For us, the cottage provided a simple offering to live nearly a fortnight on a different rhythm. The environment in which the abode is nestled challenges you to do so, as it is far from any 24/ 7 store/ garages, busy roads and just has an abundance of flora & fauna surrounding it.
We got into a slower groove there and we were sad leaving feeling privileged to have had the chance to to have stayed there.
Instead of checking your phone, upon wakening, for which won’t have WiFi, you might open that door on and breathe in properly. Gravitate out to the loanin or the log and heh just pause with you. Check out how the mist on the mountain is there and then gone ( hopefully) the next time.If you are up early you might spot a hare. We happened to hit a sunshine period with only a few wet days but you might easily enjoy the rush of the water in the gullys.( mini waterfalls)It is a damp area way down in the Valley. Don’t forget your waterproofs.
Yet we were always warm and cozy in the house. The attic must have been super insulated and traps the sun as well as the rising hot air, even when we didn’t light the fire. The fire (and cooking) generates heat for the kitchen and the bedrooms ( with lovely linens) above so I imagine in colder weather, you’d still get toasty when it gets blazing.
Overall this old stone house has a lovely vibe. It has great sturdy furniture in the kitchen/ living room. The sort you won’t knock over and you won’t spoil by setting down your mug of tea. But this is no “museum” style old house. The table could probably tell some tales if it could speak but it is a family retreat home with books and gentle layers of personality as they’ve repaired, fixed or changed bits. It is easy to relax in, if you are tuned in right. There’s a radio and CD player for a few tunes and news without internet. Not everything is ‘perfect’ and do expect the creepy crawlies to want to join you but it has much more of a welcoming feel than many a newer build. Beautiful botanical prints and children’s art adorn the walls. Wee IKEA stools, colorful bunting intertwine with the sturdy structures to give accommodation to all big or small people. The comfy cushions and cozy blankets tucked neatly but to hand add to the comfort there. Take a punt on a read from the diverse library bookcase. DO pay attention to what we take for granted at home. Pick up more 5l water containers than you think you want need for your first two days or so on there. Even if you are later going through Killarney than you intended, and want to be on Molls Gap already stop for 2 mins at a supermarket or garage and pick up WATER. You will be glad of it!! Bite cream is essential if you are prone to feeding savage midges on an evening stroll. And even if you love to cook from scratch, do bring some beans, pesto & pasta in case you get stuck. The shops are a twisty turny drive away and some!!
You might just have more tea/ coffee than usual when there. Time slips away differently and it is time for tea again. But then why wouldn’t you in a nook chair or the sofa in the sitting room/ study in the early morning or when the gang are in bed. Sharing tea from the pot ( there is one) and some real time face to face time with your family and friends is not to be underrated.
4 rings on cooker worked well as did the gas oven. We took our steamer pot & slow cooker. Personal preference and there was space in our car boot. However there were plenty of utensils and pans that you could actually make an omelette/ stir fry etc on. There was a great wee pot for porridge/ scrambled egg. If you prefer microwave for those, bring your own lidded pot or 2 for that.
The shower was absolutely fine, as was the bath for the kids and there was a really decent supply of towels and toilet paper. Probably TMI for some folk but… I noted this anyhow.
I would consider some caution if your kids are particularly young, nervous or overly boisterous, or if you don’t like going up a ladder steps to retrieve kids. Our boys managed the attic stairs fine during the day as they liked to play up there a bit but a year ago I might have been a bit more on edge.
If this was a no kids group, there’s a great wee couch up in the attic with a picture perfect window for day dreaming or meditating or writing if not a the lovely desk downstairs doing the same.
We took turns sleeping with the elder boy up there. A couple of nights we had great views of the stars lying backwards on bed. Awesome!
We brought torches for night walks and in case not enough lamps. Lamps were though plentiful and the night lights on the landing were really appreciated.
Nearby you can walk on the Kerry Way looking over at the lake. You may find yourself with a rare dragonfly glistening beside you. Even with kids that wee stretch towards ( not whole way) Killarney is easy enough and the reward of ice cream at the cafe at Brandon’s Cottage is delicious.Sit still enough around there in the late afternoon and a deer might emerge.
More serious walkers will find plenty in this whole expansive area.
Further afield we stretched out to Derrynane for the beach days, stopping off at Sneem, Glengarriff and within a radius. Restocking we did mostly in Kenmare as whilst we love Killarney we preferred to avoid the Gap of Dunloe