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Sienna | Luxury Self-Catering Cottage | Kenmare, Co Kerry, Ireland

Sienna

Kenmare, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland

Camels, Flamingos and Colin Farrell put the wilds of south-west Ireland on the map when The Lobster won the Jury Prize at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Since then, the secret of County Kerry is out. Sharing the same film-worthy scenery, this luxury self-catering cottage near Kenmare is a romantic and remote retreat with buzz on the side. Think desert island beaches, crashing seas and starry skies - this spellbinding slice of the Wild Atlantic Way opens onto one of only three gold tier Dark Sky Reserves on earth.

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Introduction

Starting life at the turn of the millennium, Sienna was built by an Irish woman who had returned to the area after thirty years living in Australia. Two decades later, the new owner, who had spent thirty years living in Greece, felt the same siren call of the proprietor before her, and returned to her ancestral roots in search of a holiday home. Driving through the Killarney national park with its otherworldly scenery and arriving in the cosmopolitan district of Kenmare with its open-hearted community, the new owner fell in love with this special holistic bucolic area and when the plot came on the market once more, the unique stone cottage overlooking Kenmare Bay and the Caha Mountains had to be hers. The luck of the Irish!

Inside

In the latest reincarnation of this stone-clad coastal home, modern luxuries have been added as well as eco-friendly features such as the spring water feed. Fluid living spaces are decorated in heritage colours to echo the landscape; an earthy palette of burnt sienna, milky white and bluey-greens. A mango wood sideboard covered in a tasselled abstract tapestry was chosen to match the shaggy cows in the adjoining fields, while huge picture windows usher nature indoors and lead to a stilted veranda. The guest bedroom has an en suite shower room while the master suite features a cast iron clawfoot bath - both sharing views across the bay.

Outside

The tender work of the original owner still shows today within the acre of gardens and fruit orchards. An emerald lawn bordered by established trees makes a sheltered spot for sunbathing, while the veranda with Canadian Spa hot tub was designed for admiring the moon rise over the sea on languid summer days. A little red bridge crosses over a stream that runs along one side of the house, gently tumbling over rocks to create a natural water feature. There's also a petanque pitch, for a couples game of boules. Beyond the paradisaical realms of the garden, the renowned Ring of Kerry takes explorers on a 180km circuit past pristine beaches, glassy loughs and an ombre rainbow of craggy mountains.

The Facts

  • SleepsUp to 4 guests
    From £1,595 per week, £1,295 per short break
  • Alternative group optionUp to 2 guests
  • Bedrooms and bathroomsTwo double bedrooms benefit from the flexibility of zip-and-link beds which can either be arranged as super-kings or twin beds. The master en suite features a clawfoot bath with shower over, while the guest bedroom has a shower room. Both enjoy views to the garden and Kenmare Bay beyond. There is an additional shower room with WC off the utility.
    View bedrooms
  • FeaturesHot tub and fire pit
  • PetsSorry, no pets
  • Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
  • FamilyYes, children are very welcome, a travel cot, highchair and stairgate are provided.
  • PracticalitiesThere is private parking for two cars. The kitchen is well-equipped for self-catering escapes, with a double SMEG electric oven, six burner gas hob, SMEG fridge-freezer, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, kettle and toaster. Guests are welcome to paddle in the stream but children should be supervised.
  • Homestay includesWelcome hamper of local produce, bottle of Prosecco, home-grown goodies from the garden, luxury linen, towels, waffle bathrobes, blankets for the fire pit, board games, garden games, Weber coal barbecue, logs for the fire...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
  • Eco-friendlyEnergy efficient heating systems and natural spring water feed
  • Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend

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Guests can enjoy views of Kenmare Bay and the Caha mountains over dinner
Ladies View, Killarney National Park
Organic modern style reigns at Sienna

Prices & Availability

Kenmare

Fondly known as Kerry´s ´Little Nest´, Kenmare sits between the Ring of Kerry and Beara peninsulas on the Wild Atlantic Way. Enchanting pubs play host to a roaring culinary scene and, with easy access to the Caha Mountains, the cosmopolitan town is as much a hit with ramblers as it is foodies.

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Kenmare
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Getting there

  • On the Map This coastal retreat sits just off the N70 Ring of Kerry route in the hamlet of Cappanacush, near the foodie town of Kenmare and the beautiful Killarney National Park.
  • By Air Fly directly from Gatwick or Heathrow to Cork (an hour and 40 minutes from the cottage), or from Luton and Stanstead to Kerry airport which is closer at only an hour's drive away. Farranfore airport is also an hour's drive away but operates with fewer flights.
  • By Car Car hire is easily available for those who arrive by plane. Driving from Cork will take just over an hour and a half, while Dublin will take close to five hours.
  • By Train There is a train station in Killarney, just under 40km away.

From the owner

“We enjoy the majestic views from our home that fan out in all directions over meadows, mountains and the sea. Following the sun over the Kerry sky, or watching the moon rise over the water on our enormous deck or from behind the picture windows is time well spent.”

From the owner

Sienna is just over 20 years old. The house was built by an Irish lady who was returning to the area of her birth after spending half a life in Australia. There is an excellent news article online about how she found the wooded plot, with the stream running through it and amazing views to the bay and mountains. She went on to plant the most fabulous gardens, and still today has a reputation for being the most prolific gardener in Kerry!

When she decided to downsize, we bought the benefits of her 20 years of nurturing the grounds and speaking to her plants! We love the lush natural looking gardens, flower beds, herb and vegetable patches. 

Flanked by tall trees and foliage, the part of the bubbling stream, where the water tumbles over the rocks and falls into a small pool makes me feel like I've stepped into a storybook.

When we visit the house we relish cosy hours snuggled around the woodburner, indulging in guilt-free Netflix binges on TV; or curling up with a novel.

We wanted to create a home with a cosy, welcoming vibe where you can unwind as soon as you step inside. Our home is the perfect base for savouring sunny days and starry, starry nights.

The Kipling Family

Owner recommendations

Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Kenmare with an insider’s perspective.

The Boat House Bistro, Kenmare

To Eat

The Boat House Bistro, Kenmare

Reminiscent of Nantucket Island living with its pine trees, white walls and blue waterfront views, many relaxing hours can be spent over a chilled bottle of Chablis at this Michelin-recommended bistro and wine bar.

Wild Swimming, Greenane

To Do

Wild Swimming, Greenane

Whoever said "it´s too cold to swim in Ireland" clearly had never been here. Boasting swim-friendly waters warmed by the Gulf Stream, take the plunge at Coss Strand at the bottom of the road or swim from the shore of Derrynane beach - the owners´ favourite spot.

Crowleys, Kenmare

To Do

Crowleys, Kenmare

This traditional Irish pub on Henry Street is an institution. No visit to this area is complete without a late night session at Crowleys. For excellent contemporary live music and a taste of quintessential Kerry spirit, an evening here comes highly recommended.

Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve

To Do

Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve

Framed by craggy mountains and crashing sea, this part of the Wild Atlantic Way is the only gold tier Dark Sky Reserve in the Northern Hemisphere. Thanks to low level light pollution, on a clear night you can see the Milky Way, satellites, Space Station and, if you’re really lucky, a falling star.

Guest Testimonials

We arrived for my birthday to a slice of Heaven. I love this place so much; the interior, the beautiful smells, the views, the high quality of absolutely everything. We loved doing a little cold plunge in the stream followed by a bathe in the hot tub. The surroundings of this home are magical. We have just had the most glorious, unforgettable trip as a family of three and we want to say thank you so much for creating such a welcoming, beautiful home for us to stay in.

Glorious arrival to a frozen January week of ice and snow, with every tree white with frost. It was truly beautiful. From one storm (Isha to Jocelyn) to another, we had wild winds, saw huge waves and had three excellent bike rides into the mountains behind the house when the weather allowed. We also snuck in an exhilarating swim at Derrymare pier! Through all this, thank you for a warm, perfect place to stay. A joy to come home at the end of a day out.

Sienna is wonderful. We immediately went into relaxation mode when we walked into the kitchen and saw the welcome hamper. We appreciated all the areas to lounge and hang out. It´s such a beautiful space, we wish we could have stayed longer.

There are not sufficient superlatives to do this home and its surroundings justice! We have had a fantastic holiday. Everything has been spectacular, despite the patchy weather. We really wish we could stay longer.

Kerry is good for the soul and Sienna is a wonderful spot from which you can set forth and explore all of its treasures. Thank you for letting us stay. We hope to be back again for more exploring soon.

Beautiful house! Beautiful setting! Beautiful weather! Our 3 generation family travelled here from the UK and it was an idyllic base to explore the storming countryside of County Cork and Kerry. I have spent many happy holidays in the two counties with my parents visiting our many aunts, uncles and extended family. To return to where my parents were born and lived made it a very special time to then share this glorious land with a new generation of my family.

We´ve had a wonderful holiday here- thank you so much for your care and attention to detail. Our first visit to Ireland- but it will not be our last! We can´t wait to return.

What a beautiful mystical time of the year to visit the Kingdom of Kerry. As a Corkonian who has lived abroad for many years, I have been blown away. The rain added to the charm! The house is just perfect; homely, incredibly comfortable, warm and spotless. We loved lying in those luxurious beds listening to the soft rain on the skylights. Thank you.

Thank you for opening your lovely home to us. This is our first trip to Ireland. We have made so many wonderful memories and seen so much in our short time. If you´d like a great hike, check out the church and gatehouse of Dromore Castle up the road! Hope to be back soon in the summer. Thanks a million!

As we´d expected, we had lots of different weather- thunderstorms, serious sunshine and lashing rain. This allowed us to take advantage of all aspects of this magnificent house. Cosying up by the fireplace, enjoying a morning coffee on the terrace and star gazing from the hot tub. We´ve had a truly magical stay.

A wonderful week in this very lovely and comfortable house- thank you! The weather was (mostly) gorgeous and everything was just as we could wish for. Kenmare has some great local shops for food shopping. We´ll definitely come back to both the house and this part of Ireland.

A fabulous house! We loved Kenmare and its cute shops. The beach at Derrynane was beautiful and the gardens and cafe (excellent cake!) at Derreen House were superb. We were lucky with the weather but when not, it didn´t matter.

The home just exceeded our expectations, and the garden was amazing, complete with a stream / waterfall and bridge and woodland walk! Not to mention the apple trees, fire pit and incredible view of Kenmare Bay and the mountains beyond!

Sienna was a perfect stay! The location was stunning, the house was beautiful, we loved our time. Our Homestay Specialist was incredibly responsive and helpful. We were delighted! Thank you for a superlative stay. The whole experience was seamless, we absolutely loved our time and definitely hope to stay with Unique Homestays again! It was the best travel experience we’ve had in a long time!

Thank you! Sienna is so beautiful and we had the best week exploring Kenmare and the surrounding areas. We loved the hikes at Gleninchaquin and Caranuntoohil! Also Derreen Gardens and lunch at Helen´s Bar in Kilmackillogue. The wonderful walks at Derrynane Beach and a visit to Sneem for a pint at O´Shea´s Bar. We have been blown away by the beauty of the Beara Peninsula and Healy´s Pass. We can´t wait to return!

Beautiful house in an equally beautiful location. We´ve had a wonderful week and feel very lucky to have had wall-to-wall sunshine. Thank you for sharing your home with us - you have exceptional taste! We will definitely be back.

Like heaven. What an amazing retreat! We felt like we were in paradise for five days. Sienna is an extraordinarily beautiful, luxurious house and the surroundings are breathtaking. Thank you so much for everything.

Sienna is stunning and owing to it being Christmas, it was even more magical during our stay. Relaxing in the hot tub with a glass of bubbly before settling down to a Christmas movie in front of the gorgeous log burner was exactly what we needed. We would recommend this home to anyone!

My husband and I came to Kenmore looking for a place to unwind, after a long two years of work and no holidays! We´ve had to cancel a trip aboard because of lockdowns which made us a bit sad. But, Sienna changed our mood and mind instantly. Such a beautiful house, well thought out and cosy. The views are amazing. The bridge, the hot tub, the garden, the starry night sky, the comfy beds and the Christmas tree; all made our stay truly Unique! Even the stormy weather and winds were so enjoyable to watch here. We got to see the full force of nature from the warmth of the welcoming fireplace in your home. The housekeeper was a great host, and her preparation and thoughtful messages guided our stay and made out holiday even better.

Thank you for such a relaxing stay! Sienna is set up so well that we didn´t want to leave and all the little touches made our minimoon extra special. "Four seasons in one day" was definitely our soundtrack to the weekend and made the views so much more amazing! We hope to be back again.

Thank you for a wonderful stay. We´ve enjoyed every moment here, from sunny walks in the spectacular countryside to sitting in front of the fire watching the atmospheric clouds roll over. We will forever hold magical memories of our time here, particularly of Muckross Abbey where we got engaged! Such a special time and place in our hearts.

Sienna is the most thoughtfully designed and maintained vacation home. Kudos to all those with such taste and vision involved in creating this lovely space, and for allowing others to enjoy it.

The style and setting of Sienna left us speechless! The real luxury is in the relaxed living created by a perfectly designed layout, beautiful clean spaces, top quality facilities, attention to detail and the colour palette. It´s a very special place that creates lovely memories: watching the giant red moon rise over Kenmare Bay, picking raspberries after playing tennis barefoot on the grass, morning yoga on the beautiful deck, falling asleep to the sound of the river, toasting marshmallows over the fire pit. Simply the feeling of being surrounded by the best bits of the Kerry landscape!

Not just a great holiday house, but an experience! Lots of special memories made; watching the giant red moon rising from the deck, playing tennis barefoot on the lawn, picking raspberries, toasting marshmallows, exploring the garden, cycling the boreens, swaying in the hammock... Thank you!

We´ve had a fantastic holiday here at Sienna. So much so, that we are already planning a return trip! Even the changeable weather couldn´t curb our enjoyment! We look forward to visiting Sienna again.

We´ve had such a wonderful week here. We have loved everything about the house and the setting in which it sits... watching the ever-changing views, wandering the beautiful gardens, enjoying the gorgeous house with all its lovely little touches, amazing walks across the landscape... Thank you so much!

Press

Below are a selection of features in which Sienna and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.

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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.

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