Acorn Cottage, a luxury three-bedroom lakefront hideaway nestled amongst oak trees, is one of only two homes on Madam's Island, a small private island on Caragh Lake.
The living room overlooks the lake, and with an open fire, comfy sofa and original artwork, is the perfect place to rest and relax.
The dining area opens out onto a stone-clad patio with outdoor fireplace and kettle BBQ, so whatever the time of year, it's the ideal setting for long lazy lunches with friends and family.
The kitchen is fully equipped - perfect for preparing those delicious meals; and offers additional seating for breakfast or that quick cup of tea before heading back out onto the water.
The house sleeps 7 people with three bedrooms and three bathrooms - one en-suite family room with a double and single bed, one twin room and one king sized double room; and an additional two bathrooms. The beds are cosy and comfortable with goose down quilts, cotton bedding and luxurious mattresses.
For those lazier days, there's a TV in the living room with Irish, English, German, French and other international channels.
Taking the short path down to the shore, you can go for a swim, or if you fancy, go out on one of the canoes, stand up paddle boards or fishing boats - booking is required for these so please enquire before your stay regarding rates and availability.
For larger family gatherings and group getaways, we can also accommodate a further 7 guests at Salmon Cottage, the equally luxurious sister property a short walk down the lane.
Interaction with guests
We are available by phone and email any time of day.
If you'd like extra assistance with recommendations or suggestions - places to explore, things to do or restaurants to savour - just let us know.
We can also arrange those little extras - a delicious hamper on arrival, in-house chefs to cook a delicious meal, expert yoga instructors or outdoor adventure courses. Prices for these services are supplied upon request.
Extra accommodation for larger groups can also be arranged in our other nearby properties, all to similarly high standards and beautifully located. Feel free to enquire how we might be able to help.
The neighbourhood
Acorn Cottage is one of only two houses on Madam's Island, a private island at Caragh Lake, a large scenic lake set within a Special Area of Conservation that includes Killarney National Park, Macgillycuddy's Reeks and the Caragh River Catchment.
Forty minutes by car from Kerry Airport, twenty minutes from Killorglin - a bustling market town and a short drive from Rossbeigh - a beautiful Blue Flag beach, Salmon Cottage is the perfect base for your vacation in this fabulous part of the world.
- Swimming - Boating - Fishing - Hiking - Cycling
...these are all available, right on your doorstep.
You can also go golfing, canoeing, deep sea fishing, surfing, mountain climbing and much much more.
For food shopping, Killorglin is just twenty minutes away. With three supermarkets, four local butchers, a fishmongers, organic food shop and artisan bakery you can pretty much get everything you need to cook up a delicious meal back at the cottage.
If you feel like dining out there's a fantastic choice of restaurants. Killorglin boasts everything from fine dining to delicious bistro food. Caragh Lake has two high end restaurants right on the lake, Cromane a seafood restaurant with views of the Atlantic and Glenbeigh a number of pubs and a local brasserie.
If you prefer to stay in but don't fancy cooking, we can organize for one our selected local chefs to prepare a delicious meal back at the house.
You can also savour some of the quality local produce at food festivals such as the Flavour of Killorglin held in September.
For a taste of Irish culture come for K-Fest, an exciting music and arts festival held in Killorglin in early June; or Puck Fair, one of Ireland's oldest fairs held in Killorglin from the 10th to 12th of August.
A little further afield you have the awe-inspiring Skelligs - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recently featured in the final scenes of Star Wars - The Force Awakens; the Cill Rialig Arts Centre; Loher Fort; Gallarus Oratory; Ross Castle; Muckross House and Farm; and many more places to chose from.
Getting around
We recommend you hire a car or bring your own so you can explore the area at your leisure.
If of an evening you fancy a few pints in the local pubs there are plenty of good taxi services that can take you home.
If you're into cycling you can hire bikes in Killorglin where there's also a local cycling club that has regular outings around Caragh Lake.
For larger groups we can help organise transport to and from the airport and throughout your stay. Please enquire for further information.
This property is what you dream of for the Ireland experience! Just Perfect! When we arrived Michelle had such a lovely welcoming set up for us that we were in awe; flowers on the table, a lovely bottle of wine, coffee ready to start, delicious pie, Ireland beers to taste and because we were there for Easter - chocolate bunnies! After a long night of traveling we were giddy to try some of each! I will always remember our group of six coming through the door to this greeting. They are very attentive hosts; thought of everything and were quick to answer our questions, even checked in with us to let us know to lay low one day when there was a hurricane coming through the area. I can not say enough to Thank Michelle and Jens! The property is gorgeous, well kept, close to so many things but still feels like your own private piece of Heaven! I hope to return one day!
Merie-Anne BCanada
October - 2018
"Acorn cottage was perfect for our fall Ireland visit!"
We were two couples visiting from Canada. The house was the perfect size but could also have easily accommodated two more people. The house was charming and comfortable. Everything we needed was there for preparing meals and for practical things like laundry.
It was a lovely quiet location on beautiful Caragh Lake but still easily accessible to Killorglin for pub lunches and supplies and to the Ring of Kerry and Killarney Park. We did lots of hiking both right from the house and by taking short drives.
Thank-you Jens and Michelle!
Michelle GUSA
September - 2018
"Exceptional house and location!"
Acorn cottage on Caragh Lake is the perfect home for exploring the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle peninsula. This was our first vacation in Ireland and we felt so spoiled by the beautiful rooms and furnishings, and scenic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. We walked along the lake road on our first day, picked wild blackberries, and spotted wild billy goats. We loved looking out the kitchen window to see the pink and blue marked sheep in the pasture across the road. Jens and Michelle were so helpful with getting us to the lake house and providing us treats to enjoy! We explored Muckross Park, Gap of Dunloe, Valentia Island, and returned to a peaceful enchanting home each evening. We sat on the patio enjoying the views of the lake and planning the sights to see for the next day, while enjoying the local craft beers. Killorglin and Killarney are charming. We highly recommend this home in this location for true comfort and amazing scenery in this fairy-tale like land. We will be back! Michelle and Alan Gillie Richmond, Texas USA
Mike G.Portland
September - 2018
"Excellent Cottage Experience" The stone cottage was wonderful. The cottage has three bedrooms, fully stocked kitchen, washer and dryer, on a very quiet and beautiful lake. 30 minutes from Killarney (fun Irish town) with shops and some very interesting attractions including Muckross house. A great (hidden gem) true links golf course that is only 10 minutes away - Dooks. We loved our stay.
Lindsay N.
July - 2018
"Beautiful Caragh Lake"
Acorn Cottage on the edge of Caragh Lake was everything I hoped it would be. We wanted to take our daughter her husband and their two Children to a place where they could experience the beauty and silence of the Irish countryside. Our location was perfect the house is set apart within a grove of trees with a large open area facing the water.The cottage is well equipped for a family used to life in Southern California. The beds and pillows are comfortable and there is plenty of hot water for showers/baths. It feels remote but is close enough to the town of Killorglanfor groceries and even some takeout at the end of a long day.
I cannot say enough about Jens and Michelle the couple who look after reservations and the cottage upkeep. From our first contact they were there to answer any questions and provide information almost instantly. When we arrived they drove the last two miles with us and made sure we knew everything about the house befor they left. (The fresh pie and coffee we found on the kitchen table were welcome after a long day driving.)
Michelle told us about an outdoor summer camp for children on the lake. We had an eleven year old grandson with us who went there for one day and then begged us to go back the next day and the next.It is OUTSTANDING . We hope that he can return another year for a longer period.
One small request to the owner. There is not a microwave in thehouse at this time. It would be helpful for reheating things quickly.
All in all we had a week in a beautiful place with all the comforts of home. A time we will always remember.
Cecilia M.
June - 2018
"Wonderful"
This cabin was wonderful there were four of us and we loved it. Lots of space picturesque setting