Kerry Manor House

The property is an attractive mid Georgian house situated just off the Ring of Kerry, five miles west of Killarney. Set in forty acres of woodland overlooking the River Laune, it is ideally placed for exploring the many attractions of Kerry.

The original building on the site was a short castle, so called because it was only two stories high, built by Captain O'Sullivan in 1641and attacked by Cromwell's forces in 1654. In about 1760 the present house was built, the remaining three walls of the castle forming the hallway. The interior was altered in 1830 and the chimneypieces and plasterwork date from this time.

The Manor House is approved by the Irish Tourist Board. We are listed in the current editions of the Fodor's and Karen Brown's Guide. Between the main house and the four cottages we can accommodate any number from one to thirty people. This is ideal for families or groups of friends who wish to travel together but retain their independence.

Weekly prices: €5500
Short breaks: Please use 'contact owner' to enquire.

The Manor House: Totally refurbished in recent years it is now available for holiday rentals. It offers four large double bedrooms, each with king-size bed (convertible to twin beds) and en-suite bathroom. The reception rooms include a drawing room, library and formal dining room. Whilst offering peace and privacy, it should be noted that the house is a family home with two children and two dogs.

We provide all linen including Egyptian cotton bed linen and bath towels but beach towels are not provided.

In 1998 the 18th century stone courtyard was converted to provide additional accommodation in four superbly appointed cottages. These are four-star rated for self-catering by the Irish Tourist Board. Please see Kerry Manor House 16 and 30 for further information.

*Please note, locations shown on the maps are approximations only

Kerry airport is only 20 minutes from the house. It has direct flights from Stanstead, north of London, and Dublin. Cork from Ringaskiddy Ferry Terminal: take the road to Cork and then the N22 to Killarney. Journey time is about 90 minutes. Dublin journey time is about 5 hours.

We are fortunate in having a number of excellent restaurants nearby including two within five minutes walk. These are: The Beaufort Bar - our next door neighbour, was established in 1840 and reputedly serves the best pint of Guinness in Kerry. They opened a restaurant in 1999 which has proved extremely popular. It is less than 5 minutes walk from the house. Pat Sheahan's Bar is a popular pub in the village that serves very good bar food and is ideal for casual dining.

The estate has nearly two miles of single bank salmon and trout fishing on the River Laune which flows through the grounds. The Laune is a short river, running only fourteen miles from the Lakes of Killarney to the sea below Killorglin.

As the waters have only been lightly fished over the past few years, they have some of the best pools on the river and averages 60 fish a year. There is also excellent sea trout and brown trout fishing. Writing in "Trout & Salmon" magazine, David Barr described the fishing as " ...the nearest thing to paradise I have ever seen". Further afield salmon fishing is available on the Lakes of Killarney and there are a number of lochs stocked with brown trout. Deep Sea fishing trips can also be arranged.

County Kerry is heaven for golfers. Six of Golf World's Top 100 British and Irish Courses are in Kerry; and the house is ideally situated to enjoy them all. Just the other side of the village is Beaufort Golf Club, a recently developed 18 hole parkland course with the back nine dominated by the ruins of the 15th century Castle Core and wonderful views of McGillicuddy's Reeks. Five minutes away is Killarney Golf Club offering two superb 18-Hole courses. Situated beside the Lower Lake and with views up to the Purple Mountain and the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney is one of the most beautifully situated courses in the world. Slightly further afield is the admirable and comparatively undiscovered Dooks, an 18-Hole links course. Tralee is the first course in Europe to be designed by Arnold Palmer. Waterville, where Tiger Woods and Mark O'Meara practised for the 1999 British Open, and the two legendary links courses at Ballybunion are all within 90 minutes drive.

The traditional riding experience in Kerry is the trek through the Gap of Dunloe. This can be undertaken either as part of an all day trip coming back to Killarney by boat or alternatively as a one or two hour ride. The Killarney Riding Stables and the Muckross Stables both offer rides through the National Park. Burke's Horse Trekking in Glenbeigh offers spectacular seaside riding along Rossbeigh Strand. All the Stables cater for all types of riders, from children to adults, the beginner, to the experienced and provide suitable safety equipment. Pony trekking in Kerry can take you to places otherwise accessible only on foot and is highly recommended.

Two of Ireland's most famous beauty spots, the Gap of Dunloe and the Lakes of Killarney are only minutes away. Day trips can be arranged going through the Gap of Dunloe by pony and trap or on horseback to the Black Valley and coming through the Upper, Middle and Lower Lakes by boat.

The famous Ring of Kerry is a 104 mile drive around the coastline of the Iveragh peninsula, and includes Derrynane, birthplace of the Liberator, Daniel O'Connell, Valentia Island, terminus for the first Trans Atlantic telegraph and the beautiful market town of Kenmare. About 5 hours.

A wild and beautiful drive which skirts the foothills of McGillycuddy's Reeks and Lough Acoose and traverses the Ballaghbeama Pass, one of the most remote and spectacular landscapes in Ireland, before joining the Ring of Kerry road at Moll's Gap and returning to Killarney. About 2 1/2 hours.

The Dingle Peninsula is less than forty miles away and was the setting for the films Ryan's Daughter and Far And Away. The Slea Head drive around the western most tip of the Dingle Peninsula brings one to Dunquin, the most westerly village in Europe, and the splendid Kruger Kavanagh's bar where you can drink the most westerly pint of Guinness in Europe, before visiting the 7th century Gallarus Oratory, a drystone chapel still waterproof after a thousand years. About 4 - 5 hours

If the weather is fine a trip to Skelligs, a spectacular pair of Rocks rising vertiginously from the sea 10 miles off the coast is a must. Taking a boat from Valentia or Portmagee, the trip passes Little Skellig, a bare rock which contains the largest gannet colony in Europe, and lands on Skellig Michael, which has the amazingly well preserved ruins of a seventh century monastic settlement on one of its two peaks. The climb of six hundred steps is not recommended to the very young or very old. Day trip.

The Beara is a wild and beautiful drive starting in Kenmare and ending in Glengarrif. At the southwestern tip is Dursey Island, accessible only by Cable Car, and there are the attractive villages of Allihies and Castletown Bearhaven. It is a much less frequented than the Ring of Kerry and equally as attractive. About 4 - 5 hours .

For guests exhausted by driving a visit to Muckross House, just the other side of Killarney, is recommended. Apart from the walks mentioned on the Walking Page, there is the Victorian Mansion, built in 1840 by the Herbert family and given to the nation in 1932 by the Bourne and Vincent families. The house contains fine examples of Irish furniture, craft shops and a restaurant. The estate includes beautiful gardens, the ruins of Muckross Abbey and a fascinating re creation of three Kerry farms showing how life was lived in rural Ireland fifty years ago. Nearby is Ross Castle, the last castle in Ireland to resist Oliver Cromwell.

For guests who wish to have dinners catered in the house we highly recommend Eileen O'Brien - we can provide contact details on request. It is important to note that the Main House dining room only seats 14 at a single table or 16-18 at separate tables.
 

We have held a number of very successful weddings at the house, both large and small. Between the main house, sleeping 8 people, and the four courtyard cottages, sleeping a further 22 between them, we can accommodate a maximum of 30 people. There are a number of hotels, B & B's and self-catering cottages nearby if further accommodation is required.

Service: If the service is not being held in the marquee there are Catholic, Protestant and Methodist churches nearby, as well as Pugin's spectacular Roman Catholic Cathedral in Killarney. For blessings there are a number of spectacular locations including the ruins of Muckross Abbey and Inishfallen Island on the Lower Lake.

Reception: The main house is a beautiful venue for a wedding in Kerry. The formal dining room can seat 14 for dinner or accommodate a buffet meal for up to a maximum of 40. For numbers above this a marquee will be required for receptions on the estate.

Except for very small weddings we normally require that the house and cottages are rented for the whole week of the wedding, particularly if a marquee is being erected. If a marquee is being erected we charge a facility fee of 1000 euros. Bookings run Saturday-Saturday, although this may be varied by arrangement out of season.

- Capacity: The property comfortably sleeps 8 adults.
- Security deposit: This is paid on arrival and will be refunded in full after departure subject to damage inspection.
- Linen & towels: All linen and bath towels are included in the rental price.
- Energy costs: Are metered and charged at cost.
- End of stay cleaning: Included. Please leave the property in the state that you found it.
- Arrival time: 4pm onwards.
- Departure time: 10am.
- Pets: Please enquire.
- Smoking: No smoking in the property.
- It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property.