Set in woodland and among award-winning gardens, this peaceful retreat is in a beautiful and romantic mountain location overlooking Caragh Lake.
Ard na Sidhe ('Hill of the Fairies') was constructed in 1913 for Lady Edith Gordon (a keen gardener) to the designs of the English architect Percy Richard Morley Horder, in a revivalist Elizabethan style that was popular for country houses at that time, and it is one of the most impressive Arts and Crafts houses in Ireland.
In 2010 the proprietors, Killarney Hotels, commissioned Howley Hayes Architects, to draw up proposals for the restoration of the house; having worked on Sir Edwin Lutyens’ Arts and Crafts masterpiece at Lambay Castle, on an island off north Co Dublin, the architects were well placed for this work which included the full repair and restoration of the exterior, together with internal alterations and renovations designed to restore much of the original Arts and Crafts character.
All of the bedrooms were remodelled to reinstate their original room proportions, and the internal en-suite bathrooms replaced with new Edwardian-style bathrooms, all with natural lighting; they are really lovely although some, unfortunately, are without full bath.
No expense was spared to ensure authenticity of the interior, and original antique furniture complement new contemporary, Arts and Crafts style furniture in both the common areas and the bedrooms.
The hotel reopened quietly in May 2011, following completion; it is the finest Arts and Crafts style hotel in Ireland and this architectural jewel of national significance is in the caring young hands of Jennifer Dowling, General Manager, who has loved the hotel since she was a child and likes nothing better than ensuring that her guests enjoy as much as she does.
This is a sister hotel to The Europe Hotel & Resort and The Dunloe (see entries), whose leisure facilities are also available to guests.
Dooks, Waterville, Killeen and Mahony’s Point golf courses are all within easy reach.
The Fairyhill Restaurant : Rooms 18 (3 suites, 1 family, 5 ground floor, 6 no smoking); B&B €81 pps; single €144; Fairyhill Restaurant Seats 45, open Tue-Sun for D 7-8.30pm. Hotel closed mid Oct-May. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser
