Priceless peninsula panorama at €695k Kenmare 'cottage'

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026 - 06:05

Catherine Shanahan

Kenmare, Co Kerry
€695,000
Size	161sq m (1,732 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
BER	B1

These days, even the humblest-sounding cottage can be anything but modest — think Frogmore, the 5,000sq ft “cottage” revamped at enormous expense for two spoilt UK royals, who subsequently upped sticks for the hills of Montecito.

The definition isn’t quite as elastic in the case of Beech Cottage, featured here, although at about 1,700 sq ft, it does challenge the traditional idea of what a cottage should be.

Whatever label it carries, it’s still a highly attractive home, even if it plays second fiddle to the landscape. Set west along the road beyond Kenmare town, out on the Iveragh Peninsula, it’s an area of immense natural beauty, overlooking Kenmare Bay.

Auctioneer Tom Spillane knows the property intimately, as he sold it 15 years ago to a German couple: “It was habitable then, but they lifted it to a different level entirely."

“They put a lot of money into it, added a glasshouse, a workshop, upgraded the heating, improved the energy efficiency rating (now a B1), installed triple glazing,” the agent says.

“It’s essentially the epitome of German efficiency.”

The Germans did more besides, adding a substantial woodstore and their own private barrel sauna, which new owners will inherit. With Coss Strand just a two-minute walk away, the prospect of an early morning sauna followed by a sea dip is very much on the cards.

The aerial view of Beech Cottage shows just how close it is to the waterfront and also the generous depth of the site. Largely rectangular in shape, the grounds stretch back from the scenic Ring of Kerry N70 route, with the house well positioned to ensure absolute privacy. At 1.3 acres, it’s a substantial plot, planted with German precision and expertly laid out, with a suntrap rear patio, partially covered in for year-round use.

Although the house takes a back seat to its surroundings, it is nonetheless very appealing and has some quirky design features such as the tall stone pillar that separates the sun room from the living room but is also the chimney breast for a double-sided stove. The downstairs layout is easy and comfortable, with a natural flow between all of the main rooms. A degree of future proofing was also considered — the main en suite bedroom is on the ground floor.

Upstairs, two more double en suite bedrooms are ideal for family living or guest accommodation.

Killian Spillane, who recently joined his father’s firm, Tom Spillane & Co, after four years with Cushman & Wakefield, is handling the sale. He says there’s “a nice mix of
interest ... local and from the UK”, with Americans also calling.

Buyer interest in holiday homes in the area is good — Tom recently sold another property on Killowen Rd in nearby Kenmare for north of €1.5m, from a starting figure of €920,000, to a Dubliner who plans to use it as a bolthole. The house, which featured in these pages, was designed by Cork architect Harry Wallace.

Beech Cottage isn’t on the same scale, but it could make a wonderful bolthole or equally a full-time residence. It’s just a 10 minute drive from Kenmare town.

Mr Spillane is guiding the property at €695,000.