An Idyllic Retreat
Situated on the grounds of a 200 year old Georgian Manor, Grove House Courtyard Cottages offer an oasis of calm in beautiful West Cork. There are 3 separate cottages available - each completely unique, and wonderfully inviting. All 3 were completely remodelled in 2007, and are the perfect gateway to the southwest of Ireland. Arguably the most scenic part of the country, it also offers an abundance of historical and cultural sites. All that and just 20 minutes walk from the bustling and vibrant town of Skibbereen, to keep you entertained in the evenings!
Your Tour Includes7 nights Accommodation*
Car Rental**
Ireland Explorer Discount Card
Ireland Guidebook & Map
Online Personal Travel Website
Travel Bag & Travel Wallet for documents
Optional Roundtrip Flight (at extra cost)
5-star Support & Assistance while in Ireland |  |
*You may add or subtract days
Base price includes 7 night of self-catering accommodation in an Irish Cottage. You may add additional nights with any of our lodging choices.
**Car rental includes CDW, insurance, 24-hour roadside assistance, unlimited mileage, all taxes. |
Inside the Cottages
All 3 Cottages have open plan living areas with exposed beams and cut-stone walls. All have a sofa that converts to a double bed if needed (the 2 bedroom 'Barn Suite' is recommended for more than 2 adults). The lounges are cool and comfy and include TV with full satellite package, video, DVD and stereo.
Kitchens have oven/hob, microwave and dishwasher. All are centrally heated, so they are always warm and cosy in cooler months. The maximum any of the cottages can accommodate is 4 persons.
Cottage 1 Additional Features:
- Four Poster Bedroom
- Raised Deck with Private Hot Tub
Cottage 2 Additional Features:
- Luxury Bedroom Suite
- Large Double Jacuzzi
Barn Suite Additional Features:
- Largest Cottage with 2 Double Bedrooms
- Master Suite with 4 Poster Bed
- Large Double Jacuzzi
About Skibbereen Town
This thriving town is the 'capital' of West Cork, and centre for all the agricultural, industrial and tourist activities of the region. Its streets are full of life and character and it is an ideal base from which to discover the delights of West Cork. You could easily spend days or weeks exploring West Cork, wandering up and down its lovely quiet roads. Although popular, it is never crowded like Kerry, and there are always delightful places to discover. Around each western headland, the unsuspecting visitor will discover coastlines dominated by scenic harbors and colorful fishing villages such as Glandore, Baltimore and Schull, secluded beaches and dozens of sparsely populated islands such as Sherkin and Cape Clear. These islands, which were once populated with Gaelic speaking colonies, now offer the visitor endless hours of exploring an old-world traditional Ireland.
The following locations are in close proximity to Skibbereen
The Beara Peninsula (45 minutes)
Home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Ireland, and offering the broadest range of activities, entertainment, cuisine and accommodation imaginable, West Cork provides a range of options that allow you to tailor your holiday to suit your personal needs and desires. The appeal of the Beara Peninsula lies in its startling beauty, best experienced by climbing the hills & cycling the roads. It’s a lot bigger and much wider than Sheeps Head Peninsula to the south and occupies part of both Cork & Kerry. While there is lush greenery (reminiscent of the Ireland imagined by long departed emigrants) amid rocky scenery on the Mizen Head and Sheeps Heah Peninsulas, the Beara is a desolate, harsh, rocky landscape. It makes wonderful waking country and is littered with pre-historic rocks, stone circles and old tombs.
Kenmare (1 hour)
Kenmare, with its pastel coloured houses, is the usual starting point for the Ring of Kerry round trip. The small town, founded by a handful of Englishmen in 1670, has every tourist convenience imaginable, including 2 of the most luxurious hotels in Ireland, both of which have been awarded the much coveted Michelin star: the Park Hotel and Sheen Falls Lodge. A trip round the peninsula of Iveragh should not be missed; it has some of the most magnificent landscape in Europe, as any of the hundreds of people on bicycles, motorbikes, cars and busses traveling the 110 mile long coast road will tell you. Starting the Ring of Kerry trip from Kenmare means that you will meet the countless busses from Killarney going the other way instead of being stuck behind them!
Kinsale (1.25 hours)
Located just 16 miles from Cork City in a naturally protected harbour, Kinsale is one of the most picturesque, popular and fashionable towns on the south-west coast. Kinsale is a centre for yachting, sea angling, gourmet eating and golf. Restaurants in Kinsale pride themselves on their high reputation for culinary expertise, and the Good Food Circle has been organizing a Gourmet Festival here every autumn for over 25 years. A charming town, its narrow streets are steeped in history and its harbour is always full of boats. Visit the museum housed in the French Prison or, just outside the town, the star-shaped Charles Fort with its spectacular views, before retiring to one of the town's many cozy atmospheric pubs.
Cork City (1.5 hours)
Cork City has undergone a transformation in recent years with the city centre geting a compete facelift. Always a much prettier and more pleasant city than Dublin, now Cork really sparkles. And so do its residents who claim to be Ireland's friendliest. Whatever the truth of that claim it is certainly true that there is no shortage of characters in "the real capital" as the locals jokingly claim. The city itself dates back to the 7th century and boasts some fine Georgian architecture. There are a number of places worth visiting while in Cork including the imposing St. Finbarr's Cathedral, St Anne's Church, which houses the Shandon Bells and Cork City Gaol.
Blarney Castle & Stone (1.5 hours)
Blarney is a charming village but is most renowned for its castle and stone. The impressive castle, perched on solid limestone, dates from 1446 and is situated on magnificent grounds. To acquire "the gift of gab" one must kiss the Blarney Stone. This involves bending over backwards at quite a height and should not be attempted by the faint-hearted!
Killarney (2 hours)
Killarney lies on the edge of the astoundingly beautiful Killarney National Park with its three magnificent lakes and the spectacular MacGillycuddy Reeks mountain range. The park is also home to Muckross House and Gardens. Killarney is a wonderful base for all manner of activities including angling and water sports, golf, riding, orienteering, hiking, cycling, and canoeing. The town itself is quite small but full of charm as you will soon see as you walk down the brick footpaths and pass curious old-style shop fronts. Killarney is well known for its excellent shops, restaurants and cosmopolitan appeal. It is also renowned for its evening entertainment including many singing pubs, cabarets, dancing venues, and banquets. Traditional Irish music can also be heard in many of the local pubs.
Ring of Kerry (all day tour)
Killarney is the usual starting point for people completing the Ring of Kerry, Ireland's best-known touring route. It is 110 miles (176 km) long and circles the Iveragh Peninsula through mountain passes, forests, bogs, skirting rivers, lakes and beautiful unspoilt beaches. The scenery is truly wonderful and there is much of interest along the route.
