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Peaceful retreat in the heart of Ireland close to walking, biking and fishing

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Living Room
Bedroom
Exterior
Main Bathroom
Bedroom 3

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Hot tub
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Birr, Offaly
  • Slieve Bloom Display Centre
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Irish High Cross Kinnitty
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Leap Castle
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Downstairs Toilet

Toilet

En-suite 1

Toilet · Shower only

En-suite 2

Toilet · Shower only

En-suite 3

Toilet · Shower only

Main Bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Peaceful retreat in the heart of Ireland close to walking, biking and fishing

No visitor to the house fails to appreciate the time and effort that has gone into restoring this heritage home. From the artfully refurbished original floorboards to the magnificent nineteenth century iron bath, this tastefully restored Georgian residence is a real treat to anyone looking for a refreshing and authentic alternative to much modern accommodation today. The house combines the original character with all the comfort and trappings of modern convenience. Three of the bedrooms are en-suite while the kitchen comes equipped with an array of accessories. All that you could possibly need to make your stay both restive and restorative is included.
The house is situated in the very heart of the beautiful village of Kinnitty, nestled at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Magnificent walking and biking trails are at your door while the Shannon river is close, for quality fishing and boating.


Setting: The private and spacious environs are the perfect compliment to the authentic charm and beauty of the tastefully restored Georgian residence. Through double doors, the soothing sounds of the passing stream offer those relaxing on the patio a chance to savour the rugged beauty of the majestic Slieve Bloom mountains.

On your doorstep: Take a step outside and find yourself in the very heart of the beautiful village of Kinnitty, nestled at the foot of the Slieve Blooms. Take a stroll through the centre or stop at the 'Slieve Bloom Bar', where live music is often found or at the Black and White award-winning pub 'Clendenings' where a turf fire and a friendly welcome is guaranteed. A pleasant walk East of the village will bring you to the world famous Kinnitty Castle where all the opulence and luxury of the original castle is combined with a host of activities from equestrian trips to mountain hikes.

Lots to do and see: There is something for everyone. Enjoy the music and atmosphere in the local pubs or take in some of the native Irish field sports played in the area. Walk through the heart of the Bog of Allen and admire the extraordinary sculptures in Lough Boora parklands. Stroll around the heritage town of Birr where the award-winning Birr Castle Demense Gardens can be found. Take a boat on the Shannon down to Lough Derg to fish or simply relax and enjoy the stunning scenery. Marvel at the immaculately preserved Monastic ruins at Clonmacnoise. Catch one of the many festivals or explore the mountains on your doorstep with the local club. Truly, you won't be bored.

Property manager

James O Brien

Languages

English
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Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Kinnitty

Located in Kinnitty, this holiday home is in the mountains. Mountmellick Museum and An Dun Transport and Heritage Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Birr Golf Club and Roscrea Golf Club. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Sky Venue or O'Moore Park. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking nearby.
Map
Birr, Offaly

What's nearby

  • Bernard's Pyramid - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Slieve Bloom Display Centre - 2 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Irish High Cross Kinnitty - 2 min drive - 2.4 km
  • Leap Castle - 14 min drive - 14.9 km
  • Birr Castle - 17 min drive - 17.4 km

Getting around

  • Roscrea Station - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Dungeon Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Slí Dala - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Peavoy’s - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Library Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Blue Ball - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Peaceful retreat in the heart of Ireland close to walking, biking and fishing pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Peaceful retreat in the heart of Ireland close to walking, biking and fishing ?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Peaceful retreat in the heart of Ireland close to walking, biking and fishing ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Peaceful retreat in the heart of Ireland close to walking, biking and fishing located?

Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Bernard's Pyramid and Slieve Bloom Display Centre. Irish High Cross Kinnitty is 1.3 mi (2.1 km) away.

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 57 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 57 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 57 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 57 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 57 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Wendy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful

The house is spacious and comfortable. Mr. O Brien Sr. Lives next door and is lovely. It was a great place to come "home" too after a day of sight seeing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mb G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place

We decided to stay in central Ireland to be able to be close to everywhere. Kinnety is a cute little town with 2 pubs, a beautiful castle around the corner and nearby a larger city. The property was super clean and cozy, big house with lots of bathrooms with showers. We loved our host Mr O’Brien and the town locals were very friendly. Definitely would stay again!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Much better than expected!

What a lovely surprise! The house is much bigger and better than the photos. Fantastic location, offstreet parking, lovely courtyard at the back that could be closed in for the dogs, and walk to two pubs. Loved it.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Byron

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A nice place.

My wife and I stayed for the month of September 2024. We wanted a place that was centrally located in order to do day trips as well as overnight trips (or longer) to other places in Ireland. This home was perfect for that. We were expecting another couple and that was the reason to rent this huge home. We enjoyed our stay very much. The landord was contacted by e-mail and was quick to respond with any issues. The house needs attention but it worked out for us very nicely and our stay was enjoyable. The small village was just what we wanted and the hiking around the Sleive Bloom mountains was excellent! I would recommend this place, but remember, it is an old building but the beds are comfy and each bedroom is en suite. There is a Tesco located in Birr, 15 km away and a Super Tesco located in Tullamore, about 27 km. It's an easy drive through nice country. There are many nice quick drives that can be through gorgeous country. We traveled easily through all of Ireland from this location as far north and Giants Causeway (part of our 5 night stay in Donnegal) to the wonderful town of Dingle in the south and Kinsale in the east to Galway in the west to name but a few. This house in Kinnitty became our Irish home and we don't regret it one bit.
Stayed 30 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kinnity

A wonderful location to tour Ireland. Kinnity is a small village at the heart of Ireland with good access to major roads. The house was clean and comfortable, good facilities in kitchen. Jimmy was on hand to help out if we needed him. Beds very comfortable. I was travelling with an elderly family member with limited mobility and he found the showers too small. That was the only minor negative part of the house. I would definitely recommend this accommodation.
Stayed 19 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kinnitty Charmer

Clean, well stocked. Great location. Had a turf fire burning when we arrived. Highly recommended! Go raibh míle maith agat Frank
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Denise S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming home

Charming home with charming owner living next door. Beds comfortable and plenty of space, wonderful wood fire place. This house is pretty remote in that the town has 2 pubs one tiny grocer and one cafe that closed at 6. Roads are quite extra narrow here so brush up on your driving. Birr castle grounds amazing. We had some difficulty finding places to eat later in the evenings; weekend pubs book up with weddings so closed to general public. All in all great value, lovely but remote area.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2022

2/10 Terrible

Colin N.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy

Bring your own cleaner

Arrived early nobody there to meet us as arranged. Found the keys inside and hoped we had the right place. Let ourselves in. Property requires a good clean and redecorating. Damp/mould in the showers, kitchen and living room. The house was cold even in this extreme hot weather. Washing and dryer in an outhouse full of peat and bird droppings. Yes the house would sleep eight but could not accommodate for eight people. Bedding was stained and smelt sweaty. Outdoor seating area not inviting and overgrown. Lovely location, friendly people. Overall very disappointed with the property.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

6/10 Okay

Freek B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Ierse vakantie woning

Ruime woning
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Priscilla A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing house in the Midlands

Bright and spacious house with antique charm but modern comforts. Jimmy was a great host! We loved Kinnitty town: visiting Kinnitty Castle for lunch then walking the forest trails; rambling through the wildflower-strewn graveyard to the pyramid; Peavoy's coffee and pastries; and memorable evenings of craic and craft beer at the Slieve Bloom Bar right next door (say hello to Anna, Martin & Kieran for us!). Finally, the central location makes for easy day trips to all the fun and adventure you're dreaming of in Ireland.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joanne E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic house & location

We’ve just returned from a wonderful break in Kinnitty. The house is perfect, lovely and spacious with ample bathrooms and well equipped. Kinnitty itself is a brilliant village with two great bars and centrally located for accessing many different parts of Ireland! Highly recommended!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lance H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great central location

We had a wonderful stay here for a week. It's located in a great central location for touring a lot of the southern half of the island. The host was very nice, the cottage was in excellent condition and the only pyramid in Europe is a block away. We would absolutely rent here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Peter M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

10 days in Kilkenny

My wife, daughters and spouses spent 10 days at the Kinnity home and enjoyed it. The house has character and each of the four bedrooms has its own bathroom. There is some learning to do to keep the fireplace running, and to ensure hot water supply with the electrical back up, but once done we were well pleased. On the third Wednesday of the month local musicians come to play at the Slieve Bloom pub/lounge next door. It is a real treat to see the younger musicians from 6 till 8 pm and then the adults mixed with young from 10 till 2 am. Say high to Kieran and Sean at the lounge! Thank you James for a delightful stay. Peter and Daphne (and Shannon, Bowen, Sheelah and Justin
Stayed 10 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Small Irish town

My family of 7 (ages from 14 to 69) had the most amazing experience staying in Kinnitty. Most of the group had never been out of the USA before so this was first adventure they will never forget! The house was perfect for a group of our size in all ways. Look at the description and it is spot on. Jimmy was there to meet us and very welcoming. Any issues or questions we had, either Jimmy or his son was quick to answer. Nothing major just learning curve for us Americans not knowing how some things work in an Irish home was all. The kitchen was limited on cookware so keep that in mind for any home cooked meals planned. I say limited but not workable for the basics as would be expected. I am huge on water pressure for my showers and it was perfect. We had great wifi the whole time so the teenagers were happy during evening time before bed. :-) The whole town was relaxed and charming. The Slieve Bloom Lounge next door (literally) was a highlight of the trip. We looked forward to ending our days there as often as we could after our daily outings around the country itself. Keiran the owner treated us like family from day one as did the locals we chatted with throughout the week. Nobody in our group had any complaints of the house or the town. We are planning a trip back for a 10 year anniversary and all agreed we will probably just stay in and around Kinnitty the whole time. I cannot say enough or express thoroughly the incredibly wonderful time and experience we had - you just have to visit and see for yourself. It is well worth it I promise. Slainte! The Bowman's, The Wood's and The Stephenson's
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

José Luis B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Volveriamos a repetir

para nuestra actividad de visitar el pais, Dublin, Moher, Galway, tenia una ubicación correcta, James persona agradable y de buen trato y atento ante cualquier petición, y la vivienda reunía las condiciones necesarias para estar cómodamente dos familias de ocho personas.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Lorraine W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding party

Great lication to base yourself to tour Offaly.All rooms had own shower / bathroom.Needs a lityle tlc but great value for money.Dealing witj owner via email was very helpful.

8/10 Good

Stacy D.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Beautiful Duplex - Great Location

We traveled to Ireland from the US for a mother-daughter trip. My mother, her three sisters and their daughters for a total of eight stayed for seven nights. The house is rustic and beautiful. During the day we traveled throughout the southern side of Ireland and at night we returned to stay in the house. I never met the owner, but most of our party did and shared he was very helpful and accommodating. The location of the house was perfect for our day trips as you can travel to most locations in Ireland within a couple of hours and see some beautiful sites along the way. The size of the house was perfect for our party. My only suggestion would be a deep cleaning of the house. The baseboards, ceilings and fans need to be dusted. The carpets need to be cleaned.

10/10 Excellent

Glenn S.

Excellent Home Away From Home In A Quaint Location

The four of us thoroughly enjoyed Jame's property during our five night stay in Ireland. The home was comfortable - it maintained it's rustic feel as an older home, but contained all the modern amenities you will need. As for the home, we had plenty of room (four bedrooms to choose from), which could easily accommodate four couples. The kitchen and living quarters were plenty spacious. There is no main grocery store in the town of Kinnitty, but James recommended one to go to prior to our arrival. The home had plenty of accessories (pans, utensils, spices, etc.) for cooking. Should you need a last minute item, there were two stores in town within walking distance that carried the common necessities. But the best feature we enjoyed was coming back every night and starting a fire and burning peat in the fireplace - it warmed up the room quickly, and gave off a wonderful smell while it was burning. Kinnitty was an excellent central point for our travel plans. We could wander off in any direction and be there within an hour and a half (Dublin, Galway and Tipperary). If you wanted to take the train (as we did to Dublin), it was just up the road in Tullamore. At night, there were two local pubs within walking distance - with Slieve Bloom Bar being right next door. There is Irish music sessions performed by local musicians on Wednesday nights. It moves between villages every week - we missed the session in Kinnitty by a week, but one of locals at Giltrap's Pub told us about the one being held in Cadamstown (Dempsey's Pub) - just 5 Km up the road. We also found the Dungeon Bar up at Kinnitty Castle as a great place for food and entertainment on Friday & Saturday nights. Being at the base of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, there were plenty of easy trails to take in (I'm sure there were more challenging ones too, but they were not in our agenda). Thank you James for being a great host, and readily accessible when we needed you. We look forward to a return visit to the area, and hope your home is available when we do come back.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Joan C., Albuquerque

Great home for visiting the Central Region

James' house was perfect for our group while flying in the hot air balloon meet in Birr. James was a wonderful host and even had a roaring fire going when we arrived in the evening to check in. The house was perfect with a bedroom downstairs and 3 upstairs. Everything was clean and in great condition. The people in Kinnitty were friendly and welcoming, and we had a wonderful week long stay. We hope to visit again sometime and would gladly stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Andy D.

Great place.

Great place right next to a great Irish pub. James even came to help when we locked ourselves out.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Alison G.

Lovely holiday....

My family and I spent a comfortable week here. We enjoyed it immensely, from the friendly village and great pub so close and lovely Mr O'Brien next door on hand to help, to discovering the heart of Ireland and all it has to offer. I would thoroughly recommend Lismooney House to anybody.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Linda K.

We loved Lismooney House. Jimmy O'brian was a wonderful host.

The property had everything we needed. And we liked the small town of Kinnitty.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Sara M., ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Great location for day trippers

Great house for 4 adults, we took day trips all over, even had a trip to the Giant's Causeway! We kept saying we were going to the pub, but we were so comfortable in the house we never made it. Next trip!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Cindy L.

Fabulous Experience in a Small Village

My husband, grandson and I stayed in Lismooney House for 1 month. The house is very comfortable and large enough to accommodate the many cousins that came to stay with us over the month. We felt welcomed by the warm and friendly people of Kinnitty. We found so many great things to do and see nearby, such as Lough Bora and Birr Castle. The location of the house was perfect for day trips, such as to the Cliffs of Mohr or The Rock of Cashel. If we needed anything, Mr. O'Brien was next door. After 1 month, Lismooney House felt like home. The only down side is that the WiFi can be spotty. We will definitely stay here the next time that we are in Ireland!
Stayed 28 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Arnold S.

Centrally located.. spacious.. well furnished..enjoyed the peat burning fireplace..historic charm

Jimmy was a kind and welcoming host full of information and local history ..the house was large and spacious and with the 4 bedrooms and bathrooms very convient . The kitchen well equipped and we prepared several great meals... We enjoyed our evening beside the peat burning fireplace. The village was an interesting place to walk around and explore with many unique sights.. who would of ever thought you could find a pyramid in the middle of Ireland We look forward to coming back again. Besides Jimmy we were welcomed by 3 beautiful cats they guarded the place for us while we were out.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2017

About the host

Hosted by James O Brien

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English
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