Paudie and Anne’s B&B has been by far our favourite stay on our round trip through Ireland. Enough that we thought next time we’d have to book more days with them. The Ring of Kerry and Ring of Skellig need easily two days to explore comfortably and without rush, and Killarney and the surrounding area itself is such a lovely place to explore.
When we first arrived, we got a bit lost, but one phone call with the help of a friendly local, and Anne came and retrieved us – something that was sweet and not taken for granted by a German family not used to freely given kindnesses of strangers. It’s really not far from town at all once you know where you’re going, yet it’s far enough on the outskirts that you are surrounded by stunning countryside. The B&B itself is a beautifully converted barn with super cosy country life style rooms (let them tell you about its history!) and a huge balcony to spend balmy evenings on. Ours came with a gorgeous view of the lake and the mountains, after climbing a romantic spiral staircase (!) to the upper floor. The beds were comfortable, the bathroom chic, and the whole place felt warm, clean and homely – I would have been quite content just revelling in the cosy comforts at the house and finish the old novel, if the area wasn’t such a treasure trove. Anne made sure the place was COVID-safe, too, without making it feel like a hospital.
Paudie and Anne are the sweetest and most welcoming people you’ll ever meet, and you can tell they love what they are doing. Annie’s breakfasts were rich, varied of choice, and country kitchen heaven: home-baked scones and soda bread on top of the usual breakfast fare, fresh eggs from the chickens out back, prepared to perfection to your liking, as well as a range of hot beverages and freshly pressed orange juice. Anne went out of her way to make us feel at home, chatting to us like we were old friends, and giving us great tips and recommendations for local restaurants and pubs. Paudie and Anne both know the area like the back of their hand, with Paudie being a qualified tourist guide as well. The Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park have so much to offer, and their tip-offs helped us narrow down our stops to places that were really worth seeing and were not stalked by giant tourist buses.
I’ve already recommended their place to friends, and we are contemplating a return. 10/10 with cherries on top.