Accommodation and wedding venues in County Kerry

On the map above:

blue: places to visit that are not section 482

purple: section 482 properties

red: accommodation

yellow: less expensive accommodation for two

orange: “whole house rental” i.e. those properties that are only for large group accommodations or weddings, e.g. 10 or more people.

green: gardens to visit

grey: ruins

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Kerry:

Places to Stay, County Kerry:

1. Ard na Sidhe Country House, Killarney, County Kerry – luxury 4* hotel

2. Ballyseede Castle/ Ballyseedy (Tralee Castle), Tralee, County Kerryhotel

4. Cahernane (or Cahirnane) House, Killarney, County Kerry – hotel 

5. Carrig Country House, County Kerry

6. Dromquinna Estate, County Kerry – self catering in adjunct buildings, weddings

7. Glanleam, Valentia Island, County Kerry – accommodation

9. Kells Bay House & Garden, Kells, Caherciveen, County Kerry

10. Muxnaw Lodge, Kenmare, County Kerry

11. Parknasilla Resort and Spa, Kenmare, County Kerry 

Whole House Rental and wedding venues in County Kerry:

1. Ballywilliam House, Kinsale, County Kerry – whole house rental, up to 16

2. Churchtown House, Killarney, County Kerry – whole house rental (sleeps 12)

3.  Coolclogher House, Killarney, County Kerry – luxury vacation rental manor (up to 14 people)

4. Dromquinna Estate, County Kerry – self catering in adjunct buildings, weddings

Places to Stay, County Kerry: 

1. Ard Na Sidhe, Killarney, County Kerry luxury 4* hotel

https://www.ardnasidhe.com

Ard na Sidhe Country House is a place of enchantment and wondrous luxury, an intimate hideaway set on 32 acres of natural woodland on the shores of Caragh Lake.

Inviting lounges with an open log fire, intimate dining and 18 luxurious guest rooms, it really is possible to feel a world away in this magical gem. Come and share the dream.

When you arrive at Ard na Sidhe Country House Hotel you are instantly transported to a stunning world away. Translated as ‘the Hill of the Fairie,’ the majestic panorama of this four star lake hotel on Caragh Lake, Killorglin in County Kerry envelops you completely. A luxurious country manor house built by Lady Gordon in 1913, Ard na Sidhe is highly regarded as one of the best four star hotels in Ireland.

The ethereal architecture and surrounds of this leading country manor house hotel provide an exquisite ambience that make it a landmark destination for secluded Irish accommodation. Victorian styling offers an enthralling sense of history and heritage set against the Ring of Kerry’s breathtaking scenery. Ard na Sidhe’s sumptuous décor and award winning gardens make it a blissful destination for adventure, relaxation and romance in The Reeks District and near the Lakes of Killarney. From the hotel’s doorstop, you’ll feel the heartbeat of this famed region where inspiring tranquility awakens you and modern comforts shroud you at every turn.

2. Ballyseede Castle, Tralee, Co. Kerry – section 482, also a hotel for accommodation

www.ballyseedecastle.com
Open dates in 2026: Mar 14-Dec 31, 9am-11pm
Fee: Free to visit.

We treated ourselves to a stay in 2023. See my entry: https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/09/02/ballyseede-castle-ballyseede-tralee-co-kerry/

Ballyseede Castle, County Kerry. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

The website https://www.barrowhouse.ie/ tells us the House and Gardens are available for bed & breakfast guests or as an exclusive venue for corporate functions, private group rentals and intimate, small scale weddings. They are members of the Historic Houses of Ireland association, which tells us of the history of the house:

Nestling on the shore of stunning Barrow Harbour with views of the glorious Slieve Mish Mountains, Barrow House in Co. Kerry has a rich history of ownership from knights to noblemen and smugglers.

Built in around 1715, it possibly incorporates the fabric of an earlier house from during or after the Cromwellian period (1649-57). The sublime Georgian front elevation of Barrow House was added as part of the structural rebuild and enlargement work carried out at some point before 1760, while a second sympathetic addition was made at the rear towards the end of the 1800s. The house has changed little over the years. In fact, its still-visible four-feet thick internal walls, two gable end chimney stacks, original interior features, handcrafted ceiling mouldings and sash windows with antique glass exude the restrained, rational elegance typical of a noble dwelling. 

Alongside is a detached seven-bay single- and two-storey former boathouse, c. 1800, on a U-shaped plan. Barrow’s lands were originally part of the 6,000 acres granted by Elizabeth 1 in 1587 to Sir Edward Denny for his loyalty following the Desmond Rebellion. Nearby are the ruins of an ancient church referred to in Papal documents 1302-07 as “Ecclesia of Barun” or the Church of Barun (Barrow). 

Over the centuries, the house and the estate were passed on through marriage or by sale to different owners, including the notorious smuggler, John Collis. The smuggling of wines and tobacco was prevalent in Kerry during the 17th and 18th centuries in particular and Barrow Harbour was a natural rendezvous with its caves and narrow inlets. In the first half of the 20th century, the Knights of Kerry, the Fitzgerald family, affectionately referred to Barrow House as their summerhouse.  In more recent years, it was purchased by an American, Maureen Erde, who published a popular account of running it as a golfers’ guesthouse entitled “Help me, I’m an Irish Inn Keeper”. After she sold it in 1999, the house was restored as a resort estate, flourishing for some years before enduring a period of neglect and abandonment. Barrow House’s current owner, Daragh McDonagh, purchased it in 2016 and has lovingly restored it to welcome guests.

4. Cahernane (or Cahirnane) House, Killarney, Co Kerry – hotel

 https://www.cahernane.com

Cahernane House, County Kerry, photograph from National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, which tells us it is a seven-bay two-storey over part-raised basement Ruskinesque Gothic Revival style country house with dormer attic, dated 1877, possibly incorporating fabric of earlier house. Designed by James Franklin Fuller.

The website tells us:

Beautifully situated on a private estate on the edge of Killarney National Park, our luxury four-star hotel is located just twenty minutes’ walk from Killarney town centre. The entrance to the hotel is framed by a tunnel of greenery which unfurls to reveal the beauty of this imposing manor house, constructed in 1877 and formerly home to the Herbert Family.

Cahernane House Hotel exudes a sense of relaxation and peacefulness where you can retreat from the hectic pace of life into a cocoon of calmness and serenity. The only sounds you may hear are the lambs bleating or the birds singing.

Cahernane House was built as the family residence of Henry Herbert in 1877 at a cost of £5,992. The work was carried out by Collen Brothers Contractors. The original plans by architect James Franklin Fuller, whose portfolio included Ballyseedy Castle, Dromquinna Manor and the Parknasilla Hotel, was for a mansion three times the present size.

5. Carrig Country House, County Kerry – B&B

https://carrighouse.com

The website tells us: “If you are looking for the perfect hideaway which offers peace, tranquility, plus a wonderful restaurant on the lake, Carrig House on the Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way is the place for you. The beautifully appointed bedrooms, drawing rooms and The Lakeside Restaurant, overlooking Caragh Lake and surrounded by Kerry’s Reeks District mountains, rivers and lakes create the perfect getaway.

Carrig House was built originally circa 1850 as a hunting lodge, it was part of the Blennerhassett Estate. It has been mainly owned and used by British Aristocracy who came here to hunt and fish during the different seasons.

The house was purchased by Senator Arthur Rose Vincent in the early 20th. Century. Vincent moved here after he and his wealthy Californian father in law Mr. Bowers Bourne gave Muckross House & Estate in Killarney to the Irish Government for a wonderful National Park.

Bourne had originally purchased Muckross House from the Guinness family and gave it to his daughter Maud as a present on her marriage to Arthur Rose Vincent. However, Maud died at a young age prompting Bourne and Vincent to donate the estate to the Irish State.

Vincent remarried a French lady and lived at Carrig for about 6 years, they then moved to the France. The country house history doesn’t end there, Carrig has had many other illustrious owners, such as Lady Cuffe , Sir Aubrey Metcalfe, who retired as the British Viceroy in India and Lord Brocket Snr, whose main residence was Brocket Hall in England.

Frank & Mary Slattery, the current owners purchased the house in 1996. They are the first Irish owners of Carrig since it was originally built and have renovated and meticulously restored the Victorian residence to its former glory.

For over two decades Frank & Mary have operated a very successful Country House & Restaurant and have won many rewards for their hospitality and their Lakeside Restaurant. They are members of Ireland’s prestigious Blue Book.

Carrig House has 17 bedrooms, each individually decorated in period style with antique furniture. Each room enjoys spectacular views of Caragh Lake and the surrounding mountains. All rooms are en suite with bath and shower. Those who like to indulge can enjoy the sumptuous comfort of the Presidential Suite with its own separate panoramic sitting room, male and female dressing rooms and bathroom with Jacuzzi bath.

The restaurant is wonderfully situated overlooking the lake. The atmosphere is friendly, warm and one of total relaxation. The menu covers a wide range of the freshest Irish cuisine.

Irish trout and salmon from the lake and succulent Kerry lamb feature alongside organic vegetables. Interesting selections of old and new world wines are offered to compliment dinner whilst aperitifs and after-dinner drinks are served in the airy drawing room beside open peat fires.

Within the house, chess, cards and board games are available in the games room.

6. Dromquinna Estate, Co Kerry – self catering in adjunct buildings, weddings

 https://www.dromquinnamanor.com

Drumquinna Manor, photograph from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, which tells us that the house is an eleven-bay two-storey Jacobean Revival style country house with dormer attic, built c. 1890, designed by James Franklin Fuller.

It was constructed for Sir John Columb around 1889-90. The website tells us:

There are many elements to Dromquinna Manor. Firstly it is a stunning waterside estate unlike anything else. Set on 40 acres of parkland planted in the 1800s, the Estate offers an abundance of activities and facilities.

The Manor, dating from the 1890s, is dedicated to catering for Weddings and events. The Oak Room is the heart of the Manor and is classical in every sense. Stylish beyond words with views of Kenmare Bay celebrations here are truly memorable. The Drawing Rooms and Terrace all make for a very special and memorable occassion for all. It is a real family and friends party as opposed to a hotel ballroom function.”

7. Glanleam, Valentia Island, Co Kerry – accommodation

 https://hiddenireland.com/house-pages/glanleam-house/

Glanleam, County Kerry, photograph from National Inventory.

The website tells us:

Glanleam was built as a linen mill in 1775 and later converted into a house by the Knight of Kerry, who planted the magnificent sub-tropical gardens. In 1975 Meta Kreissig bought the estate which had declined for 50 years. She rescued the house, restored and enlarged the garden and, with her daughter Jessica, made it a delightful place to stay, with a mixture of antique and contemporary furniture and an extensive library. The setting looking out over the harbour is magical. There are green fields, a beach and a lighthouse, and Valentia Island is connected to the Kerry mainland by a car ferry and a bridge.

Glanleam was converted into a country house by the 19th Knight of Kerry (1808-1889). His father had developed the famous Valentia slate quarry (the slates were especially in demand for billiard tables, then very much in vogue). The Knight, an enthusiastic botanist, recognised the unique potential of the island’s microclimate for sub-tropical plants and laid out a fifty acre garden, using species just introduced from South America. His efforts won him great acclaim at the time and today his gardens have matured into dense woodlands.

Together Meta Kreissig and her daughter Jessica have refurbished the house, furnishing it with an amalgam of antique and modern pieces, and opened it to guests. There is an extensive library, several of the rooms have their original Valentia slate chimneypieces, and the bedrooms have luxurious Bonasck designer bathrooms. The gardens have also benefited from their attention. One recent visitor described the ‘radial planting of vegetables’ in the centre of the walled kitchen garden as ‘a jewel’.

8. Keel House, Keel, Castlemaine, Co. Kerry V93 A6 Y3 – section 482 accommodation

(Tourist Accommodation Facility)

Open for accommodation in 2026: April 1- Oct 15 2026

https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/763099850152850482?source_impression_id=p3_1741194866_P3bysbQjjoOVpVMf

9. Kells Bay House & Garden, Kells, Caherciveen, Co Kerry, V23 EP48 – accommodation and gardens

www.kellsbay.ie 

Kells Bay House and Gardens, Co Kerry. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan, 2015 for Tourism Ireland, Ireland’s Content Pool (see [1])

See my entry, but note tha in 2026 it is no longer listed on the Revenue Section 482.

https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/09/13/kells-bay-house-garden-kells-caherciveen-county-kerry/

The website tells us: “Kells Bay Gardens is one of Europe’s premier horticultural experiences, containing a renowned collection of Tree-ferns and other exotic plants growing in its unique microclimate created by the Gulf Stream. It is the home of ‘The SkyWalk’ Ireland’s longest rope-bridge.

The rope bridge crosses the river. Kells Bay, March 2023. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

10. Muxnaw Lodge, Kenmare, Co Kerry – accommodation

https://www.muxnawlodgekenmare.com/

The website tells us that Muxnaw Lodge in Kenmare is an attractive Victorian house, with spectacular views of the Kenmare River and Suspension Bridge.

Muxnaw Lodge features in Jane O’Hea O’Keeffe’s Voices from the Great Houses: Cork and Kerry. Mercier Press, Cork, 2013:

p. 242. “John Desmond Calverley Oulton (konwn as Desmond), who was born at Clontarf Castle in 1921, is the son of John George Oulton and Sybil Mona Calverley. He has long and loving memories of his childhood home at Clontarf Castle, where he played with his siblings in truly magical surroundings…”

p. 245. “During his childhood days, Desmond and his family would travel to Kerry each summer to stay at Muxnaw Lodge at Kenmare, which had been owned for generations by his mother’s people, the Calverleys. A lovely gabled building, the Lodge was built in 1801 as a hunting and fishing lodge by the Calverley family. It is situated on a spectacular site overlooking the Kenmare River and is now run as an up-market guesthouse. 

The name Muxnaw comes from the Irish Mucsnamh (the swimming place of the pigs). Joyce’s Irish Place Names gives this explanation: 

The natural explanation seems to be that wild pigs were formerly in the habit of crossing… at this narrow point. The Kenmare River narrowed at this point by a spit of land projecting from the northern shore, and here in past ages, wild pigs used to swim across so frequently, and in such numbers, that the place was called Muscnamh or Mucksna.” 

p. 245. “Desmond explains the complexities of his family history: “Colonel Vernon, owner of Clontarf Castle, had several daughters and a son. One daughter, Edith Vernon, married Walter Calverley who owned Muxnaw Lodge. They had two children, my mother, Sybil Mona Calverley, and Walter Calverley. Walter was killed during the first world war, and following the death of Walter Calverley Sr, Muxnaw Lodge went to his brother, Charles, who left it to his niece, my mother.” “

11. Parknasilla Resort and Spa, Kenmare, Co Kerry – hotel

Parknasilla, photograph from National Inventory.

https://parknasillaresort.com

The website tells us:

Parknasilla Hotel, nestled in the shadows of the Kerry mountains amidst islands, inlets and hidden beaches.

Come stay with us and feel the restorative power of nature and marvel in the splendour of the seascape and landscape that surrounds you here.

The word  Parknasilla ,(means the field of Sallys) [perhaps “salix” meaning Willow], for so many is evocative of so many things, tucked away in the corner of a subtropical paradise on the Kenmare river , it’s a place of beauty, of rare plants, islands linked by timber bridges and coral inlets.

Where the sea, the light and clouds  put on a continual show to delight the senses. A place where people come as guests and leave as friends, with its tradition of hospitality stretching back over 125 years. It has hosted royalty, dignitaries, family gatherings and romantic get aways.

It has provided people with that peaceful haven for them to recalibrate and recharge their batteries but it has also been that place of quite inspiration for writers and artist from George Bernard Shaw to Ceclia Ahern .

With its winding walks, this 200 acre estate walled gardens, golf course, island dotted bay and spa coupled with a world class resort with a 4 star hotel houses and apartments  it provides one with that perfect retreat to suit all tastes.

It is a place of many layers constantly evolving, seen through the prism of history it’s a place where people create their own be it in the friends formed or memories laid down to last a life time, a place to return to again.”

The website tells us about the history of Parknasilla:

The origins of the rise of the Great Southern Hotels and Parknasilla arised from the middle of the 19th century. Despite the ravages of the famine, Ireland was seen as an exotic tourism destination and this was particularly true after Queen Victoria’s trip to Ireland and Kerry in 1861, that saw an explosion of tourism from overseas. Railway lines were developed in the mid 1850’s from Dubin to remote towns of Killarney, Dingle, Galway and Sligo and later new lines were developed from Killarney for instance to Kenmare.

In the South of Ireland, the most import railway was the Great Southern and Western Dublin-Cork Link that opened in 1849. Excursions were promoted and resort hotels that were built were to supplied with customers by new railway line. New doors opened for Parknasilla around the start of the 1890’s, when in 1893 Kenmare became the terminuis of the branch line. Subsequently two years earlier, the Derryquin Estate was in 1891 by the Bland family in various lots. Bishop Graves of Limerick who had leased the part of the property for a long period off the Blands, purchased in one lot, and only a short time after sold the property to the Great Southern Hotel Group.

On the 1st of May 1895, The Southern Hotel Parknasilla opened, the name Parknasilla which means “The field of the willows” began to appear on the maps. It was also refered to as the “Bishops House Hotel, Parknasilla”. The story of the construction of architecture is also an interesting one. Eminent architect James Franklin Fuller was chosen by the Great South and Western Railway, prior 1895. Fuller himself left an incredible legacy behind, he was responsible for the designs of some of Ireland’s most iconic buildings such as Kylemore Abbey, Ashford Castle, Kenmare Park (formely the Great Southern Kenmare) and Farmleigh House.

Born in 1835 in Kerry, he was the only son of Thomas Harnett Fuller of Glashnacree by his first wife, Frances Diana, a daugther of the Francis Christopher Bland of Parknasilla dn Derryquin Castle. The Blands were indeed synomous with Parknasilla for over two centuries, and new chapter for Parknasilla future now had an incredible link with its past.

The hotel originally started out in what was known as “The Bishops House”, however a better position was chosen in 1897 for a new purpose buillt hotel. The new Parknasilla Hotel faced down the Kenmare Bay an offered its guests uparelled views of the Atantic Ocean. The facilties of the new hotel included Turkish Hot and Cold Seawater Baths, reading and games rooms and bathrooms on every floor. This decision came after unprecedented demand that well exceed supply.

The website also tells us about the early owners of the property:

The Blands of Derryquin Castle Demense were a Yorkshire family, the first of whom Rev. James Bland came to Ireland in 1692 and from 1693 was vicar of Killarney. His son Nathaniel, a judge and vicar general of Ardfert and Aghadoe obtained a grant of land in 1732 which would later become the Derryquin Estate. Derryquin Castle was the third house of the Blands on this land but it is not known when it was first constructed, its earliest written mention being in 1837, however it was indicated some decades earlier by Nimmo in his 1812 map.

Nathaniel Bland (1695-1760), Vicar General of Diocese of Ardfert and Aghadoe, Picture from The Story of Dorothy Jordan by Clare Jerrold, 1914, courtesy of Teresa Stokes, flickr

The estate is said to have reached its zenith under the guidance of James Franklin Bland (1799-1863). His nephew the well known architect James Franklin Fuller described the castle estate in his
autobiography as a largely self-supporting community busy with sawmill, carpenter’s shop, forge as well as farming and gardening. A fish pond existed on the water’s edge just below the castle, alternatively described as being self-replenishing with the tide or restocked from a trawler.

The castle itself consisted of a three-storey main block with a four-storey octagonal tower rising through the centre and a two storey partly curved wing branching off in a western direction. Major renovations were carried out and a significant additional wing running southwest, overlooking the coastline was added sometime between 1895 and 1904.

James Franklin Bland’s death in 1863 the estate passed to his son Francis Christopher, the estate slipped into decline during the time that he was absent while travelling and preaching on Christian ministry, this being during the years of land agitation in Ireland. Part of the estate was sold in the landed estates court in 1873 but ultimately the decline continued with the remainder being sold in 1891.

It was bought in 1891 for £30,000 by Colonel Charles Wallace Warden. He had retired in 1895 as Colonel of the Middlesex Regiment (previously known as the 57th) He had seen action in the Zulu War of 1879 and on his death on 9th March 1953 in his 98th year was its oldest survivor. He also fought with the Imperial Yeomanry in the Boer War. As landlord of Derryquin he was highly unpopular with tenants and neighbours alike, his behaviour regularly mentioned in Parliament. After the burning of Derryquin Castle he retired to Buckland-tout-Saints in Devon and acquired an estate there with his payment from the burning of Derryquin.

However in 2014 Derryquin castle rose again out of the ashes to feature in a novel by Christopher Bland chairman of the BBC who having discovered a photo of his ancestors decided to write the novel Ashes in the Wind. it interweaves the destinies of two families: the Anglo-Irish Burkes and the Catholic Irish Sullivans, beginning in 1919 with a shocking murder and the burning of the Burkes’ ancestral castle in Kerry. Childhood friends John Burke and Tomas Sullivan will find themselves on opposite sides of an armed struggle that engulfs Ireland. Only 60 years later will the triumphant and redemptive finale of this enthralling story be played out.

Whole House Rental County Kerry:

1. Ballywilliam House, Kinsale, County Kerry – manor rental, up to 16

https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/45838390?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=db6b1a4c-0b7e-47c0-8005-a126984fd520&source_impression_id=p3_1662206216_56bfjuaKrGTdi%2Buf

8 bedrooms. Minimum 14 nights stay.

2. Churchtown House, Killarney, County Kerry – luxury manor rental (sleeps 12)

www.churchtownhousekerry.com

Mark Bence-Jones tells us (1988):

p. 83. “(Magill/IFR) A three storey 5 bay C18 house. Doorcase with entablature on console brackets flanked by narrow windows. Fine gate piers with pineapples.” [2]

The Hidden Ireland website tells us:

“Churchtown Estate incorporates both Churchtown House and Beaufort Golf Club. The centre piece is the Georgian Churchtown House built in 1740 by Sir Rowland Blennerhassett. In 1860 James MacGillycuddy Magill bought the estate and turned it into one of the largest dairy farms of its time in the south west region.

James’s grandson and great grandson’s closed the farm in the early nineties and with the help of golf architect Arthur Spring, developed Beaufort Golf Course which was officially opened in 1995. The golf course went through further development in 2007 when it was re-designed by Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie Ebert – Leading International Golf Architects.

Churchtown House mixes traditional elegance with country house charm and modern facilities. 2 large elegant reception rooms, roaring fires and quiet reading rooms add to the atmosphere. There is also a home entertainment room and games room in the basement of the house for guests to enjoy.

The House comfortably sleeps 12 in 6 spacious bedrooms, with a selection of King or twin rooms, with 2 additional ‘pull out’ beds if needed to accommodate 14 guests. All bedrooms have private bathrooms with modern facilities. The kitchen is fully equipped with an Aga and halogen hob, modern appliances and beautiful breakfast table looking out onto the courtyard and Ireland’s highest mountain Carrauntoohil.

The ruins of 15th century Castle Corr standing on the 15th green was designed as a square tower house. Castle Corr (Castle of the round hill) was built circa 1480 by the MacGillycuddy’s, a branch of the O’Sullivan Mór Clan. Fearing that it would have been taken by the English forces Donagh MacGillycuddy burnt the castle in 1641 but restored it in 1660. Donagh went on to become High Sheriff of Kerry in 1687.

The castle was abandoned by Donagh’s son Denis in 1696 when he married into the Blennerhassett family in nearby Killorglin Castle. The stone of Castle Corr was taken to build the Georgian manor Churchtown House.

3. Coolclogher House, Killarney, County Kerry luxury vacation rental manor (up to 14 people)

https://coolclogherhouse.com/

Coolclogher, County Kerry, photograph courtesy of Coolclogher House.

The website tells us: “Coolclogher House built in 1746 is a historic manor house set on a 68 acre walled estate near Killarney on the Ring of Kerry. The house has been restored to an exceptional standard by Mary and Maurice Harnett and has spacious reception rooms, a large conservatory containing a 170 year-old specimen camellia and seven large luxurious bedrooms, each with their own bathroom and with magnificent views over the gardens and pasture to the dramatic mountains of the Killarney National Park.

The National Inventory tells us that it was renovated in 1855 according to a design by William Atkins.

Coolclogher, County Kerry, photograph courtesy of Coolclogher House.

This is an excellent base for exploring this ruggedly beautiful county and Coolclogher House specialises in vacation rental for groups of up to 16 people. It is right on the Ring of Kerry and Ross Castle and Killarney town are within walking distance while the Gap of Dunloe and Muckross House are in easy reach. It is the ideal special holiday destination for extended family groups, golfing groups or celebrating that special occasion.

Yellow sitting room, Coolclogher, County Kerry, photograph courtesy of Coolclogher House.
Green sitting room, Coolclogher, County Kerry, photograph courtesy of Coolclogher House.

The famous Lakes of Killarney, the Killarney National Park, Muckross House and Abbey and Ross Castle are all within easy reach. Killarney is an ideal starting point on the famous Ring of Kerry, going by way of Kenmare, Parknasilla and Waterville, and returning via Cahirciveen, Glenbeigh and Killorglin, but there are also wonderful drives through Beaufort and the Gap of Dunloe, along Caragh Lake to Glencar or, for the more ambitious, a day trip to the Dingle Peninsula or the wonderful Ring of Beara. There are world famous golf courses at Waterville, Tralee and Ballybunion while boat trips on the famous Lakes of Killarney, fishing and horse riding can all be arranged.

Situated 5 minutes from the historic town of Killarney, which boasts a number of excellent dining options and a wide variety of entertainment, this mansion house is the perfect base for a longer stay and a wonderful location for a family reunion or for celebrating a special occasion.

Torc bedroom, Coolclogher, County Kerry, photograph courtesy of Coolclogher House.
Green bedroom, Coolclogher, County Kerry, photograph courtesy of Coolclogher House.
Fuschia room, Coolclogher, County Kerry, photograph courtesy of Coolclogher House.
Garden room, Coolclogher, County Kerry, photograph courtesy of Coolclogher House.
Chinese Toile room, Coolclogher, County Kerry, photograph courtesy of Coolclogher House.

[1] https://www.irelandscontentpool.com/en

[2] Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

Text © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

Places to visit in County Kerry

On the map above:

blue: places to visit that are not section 482

purple: section 482 properties

red: accommodation

yellow: less expensive accommodation for two

orange: “whole house rental” i.e. those properties that are only for large group accommodations or weddings, e.g. 10 or more people.

green: gardens to visit

grey: ruins

donation

Help me to pay the entrance fee to one of the houses on this website. This site is created purely out of love for the subject and I receive no payment so any donation is appreciated!

€15.00

Kerry:

1. Derrynane House, Caherdaniel, County KerryOPW

2. Derreen Gardens, Lauragh, Tuosist, Kenmare, Co. Kerry – section 482, garden only

3. Kells Bay Garden, Kells, Caherciveen, County Kerry  garden only

4. Killarney House, County Kerry

5. Knockreer House and Gardens, County Kerry

6. Listowel Castle, County KerryOPW

7. Muckross House,  Killarney, County Kerryopen to visitors 

8. Ross’s Castle, Killarney, County Kerry

9. Staigue Fort, County Kerry

Places to visit in County Kerry:

1. Derrynane House, Caherdaniel, KerryOPW

Derrynane House, County Kerry, photograph by George Munday, 2014, for Tourism Ireland, Ireland’s Content Pool. [1]

See my OPW write-up: https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/11/07/office-of-public-works-properties-in-munster-counties-kerry-and-waterford/

Daniel O’Connell, who lived at Derrynane. Portrait in Mansion House, Dublin, Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

2. Derreen Gardens, Lauragh, Tuosist, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, V93 D792section 482, garden only

https://www.derreengarden.com/

Open dates in 2026: all year, 10am-6pm

Fee: adult €12, child €6, family ticket €45 (2 adults & all accompanying children under18) season tickets from €40
Concession discounts available for large groups

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/09/07/derreen-gardens-lauragh-tuosist-kenmare-co-kerry/

The website tells us: “A beautiful 19th century woodland garden with paths winding through rare tropical plants and opening onto sea views.

Derreen, County Kerry. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

Set on a peninsula at the head of Kilmackillogue Harbour and surrounded by the Caha Mountains, the garden at Derreen covers 60 acres.

A network of winding paths passes through a mature woodland garden laid out 150 years ago with subtropical plants from around the world and incomparable views of the sea and mountains.

3. Kells Bay Garden, Kells, Caherciveen, Co Kerry, V23 EP48 – garden only

www.kellsbay.ie 

Kells Bay House and Gardens, Co Kerry. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan, 2015 for Tourism Ireland, Ireland’s Content Pool (see [1])

In 2026 this property is no longer on the Revenue Section 482 listing. See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/09/13/kells-bay-house-garden-kells-caherciveen-county-kerry/

The website tells us: “Kells Bay Gardens is one of Europe’s premier horticultural experiences, containing a renowned collection of Tree-ferns and other exotic plants growing in its unique microclimate created by the Gulf Stream. It is the home of ‘The SkyWalk’ Ireland’s longest rope-bridge.

The rope bridge crosses the river. Kells Bay, March 2023. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

4. Killarney House, County Kerry – part of park

https://killarney.ie/listing/killarney-house-gardens/

Originally called Kenmare House. The stable block of Kenmare House was converted in 1830 into this house. The original Kenmare House was built in 1726 and was demolished in 1872 by Valentine Augustus Browne, 4th Earl of Kenmare. The succeeding house, called Killarney House, and was accidentally destroyed by fire in 1913 and never rebuilt; instead, in 1915 the stable block of the original Kenmare House was converted into the present Killarney House, although the Brownes called it Kenmare House.

Kenmare House Kerry Photograph taken between 1880 and 1914 Lawrence Collection, National Library of Ireland NLI Ref L_CAB_01020
Killarney House and Gardens, photograph ©Fáilte Ireland by Finola White, 2020, Ireland’s Content Pool.

John McShain, renowned architect and building contractor, acquired Killarney House, the former home of the Earls of Kenmare, in 1956. After the death of McShain’s wife, Mary, in 1998, the stately house, and its lavish gardens were sold to the State with the proviso that the property would be incorporated into the neighbouring Killarney National Park. The McShains were allowed to live in the house for the remainder of their lives, and they remodelled extensively. When Mrs. McShain died in 1998 the house reverted to the state. It sat empty and became derelict, but in 2011 restoration was begun. The gardens are open to the public and at some stage, the house also will be opened up.

5. Knockreer House and Gardens, County Kerry – part of park, Education centre

https://www.discoverireland.ie/kerry/knockreer-house-and-gardens

Killarney National Park Education Centre is based in Knockreer House, the last of the Kenmare mansions. The centre is situated on a hill close to the town of Killarney and has spectacular views over the National Park.

We provide a range of specialist courses linked directly to the curriculum, using the diverse habitats of Killarney National Park as an outdoor classroom. We work with groups from all backgrounds, ages and abilities, including primary schools, post-primary schools, third level institutions, tour groups and youth groups. We also provide facilities and programmes for the general public and the corporate sector.

The website tells us:

Found in County Kerry’s Killarney National Park, Knockreer House and Gardens are within walking distance of Killarney Town. The area includes a circular walk with excellent views of the Lower Lake.

The Knockreer section of Killarney National Park is within walking distance of Killarney Town, County Kerry. This area was formerly part of the Kenmare Estate, which was laid out by Valentine Brown, the third Viscount of Kenmare. Deenagh Lodge Tearoom dates back to 1834 and was the gate lodge of the Kenmare Estate. The tearoom is a popular haunt with locals and visitors after a stroll in the park. It is located just inside Kings Bridge across from St Mary’s Cathedral.

Knockreer House, a short walk up the hill, is the Killarney National Park Education Centre and is built on the site of the original Killarney House, which was destroyed by fire in 1913. The circular walk is signposted and offers excellent views of the Lower Lake. On the circular walk there is a pathway off to the right that leads up to the viewing point on top of the hill, which provides a wonderful panorama of the surrounding countryside.

6. Listowel Castle, County Kerry – OPW

See my OPW write-up: https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/11/07/office-of-public-works-properties-in-munster-counties-kerry-and-waterford/

7. Muckross House (or Muckruss),  Killarney, County Kerry – open to the public

Muckross House Killarney Co. Kerry, photograph by Chris Hill 2014 for Tourism Ireland, Ireland’s Content Pool. (see [1])

www.muckross-house.ie 

This nineteenth century Victorian mansion is set against the stunning beauty of Killarney National Park. The house stands close to the shores of Muckross Lake, one of Killarney’s three lakes, famed world wide for their splendour and beauty. As a focal point within Killarney National Park, Muckross House is the ideal base from which to explore this landscape. 

Muckross House was built for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, the water-colourist Mary Balfour Herbert. This was actually the fourth house that successive generations of the Herbert family had occupied at Muckross over a period of almost two hundred years. William Burn, the well-known Scottish architect, was responsible for its design. Building commenced in 1839 and was completed in 1843. 

Originally it was intended that Muckross House should be a larger, more ornate, structure. The plans for a bigger servants’ wing, stable block, orangery and summer-house, are believed to have been altered at Mary’s request. Today the principal rooms are furnished in period style and portray the elegant lifestyle of the nineteenth century landowning class. In the basement, one can imagine the busy bustle of the servants as they went about their daily chores. 

Muckross House and Gardens, Killarney National Park, Co Kerry ©Trustees of Muckross House 2019.
Muckross House and Gardens, Killarney National Park, Co Kerry Muckross House and Gardens, Killarney National Park, Co Kerry ©Trustees of Muckross House 2017.

During the 1850s, the Herberts undertook extensive garden works in preparation for Queen Victoria’s visit in 1861. Later, the Bourn Vincent family continued this gardening tradition. They purchased the estate from Lord and Lady Ardilaun early in the twentieth century. It was at this time that the Sunken Garden, Rock Garden and the Stream Garden were developed.

Muckross House, County Kerry, October 2012. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com
The children of Charles John Herbert (d. 1823) of Muckross, County Kerry, and his wife Louisa Middleton, by Richard Rothwell, courtesy of National Trust Powis Castle.
Muckross House 1970, photograph from Dublin City Library and Archive. [2]
Muckross House Killarney Co. Kerry, photograph by Chris Hill 2014 for Tourism Ireland, Ireland’s Content Pool. (see [1])
Muckross House Killarney Co. Kerry, photograph by Chris Hill 2014 for Tourism Ireland, Ireland’s Content Pool. (see [1])
Muckross House Killarney Co. Kerry, photograph by Chris Hill 2014 for Tourism Ireland, Ireland’s Content Pool. (see [1])
Muckross House Killarney Co. Kerry, photograph by Chris Hill 2014 for Tourism Ireland, Ireland’s Content Pool. (see [1])

8. Ross’s Castle, Killarney, County Kerry – OPW

See my OPW write-up: https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/11/07/office-of-public-works-properties-in-munster-counties-kerry-and-waterford/

Ross Castle, Killarney, County Kerry, August 2007.

9. Staigue Fort, County Kerry – ruin

Staigue Fort, County Kerry, October 2012. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

The following website gives us information about this ancient impressive fort: https://voicesfromthedawn.com/staigue-fort/

It tells us:

Constructed entirely without mortar, Staigue cashel encloses an area of 27.4 m (90 ft) in diameter, with walls as tall as 5.5 m (18 ft) and a sturdy 4 m (13 ft) in thickness. It has one double-linteled entrance, a passageway 1.8 m (6 ft) long. In the virtual-reality environment (above) click the hotspots to proceed to the fort’s interior. It is similar in construction to the Grianan of Aileach in Co. Donegal, and was possibly constructed in the same period of the Early Medieval period (approximately fifth to eleventh century CE). The fort is surrounded by a large bank and ditch, most evident on its northern side. This may have been a part of Staigue’s defenses, or it may be a prehistoric feature that pre-dates the construction of the stone fort.

Staigue Fort, October 2012 Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

The website continues: “In 1897 T.J. Westropp reported that the local peasantry called the building Staig an air, which he translated as “Windy House, or “Temple of the Father,” or “The Staired Place of Slaughter.” These different translations may inspire distinctly different conjectures about the builders of Staigue. It has been described as both a temple or an observatory, and has been attributed to many different cultures in the past, such as Druids, Phoenicians, Cyclopeans, and Danes. But it was, of course, built by the “Kerrymen of old.”

Staigue Fort, October 2012. Photograph © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

The sign at the site explains that Staigue “was the home of the chieftain’s family, guards and servants, and would have been full of houses, out-buildings, and possibly tents or other temporary structures.” The illustration from this sign is in the gallery below. Cashels, of which Staigue is an impressive and probably high-status example, were enclosed and defendable farmsteads of the Irish Early Medieval period. They housed an extended family and, in high-status examples, their retinue. However archaeologist Peter Harbison was unable to explain why the ancient architects would have created so many (10) sets of X-shaped stairs climbing up the inner face of the wall to its ramparts.

[1] https://www.irelandscontentpool.com/en

[2] https://repository.dri.ie/catalog?f%5Broot_collection_id_ssi%5D%5B%5D=pk02rr951&mode=objects&search_field=all_fields&view=grid

Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.

Text © Jennifer Winder-Baggot, www.irishhistorichouses.com

Villa Nuova, County Kerry

Villa Nuova, County Kerry

https://theirishaesthete.com/2025/08/11/villa-nuova/

A Brave Initiative

by theirishaesthete



The story of Dr James Barry – a military surgeon in the British army during the first half of the 19th century who, on his death in 1865, was discovered to have been a woman called Margaret Anne Bulkley – is well-known. However, today’s post concerns another doctor of the same name and period, but who lived in County Kerry. Born in 1800, James Barry settled in Cahersiveen, where he had a successful practice and, despite being a Justice of the Peace, was a supporter of the Fenians: during an unsuccessful uprising in this part of the country in February 1867, it was reported that he had given shelter to a number of Fenians, one of their leaders, John Joseph O’Connor, taking the doctor’s horse when they departed. And an official report into local disturbances during the 1872 elections noted ‘the obstructive attitude of a local J.P., Dr. Barry, when the police were trying to restore the peace’ with the doctor described as ‘a disgrace to the Bench.’ Barry was clearly a man of both influence and affluence: by 1828 he was able to make an offer to Daniel O’Connell to buy the materials of Carhan House (where Daniel O’Connell had been born), although this may have meant just the doors, chimneypieces and so forth: the earliest Ordnance Survey map of 1841 already describes Carhan as being ‘in ruins.’ The same map also shows the first bridge across the river Fertha linking Cahersiveen with the Iveragh Peninsula; hitherto the only way to get across was by ferry. A pedestrian timber structure (it would be replaced in the 1930s with the present concrete bridge), this features on the Ordnance Survey map as ‘Barry’s Bridge (in progress). It was officially opened in 1847. The doctor’s motives for involvement in this project may not have been altogether altruistic because the following decade he built himself a fine new residence on the other side of the river and overlooking Cahersiveen. Access to this property was made easier by the existence of a bridge bearing his name.





In January 1857, Dr Barry married, seemingly for the first time. His bride was Honoria Ponsonby, whose family had, until the previous decade, lived at Crotta House, an important 17th century residence which survived in part until the 1970s. Honoria was a widow, having previously been married to Richard Francis Blennerhassett of Kells, County Kerry. His wedding may have spurred the doctor into building a new house for himself and his wife, because the following year he embarked on just such a project, leasing a site from the Marquess of Lansdowne on the north side of the river, with the land running down to the water’s edge and the marquess contributing £100 towards its construction. The building was given the name Villa Nuova, although, again looking at the earliest Ordnance Survey map, there is no evidence of an older structure here, certainly not one of any substance. As first built, Villa Nuova was of two storeys over raised basement; the rear of the latter looks to be of earlier date, so there may have been some kind of structure here before. The exterior’s most notable feature are the facade’s two steeply pitched gables with a small recessed bay between them. The present entrance porch, accessed at the top of a flight of Valencia slate steps, replaces an earlier one burnt in the 1920s. On either side of the house are two-storey canted bays which may be original or perhaps added later, although they can be seen in an early photograph of Villa Nuova. 





Text here…The history of Villa Nuova in the last century is a little unclear. Dr Barry and his wife had no children of their own, and the house thereafter seems to have passed through a variety of hands. In the 1901 Census, it is listed as being occupied by Resident Magistrate Major Ernest Thomas Lloyd, retired from the Bengal Civil Service, together with his four young children and three household servants. Ten years later, the occupant of the building was local solicitor James Shuel. However, by the early 1920s Villa Nuova was owned by one Bartholomew Sheehan, a local merchant who also had commercial premises in Cahersiveen: both these and the house suffered from being attacked and burnt by anti-Treaty forces in 1922. In consequence, Villa Nuova was left gutted and had to be reconstructed, so that much of the interior seen today dates from the mid-1920s. This includes a series of tiled chimneypieces produced by a Devon-based company called Candy and Co, as well as handsome oak doors and architraves, and a fine staircase. Villa Nuova then became home to the Duffy family, a relative of whose was the last to live in the house some 20 years ago. In September 2007, the building, together with some 54 acres, was sold to a local company for €2.35m, but was then left empty and unoccupied. Most recently, together with the immediate land, it has been bought by new owners who have embarked on an ambitious programme of retrieval and restoration, with the intention of bringing the place back to a habitable condition in which they will live. It’s a brave initiative, and – as always with such projects – deserves applause and all possible support. 


For readers interested in following the restoration of Villa Nuova, the owners are chronicling progress on YouTube ((1) Villa Nuova – YouTube) and Instagram (@villa_nuova_)

Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92TYE6

Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.

€750,000, 4 Bed, 2 Bath, 400 m² for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.

We are delighted to bring Belmont House to the market, a truly unique period residence and well-preserved estate with a combination of original and later elements that are rich in historical and architectural value. Constructed in the 1820s this character-filled period property is a rare opportunity for those seeking a project to restore a home with timeless charm and substantial character. Situated in one of the most desirable locations in Tralee town, this property boasts original features such as high ceilings, period fireplaces & sash windows, offering a glimpse into its historic beauty. The house and associated structures reflect both Georgian and early Victorian design principles Although in need of renovation the sash windows and roof were replaced in 2017, the façade was also rendered then leaving the internal renovations and layout to the new purchasers Extending to 4500 sq.ft (approx.) and situated on a 1.74 acre site approx.

Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.

Belmont house presents endless possibilities to create a modern living space while retaining its original appeal. With a spacious layout over three floors basement, ground floor & first floor, large rooms, and an expansive garden, there’s ample room for expansion and reconfiguration to suit your vision. Also situated at the entrance to the property is a charming derelict stone built coach house in need of complete renovation but an interesting prospect for development. Whether you’re a seasoned renovator or a passionate homebuyer with a vision, this property provides a blank canvas for your dream home. Bring your creativity and expertise to breathe new life into this captivating gem. /// Basement 1 4.9 x 3.0 2 4.9 x 6.0 3 5.1 x 3.0 4 4.9 x 4.6 5 4.9 x 4.6 Hallway 11.6 x 2.4 Ground Floor Hall 6.6 x 2.4 Room 6 4.9 x 4.5 Room 7 6.4 x 4.9 Room 8 4.8 x 4.5 Room 9 4.8 x 6.3 1st floor Landing 8.8 x 2.4 Bed 1 4.8 x 6.35 Ensuite 1.3 x 3.2 Bed 2 4.8 x 4.4 Ensuite 2.5 x 2.2 Bed 3 4.6 x 4.8 Ensuite 1.5 x 2.7 Bed 4 4.6 x 4.8 Ensuite 1.4 x 2.7 We are delighted to bring Belmont House to the market, a truly unique period residence and well-preserved estate with a combination of original and later elements that are rich in historical and architectural value. Constructed in the 1820s this character-filled period property is a rare opportunity for those seeking a project to restore a home with timeless charm and substantial character. Situated in one of the most desirable locations in Tralee town, this property boasts original features such as high ceilings, period fireplaces & sash windows, offering a glimpse into its historic beauty. The house and associated structures reflect both Georgian and early Victorian design principles Although in need of renovation the sash windows and roof were replaced in 2017, the façade was also rendered then leaving the internal renovations and layout to the new purchasers Extending to 4500 sq.ft (approx.) and situated on a 1.74 acre site approx. Belmont house presents endless possibilities to create a modern living space while retaining its original appeal. With a spacious layout over three floors basement, ground floor & first floor, large rooms, and an expansive garden, there’s ample room for expansion and reconfiguration to suit your vision. Also situated at the entrance to the property is a charming derelict stone built coach house in need of complete renovation but an interesting prospect for development. Whether you’re a seasoned renovator or a passionate homebuyer with a vision, this property provides a blank canvas for your dream home. Bring your creativity and expertise to breathe new life into this captivating gem.

Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.
Belmont House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry for sale March 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald Stephenson Crean.

And https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/21302912/belmont-house-cloghers-tralee-co-kerry

Detached three-bay two-storey over basement house, dated 1826, with two-bay side elevations. Single-bay single-storey flat-roofed projecting porch added to centre. Pitched and hipped artificial slate roof with overhanging boxed eaves. Slate hanging to walls with rendered walls to basement and having rendered walls to porch. Limestone sills to replacement uPVC windows. Rebuilt projecting flat-roofed porch incorporating cast-iron columns, limestone hood moulding and datestone. Arched doorway with painted doorcase, timber panelled door and spoked fanlight. Detached two-bay single-storey double-pile stone-built gate lodge, built c. 1830, to west retaining original fenestration, now derelict. Gateway, built c. 1830, to west comprising four sandstone ashlar piers with square-headed pedestrian gateway. Two houses built between gate and house, built in late twentieth century. Stable yard to south-west of house with arched carriage arch. Cast-iron railings around area of house.

Scart, Castlegrove, Co Kerry 

Scart, Castlegrove, Co Kerry 

Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London. 

p. 255. “A house of late-Georgian appearance with gables, but without any gothic or Tudor-Revival touches. Of one storey over a high basement and with an attic. Entrance front with recessed centre between one bay gabled projections; fanlighted entrance door under the eaves of the roof. In the C19, home of the Jermyn family.”

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/21310701/scart-house-scart-ma-by-co-kerry

Detached H-plan three-bay single-storey over raised basement house with dormer attic, built c. 1825. Comprising single-bay single-storey recessed entrance bay to centre with elliptical-headed door opening approached by flight of steps, single-bay single-storey gabled projecting end bays and pair of single-bay single-storey returns to rear to north-east. Undergoing extensive renovation in 1998. Pitched and hipped slate roofs with rendered chimneystacks. Roughcast rendered rubble stone walls having battered base to some walls. Limestone sills and timber lintels, several replaced in concrete, to timber six-over-six pane sliding sash windows. Semi-elliptical red brick arched doorway with timber doorcase, panelled door, spoked fanlight and sliding sash sidelights. Retaining interior features. Detached three-bay two-storey rubble stone-built outbuilding, built c. 1825, with square-headed integral carriage arch to right ground floor and door opening to first floor of south gable end approached by flight of steps. Set within own grounds.


http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-list.jsp?letter=S

James F. Bland was leasing a house valued at £10 15s to William Jermyn at the time of Griffith’s Valuation. Bary states that Scart house was occupied for several generations of the Jermyn family before being sold in the 1890s. It is still extant and occupied.  

https://search.savills.com/ie/en/property-detail/gbcounduy180094

  • History
    Originally built in 1823 by William Jermyn, Scart House has been merited with national recognition and awards in the late 1990’s for its history of conservation works protecting its architectural and period features.

    It is also famous as being the birthplace of James Franklin Fuller, one of Ireland’s foremost Victorian architects and responsible for some of the country’s finest works of art including Kylemore Abbey, Ashford Castle, Parknasilla, Farmleigh and the Gardener’s Lodge in St Stephens Green.

    Description
    Scart House is a truly wonderful Georgian country and coastal house which is one of the finest restorations for a property of its era in South Kerry. Situated in a sheltered glade just 400m from the shoreline, its unrivalled location directly on the Ring of Kerry enhances its appeal alongside its beautiful example of Georgian architectural design. Built on a H-plan, it is a three-bay, single-storey over raised basement house and the roof is capped with Valentia slate. Extensive restoration works of the property have been undertaken during a thirty-year period, including works to the original roof in 2007.

    Fronted by stone piers, the imposing residence is approached by an impressive avenue with mature trees on each side. A flight of steps leads up to the front door with fan light above, which is at first floor level of the South gable and opens into a wide entrance hall with two of the six reception rooms on either side. On the right is a dining room for entertaining and a drawing room on the left. A central hallway connects to the master bedroom of the house and two further double bedrooms on the first floor with a bathroom.

    The main living accommodation is on the ground floor level with kitchen, pantry, utility room, WC, study, main bathroom and two further bedrooms. The interior over the two floors is characteristic of its Georgian era with ornate cornicing, sash windows and architraves and all renovated to a beautiful contemporary design.

    Gardens and Grounds
    Set within private grounds of about 1.42 acres (0.60 hectares) in total, the grounds are well presented and divided amongst gardens, lawns and paddocks. A range of outbuildings on the grounds include outdoor wood cabin, log shed and a traditional stone cut outhouse. There is also a herb garden, orchard, glasshouse and a pagola covers a stone patio on the western side of the house, ideal for watching the sun set.

    BER Details – BER Exempt

Local information

  • Castlecove is an idyllic coastal village situated in the Iveragh Peninsula on the famous Ring of Kerry, arguably Irelands most beautiful coastline road. It is an area renowned for its picturesque surroundings of mountains and views across the Kenmare Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The nearby Castlecove village offers a grocery shop, coffee shop, pub, church and Staigue Fort House & B and B. O’Carroll’s Cove Beach Bar and Seafood Restaurant is located close by and is a renowned award-winning restaurant, while further amenities can be found a short drive away in the picturesque towns of Sneem (14km) and Kenmare (40km).
  • This location on the Ring of Kerry enjoys breath-taking 360-degree views of the Caha mountains on the Beara Peninsula to the East and McGillicuddy Reeks and Staigue Fort to the North. Nearby Castlecove beach is a wonderful sandy beach and as for sailing and fishing enthusiasts, Westcove Harbour (2.5km) offers secure and sheltered anchorage.
  • South Kerry offers a plethora of activities along its scenic coastline, including the magnificent Skellig Michael, whale and dolphin watching, Kerry Geopark in Sneem, Derrynane Historic House and Gardens and Killarney National Park. The Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve, being one of only two gold tier sky reserves in the Northern Hemisphere, is a rare area of exceptional quality, starry nights and nocturnal environment, a protected place of natural darkness at night.

Additional information

  • Directions: Eircode V93 W6W3

https://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/scart-house-scart-castlecove-co-kerry-v93-w6w3/4327320

A magnificent Georgian house set on the scenic Ring of Kerry with sea views History Originally built in 1823 by William Jermyn, Scart House has been merited with national recognition and awards in the late 1990’s for its history of conservation works protecting its architectural and period features. It is also famous as being the birthplace of James Franklin Fuller, one of Ireland’s foremost Victorian architects and responsible for some of the country’s finest works of art including Kylemore Abbey, Ashford Castle, Parknasilla, Farmleigh and the Gardener’s Lodge in St Stephens Green. Description Scart House is a truly wonderful Georgian country and coastal house which is one of the finest restorations for a property of its era in South Kerry. Situated in a sheltered glade just 400m from the shoreline, its unrivalled location directly on the Ring of Kerry enhances its appeal alongside its beautiful example of Georgian architectural design. Built on a H-plan, it is a three-bay, single-storey over raised basement house and the roof is capped with Valentia slate. Extensive restoration works of the property have been undertaken during a thirty-year period, including works to the original roof in 2007. Fronted by stone piers, the imposing residence is approached by an impressive avenue with mature trees on each side.

A flight of steps leads up to the front door with fan light above, which is at first floor level of the South gable and opens into a wide entrance hall with two of the six reception rooms on either side. On the right is a dining room for entertaining and a drawing room on the left. A central hallway connects to the master bedroom of the house and two further double bedrooms on the first floor with a bathroom. The main living accommodation is on the ground floor level with kitchen, pantry, utility room, WC, study, main bathroom and two further bedrooms. The interior over the two floors is characteristic of its Georgian era with ornate cornicing, sash windows and architraves and all renovated to a beautiful contemporary design.

Gardens and Grounds Set within private grounds of about 1.42 acres (0.60 hectares) in total, the grounds are well presented and divided amongst gardens, lawns and paddocks. A range of outbuildings on the grounds include outdoor wood cabin, log shed and a traditional stone cut outhouse. There is also a herb garden, orchard, glasshouse and a pagola covers a stone patio on the western side of the house, ideal for watching the sun set.

Castlecove is an idyllic coastal village situated in the Iveragh Peninsula on the famous Ring of Kerry, arguably Irelands most beautiful coastline road. It is an area renowned for its picturesque surroundings of mountains and views across the Kenmare Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The nearby Castlecove village offers a grocery shop, coffee shop, pub, church and Staigue Fort House & B and B. O’Carroll’s Cove Beach Bar and Seafood Restaurant is located close by and is a renowned award-winning restaurant, while further amenities can be found a short drive away in the picturesque towns of Sneem (14km) and Kenmare (40km). This location on the Ring of Kerry enjoys breath-taking 360-degree views of the Caha mountains on the Beara Peninsula to the East and McGillicuddy Reeks and Staigue Fort to the North. Nearby Castlecove beach is a wonderful sandy beach and as for sailing and fishing enthusiasts, Westcove Harbour (2.5km) offers secure and sheltered anchorage. South Kerry offers a plethora of activities along its scenic coastline, including the magnificent Skellig Michael, whale and dolphin watching, Kerry Geopark in Sneem, Derrynane Historic House and Gardens and Killarney National Park. The Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve, being one of only two gold tier sky reserves in the Northern Hemisphere, is a rare area of exceptional quality, starry nights and nocturnal environment, a protected place of natural darkness at night.

Features

  • Imposing Georgian house on the Ring of Kerry
  • 5 bedrooms with master ensuite
  • Approx. 3, 057 sq ft
  • About 1.42 acres (0.60 hectares) 
  • Magnificent setting with sea views

BER Details

BER: Exempt BER No: Performance Indicator:

Directions

Eircode V93 W6W3

West Cove House, Castlecove, Co Kerry

West Cove House, Castlecove, Co Kerry

Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.  

1978; Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.]

p. 283. “(Barton/IFR) A two storey five bay late-Georgian house with a fanlighted doorway, its front prolonged by a slightly lower two storey one bay gable-ended wing. Owned in C19 by a branch of the O’Sullivan family, now the home of Lt-Col and Mrs H.D.M. Barton.”

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/21310605/west-cove-coad-co-kerry

Detached L-plan five-bay two-storey late-Georgian house, built c. 1835, possibly incorporating fabric of earlier house. Round-headed door opening to centre having single-bay two-storey lower recessed end bay to right. Two-bay two-storey lean-to lower return to rear to north-west having single-bay single-storey lean-to projecting bay. Pitched and hipped concrete tile roofs with cat-slides at rear, and having rendered haunched chimneystacks. Painted rendered walls. Timber six-over-six pane sliding sash windows to main building and two-over-two and four-over-four pane sliding sash windows to annexe, all having limestone sills. Recessed timber panelled door with spoked fanlight. Liscannor flags to steps and terrace. Detached seven-bay single-storey rubble stone-built outbuilding with half-dormer attic, built c. 1835, to north-west on an L-shaped plan comprising four-bay single-storey range with three-bay single-storey projecting bay to south having elliptical-headed integral carriage arch and door opening to first floor approached by flight of steps. Renovated to accommodate residential use. Detached six-bay two-storey rubble stone-built outbuilding, built c. 1835, to south possibly originally boathouse. Gateway, built c. 1835, to east comprising pair of rubble stone piers with wrought-iron gates.

http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-list.jsp?letter=W

Edward J. Hartopp was leasing this property at Coad, valued at £14 15s, to Eugene O’Sullivan at the time of Griffith’s Valuation. Lewis mentions Castle Cove as the residence of Mr. O’Sullivan in 1837 but he may have meant this house. In 1814, Leet noted Cooe as the seat of John Sesggerson and Bary states that, prior to the O’Sullivan occupation, West Cove was the seat of the Seggerson family. It is still extant and sometimes let as holiday accommodation.  

Tanavalla, Listowel, Co Kerry (or Garrantanvally House) – burnt 1920 

Tanavalla, Listowel, Co Kerry (or Garrantanvally House) – burnt 1920 

Tanavalla, Listowel, Co Kerry, photograph by Robert French, (between ca. 1865-1914), Lawrence Photograph Collection, National Library of Ireland.

Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London. 

p. 270. “A late Georgian house of two storeys over a basement. Three bay front, with fanlighted doorway; four bay side. Wide-eaved roof.”

https://archiseek.com/2017/1820s-tanavalla-house-listowel-co-kerry/

1820s – Tanavalla House , Listowel, Co. Kerry

The original house was destroyed by fire in the 1820s and rebuilt in Regency style. The Elliotts owned the property until the 1870s after which it was the occupied by the Cooke family. It was burned in 1920.

http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-list.jsp?letter=T

Alexander Elliott was leasing this property from William Monsell at the time of Griffith’s Valuation, when it was valued at £22 10s. While it is labelled Garrantanavally House on the 1st editon Ordnance Survey map, it seems to have been generally known as Tanavalla House. Lewis states Tannavalla was the seat of A. Elliott in 1837. Bary states that the original house was destroyed by fire in the 1820s and rebuilt in Regency style. The Elliotts owned the property until at least the 1870s after which it was the occupied by the Cooke family. It was burned in 1920.  

Waterville House, Waterville, Co Kerry 

Waterville House, Waterville, Co Kerry 

Waterville House, Co Kerry, photograph by Robert French, (between ca. 1865-1914), Lawrence Photograph Collection, National Library of Ireland.

Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London. 

p. 282. “(Butler, sub Dunboyne, B/PB) A plain two storey five bay late C18 or early C19 house with irregular wing at the back incorporating part of an earlier house.”

Waterville House, Co Kerry, photograph by Robert French, (between ca. 1865-1914), Lawrence Photograph Collection, National Library of Ireland.

Not in national inventory

http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-list.jsp?letter=W

Caleb Chute was leasing a property valued at £18 to James Butler at the time of Griffith’s Valuation. Both Lewis, in 1837, and Leet in 1814, noted Waterville as the residence of James Butler .The Ordnance Survey Name Books described it as ” two stories high and in good repair” in 1840. Bary indicates that the house was built by the Butler family in the late eighteenth century and they resided there until 1965. It is now a luxury guesthouse with a golf links nearby.  

In O’Hea O’Keeffe, Jane. Voices from the Great Houses: Cork and Kerry. Mercier Press, Cork, 2013.

p. 271. In 1686 Rev Pierce Butler, grandson of Lord Dunboyne, became rector of the seven parishes in the barony of Iveragh in Co Kerry. He died in 1714 and his son Theobald Butler, who had been living in Priestown in County Meath, leased the valuable salmon fishery at Currane in south Kerry from Arthur Herbert of Brewsterfield, Killarney. Theobald Butler married Mary Whitwell, daughter of Sir Nathaniel Whitwell, a wine importer and lord mayor of Dublin. They came to live at Currane and Theobald Butler was appointed Justice of the Peace in Kerry.

In 1775 their son, Whitwell Butler (1743-1807) , an officer in the Royal Navy, built Waterville House on the site of an earlier building at the mouth of the Currane River. He also erected Belville House on the shore of the Valentia channel at Portmagee. He married Belinda Yielding, daughter of Richard Yielding of Rathkeale and Tralee. On his death in 1807 he was succeeded by his son James Butler (1780-1863), an energetic and hard-working man, who [p.272] enlarged and improved the Waterville estate. He was the owner of the Skelligs, two pyramids of rock which rise dramatically out of the Atlantic to the west of the Iveragh Peninsula, and he took great care to preserve the early Christian monastery on the Great Skellig. In 1820 the government purchased the rock from James Butler for £800. He was appointed deputy lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for Kerry, and in 1817 he married Agnes Day, daugther of Rev John Day of Kiltallagh. Their eldest son James (1820-87), a fluent Irish speaker, married Anne Margaret Green Davis of Killeagh in east Cork in 1849. He owned over 1,400 acres in Kerry in the 1870s and at this time, his sister Arabella Butler who lived at Waterville was the proprietor of over 700 acres.

Waterville House was entailed, which meant that it could only be passed to certain heirs, and when it was taken over by the eldest son, James Whitwell Butler (b.1897), his parents resettled in west Cork. The house was sold in 1963, but the Butler family were not to cut their ties with Kerry. The second Butler son, Edward Theobald “Teddy” Butler, bought a house in Derrynane where he farmed and fished, and where he and his wife were very content. The also retained their home in Tipperary, where their daughter Jennifer Butler and her sisters grew up. [Anner House, Cloneen, Co Tipp]

Sheen Falls, Kenmare, Co Kerry – 5* accommodation 

Sheen Falls, Kenmare, Co Kerry 

Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London. 

p. 259. “(Warrender, Bruntisfield, B/PB) A gabled house, largely rebuilt ca 1950, above the Falls of the River Sheen, which gave the property its name. Owned by Lord Bruntisfield, who sold it ca 1962.”

not in National Inventory https://www.sheenfallslodge.ie

http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-list.jsp?letter=S

George Woodhouse was leasing a property valued at £6 from the Lansdowne estate at the time of Griffith’s Valuation. On the 1st edition OS map the house in this townland is named Sheen Cottage. On the 25-inch map of the 1890s it is labelled The Falls. It is now the Sheen Falls Lodge hotel. See http://www.sheenfallslodge.ie.  

Sandford House, Co Kerry – demolished

Sandford House, Co Kerry

Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.  

p. 254. “A gable-ended C18 houseof two storeys over a basement. Five bay front with pedimented breakfront; Venetian window above tripartite doorway. In 1814, the residence of Nicholas Neilan. Now  demolished.” 

Listed in Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland by The Knight of Glin, David J. Griffin and Nicholas K. Robinson, published by The Irish Architectural Archive and The Irish Georgian Society, 1988.

p. 82. A two storey 18C gable ended house. In 1814 the seat of Nicholas Neilan. Demolished.