The 4-star, Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry offers guests a chance to withdraw from the busy world and to find time for themselves to indulge in great food, to enjoy the soundest of sleeps and to explore the great outdoors. The gardens of this wonderful old country house will soon wear the colours of autumn and the annual seasonal, leafy display shows natures colours at their golden best. With its mature gardens, elegant drawing rooms, open log fires and stunning interiors, this 18th century country house hotel is just the place to escape to.
Set on the edge of Killarney National Park and lakes, the historic country house enjoys a tranquil, secluded location yet is just a twenty-minute stroll into Killarney town itself.
The Restore and Explore package (from €285 per person sharing) includes two nights bed and breakfast for two people, tea and scones in the elegant drawing room overlooking the gardens and a glass of bubbles on arrival. There is also a complimentary history tour and guests are guaranteed a truly restorative sleep, thanks to the Seventh Heaven Beds and absolute peace and quiet of the house.
The following day, following a great night’s sleep you will be refreshed and ready to head out and explore Killarney National Park which surrounds the house and is within walking distance of Cahernane. Killarney National Park is stunning during the autumn period as the ancient trees are clothed in the most vibrant autumn colours. After your exploration, what could be nicer or more peaceful than sitting down in front of roaring fire with a glass of wine or a pint of the black stuff?
Built in 1877, the property has been sympathetically remodeled by the current owners, PREM Group who have spent over €7.8 million on an ambitious renewal programme. There are 12 bedrooms in the original Manor House, 28 in the Garden Wing and the former Coach House, once home to the horses and carriages of the Herbert family who built the house is now the setting for 8 new luxurious bedrooms. Inside the Manor House there is a grand dining room and drawing room, a light filled atrium, library and the quirky, Cellar Bar which serves delicious food. Original antiques, paintings and stunning chandeliers set the tone for classic country elegance and guests will find numerous peaceful rooms to escape to with a book and retreat from the busy world.
The Coach House is a completely separate building to the main Manor House and is available for exclusive hire for families or friends. This beautiful old stone cut building has its own separate entrances which allows guest staying here to minimise their interaction with others if they so wish. Several dining options will also allow for social distancing with dining options including The Herbert Restaurant, The Cellar Bar, the Library and Atrium. Al Fresco dining in the extensive gardens and terraces will also be offered and if you want to get out and explore the locality you can ask chef to prepare a picnic to bring with you.
For more on Cahernane House Hotel or to make a booking see www.cahernane.com
About Cahernane House Hotel
The 4-star Cahernane House Hotel was originally built in 1877 as a family residence for Henry Herbert at a cost of £5,992. The original plans were to build a mansion three times the size of what it is presently, but the next generation of the Herbert family fell on hard times and let the property out as a hotel. As a result, the property feels and looks more like a grand, country, private residence rather than a hotel.
Located just outside the centre of the thriving town of Killarney, the 48-bedroom Cahernane House Hotel is still far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Kerry’s major urban centre to offer a secluded and tranquil getaway. It is located on 6.4 acres of verdant grounds and overlooks the stunning backdrop of the Killarney Lakes and Killarney National Park.
The house itself is reminiscent of times gone by and the charm in which it was built upon in the 1800s has never been lost despite the changeover of owner’s numerous times throughout its history. There are five main rooms on the ground floor of the property; the Pembroke Suite, the Herbert Restaurant, Drawing Room, Library and Reception. Each of these rooms contain historical artefacts and original antiques including items such as the Herbert Family Crest which is depicted above the front door of the hotel.
Upon entry visitors will notice a stunning Killarney Davenport desk which was built circa 1880 and carries pictures of nearby Glena Cottage, Muckross Abbey, Ross Castle, the Old Weir Bridge and the Bricin Bridge. A Queen Anne fireplace that was originally part of the Herbert’s Queen Anne style house is located in the reception and was originally built circa 1750, the original fireplace is still in working order and is lit daily. Imposing bronze statues are located within the reception, and these were originally brought to Cahernane House Hotel by Vincent and Min Albericci who bought the house in 1940.
There are 12 rooms located in the original manor house and each are packed with individual charm and character showcasing period features such as sash windows, high ceilings or elegant mouldings. All rooms in the original house are individually named after people and places connected with the house, such as James Fuller, the architect, or Patricia Newling, an owner with an interesting past in the 1950s.
The Garden Wing of Cahernane House was constructed in the 1960’s and has since been completely refurbished. It incorporates 28 beautiful rooms, decorated and styled in keeping with country manor traditions.
The Herbert Restaurant is the main Dining Rooms in the Cahernane House Hotel and seats up to 80 people. The fine dining cuisine is prepared by the Executive Head Chef Eric Kavanagh using locally sourced produce. Eric brings extensive experience from a career that includes award winning establishments such as Longueville House in Mallow and Sheen Falls in Kenmare. Cahernane House Hotel holds two AA Rosette for excellence in cuisine and has received glowing reviews from renowned food critics such as Lucinda O’Sullivan and Georgina Campbell.
The house is adjacent to Killarney National Park, Ireland’s largest national park which is surrounded by mountains and lakes and inhabited by natural wildlife. There are also numerous historical buildings in the park such as Muckross Abbey – a 15th century monastery – and Muckross House, a building that is intertwined with the history of Cahernane House due to the Herbert family.
Horse riding treks and fishing activities that take place on the grounds of Killarney National Park can be arranged by the hospitality team and there are also a wide range of splendid golf courses in the region which Cahernane House have links to.
Cahernane House Hotel has changed hands on multiple occasions in the last 115 years, beginning with the leasing of the hotel for almost 40 years from 1902. It was sold for the first time in 1940 to Vincent Albericci, and the property passed through the hands of another five owners before it was purchased by PREM Group in 2016.
For more information on Cahernane House Hotel see www.cahernane.com