Kilrateera Cottage, Mountshannon/Lough Derg

Self contained rural cottage with one bedroom and fold out sofa in the living/dining area, in courtyard of a period farmhouse 4km above Mountshannon with wonderful views of Lough Derg. Boating, hiking, fishing, biking, horse riding, touring nearby. Sleeps a couple in single bedroom; possibly 1 child; but check with us. The space Kilrateera Cottage is a recently refurbished self-contained cottage in the courtyard of our Kilrateera Farmhouse. It contains a single bedroom (double bed downstairs) and a (small) double fold-out sofa upstairs in the living/dining room. We also have another blow up mattress can put in the cottage. Although can sleep three adults, really set up for two. There is fold-out sofa upstairs for third guest, but note there are no window blinds on the velux or other windows so can be bright in the mornings. Check with us if you are a party of three to make certain appropriate for your needs. The property consists of 4.2 acres with wonderful views of Lough Derg below, some 4km above the village of Mountshannon, with its lovely marina. There is a half acre field at the side, with three polytunnels and outdoor beds, where Annie works day and night tending to far too many organic vegetables, best apricots, strawberries and raspberries galore, a haggard (wild flower garden behind a games room/yoga or dance studio), an orchard and is surrounded on two sides by a copse. The cottage sits on one side of the courtyard, with two outbuildings on either side, one a games room with ping pong or can be used as a quiet yoga/dance room or artists studio; the main farmhouse then is in front of the courtyard, facing Lough Derg. Parking available. We both have spent our working lives in the arts and this is a wonderful place for a visiting artist, writer or musician. Children are welcome and very safe. The cottage has a self-catering kitchen, fully equipped, and there is usually extra fruit for breakfast or some vegetables in the garden if you wish--whatever is ripe for harvesting! There is a patio area behind the cottage with a table and benches in good weather and lovely evening sunshine, and a barbecue for your convenience and pleasure. Residents include half a dozen cheeky chickens giving us eggs, and Willow, a friendly, rather deaf (and very funny) sheepdog. In the summer our neighbours' two horses will often stay in our front field constantly chatting to another neighbour's two horses and five donkeys over the wall. There is no television although we have many DVD's on hand if you have a laptop. We ask a minimum stay of 3 nights. Please also be aware: this is a rural area although only 45 minutes from Limerick, 1.5 hr or so from Doolin (Aran Islands Ferry), Burren, Cliffs of Moher. You'll need car for the area or be good long distance bicyclists. We are not entirely remote, but we are up a hill on a narrow windy road and a 15 minute drive from any shops, pubs and all amenities. WE ARE 4KM FROM MOUNTSHANNON VILLAGE AND NOT REALLY WALKABLE AT NIGHT. This is Ireland and it can (and does) get wet. Wellies or hiking boots are highly recommended, and a good book is always a good idea (we have many on offer!) Guest access You'll be welcome all over the property. If you feel like helping in the vegetable area you'd be welcome and we have more than enough to share if you're in a cooking mood. Or if you want solitude, quiet, a place to read or walk this place is for you. There is a studio in the outbuilding next to the cottage that right now is the small games room, or we might use for visiting artists, workshops, yoga or dance, retreats. We are used to having friends and airbnb'rs so you're welcome to do your own thing or see what were up to. We're not a b and b, not hoteliers.... this is our home and we are working, but it's always enjoyable to have others about. Other things to note You will need a car here to get around or be a keen cyclist. You can walk into the local village, Mountshannon (4.2 km) if you're hearty: there's a small farmer's market there on Saturdays, and a small shop; , in Scariff (6.2km to the west) there's a small grocery and a very good health foods store as well as the bank, a library, a doctor's and pharmacy and all amenities. Restaurants in area; we can help you with that. Fishing and boating, horseback riding, hiking, cycling, lake swimming for the hardy, surfing at the coast, Aran and the Burren, castles and cliffs, pubs and music festivals, East Clare has it all. Look down to the lake 3km below the house, you can see Holy Island, site of an ancient monastery and 5 ruined churches. There's a small boat/ferry that can take you and a picnic out there, if you like. Or come to view the giant sea eagles roosting on a nearby island with their fledgling chicks learning to fly. Near extinction in Ireland, they're the newest citizens. As for music, Clare is known for it. If you like Irish traditional music, there are music and arts festivals a plenty in the summer months, highlighted by the international Feakle traditional music festival. Remember we are not outside the village; it is a 15 minute drive or 45 minute walk not advisable at night. If flying into area, we are much closer to Shannon then to Dublin.