Axial

Intro

Meander from the Ring of Kerry’s well-travelled path, along a verdant track, and Axial slowly comes into view. Suspended weightlessly above a private lagoon, its Bond-esque silhouette cascades down the cove’s contours in bold, cantilevered tiers. Through floor-to-ceiling glass and wraparound terraces, the wild Atlantic landscape is drawn seamlessly within. Conceived with a local architect over a meticulous five-year build, Axial reimagines a sheltered coastal perch once home to a 1970s bungalow. Drawing on a biophilic form of modernism that the owners came to revere during years living in Asia, its strong horizontal form is crafted from concrete, scorched wood and local stone, designed to weather until it becomes an indelible part of the rockface. Like the prehistoric stone circles that pepper the Iveragh Peninsula, but utterly contemporary, Axial invites connection with the land.

Inside 

A luminous glow pours through glass façades into calming, continuous interiors designed to preserve uninterrupted views of the horizon. Curated sculptural forms take cues from the coastal topography outside: a modular de Sede Terrazza sofa rises from the centre of the living room like the island that borders the lagoon; pebble-like tables seem smoothed by the tide and Ligne Roset Togo armchairs are poised like inviting, moss-cloaked boulders. On the garden level, a bamboo-wrapped games and cinema room beckons for sea kelp martinis, cult film screenings and midnight mahjong, whilst a Nordic sauna and Technogym studio offer post-swim restoration. As night falls, the principal bedroom transforms into a celestial observatory – a skylight etched into the ceiling above the bed frames the ink-black expanse of the Gold-Tier Dark Sky Reserve overhead.

Outside

Wrapped in 25 private acres – bordered by sky-mirroring pools, fringed by tree ferns and latticed with footpaths – Axial occupies a secluded setting that melts into the bay. If it’s the water’s tonic you seek, float weightlessly in the protected lagoon or paddle a kayak as cloudscapes drift in from the Caha mountains; undisturbed save for the resident colony of seals and an occasional solitary heron. Greet the sun with morning salutations on the roof terrace, then gather at dusk for suppers of sweet Kenmare Bay lobster above the turning tides. During a hike of the grounds, you’ll find sitting stones carved for moments of stillness. If you can tear yourself away, set out to explore the surrounding landscape – from the sweeping sands of nearby White Strand beach and Derrynane to the ancient walls of Staigue Fort and the mist-shrouded lakes of Killarney National Park beyond.

• PricingFrom £14,995 per week, £11,995 per short break
• FeaturesSauna, gym, cinema room and direct access to a private beach
• PetsOne well-behaved dog is welcome
  Pets are charged at £60 per week or part thereof
• FamilyBabes-in-arms and children over the age of 12 are welcome
• PracticalitiesThere is private parking for four cars. The kitchen is equipped with double ovens, hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, two dishwashers and a Delonghi Nespresso coffee machine. The utility room houses the washing machine and tumble dryer. Whilst young babies and dogs are welcome, the garden is not enclosed and care should be taken at this clifftop home
• Private cateringWhether you're looking for a fully catered stay or a special meal to mark an occasion, you'll find private chef options in your house book, available once your booking is confirmed
• RetreatsFrom surf lessons to dawn yoga and adrenaline-fuelled adventures, we work with the most inspirational of experts to ensure a truly tailored stay. On confirmation of booking, these details will be shared within your house book

Killarney

Axial is nestled in the tranquil coastal townland of Derreensillagh, moments from the village of Castlecove on the southwestern edge of County Kerry. Reached via mountain passes extending from Killarney, this secluded pocket of the Wild Atlantic way is rich in natural beauty and steeped in ancient history, home to a Stone Age fort, crystal-clear waters and shell-white sands.

View property location

Getting there

• On the map This coastal retreat sits just off the N70 Ring of Kerry route with the foodie town of Kenmare under an hour away.
• By air Fly directly from Gatwick or Heathrow to Cork (two hours away), or from Luton and Stanstead to Kerry airport which is an hour and a half drive away.
• 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 which is an hour and a half drive away.