AN CULU 

One of the most impressive coastal properties in Ireland. A magnificent contemporary castle situated on the edge of the Kenmare estuary. It features a reception hall, drawing room with Minsrels, galler dining room, sitting room, conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room, study, utility room, and lift master bedroom suite with sitting room and his and hers bathrooms; along with five further bedrooms suites. Grotto style swimming pool compels with sauna and steam room, moat outbuilding and harbour with floating jetty woodland. Approximate gross internal area: 843.32 square meters (9,076.8 square feet).

 In all about 2.02 hectares (5 acres) Co. Kerry An Culu is situated on one of the most attractive coastlines in Ireland, close to the delightful market town of Kenmare, with its numerous restaurants and two five star hotels. Kenmare is in the extreme south west of Ireland, but at the same time very accessible, with Cork Airport situated approximately 1.5 hours drive to the east and the more local Kerry Airport (33 miles) with its daily flights to Dublin and London. Co. Kerry is arguably the most beautiful of Ireland’s counties and has long been a popular destination with people who live in Ireland, Britain and overseas. This is largely due to the exceptional scenery and range of recreational activities found in the area. There is great opportunity for the country pursuits enthusiast, including excellent fly fishing on the nearby waters and lakes and in particular on the renowned Kerry Blackwater and Lough Currane near Waterville and of course, sea fishing in the Kenmare estuary or Atlantic.

The nearby Ring of Kerry 18 hole golf course has recently been built, further complementing the existing 18 hole golf course within Kenmare itself. There are further international golf courses at Ballybunion, Killarney and Waterville. The Caha Mountain range offers a dramatic backdrop with excellent walking and breath-taking scenery, whilst the sandy beaches of Derrynane are some of the most beautiful in Ireland. Kenmare- three miles, Macroom- 40 miles, Kerry Airport -33 miles (Dublin 1 hour flight, Dublin – London 1 hour flight) Cork Airport- 65 miles (Dublin 50 mins, London 1hr 10mins flight) (Distances and time approximate).

 An Culu is a recently constructed castle and a truly unique property situated on the shore of Kenmare Bay commanding some of the most beautiful panoramic views over the Bay and beyond to the Caha Mountains. The Castle has been built to the most exceptional specification with impressive characteristics such as constellations and turrets surrounded by a magnificent moat with a drawbridge providing a high degree of privacy, whilst the water of the Kenmare estuary laps at the shore of the property’s southern boundary. Internally, the castle has been finished to an exceptionally high standard, with light and well proportioned rooms, the majority of which benefit from the spectacular views.

Throughout, the castle boasts superb quality hardwood fixtures, utilizing the delightful properties of cherry and oak. The interior is further enhanced by the state of the art music system, the use of stone for the impressive balustrades, ceiling paintings and intricately detailed plaster work, cornicing and wall linings. The bathrooms are beautifully fitted with a variety of marble and excellent tile finishes. Additionally, for increased convenience, there is a lift system providing access to all floors. Although the castle inspires impressions of magnitude with its imposing castellated elevations and turrets, it is in fact a delightfully comfortable family home. The accommodation is ideally arranged for entertaining in a luxurious style, but with the relaxing surroundings of the beautiful interior design and the additional facilities of the magnificent ‘grotto’ style swimming pool complex. The property is approached via an impressive stone entrance, which leads to a meandering driveway through the forest to a parking area at the front of the castle.

 Alternatively, the property can be reached by boat to its own private harbour. The measurements and arrangements of the accommodation can be seen on the floor plans enclosed within the brochure and are briefly described as follows: ground floor entrance hall with fireplace, extensive paneled walls and doors to cloakroom, conservatory and reception hall. Cloakroom, with wash hand basin and walk-in closet. Conservatory and impressive octagonal shaped room with dining area and double doors to terrace with magnificent panoramic views across the estuary. Reception hall, with stone balustrade staircase and tiled floor. Double doors lead to drawing room, a well proportioned room with an impressive stone fireplace, open to Minstrels Gallery on the first floor. Double doors to terrace with spectacular views across Kenmare Bay. Dining room, with stone fireplace, hardwood floor, paneled walls, window seats and door to kitchen.

 Kitchen/ breakfast room, with an extensive bespoke fitted kitchen with floor and wall mounted units, gas cooking range, central preparation island, space for American style fridge freezer, old style traditional range, built-in microwave oven. There is a breakfast area to one side with doors leading to an enclosed terrace overlooking the moat. Utility room, with extensive fitted floor and wall mounted units, double sink, plumbing for washing machine and tumble dryer, door to outside. There is a separate walk-in closet with wash hand basin.

 First floor: a magnificent staircase with impressive stone balustrade climbs from the ground floor to the fourth floor. On the first floor landing is the Minstrels Gallery with its imposing stone balustrade, which overlooks the drawing room. Study, with extensive built-in bookshelves and cupboards below, stone fireplace and extensive cherry wood paneling. Bedroom five with extensive oak paneling, built-in wardrobe and views over the moat. En-suite bathroom (shared with bedroom six), fully tiled with twin wash hand basin and marble surround and cupboards below, paneled bath and with whirlpool facility and shower over, walk-in closet and heated towel rail. Bedroom six with oak paneling, built-in cupboards and views over the moat. Cloakroom, with a regal thrown-style walk-in closet, wash hand basin and artistic painting ceiling. Linen cupboard, with extensive built-in shelving for airing.

 Second floor: bedroom two with magnificent ceiling painting and views over the bay. En-suite shower room with wash hand basin, walk-in closet and towel rail. Bedroom three with stone fireplace, intricate ceiling plasterwork, built-in cupboards and door to balcony with delightful views over the bay. En-suite bathroom, fully tiled with paneled bath and shower over, walk-in closet, heated towel rail and wash hand basin. Bedroom four with views across the grounds to Kenmare Bay. En-suite shower room, with pedestal wash hand basing, heated towel rail and walk-in closet. Midway between the second and third floor is a landing with a door leading to an enclosed terrace with castellated walls.

 Third floor: master bedroom suite, an impressive and well proportioned room with paneled walls, extensive built-in wardrobes, window seating and a delightful sitting area to one end of the room with a charming stone fireplace, further wall paneling and wardrobes to one wall. En-suite ‘her’ bathroom, with walk-in closet, paneled bath with shower over, heated towel rail, inset wash hand basin with marble surround. En-suite ‘his’ bathroom, with an extensive walk-in double shower, pedestal wash hand basin, walk-in closet and heated towel rail. Sitting room, a magnificent room with impressive stone fireplace, extensive built-in cherry wood bookshelves and paneled walls. The room has a domed painted ceiling with mood-effect lighting and large picture windows with glazed doors to a terrace with castellated walls and gas-fired torches. The views are exceptional and extend across Kenmare Bay to the Beara peninsula.

Lower ground floor: a magnificent grotto style swimming pool complex with spa and extensive seating area, steam room, sauna, shower and cloakroom with WC and wash hand basin. Plant room outside: the castle is surrounded by a moat and is approached from the drive over a drawbridge beneath a castellated archway to a courtyard with gas lanterns and circular tower. There is a delightful terraced seating area to the south of the castle with spectacular panoramic sea views. To the north-east of the property is a garage and garden store and to the north of the property on the far side of the drive is a large rock face with a cascading waterfall.

The grounds are flood lit, further complimenting the garden, which comprises mature specimen trees and is surrounded by woodland and Kenmare Bay. A spur off the main drive leads down to the harbour with a floating jetty and harbour wall, providing calm water and ideal shelter and protection from the sea. Viewing all viewings must be made strictly by appointment only through the vendor’s agents. Directions From Cork take the N22 (Killarney road). At Polugroum Bridge, take the R569 to Kenmare. Proceed through Kenmare and take the N70 Sneem Road out of the town leaving the Kenmare Bay Hotel on your left. After approximately 3 miles the Ring of Kerry Golf Course appears on the right and the drive to An Culu will be found after about one mile on the left. After passing beneath the stone archway, proceed through woodland for several hundred yards and turn left to the property.