A Curragh Cottage Curiosity
An expansive rural cottage brimming with exotic personality and charm, this home sits comfortably alongside an enduring racehorse training enterprise in the heart of County Kildare – Home of the Thoroughbred.
Host to Ireland’s Premier Flat Racecourse, and bordering the Wicklow mountains, The Curragh is less than an hour from the centre of Dublin City.
At a Glance
Up to 8 guests
Two double bedrooms & One twin bedroom
All are ensuite with bath/shower
Kids Twin bedroom with WC
Kitchen with sitting room/dining room
Drawing room with Dining room
Conservatory
Snack kitchen with living room
Family bathroom,
Utility room, Guest WC
Attic Games room
Racing Stables, Logs & Fuel
Table Tennis table
4 Flat screen TVs,
Sky, DVD player,
WiFi internet,
Good Cell phone reception
Weekly: Saturday to Saturday or Racing Festivals
Smoking – No, sorry! but Children and Pets – are welcome
Parties – The owners regret Stag, Hen, Wedding or 21st parties are not admissible.
Property Features
Traditional yet idiosyncratic interiors
For a time during the 1960’s American socialite and racehorse owner Liz Whitney Tippett invited friends, including actors Burgess Meredith, Gregory Peck, John Houston, Bing Crosby and others here to the 18th century farmhouse that she had converted for the purpose.
And it is that same sense of privilege that permeates these fat, rustic, stone walls today. This is a home that is no stranger to entertaining.
Outside
The home sits on 10 acres on the edge of the Curragh Plains, with a large private garden and tree lined perimeter. The property is part of Johnny Levins’s successful racehorse training operation with a yard and 23 stables, and is surrounded by others in the same game, so this is an excellent start for your race day tips.
With the Curragh Training Grounds situated on our doorstep, the horses benefit from world class facilities, and the best possible training tailored to their needs.
The Training Grounds offer over 70 miles of immaculately-maintained grass gallops in addition to 12 miles of peat gallops and 8 all-weather tracks in total.
Facilities
Kitchen Appliances
• Aga range with 2 ovens and 2 hotplates
• Electric 4 ring Hob in utility room
• Fridge-freezer, in utility room plus Fridge in Snack Kitchen
• Dishwasher plus 1 in Snack Kitchen
• Microwave plus 1 in Snack Kitchen
• Electric kettle plus 1 in Snack Kitchen
• Toaster
Utility Appliances
• Washing machine in utility room
• Clothes Dryer in utility room
• Iron
Bedrooms
• Sizes – Two Super King-size & four single beds
• Hairdryer
• 2 Trouser presses
Tech & Entertainment
• Wi-Fi Internet
• 4 Flat-screen TVs
• Sky sports
• DVD player & Games console in living room
• Good selection of books
• Table Tennis Table
Our Highlights of this Home
Out and About
County Kildare is at the centre of the Irish horse industry and possibly the golfing one, but it is also home to the Luxury Designer Brand outlets known as Kildare Village.
Things to do
- Stroll around the Japanese Gardens
- A day out at the Races
- Back a winner at Naas Races
- Lose your shirt at Punchestown
- Dine out at Harte’s
- Hit a birdie at Ireland’s oldest Golf Course
- Luxury Brand discounts in Kildare Village
- TextEnjoy luncheon at Chapter 16
- Spread your wings at Weston Airfield
- Check out the silver in Newbridge
- A Supercar experience at Mondello
- Eat healthy at Ballymore
The Locality
The cottage is within easy walking distance of Kildare town, where you will find a range of supermarkets, and super restaurants.
But in the immediate locality Horses are the name of the game, whether it be racing or breeding, The Curragh Plain is the principal racehorse training region in the country – more than a quarter of all racehorses trained in Ireland are trained here.
The Curragh Racecourse is Ireland’s Premier Flat Racecourse, hosting all five classic races in the calendar. It is currently undergoing a state-of-the-art €70 million re-development within site. The first recorded race took place here in 1727.
The Curragh Plains consist of about 5,000 acres of open common-land grazing some 50 km south-west of Dublin City, where an army of sheep keep the grass under control and protect its unique environment.
Click here for more information on Ireland’s Ancient East
There is a large and rare area of undisturbed wetland adjacent to The Curragh known as Pollardstown Fen. A zig-zag boardwalk has been built through the marsh which makes for a very pleasant morning jog or evening stroll.
During the World War ll an internment camp was built on the plains to house servicemen of either side who ended up on Irish soil. There were two compounds, ‘G’ camp, for Germans, and ‘B’ camp, for British and Allied servicemen. The first guests were 6 German airmen detained in Kerry. Internees had a fairly easy time of it, eventually being allowed out for two evenings a week.
There is a movie about this period called “The Brylcreem Boys“, which is available on Netflix.
The camp is currently the main training centre for the Irish Army and home to some 2,000 military personnel.
Kildare town has a fine 13th Century Cathedral and round tower. The tower is the 2nd tallest in the country, and one of only two that can still be climbed – inside, a series of long ladders between wooden platforms eventually bring you to the top, and an awesome view.
Today Kildare town is probably best known for its Designer Outlet Retail Village, which attracts thousands of shoppers in search of luxury premium brand bargains.
The Birth of motor racing
Kildare was selected as the venue for the 1903 Gordon Bennett Trophy, the first international motor race to be held in the United Kingdom – motor racing was illegal on British public roads at the time – partly on the grounds that the straightness of the roads would be a safety benefit. As a compliment to Ireland the British team chose to race in green which henceforth was known as British racing green.
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 3 and half hours from house.
By Sea: Ferry crossings from Pembroke/Fishguard to Rosslare.
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is approx 4 hours from house
Pricing Options
Months | Duration of Stay | Monday to Thursday | Friday to Sunday |
May to September | Minimum stay 3 nights | €600 per night | €650 per night |
December to February | Minimum stay 3 nights | €600 per night | €650 per night |
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
A refundable breakages deposit of €500 is payable with the rental amount will be refunded within seven days of departure.
2023 Holiday Break | Dates | Price |
Easter Weekend | Friday 7th April to Monday 1oth April | €4,350 |
Halloween | Friday 27th October to Wednesday 1st November | €4,350 |
Christmas Break | Saturday 23rd to Thursday 28th December | €700 per night |
New Year Break | Saturday 30th December to Tuesday 2nd January 2024 | €725 per night |
Price starts from
€600 per night
Book This Home
Step 1: Select your date.
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“Thanks again for your lovely house and hospitality.”
Read more…
The extras you leave are a lively touch.
Sheets etc are already done, and we have cleaned up and no breakages or problems.
Thanks again, like a dream come true for us who love racing.
D. Smith
2022
“Just to tell you that we had the most lovely weekend here at Curragh Stud.”
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Just to tell you that we had the most lovely weekend here at Curragh Stud. Perfect setting for us being here together to celebrate Michael’s 80th. We lit the fire in the sitting room in the evening and enjoyed dinner at that wonderful table in the dining room, the conservatory during the day. The kids gave Michael a drone we we had fun with that!
Thank you for being so welcoming and for leaving all the goodies, so generous.
I have left a couple of bottles of Kinnegar Scraggy Bay beer in the fridge for you, brewed in Rathmullan!
We have left the place in good shape, no catastrophes.
Oonagh
September 2019
Frequently Asked Questions
- Please note all booking requests are subject to 24 hour approval.
- Once your provisional booking has been placed, the UIH team will verify it, answer any specific queries you may have, and request a deposit to lock in your dates.
- Please note if your provisional booking is not confirmed and the deposit paid within 3 days it will expire.
- If your preferred dates are not available, click here to review alternate options.
- For additional information please contact us on +353 85 860 0027