Pairc na Realta is high in a valley away from traffic with superb views of mountains and the Atlantic. Rossbeigh beach (5km of sand with swimming and surfing) is at 2 km. The house was built by the present owners 40 years ago for their own occupation and has been upgraded and remodelled over the years. It has two wings, separated by a central living area. The principal bedroom with four-poster bed and its own bathroom and separate shower room is in one wing. In the other there are three bedrooms a bathroom, separate shower room and a games room with table tennis and library housing part of our varied 500 book collection. The main living area - 45 ft x 20 ft (13.8m x 6.1m) - comprises a state of the art kitchen diner separated from the sitting room by a cosy sunken central stone fireplace, with bench seating set round it and a sun room with dining and sitting areas. There is an adjacent covered area. There is wifi broadband for guests' use. The landscaped garden extends to 3/4 acre (0.3 hectare). There is parking for three cars by the house and for a further three by the front gate. Overall the house is very homely because we spend many weeks a year there ourselves.


Trips from the house: You'll see some of the highlights in the photo gallery.

We'd recommend the following day trips:

1. Driving the Ring of Kerry, which passes right round the Iveragh Peninsula. Kenmare is a delightful town and a good stopping point for lunch.
2. Spending a day in the Killarney National park, maybe taking a jaunting car (horse drawn trap) or hiring cycles locally.
3. Driving round the Dingle Peninsula, in summer months including a boat trip to the Blasket Islands. Dingle is a pretty town where you can stop for lunch.

Ways to spend half a day include:

1. A visit by boat to Skellig Michael climbing 700 steps to the top to see the 6th Century monastery (perfectly preserved) and in summer watching the puffins which nest there until early August.
2. Taking the short car ferry crossing (about 5 minutes) to Valentia Island, which has many attractions including the oldest Tetrapod (amphibian) fossilised footprints in the world, and the site and memorial of the first transatlantic cable.

Walking: The Kerry way runs past the front gate. This is a waymarked walking way running for 215 km round the Iveragh Peninsular. It takes you through glorious scenery, without being too strenuous or difficult. For walkers looking for a greater challenge, the house looks out towards the western end of the Glenbeigh horseshoe, and walking up the incline behind the house you eventually get to the summit of Drung Hill. From there you take in a wonderful Atlantic view and then walk along a ridge at around 2,000 feet for the 25 km hike to end up in the village of Glenbeigh. There are countless other local walks, one of the favourites being to the end of Rossbeigh Strand and back, the circuit taking roughly two hours. The owners' library contains books and other details of walks.

Fishing: Local waters abound with skate, shark (many species, from little frilled sharks to potentially man-eating blues), ling, cod, conger, pollock, monkfish, coalfish, dogfish, mackerel and many more. Even tuna is brought to Kerry waters by the Gulf Stream. Local fishing grounds hold many Irish Sea Fishing Records.
Local skippers take fishermen out for an hour or two, or day-long trips, maybe to the Skelligs or Blaskets.
For shore fishermen Rossbeigh strand, is famous for bass fishing, particularly in early spring. Many places along the coast are suitable for rock fishing. The owners' library contains details of local sea fishing.
For freshwater game fishermen the area abounds with lakes and rivers for salmon and brown trout. The salmon season runs from 9th February to 30th September, and trout from 15th March to 12th October. Caragh lake, set in unparalleled scenery is a 15 minute drive away. Salmon are caught here, as they are on the Upper Caragh River. The river has 9 beats.