Property Photos   Property details Bedrooms 3   Bathrooms 1 Pets Allowed No   Washing Machine Yes Dryer Yes   Double beds 1 See More View Rates   Share with a Friend   Location Map

Adare Thatched Farmhouse

County Limerick, Ireland

This three bedroom/two bathroom thatched farmhouse featuring beautiful cottage gardens and an adjacent stone barn is a perfect Ireland vacation home.

One approaches this property along a private driveway.  At the end of the drive, it is much as it was hundreds of years ago: a thatched farmhouse and adjacent stone barn, cottage gardens, a lovely green meadow, cows.  It's nice to pause a moment before entering the buildings, just to absorb the atmosphere.

The current owners inherited the property from Josie Madigan who lived there, with her two brothers, for 89 years. Before that, Josie’s mother, and before that, Josie's grandmother, lived in this farmhouse. The current owners have renovated the property with love, the skill of a craftsman, the eye of an artist and dedication to the spirit of Josie Madigan.

One enters through a Dutch door into the original keeping room, the space where all of a family's daily living occurred.  The original stone floors show the many years of living - and the ceile dancing that Josie hosted in the days before dance halls. The walls are a warm yellow, “Irish yellow” we've come to call it.

For centuries the large inglenook fireplace warmed the room with a peat fire. A remodel in 2008 provided a more efficient wood stove to keep the room cozy. A little cubbyhole to the left of the stove was always the place for the tea kettle and it still is.  Josie’s photograph hangs at the side of the fireplace along with the concertina that Josie’s mother played for the dancing. The comfortable easy chair and settee are sympathetic to the room - just as it must have been in those early years.

At the back of the keeping room, there is a table that seats 6 comfortably. A yellow dresser holds antique blue and white china. A wall clock chimes the hour. It is a peaceful and lovely room further enhanced by many beautiful watercolors painted by the owner, a gifted and well-known artist.

To the right of the keeping room is a little hall paved with black and brick-colored tiles. It accesses the garden and patio that has wide views of the surrounding countryside. Young horses romp in the adjacent meadow.

Through the hall, you enter the former parlor, now a lovely flower-filled double bedroom. An antique iron and brass bed, a mirror-fronted armoire and the original fireplace, create a haven. The en suite bathroom, with salmon walls and white wainscoting, has a shower.

Beyond the double bedroom is another bedroom that has a door.  The antique double bed is better used as a single.  The walls are papered in a small, pretty print.  An antique side table, lovely fabrics and the owner's watercolors make this a special space.

The kitchen is to the left of the keeping room.  Though it is not large, it is well designed, sophisticated and very attractive.

Painted that same buttery yellow, it has a Belfast sink, granite counters, timber floors, open shelves that display an array of very nice kitchen appointments.  There is highest-quality modern equipment including a dishwasher.

Beyond the kitchen is a large bedroom.  There are two beds which were once considered double beds.  They are a bit narrow for two people, but we leave it to you to decide.  Stylish fabrics, antiques, art and the lovely view from the windows all contribute to the room's beauty.  It's very terrific.

The en suite bathroom has a tub with hand-held shower.  The walls are wallpapered above white-painted wainscoting.  There is another door from the bathroom into the keeping room so that this bathroom can be accessed from the keeping room without going through the bedroom.

Adjacent to the farmhouse is The Old Stone Barn which can be rented separately or together. Although they are very close, they are at right angles to one another so that the individual gardens have privacy. If they are rented together, the keeping room in the farmhouse is large enough to accommodate everyone for meals.  Children are warmly welcomed to this property. Fire wood and peat are included in the rental.

The property is a 2-minute drive from the charming thatched village of Adare. There are excellent restaurants, authentic pubs and very good shopping in Adare. The renowned Clonshire Equestrian & Polo Center is nearby. There are several golf courses within minutes of the property including, in Adare, the Adare Manor Hotel golf course and the famous Old World course. Enjoy horse racing at Greenmount (5 minutes) or visit local stud farms.  Fishing and shooting are available. A traditional bar and restaurant with Irish music is right across the road from the driveway to the cottages.

Shannon Airport is 16 miles. Limerick is 10 miles. Galway is 65 miles. Cork is 65 miles. Killarney is 70 miles. Dublin is 120 miles.