Isn’t a glimpse at the photo above is very soothing? – which I thought so and sat down to write this post. It is one of the photos of the article “Richard Corrigan’s Ireland” I read in Food and Travel (March 2022 issue), as a suggested place by the renowned Michelin-starred Irish chef Richard Corrigan. (I took the photo above by my phone from the magazine).

In the article in ‘Food and Travel’, Carrigan tells about the beauty and poetic landscape of Ireland and suggests some spots either in Dublin or rural Ireland. The soothing lead image above, which drew me to write this post, is the view of the lake from Carrig Country House in County Kerry, Ireland.

Wild Atlantic Way of Ireland

Carrig Country House is on the Wild Atlantic Way, the costal route along Ireland’s west coast of the Atlantic Ocean, renowned for its mountain trails, forests, sea cliffs, sandy beaches, hidden coves, picturesque towns and breathtaking views…

Wild Atlantic Way stretches from County Donegal to County Cork passing through the counties of Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry all with spectacular spots. Sligo for instance is the town of Irish poet Yeats and is said to have served the backdrop of his writing (The Sunday Times). The hundreds of mini islands of Clew Bay in County Mayo such as Archill Island and Clare Island must also be noted either for their secluded beaches or their dolphins. Galway is referred to Ireland’s cultural capital and is home to the historic Kylemore Abbey in Connemara district.

In one of my previous posts, I had written about Glin Castle along the River Shannon in the beautiful county Limerick (“Glin Castle – A Dream Home and Hotel“).

Carrig County House is in the middle of the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula – the two famous scenic routes, both in County Kerry (bounded by counties Limerick and Cork) in southwest part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Dingle peninsula had once been voted as “The most beautiful place on earth” by National Geographic (dingle-peninsula.ie). It has a magnificent coastline of steep sea cliffs, a scenic route beginning and ending at Dingle (Slea Head Drive), and beautiful sandy beaches. The Ring of Kerry goes around the Iveragh Peninsula. Both Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula are home to quaint towns and offer gorgeous Atlantic views.

County Kerry of the Wild Atlantic Way is notable with its mountains (The Reeks District is home to Ireland’s highest mountain) green hills, glittering lakes and beautiful attractions. Killarney National Park, designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, is a must-see (killarneynationalpark.ie). The rocky, uninhabited island of Skellig Micheal (can be reached by ferry from the town of Portmagee in Kerry) is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and had been used as a location in two recent Star Wars movies.

The term the ‘Emerald Isle‘ is sometimes used as synonymous with Ireland and its glittering green hills and valleys. After I decided to write this post I came across an article by the travel writer Alicia Burrell, who portrays the Wild Atlantic Way as follows:

“I am only an hour into my six-day road trip along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and already I’m smitten. Each roller-coaster twist and turn draws a sharper intake of breath. The landscape is so green no verdant adjective could do it justice (the perennial favourite ‘emerald’ doesn’t come close). … .” (Alicia Burrell, “Emerald Miles“, The Sunday Times Travel, July 2018)

In one of my previous posts, I had written about Glin Castle along the River Shannon in the beautiful county Limerick on the Wild Atlantic Way (You can check my post at “Glin Castle – A Dream Home and Hotel“).

Back to Carrig Country House, County Kerry

Carrig Country House in County Kerry is located on the shores of Caragh Lake midway between the town of Killorglin to the east and the village of Glenbeigh and Rossbeigh Beach to the west. This Victorian House was built originally in 1850s as a hunting lodge and used by British Aristocracy.  It has been renovated and transformed into a hotel by current Irish owners Frank and Mary Slattery. (carrighouse.com)

The bedrooms of Carrig House are decorated in period style with antique furniture and have views of Caragh Lake, beautiful gardens and the mountains of Kerry. The rooms are en-suite and most have either King Size beds or Twin beds.

The hotel has cosy Victorian drawing rooms with wood burning fireplaces and a games room where chess, cards and board games are available.

The hotel’s award winning restaurant overlooks Caragh Lake. The ‘Lakeside Restaurant‘ offers fresh Irish cuisine such as Irish trout and salmon from the lake and Kerry lamb with organic vegetables as well as selection of world wines. You can have your savory meal in a warm atmosphere with a marvelous view of the lake.

There are many activities you can do as you stay in this country house. You can either swim in the lake beside the hotel or head to Kerry’s beautiful beaches nearby. It says in the hotel’s website that they can arrange kayaking, sailing and canoeing (including paddle boarding and White Water kayaking) as well as guided hillwalking (hiking) tours on the Kerry Way – Ireland’s longest popular walking trail. You can also enjoy fishing, cycling, mountaineering, orienteering, beach horse riding or play golf in one of the spectacular golf courses nearby.

The location of Carrig House is perfect to explore the southern section of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way since the house is adjacent to the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula and the Killarney National Park. You can also take note that the town of Killorglin is home to “Puck Fair” (with live music, parade, puppet shows and more), Ireland’s oldest fair dating back to 1600s, held from 10 – 12 August every year (puckfair.ie).

Hidden in a woodland by the lake and surrounded by gardens, Carrig House looks very peaceful. I can imagine how pleasant it would be to wake up to the sound of the lake in one of its lakeside bedrooms. You can either sip an Irish whiskey by the open fire or enjoy your afternoon tea in the cosy drawing rooms with the view of the lake.

Nice travels!