Description
Rathclaren House is nestled midway between the renowned West Cork destinations of Kinsale and Clonakilty, and just 40 minutes from Cork International Airport. Sleeping up to 11 people in 6 bedrooms, Rathclaren is the ideal setting for large family get-togethers or indeed for friends looking to spend time together in the privacy of a gracious home.
This timeless Regency rectory has undergone thoughtful modernization, nestled within sprawling grounds offering serene pastoral vistas stretching southward to the Courtmacsherry estuary and beyond to the ocean. Its expansive rooms, adorned with large windows and adorned with classic period accents, along with the adaptable split accommodation, add to the allure of this residence.
The Main House
Passing through the entrance gate, a sweeping drive meanders through six acres of lush private gardens, bursting with vibrant rhododendrons and azaleas, leading to the main entrance on the side of the house.
The grand drawing reception rooms flank one side of the hall, separated by lofty double doors, overlooking the southern façade with magnificent garden views framed by elegant Georgian windows. Marble fireplaces, luxurious sofas, vintage furnishings, and wide Persian-carpeted floorboards evoke the refined elegance of Georgian living.
Off the hallway, through classic double doors, lies a cozy oak-paneled study, adorned with books and a grand fireplace.
Adjacent to the study is a spacious dining room, a recent addition, comfortably seating ten and featuring a stunning glazed roof light, controllable by automated blinds. French doors offer access to the lawns during the summer months.
On the northern side of the hallway, a modern, well-appointed kitchen and breakfast room await, boasting a substantial oil-fired range (AGA) with four ovens and a four-ring gas hob. The breakfast area, doubling as an informal dining space, accommodates six around a circular table, with French doors opening onto the courtyard, providing access to the converted stable, known as the Annex. A sizable utility room with washer and dryer facilities completes this section.
The two main double bedrooms, softly illuminated by grand south-facing windows, overlook the lawns, offering both space and luxury.
Across the landing lies a pristine family bathroom with a double-ended bath.
The master bedroom features a luminous en-suite bathroom, boasting an elegant double-ended slipper bath, a shower cubicle, and marble-lined double basins.
A charming small bedroom, ideal for children, sits at the end of the landing, offering views of the stable block annex.
The Annex
A modest pea-graveled courtyard separates the main house from the converted stables, easily accessible through French doors from the breakfast room. This stand-alone apartment, though modest in size, features a functional kitchenette and is wheelchair-friendly.
On the ground floor, a spacious sitting room with a wood-burning stove and a large flat-screen TV awaits, alongside a small pantry kitchenette. Adjacent to the sitting room is a delightful double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, equipped with a walk-in shower and twin pedestal basins, catering to elderly guests.
Upstairs, two bedrooms and a spacious bathroom are accessed from a corridor running the length of the stable building.
