Courtyard Mews

A semi glazed triptych opens through an elegant elliptical archway into the ample entrance lobby – a preface to the classic country kitchen at the centre of Courtyard Cottage.

This expansive kitchen exploits the best of time-honoured farmhouse contrivances with premium contemporary appliances – so there is a Neff oven and microwave to supplement the traditional enamelled Aga range. There is even an extra fridge and dishwasher in the utility room.

A sweep of windows over the Belfast sink, granite work surface and powder blue presses, survey a private back garden.

The scarlet living room fluently annexes the kitchen at one end through a broad casement. A large and columned white marble fireplace extends a warm formality to the room.

Half glazed double doors connect through to the reception room that is both formal dining room, and drawing room.
Away from the exquisite Victorian dining table, a nest of classic sofas face a wood burning stove, discreetly countersunk into a dramatically striated marble surround.

Thick walls and deep window ledges affirm the age of the original cottage.

Courtyard Cottage is part of the 500 acre Longueville House Estate, itself home to a 300 year old listed Stately Georgian Country House – steeped in history, now a charming hotel and restaurant. As the name implies, the cottage occupies one side of a large and partly cobbled, neo-classical courtyard, with fine a topiary centre-piece, to the rear of the main house.

The property runs right down to the banks of the River Blackwater. Visitors are free to range across this working estate where all of the produce for the hotel is grown. There is a fabulous reclaimed walled garden for vegetables, and a 25 acre cider apple orchard used to produce on-site an artisan cider, some which is double distilled into an exclusive apple brandy.

The majestic group of oak trees in the parkland to the front of the house was planted in 1815, to celebrate Wellington’s victory at the Battle of Waterloo.

The house is equipped with everything you would expect from a luxury family home – from WiFi to gas barbeque, clothes dryer to microwave, books, games, etc.

If you have a particular requirement, be sure to tell us.

• Escape to an island of animals
• Gander around in Castle gardens
• Clean up on culture
• Take a tour through a cave
• Back a winner in Mallow
• Chip away at a par 72

• Hack a pony across along the Blackwater
• Cycle Ireland’s best bike trail
• Kayak downstream at Fermoy
• Enjoy your Sunday lunch in Longueville
• Take the local Brandy tour

Ask in the hotel about Fly-Fishing, Falconry and tours of the estates distillery or visit their website here.

Mallow is a large town just 10 minutes away and has a variety of shops, restaurants and a main line railway station. If you fancy a flutter on the ponies, then this is the home of Cork racing. The racecourse is just 2km from the house, and is a great days outing.

A craft cider named Longueville House Cider, is harvested from the 25-acre apple orchard on-site in the autumn every year after the Harvest Moon and after first frost. An Apple Brandy is distilled from some of the cider, made in the calvados style, known as Longueville House Apple Brandy. Everything is done on the farm except for the bottling. Where there are orchards, there are bees, and the Estate also produces its own distinctive brand of honey.

Doneraile Court, the magnificent former residence of the St. Leger family, is just 25 minutes away. Its Wildlife Park is an outstanding example of an 18th century landscaped park in the ‘Capability Brown’ style which in its heyday would have consisted of some 28,000 acres.

Killarney town is a 45 minute drive away, and from there the Ring of Kerry is a highlight for visitors to Ireland.
Cork city – Ireland’s second largest -is only 45 minutes away by car, but that’s a story for another day.

Take trip to the Mitchelstown caves for some stunning examples of stalagmites and stalactites that deserve their acclaim.
Labbacallee to the north west of Fermoy, is Irelands largest prehistoric wedge tomb and dates from roughly 2300 BC.

The eponymous Steeplechase derives its name from an original cross country horse race between two neighbours over 250 years ago. Starting at the village of Buttevant, the finishing line was the church steeple at Doneraile, visible in the distance. The winner is not recorded.

Possibly due to the magnificent fishing on the Awbeg and Blackwater Rivers, this locality remains a magnet to the landed gentry, with many fine houses and estates in the area. The Munster Blackwater – there being several other rivers of the same name – is Ireland’s second largest river after the Shannon, and unquestionably one of the great salmon rivers of Europe. A lazy snaking river, it is also makes for very fine for canoeing and tubing.

The Ballyhoura Mountains 20 minutes north, are home to the largest mountain bike trail network in Ireland, and a must for serious and occasional bikers alike.

There is an inspiring Donkey Sanctuary in nearby Liscarroll which is well worth a visit.