 1180, it survived till Henry the VIII got hold of it during the period of the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1500’s.

photo Suckindiesel

A replica famine ship, the Dunbrody, is now berthed on the quay in New Ross and offers visitors an insight into life as a passenger during the 19th century when emigration to America was at its peak.

It was from a farm here in New Ross that President John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather emigrated to America in 1848 on just such a ship.

June 1963 President Kennedy’s trip to Ireland.

Click here for more information on Ireland’s Ancient East

How to get there – Car advised..

By Air: Flights to Dublin or Shannon airports.
Shannon Airport – approx 2 and half hours from house.
Dublin Airport – approx 2 hours from house.
Cork Airport – approx 2 and a half hours from house.

By Sea: Ferry crossings
Rosslare Port is approx 1 hour from house, with ferries to South Wales

Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is approx 2 hours from house

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Map

The Storehouse

The Storehouse

The Storehouse

Exquisite Rural Re-Purposed Barn

Book this home

County Tipperary

This beautifully re-cycled 18th Century rustic grain store, retains many original features such as the arched double door entrance, slit windows, and thick limestone walls. At one end of a working farm, the property occupies its own walled garden, with separate tree-lined entrance.

Centrally located between Dublin and Cork, It’s not such a long way to Tipperary.

 

Intimate, luxurious and very relaxing

The entrance is via a wide archway in the central exposed stone section of the home. Shuttered by blue bifold doors, this leads directly into a dramatic open-plan and airy double story living space.

AT A GLANCE

  • Sleeps
    Up to 4 guests
    From €1,500 per week
  • Bedrooms
    Two double bedrooms – ensuite showers
    Bathroom
  • Other Rooms
    Sitting room
    Dining room, Family Kitchen
    Mezzanine balconies
    Utility room
  • Features
    Duel aspect wood-burning stove
    Walled-garden
  • Contempo
    Two Flat screen smart TVs
    fast WiFi internet
    Good Cell phone reception
  • 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 contemporary kitchen in solid wood, with Quartz stone worktops and breakfast bar, is to the left, while the dining area is to the right.

From the centre, a bifurcated stairway splits to a pair of opposing occasional-use mezzanine areas with glazed balconies, that overlook this living space.

An old railway sleeper hung from the rafters and wrapped with large filament bulbs, styles a centrepiece above.

Here a flat screen TV is embedded in the wall above a double-sided state of the art wood-burning stove, that is shared with the sitting room beyond.

There are two large and comfy sofas in the sitting room, which together with the stove and 55” smart TV, make for a great movie end to the day.

French doors open out to a limestone patio which is ideal for a BBQ and sunny evening sunsets.

The utility room and guest bathroom are situated at the opposite side of the central living space,

 

Bedrooms

At either end of the house, and off the mezzanines, there are two luxurious double bedrooms with very different themes – both are ensuite with bespoke vanity units and generous showers.

 

The super king size bed in the second double bedroom can be divided to create 2 single beds if required – please advise in advance.

Facilities & Ameneties

Kitchen Appliances

• Electric cooker with 2 ovens
• 4 ring induction hob
• Fridge-freezer
• Dishwasher
• Microwave
• Toaster
• Blender
• Juicer
• Coffee machine

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Spin dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Two Super King-size beds (one is Zip & Link)
• 2 Hairdryers

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet
• 2 Flat-screen smart TVs
• Netflix
• Good mobile phone reception

Other

• Some books
• Gas Barbecue
• Herb garden
• Garden swing

 

Outside

The walled garden and tree-lined driveway are neatly planted with wildflowers, and a feature egg seat swing.
The family farmhouse is situated to the rear of the house should you want any local tips…