A taste of Kerry gold at €775,000 Ard na Coille, high above magical Caragh Lake

‘SELDOM seen is wonderful’ is a meaningless phrase in the context of Kerry’s Caragh Lake.

Those lucky enough to own homes in the area must thank their lucky stars every day. Mountains and woods fill the vista wherever you look, and at the centre of this sublime landscape is Caragh Lake, with lovely Roberts Island and Illaunbuddoga.

Hiking websites will tell you about the muscle-burning Caragh Lake Trail and Mountain Spur Trail, from where there are 360° views (with the occasional Sika deer spotted along the way), taking in the majestic MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, gorgeous Glenbeigh, Inch Beach, the Dingle Peninsula and the wild Atlantic. In a county saturated with beauty spots, it’s tricky to pick a winner, but Caragh Lake is surely right up there.

Given the area’s awesome scenery, it will surprise no-one that it’s a magnet for overseas visitors. In fact there’s a trend of not just visiting, but of foreigners buying properties around Caragh Lake. Germans were in the vanguard after crane-maker Liebherr established a Killarney base in the late 1950s. Since then, US and UK buyers have also arrived. In fact Catherine McAuliffe, the agent selling Ard na Coille, the property featured here, recently sold another Caragh Lake home to a US couple for €950,000. The Savills agent is guiding Ard na Coille at €775,000 and interest has already been registered from the UK and US. 

Among the early viewers of the 292 sq m detached bungalow were potential UK buyers, although a Killarney-based couple have shown interest also. The latter were looking for a permanent dwelling, which would mark a change from its use as a luxurious holiday home by its current Irish owner, who bought it in the 1990s.

Ard na Coille, on 0.81 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens with tree-lined private drive and attached garage, has undergone extensive renovations in recent years, including the replacement of windows and external doors. It’s awash with fine features, like picture windows and the parquet floors of the hallway and the huge, double aspect living room which opens onto a rear veranda. 

The view is down towards Caragh Lake. Ms McAuliffe says that view could be widened by cutting back on some of the growth in the back garden. Most of the garden you wouldn’t touch though, other than to maintain it, as it’s beautifully laid out with a glut of mature trees and shrubs like rhododendrons, hydrangeas, camelias, Forest Flame, Lantern Trees and Gunnera. 

There’s even a stream running through the property, a natural water feature, that adds to the aura of tranquility.

There’s a sense of clam and relaxation inside this bright, spacious house too and little pockets to reflect in, like the second living area which can be closed off with pocket doors or opened into the spacious dining room, which in turn opens to the kitchen. 

The layout makes for great connectivity and excellent entertainment potential. Sleeping quarters are generous too, with four bedrooms in all, of which two are en suite. 

The garage can be accessed internally from a stairs in the hallway or through a roller door off the driveway. A garden store attached to the garage can also be accessed off the driveway.

Ms McAuliffe says “it’s only once in a blue moon that a property as private as Ard na Coille overlooking magical Caragh Lake arises”.

“This property is special and is the perfect bolthole if you want to get away from it all,” she says, adding that the most prevalent sounds are of “birdsong and the lapping of the lake”.

“Whether you are looking for a full-time or holiday home, you probably won't look much further when you have seen this one,” she says. adding that the property is set in the Reeks District, on an elevated site above Caragh Lake, in an area renowned for climbing, forest walks, kayaking, surfing, cycling and swimming. There's nearby access to the freshwater lake from the house and for those who enjoy fishing, it's renowned for salmon and trout.

Families interested in the property should know that there’s a primary school within walking distance and a secondary school in Killorglin town, which is 7km away. Two restaurants on the lake are also within walking distance. Killarney is 29km away, Kerry Airport is 34km and the distance to Cork Airport is 120km.

VERDICT: Hard to argue with the agent’s assessment. Enviable property as either a holiday home or permanent residence.