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Ballingarden Longhouse - 19th Century Cottage

Entire cottage

hosted by Tess

7 guests
3 bedrooms
3 beds
1 bath

Great location

100% of recent guests gave the location a 5-star rating.

Great check-in experience

100% of recent guests gave the check-in process a 5-star rating.

Furry friends welcome

Bring your pets along for the stay.

Every booking includes free protection from Host cancellations, listing inaccuracies, and other issues like trouble checking in.

A two story 19th Century renovated cottage. 3 Bedrooms, sleeps 7 to 9 people.

The space
Ballingarden Longhouse was built of local stone in the early/mid 1800s. Longhouses were built longer than they were broad mainly because of the shortage of wood at the time. Rafters were made from bog oak, and when a house was extended the new room was added to one end making the structure longer. In this manner, two such extensions were added. One was for additional dwelling space, and in the early 1900s a cow barn, with a granary upstairs, was also added. The barn, with original features, is now a downstairs bedroom with a library/reading area in the loft. The original winnowing door opens from the loft onto the most recent extension, the dining room, which was added just 20 years ago. The stone frontage is rendered only in parts, mainly where a large barn door was incorporated, probably in the mid 1900s, to facilitate storage of farm equipment. The render and two more recently added stone porches are whitewashed in accordance with longhouse tradition. From the end of the 19th century it became common for buildings to be coated in layers of limewash which was not just a cosmetic exercise. It was introduced because it was thought to combat the spread of disease and is still commonly used in the west of Ireland particularly on outhouses for its known antimicrobial properties that provide hygienic and sanitary benefits for animal barns.
The house is sympathetically decorated throughout to reflect the colourful background and the countryside location

Where you'll sleep

Bedroom 1

1 king bed, 1 sofa bed

Bedroom 2

1 king bed

What this place offers

Lake view

Mountain view

Kitchen

Wifi

Dedicated workspace

Free parking on premises

Pets allowed

Washer

Dryer

Where you’ll be

Mayo, Ireland

The location is an ideal touring base for the Wild Atlantic Way, West of Ireland or just for a peaceful countryside retreat. The house is located between Castlebar (14 km) and Ballina (25 km). The scenery is dominated by lakes and hills. The twin limestone lakes, Lough Conn and Lough Cullen are well known to fishermen and artists. The Lough Conn Drive is a looped drive which passes between the lakes at Pontoon, 5km away. Behind the house is the more secluded, but equally as charming, Derryhick Lake. The looped walk to and from the house, along the banks of the lake, is around 4 km. Foxford is 13 km away and on that picturesque route there are 3 freshwater beaches. The closest coastal beaches are Enniscrone (38 km) and Westport (30 km) which is the gateway to many sandy beaches and to Achill Island.

Croagh Patrick is the most famous climb in the locality but I also highly recommend Nephin Mór. At 806 metres (2,646 ft), it is the second highest mountain in Connacht. It’s crater formation makes it a spectacular and enjoyable climb and it is now safely waymarked to the summit from a point near Lahardaun (16 km).

Apart from walking and enjoying the scenery there are plenty of bars and restaurants in Castlebar and Ballina, and some remote hidden gems. Golfing in Enniscrone links is highly recommended, though I usually go for the seaweed baths and icecream (!). Castlebar Golf Club includes an18-hole course with sand based green and tees. Green fees can be booked online.

Another local day (or days) out is a visit to Turlough Museum of Country Life and the grounds (7 km). I love this place for walks and picnics and the old Fitzgerald family residence and its surrounds has many points of interest to suit the nature lover, historian and fairy hunter!

Other Personal Recommendations:
• Foxford Woolen Mills – historic and present day local shopping experience. The restaurant is open during shopping hours and has a lovely atmosphere matched by the wholesome food.
• Carrowteige - Children of Lir loop. This is well worth the hour drive – a wild walk with breathtaking views along the coast
• Ballycroy National Park - With a vast area of Atlantic blanket bog and mountainous terrain, the Park covers a beautiful uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness dominated by the Nephin Beg mountain range.
• Ceide Fields - a vast prehistoric landscape, a natural wild ecology of blanket bog, dramatic cliffs and coastline.
• Downpatrick Head - Not far from Ceide Fields the stunning Downpatrick Head stands. The scenery is wild and unforgettable.
• Great Western Greenway - is the longest off road cycling or walking trail in Ireland with some of the most idyllic scenery any visitor could hope for. Bike hire is easy to source in Westport and Newport.
• Achill Island - the largest island in Mayo, is accessible from the mainland by bridge. Its magnificent sandy beaches, sea cliffs and warm hospitality.
• Louisbourgh and Silver Strand - located as it is on the Atlantic coast, is famous for its wide range of unspoilt beaches, famed for their clean bathing waters and untainted sandy coves. Silver strand is a remote and unspoiled beach where sea meets wild mountains.
• Doo Lough Pass - between Mweelrea Mountain and the Sheeffry Hills.
• Knock – Knock Shrine and Ireland West Airport 36 km
• Major towns of Castlebar, Ballina and Sligo for shopping and numerous attractions and activities
• Galway City – just over an hour drive to the ‘City of the Tribes’ with its many festivals throughout the year, theatres, pubs, restaurants, nightlife and shopping. For a longer day trip, explore further into the Connemara Gaeltacht.