Glengarriff Lodge (formally Lord Bantry's Cottage)

Glengarriff Lodge, or what used to be Lord Bantry's Cottage, is a luxury self-catering space hidden away on a secluded, leafy island surrounded by 50-acres of ancient oak woodlands in Glengarriff, West Cork. The estate was the location of a former hunting lodge for the Earls of Bantry and offers guests a rare glimpse of a truly magical part of old Ireland, in an absolutely gorgeous and pristine setting with privacy and comfort. The Lodge is a most enchanting thatched cottage which has been painstakingly restored to a high standard and offers everything one might reasonably expect in a luxurious country house including all the modern conveniences. It offers unrivalled tranquillity of setting, period furniture, log fires and the easy elegance of this home creates an atmosphere which is warm and welcoming throughout all the seasons. The Grounds comprise almost fifty-acres, with three acres blending almost seamlessly into the surrounding woodland and meadows. The island on which the house stands comprises nearly two acres of landscaped gardens and lawns on which many specimen trees and shrubs flourish in the subtropical climate for which this area is renowned. The island is connected to the rest of the property by three timber bridges, which give access to the many paths and trails, offering plenty of opportunities to explore. One riverside path leads to the orchard - please help yourselves, and is on the way to ‘The Doctor’s Pool’ – a sizeable natural pool, ideal for a refreshing swim or indeed for a spot of salmon fishing. Another path climbs a wooded hill behind The Lodge, to offer a stunning, bird’s eye view of the estate and the entire valley. Others connect with the extensive network of paths in the State Nature Reserve which totally surrounds the property. Parts of our land have been officially designated as ‘areas of scientific importance’ and a great deal of conservation work has been carried out in recent years by the present owners. Wherever you find yourself on the grounds of this wooded estate, the river is your constant companion and will guide you back to your cozy island home. Kitchen & Dining Room The large Kitchen & Dining Room forms the center of gravity of this home with a heated slate floor, oak beams, large sandstone fireplace and antique oak dining table. Enchanting views of the river and woodland add to the atmosphere. Let your inner chef go in the handcrafted oak and granite kitchen which is well equipped with a gas-fired professional range cooker, electric ovens, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, toaster, and coffee maker. Designer crockery and utensils and place settings for twelve people make this cooks’ kitchen perfect for entertaining in style. Sitting Room The atmospheric and cozy sitting room is decorated in rich dark green and wood tones. With an open log fire and luxurious leather furnishings, evenings will slip gently by in conversation, reading from the well-stocked library or availing of the entertainment system which comprises a large 48-inch LED television, Sky satellite system, DVD player, CD player, cassette player, and radio. The Conservatory Step down from the kitchen into the magnificent double-glazed timber Conservatory, perfect for breakfast or a pre-dinner drink. From here you can truly appreciate your island setting with spectacular views along the river and across the wooded hills, whatever the weather. The conservatory has under-floor heating for year-round use and consists of an additional dining space, with hand-carved Kashmiri furniture; as well as a comfortable seating area. We have found that many of our guests spend much of their time in this part of the house. Double doors lead from the conservatory to the outside stone Patio, which overlooks the river. The Patio is equipped with a hardwood furniture set, sun loungers and a gas barbeque, perfect for long summer days and evenings – and ‘al fresco’ dining. Lady Bantry's (Master) Bedroom Lady Bantry's Bedroom is a bright and spacious double bedroom with spectacular views over the river and grounds. A large Burmese teak bed, Persian rugs and an interesting Korean temple chest give this upstairs room a sense of oriental opulence. This bedroom has toilet, shower, and hand basin en-suite. Wordsworth's Room Over the years we've had many notable figures stay at the Lodge, including William Wordsworth, which this double bedroom is named after. The room is a large and comfortable double bedroom with views to the mountains. It has an en-suite with shower, heated towel rail, toilet and hand basin. Being downstairs this room is the most accessible and may suit those with moderate disability. Thackeray's Room This room named after William Makepeace Thackeray, a British novelist who stayed previously at the Lodge. A cozy double bedroom with a lovely westward view over the gardens toward the mountains. This upstairs room contains a hand basin and is just opposite the main bathroom across the hall. The Blue Room The Blue Bedroom is a lovely upstairs room, which can be configured with either twin beds or a double. This room has great views over the drive towards the main bridge and has a toilet and wash hand basin en-suite. Upstairs Bathroom The Bathroom has been designed with luxury in mind. Pamper yourself unashamedly in this elemental space. Marble, wood, steel, and water combine to offer a haven within a haven from which to emerge ready for anything. The bathroom has a free standing bath, heated towel rail, shower, toilet and wash hand basin. My wife and I live in the Coach House directly opposite the Lodge and will be around to show you the house and grounds and answer any questions you might have about the history or the ecology of the surrounding gardens. Glengarriff Lodge is located a few minutes drive from Glengarriff village, the gateway to the Beara peninsula and one of Ireland’s best kept secrets. With rugged mountains, breathtaking coastal scenery, and idyllic villages, there is much to discover in this magical and historical corner of Ireland. The best way to travel around Ireland is by car. There is public transport in Glengarriff (Bus Eireann) but the buses are infrequent (i.e., 2 or 3 times on specific days of the week and weekends). There are some hills and climbs in the area, but once in the local area, a bicycle may be useful. Our family’s involvement with Glengarriff Lodge began nearly fifty years ago when grandparents Brenda and Said Yasin were touring the area. They were invited to visit the Lodge by the owner at the time and, by an unexpected turn of events, found themselves the owners some months later. Glengarriff Lodge is now managed by Rosheen and Alan Callender with help from other family members. While Rosheen visits as frequently as she can, Alan lives with his family in another house on the estate. As a visitor, it will most likely be Alan who will meet you and help to make sure that your stay is a pleasant one. In trying to build a successful business here at Glengarriff Lodge, one of our foremost aims has been to create a tastefully luxurious retreat while carefully respecting the natural heritage and beauty that we have found here. We think that we have been quite successful in this, but it is work in progress. Conservation projects in the woodland and gardens are ongoing and we hope to sustain these by encouraging others to enjoy and make use of the property. Whether it is a wedding, family gathering or other celebration, or just for simple relaxation and privacy, we really hope that you will find something special here too. **IMPORTANT TO NOTE** The listing is available for accommodation only. For all event-related activities such as weddings, parties, dinners, etc. please contact us before making your booking.