This elfin cottage cloistered above the woods - just one of three - on an historic Tay valley demesne, introduces unique opportunities for exploring the beaches and headlands of Ireland's Copper Coast, hill-walking in the Comeragh Mountains, or just rambling around a magnificent estate.
Most of the rooms radiate from the warm entrance lobby in this practical and cosy cottage. The sitting room is gracious and informal with built in units of alabaster shelving around an open log hearth. Contemporary patio doors encourage you out to a sheltered gravel terrace.
The bright kitchen, doubling as a dining room, occupies one end of the house. Modelled in a simple rustic style with a wood burning stove - though the cottage is never cold, there’s lots of fuel available from the estate.
Terracotta red cabinets and vibrant parrot blinds bring strong accents of colour to the ivory white interior.
For occasional reading, bridge games, or Monopoly there is the green room, across the tiles of the entrance lobby.
The utility room and boot lobby are off one side of the kitchen while cottage stairs rise from the other end to a dreamy double bedroom in the loft. Understated, with traditional furniture and floral fabrics, typical of the restrained decor throughout this home.
A second cobalt-coloured twin bedroom, with views beyond the rolling fields, lies opposite the bathroom to the left of the main entrance.
The owners retain the eponymous Georgian mansion at the centre of this private estate, but visitors are free to enjoy the elegant walled garden, impeccably reproduced Victorian glasshouse, and paddocks of grazing red deer.
Smoking - No, sorry!
Parties - The owners regret Stag, Hen, Wedding or 21st parties are not admissible.
Children – Parts of the property may not suitable for young children, please check with us.
Allergy Warning! Please note that this is a Dog Friendly Home. If you intend bringing a dog, please tell us about him/her when booking.
The house is equipped with everything you would expect from a five star home. Cooking is on an induction hob, and an Eco friendly air source heat pump provides the central heating.
If you have a particular requirement, be sure to tell us.
The house occupies an elevated site with its own entrance on the historic Woodhouse Estate which ranges for 340 acres West Stradbally village and is bisected by the meandering river Tay. 156 acres of woodland comprising of more than 150,000 trees - some dating back to the mid 18th century - are waiting to be explored either by foot or on cycle tracks.
Stradbally Cove with its sheltered sandy beach is across the road from the East gates.
Please enquire about fishing rights or other activities on the estate.
This stretch of Southern Coastline known as the Copper Coast, just buzzes with undiscovered gems We just can’t list them all, so here are a few of our favourites..
We had a fabulous week in Stradbally.
New to Unique Irish Homes - 2016
Julie & Robin Brammar, August 2016
using Steward in search for posts
The tranquil village of Stradbally is a short walk out of the estate, and has a grocery shop and a couple of pubs, but for a full range of shops, Dungarvan is a 15 minute drive along the coast and is your best bet.
Above Stradbally, there is the substantial ruin of the largest medieval church in rural Ireland. It contains a fortified presbytery, probably built for protection during the disputes between the Powers and Fitzgeralds, whose boundary lands ran through the area.
Road Bowling is a traditional and popular local sport that requires hours of practice and technique to master. 28oz steel balls are rolled in turn for just over a mile along bendy roads from Fenor to Annestown.
photo - euheritagedaysAbout half an hour away, the magnificent Lismore Castle with its long and distinguished history, has splendid gardens open to the public during the summer months, and compelling cultural events are held in the town throughout the year.
By Air: Flights to Cork Airport, Waterford or Dublin.
Cork Airport - approx 1.5 hours from house.
Dublin Airport - approx 2.5 hours from house.
Waterford Airport - approx 1 hours from house.
By Sea: Ferry crossings from Pembroke/Fishguard to Rosslare.
Stena Express - 120 mins (summer only from Fishguard)
Rosslare Port is approx 1.5 hours from house
Dublin City Port/Holyhead has a fast crossing and is approx 2.5 hours from house
They’re mad about cycling in Dungarvan, and it was here that the first cycling club in Ireland was founded in 1869. The local club went on to win the first ever bike race in the British Isles. They still have the cup to prove it.
Here too you will find King John's Castle, an Anglo-Norman fortification ( 1185) would have originally been entered by drawbridge. It is undergoing reconstruction but there are guided tours, an audio-visual show and exhibitions during the summer season.
This region known as the Copper Coast gets its name from the copper mines that were active in the 19th century. It is a sometimes stormy shoreline that has more than its fair share of ship wrecks.
Tramore is about 35 minutes away, and is a popular resort for tourists in the summer. It has a 5km beach, sand dunes looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean, and a well deserved reputation for surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Clonea Strand is much closer; one of the finest blue flag beaches in the region, and also has a growing reputation as a good surfing beach.
Waterford, about 45 minutes away, is Ireland’s oldest city. Originally a Viking settlement, it is now a major port with much to see and do. Glass, or crystal, was manufactured in the city from 1783 until early 2009, when the factory there was eventually shut down. There is a great annual Viking marathon in June.
Gallery of photographs
