Ridge House

Mostly, you’ll enter through one of two large sliding doors that span the front terrace. Inside is a long, lofty living space; ringside seats to what must be on of Ireland’s most spectacular panoramas.

A walk-around contemporary fireplace floats in the centre, partitioning the living from the dining area.

Gleaming white, with a rhythm of exposed natural timber beams, an oak floor, and the trappings of a well-loved family home.
The kitchen area marries in seamlessly via a heavy pink granite preparation island. A pair of breakfast bar stools brings a splash of orange that echoes in small decorative touches. Elegant Scandinavian dining chairs feature here and out on the stone patio.

Aga cooking is a nod to the country cottage; it is supplemented by ceramic hob and other premium appliances. Beyond the kitchen, the house is on two levels. To the front, a cosy corner study with dual aspect picture windows, an open fireplace and TV with all the bits.

To the rear, there is a tastefully rustic utility room, and a guest bathroom with walk-in shower.

The master bedroom at the ground floor gable end, is superbly located. It has an ensuite shower room and a walk-in wardrobe.

A fabulous French door opens onto its own sunrise side patio – a really nice touch. Up open tread stairs, angled attic ceilings and distinctive rustic grade flooring unite three bedrooms that open off the sky-lit landing.

Choose from China blue or contemporary canopy double beds; or a delightful and generous family room, featuring two single cast iron beds and a double. They all share a vaguely translucent family shower room.

Notched into a steep incline, the house faces south, with stunning views of Scariff and Deenish islands, and the Beara Peninsula in the distance. Aside from the previously mentioned terrace, there is a clever sunken seating area sculpted into the stone at the eastern corner.

To the rear, a Jacob’s ladder of heavy timbers climbs to a splendid viewing area above the house.
There is additional parking tucked away into the bank beside the main gates – “the sheep’s dip”.

Kitchen Appliances

• Electric Aga range with 2 ovens and 2 plates
• Ceramic four ring hob
• American Fridge-freezer with ice / water dispenser
• Dishwasher
• Toaster
• Nespresso coffee machine
• Twin sinks

Utility Appliances

• Washing machine
• Spin dryer
• Iron

Bedrooms

• Ground floor master with King-size bed.
• First floor two double bedrooms
• Family room with double and two singles
• Hairdryer

Tech & Entertainment

• Wi-Fi Internet
• 2 Flat-screen TVs
• Sky TV with Sky sports
• DVD player

Other

• Good selection of books
• Underfloor heating
• Two open fires

• Have a look around Derrynane House
• Try windsurfing in Derrynane
• Birdie a hole on stunning Waterville Golf Links
• Fine dining with sunsets at The Smugglers Inn
• Play a round at Hog’s Head Golf Club
• Gallop along the strand at Caherdaniel
• Swallow some scallops at the Lobster

• Boat around The Skelligs
• Some music and a pint at The Blind Piper
• Taste a chocolate shoe
• Go for a dip at Derrynane
• Cycle around the Ring of Kerry
• Ramble along the Kerry Way

The house is off a narrow road just below the Coomakista Pass – itself the highlight of any tour of the Ring of Kerry – roughly halfway between Caherdaniel and Waterville; each about 10 mins drive. The road twists its way down to Derrynane Harbour, once busy with fishermen, now a jump off for ever-popular tours to the Skellig Islands. There is a small sandy beach there.

It is also the start of the 6 km Mass Path – a furtive footpath used by parishioners in 17th Century secretly attending open air services at the Mass Rock – that leads to Derrynane strand.

The beach at Derrynane is one of Ireland’s truly great Blue Flag strands. While you are there you could pop in to Derrynane House, the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, the great 19th century, lawyer, politician, statesman and abolitionist. It must have been a long ride from here to sit in Parliament in London. Situated on 120 hectares of parklands, the house displays relics of O’Connell’s life and career.

The nearby uninhabited islands of Scarrif and Deenish are not to be confused with the towering Skellig Islands – just visible, rising steeply from the ocean about 25 km West of Derrynane. On the summit of Skellig Michael there is a remarkably well preserved monastic settlement that bears testimony to the hardiness of sixth century monks.
Renowned for its huge population of gannets, the Skellig islands are also home to Puffins, with more than 4,000 on Small Skellig alone.
The outcrop features as a location in the latest Star Wars movie.

Waterville in Ballinskelligs Bay is a busy little town, the nearest shopping location for most supplies, with a petrol station, some fine restaurants, and two excellent golf links.

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

Click here to find out more…

A short drive east of Caherdaniel village is Staigue Fort, the largest pre-Christian, circular stone fort in Ireland is worth a visit. Over 2,000 years old, its wall is 5.5m (18ft) high and 4m (13ft) thick.

The Kerry Way walking route which passes just above the house, is one of Ireland’s longest signposted walking trail and also one of the most popular. The 200km trail starts and finishes in the busy tourist destination of Killarney, passing through some of the most isolated and dramatic countryside in the country, avoiding the country’s highest mountains. Most people will just opt to do a section.