Vacation Rentals by Owner

Quaint, Authentic, Enchanting, Comfy, Historic.....We're booking again for 2012!!!

Guest: MaureenBridget (Southampton, New York, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 07/17/11

For my mother's 80th birthday, I wanted to surprise her with a trip to Ireland, and a stay in a cottage very similar to the one she lived in as a child....also in County Kerry. She had told me so many stories about her early home, and her memories were so dear that I spent a good deal of time researching rental cottages all over Ireland. Eventually I happened to find Cottage Mary Rose, and inspired by the photos and descriptions, I called the owner to gather more details. I was probably quite a nuisance with my back and forth calls to him, but you would never know that by his polite demeanor and his eagerness to fill me in on any detail possible. So, we booked and we went to his lovely cottage in County Kerry, and if ever my expectations were far exceeded in every way possible, this was it!. My mother was thrilled beyond belief, and felt as if she was re-visiting her childhood home with all its warmth and charm.....but did mention that Cottage Mary Rose was actually "far more lovely" than her cottage had been. My daughter and her husband, both architects, also came for the stay, and they marveled in the solid structure of the cottage, the richness of the original fireplace...not to mention the spectacular gardens, the deck overlooking an interesting stream complete with soothing water current sounds to relax us when we sat in the crystal clear waters of that amazing hot tub. The kitchen was amazing for cooking our own meals, and all in all, we could not have imagined a more perfect place for our stay! None of us wanted to leave at the end of our stay, but the happy ending is that we are booking again for early 2012! We adored the folks at Kearney's, and spent much time chatting with the quaint folks at the local pub, just a short walk from the cottage. We felt like "locals", which was a bonus to our already amazing stay at Cottage Mary Rose. So many attractions within a short drive, including Ladie's View atop the Lakes of Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, Muckross House....and Tralee and Killarney are just a hop and a skip away. The cottage caretaker lives just across from Kearney's, and what a charming gentleman he is! Anything we needed, including travel information, he was the "answer man"! He and the other locals filled us in on the rather eccentric & legendary original owner of the cottage, not to mention the wonderful tales of fiddling, dancing, drinking and poker playing that took place within the walls of the cottage. Amazing place!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Stinky and Wet!

Guest: Silver Mama (Silver City, NM, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/21/11 Review Submitted: 06/23/11

We were 4 adults staying at Cottage Mary Rose and anticipating that, from the photos and description and reviews, it would be the highlight of our recent 3-week trip to Ireland. Sadly, the reality fell far short of our expectations. The roof corner in the 'stable bedroom' has a huge hole in it and the rain poured in, nearly drenching the contents of a suitcase adjacent to the wall (there is no place for clothes to be hung or put away). The main bathroom/laundry area is improperly vented, resulting in a foul, sewage-smelling odor which permeates the whole area, including the adjacent kitchen. The hot tub is hot but certainly not inviting. The water is discolored and an algae-colored green, rather than sparkling clear. We never used it. When documented these issues (and several others) and left the list with the caretakers when we left. We were told that the foul odor was a result of the cottage's proximity to the creek. When we returned to the States, I emailed the owner who admitted that he was at the Cottage four days after our departure and was aware of our list of issues. However, other than acknowledging my email, I have had no follow-up communication with him. This cottage was a huge disappointment, and none of us would recommend it to a prospective renter.

Owner response:We take great pride in Cottage Mary Rose as it is probably the oldest thatch cottage available for holiday accomodations in Ireland. We have shared our beautiful home with friends, family and gracious guests that have called it Home while visiting this amazing area. We can not control every thing but we sure try our hardest as many will attest. This humble home has stood the test of time and survived the days when many of these homes were destroyed by civil war. There are only about 1800 thatch cottages left in Ireland . We have taken this humble home and added features like upgraded water pressure, unlimited hot water and a heating system to keep all guests warm while embraced by its srtong stone walls. Our care takers put a lot of time and effort in to preparing the cottage for our many guests. If you are looking for absolute perfection and are use to 5 star hotels........a rustic thatched cottage in the farmlands may not be for you. How ever if you are flexible and embrace the idea of living in an amazing 250 year old cottage........this is it! By the way our care takers who are a local family handled all of the issues. Unfortunately the guests only had a 3 day rental and did not inform them of problems until they were leaving. My son and I arrived 6 days later.....there was not a large hole as reported in the stable bed room. It was an exterior issue which was fine until then. Our hot tub water is checked on a regular basis and many people have enjoyed this very special feature which over looks the stream. I ask that you read all of the reviews......... Remember " You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time" P. T Barnum :) We look forward to having you as our guests.

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Cottage Mary Rose is the best!

Guest: TravelIreland (Corona/Southern CA)
Date of Stay: 04/30/11 Review Submitted: 07/14/11

Spending a week at Cottage Mary Rose has become an annual event for our family, something to which we look forward to eagerly.  We've been guests there in Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011 and plan on returning in Spring 2012. Prior to posting my own review, I read a recent review entitled "Wet and Nasty" written by "SilverMama" and was appalled by what I consider complaints completely lacking in any foundation.   Coincidentally, only a week separated our stay from when this person stayed there.   That allows me to counter their complaints with full knowledge of the conditions of this wonderful cottage at that time. We've always found the cottage to be extremely comfortable, clean and maintained to the highest standard.  The caretaker is easily reached and extremely responsive to any request or need.  In the rare event any kind of repair is needed, he takes care of it as soon as is humanly possible. There was NO hole in the roof of the stable bedroom.  This is an absolute, positive fact.   This bedroom was used during our stay in May 2011.  There were sustained periods of rain during that time, with absolutely no indication of leakage from the roof of any sort.   The review stated that they were forced to keep their clothing in their suitcases, as there was nowhere to put their clothes. There's a huge armoire in each of the downstairs bedrooms, plenty of room to store clothing there. The hot tub is serviced regularly, I've seen someone come and do that during every stay there.   It's kept in a pristine state, with clear water.  So I can definitively say it was in good and inviting condition in May 2011, I spent as much time as possible sitting in it. There is no overbearing unpleasant odor in the kitchen or anywhere else in the cottage. The owner continues to upgrade both the interior of the cottage and the garden on an ongoing basis.  Every year we find something new has been done to improve on what is already a delightful property. Cottage Mary Rose is charming.  It's in a peaceful location in the country, with anything visitors might need available in the nearby town of Castleisland, only a couple of miles away.  It's ideally located for day trips through a large portion of western Ireland.  Everything needed  is there for cozy stay-at-home days as well. Again, my family stayed in this cottage just a week before Silvermama, we were highly satisfied with the condition of the cottage, as always.   I'd hate to see anyone choose to forego s

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Planning my next trip back...

Guest: shelle (USA)
Date of Stay: 03/01/11 Review Submitted: 06/27/11

My recent trip to Ireland was my first one and the experience is one I will never forget and will be talking about for years to come. I was so excited to be able to stay in a thatched Cottage and to experience the history of Ireland first hand. I was greeted by a fire and the warm cozy feel I was expecting. The cottage offered a beautiful garden with a large deck and a Hot tub, which was the perfect end to a long day of site seeing around the Ring of Kerry. The amenanties far exceeded my expections. The washer and dryer came in handy with the limited luggage space on flights these days. I was excited to be able to email home each night and send pictures and recordings of the days events via internet. The cottage was a perfect size as well to allow for privacy when needed but great for coversation. I have already recommended the cottage and the local area to several friends who wish to visit Ireland as well. I hope to return soon.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Irish Perfection

Guest: Terri (Kalamazoo, MI USA)
Date of Stay: 10/04/10 Review Submitted: 10/20/10

If there could be any better place to stay or experience in County Kerry, I can't imagine what it would be. Even after viewing photos on the website, the cottage surpased our expectations. Blending Old World with subtle modern conveniences added to the complete satisfaction we had with everything. We used Cottage Mary Rose as our HOME base and traveled each day to amazing scenes and adventures, returning in the evening to sitting and relaxing by our turf fire - like an Irish hug and welcome back. I can hardly explain how wonderful it all was. We got to enjoy Ireland at her best and the cottage played a significant role. The roads to and from became well traveled, but all worth it. Caretaker, Breeda and family contributed to the perfection making sure we had everything we needed, and listening intently to our stories of exploration. Price made it a competitive choice and well worth the space and environment even just for the two of us. Wouldn't ever stay anywhere else if we're able to go back some day. It all has become a piece of us we'll take with us anywhere we go.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Irish Perfection

Guest: Terri (Kalamazoo, MI USA)
Date of Stay: 10/04/10 Review Submitted: 10/20/10

If there could be any better place to stay or experience in County Kerry, I can't imagine what it would be. Even after viewing photos on the website, the cottage surpased our expectations. Blending Old World with subtle modern conveniences added to the complete satisfaction we had with everything. We used Cottage Mary Rose as our HOME base and traveled each day to amazing scenes and adventures, returning in the evening to sitting and relaxing by our turf fire - like an Irish hug and welcome back. I can hardly explain how wonderful it all was. We got to enjoy Ireland at her best and the cottage played a significant role. The roads to and from became well traveled, but all worth it. Caretaker, Breeda and family contributed to the perfection making sure we had everything we needed, and listening intently to our stories of exploration. Price made it a competitive choice and well worth the space and environment even just for the two of us. Wouldn't ever stay anywhere else if we're able to go back some day. It all has become a piece of us we'll take with us anywhere we go.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great place to relax

Guest: aislinn21 (irelandS)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 10/05/10

Hi, My partner and myself were looking for somewhere secluded, but equally near to places in Kerry. We were not disappointed. The cottage is modernised, whilst keeping the original character. You can chose from curling up in front of the hugh fireplace, cooking on the arga, using the jacuzzi or relaxing in the fabulous hot tub, which is not overlooked by anyone. The cottage is in driving distance to all of Kerrys highlights! Great place and we loved our stay!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Cozy Retreat with Modern Amenities

Guest: Celeste J. (Barrington, IL United States)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/09/10

Cottage Mary Rose was a perfect way to enjoy a beautiful part of Ireland. The cottage was centrally located to so many wonderful attractions. We have wonderful memories of our visits to the Ring of Kerry, Ashford Castle, the Longville Home and the Muckross House. We especially enjoyed the days we just lingered at the cottage and relaxed in the beautiful gardens, cooked on the Aga stove and unwound in the hot tub on the deck. I was a little concerned how our 18 year old son would do without all his high tech toys. Although we had internet access he hardly wanted to use it. We can't wait to go back again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

An Escape Back In Time with Modern Perks

Guest: Celeste J. (Barrington, IL United States)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/09/10

This quaint cottage surprised us with all of it's modern comforts. It was the best of both worlds. I had to admit I was wondering how my 18 year old son would handle being away from all his high tech toys. Although he was relieved to see that there was internet access he hardly used it. Our visits to the Ring of Kerry, the Longville Home, Ashford Castle, Tralee and the Muckross House made for many memorable days. We thoroughly enjoyed cooking on the AGA stove and relaxing in the hot tub on the deck. This trip made it to the top of the list and we will make it a point to travel and stay here again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing!

Guest: Kathy (Hampton, VA)
Date of Stay: 07/12/10 Review Submitted: 10/24/10

Staying at the Cottage Mary Rose was an amazing experience! The cottage has so much charm. My family loved staying there. The cottage is in a great location. We visited many places in County Kerry, including finding the old homestead of my grandfather. I love looking at my pictures of Cottage Mary Rose and my Ireland adventures. I dream of the day I can go back to visit.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Michelle & Joseph Lawler (Wilbraham, MA)
Date of Stay: 02/21/10 Review Submitted: 02/21/10

My family of 5 and our 2 friends stayed at Cottage Mary Rose in June 2009. We were so excited when we arrived and saw how beautiful and quaint the cottage was. It was like stepping back in time. My mother always told me growing up that she was born in a thatched roof house in Monaghan! Now I finally new what she had been talking about! We loved the jacuzzi and the garden! It accomadated 7 beautifully and the location was perfect! We definately recommend it, it was a trip of a lifetime. Thank you William for preserving the authentic Irish thatched roof home experience and all the character to go with it including the peet fireplace! It was great!

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Guest: Murreydobe (Norco, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/12/10 Review Submitted: 02/12/10

Our first stay at Cottage Mary Rose was in May 2009. We couldn't have been happier with the cottage, or more comfortable there. Cottage Mary Rose is as charming as it can be, retaining an old world feeling, yet equipped with all modern conveniences. The garden is beautiful, you find something wonderful around every corner. The hot tub is just the thing after a great day exploring the country. Great location-easy to get to from a variety of different airports. Larger towns close enough , but you're tucked away in the countryside...with a pub just a 5 minute walk away! We liked this cottage so much we're all set to return in May 2010. Thank you, William, for sharing this treasure with us!

Owner response:I love seeing guests like you returning. Your second time will really seem like home. I feel it is a treasure.....and I am so glad that you feel the same........enjoy!

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Guest: Shannos (Beverly Hills, CA, 90210 USA)
Date of Stay: 02/10/10 Review Submitted: 02/10/10

I am half Irish; my courageous ancestors migrated to the United States in the mid 19th century escaping the potato famine. A hundred and sixty years later, small traditions still carry on in my family, you can ask anyone who’s tried my grandma’s skillet shepherd’s pie and they’ll tell you they’ve never eaten a greater delight. Ever since I was a little boy my parents played Gaelic songs that conveyed such a strong emotional weight they would transport me to the lands my grandpa used to show me on his books while I sat on his lap. And yet… forty years later I had not yet stepped on the land of these remarkable people that made my own history. So when it came time for my wife and kids to decide on our next vacation… This time we didn’t hesitate; it would be the land of our ancestors! We didn’t want another generic five star hotel with a few local touches that make you feel like you never left home, we wanted a cottage with thick stone walls and a thatched roof, just like those grandpa use to show me in those faded postcards he always kept in his treasured drawer… It was that strong desire to reconnect with my heritage that led me to find Cottage Mary Rose in Kerry County… When we first walked through that red barn door and smelled the fire of the turf peat bricks and looked around at all those country antiques so exquisitely selected, we were transported to a place of love and understanding for our ancestors, for us the week we spent at Mary Rose Cottage was filled with comfort and unforgettable moments, nights when the murmur of the creek would softly put us to sleep and balmy days filled with fresh smells so new to all of us.For us this was in a way a pilgrimage to the land of our family but you don’t need to have Irish blood to love and understand these kind, courageous and happy people. Ireland is there for everyone to love!

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Guest: ccindy (Dubai, UAE)
Date of Stay: 02/09/10 Review Submitted: 02/09/10

Mary Rose cottage surpassed all of our expectations in its amenities and character. It was set amongst the breathtaking Irish countryside. Our girls (5,7yrs) enjoyed playing in the lovely garden, sitting by the fire playing board games, and relaxing in the outdoor whirlpool tub. A great cottage to escape to and really enjoy Ireland at it fullest.

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Beautiful and peaceful

Guest: Barbara (Delaplane, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 09/25/05 Review Submitted: 04/13/11

After lugging our suitcases from one hotel to another in Scotland for days, my two sisters, my brother and I were delighted to walk into the lovely Cottage Mary Rose, put the suitcases down, knowing we wouldn't have to pick them up for another week. It turned out to be the best decision of our vacation. Cottage Mary Rose is the ideal location for a launching pad to see some of the most beautiful and culturally important places in all of Ireland. Its central location is perfect for one-day or two-day trips. If you don't want to have to pack up every night and would prefer your own serene and authentic Irish home to which to return every evening, this is the rental for you. I am a few years late in writing this review, but Cottage Mary Rose still remains very close to my heart. My brother has since passed on, but he'll always be tied to the Cottage in my mind. I like to hike, and I met some wonderful people while walking the side roads around Cordal, Castleisland, County Kerry, and elsewhere. My siblings like to shop, and they were quite satisfied in that regard as well. My sisters and I will never forget this wonderful, wonderful time that we had to spend with this great man whose spirit no doubt lives on in the land of our forefathers.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.