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The Priory - Remarkable Home With Incredible Character

Photo gallery for The Priory - Remarkable Home With Incredible Character

The Kitchen
The Priory
Priory in the Summer
Front lawn at The Priory
The Front Room with the shuffleboard table.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 11371.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Killarney, Co. Kerry
  • INEC Killarney
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • St. Mary's Cathedral
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Ross Castle
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Killarney (KIR-Kerry)
    ‪23 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 11)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

3 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Bed

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Priory - Remarkable Home With Incredible Character

Located only minutes from the town centre, just off Killarney's historic Muckross Road, The Priory is a truly one of a kind residence. Recently being totally renovated, it boasts all the amenities of a premium guest house. Amenities include a state of the art kitchen with custom cabinets and granite counters, large dining room, 2 living areas, 1 woodburning fireplace, 1 woodburing stove, spacious foyer with attached conservatory, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Sitting on 1.5 acres of private land, it is a truly amazing getaway.'




Keywords: Historic Home, Period Home, Vacation House Rental

Property manager

Tim O'Donoghue
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

Killarney

Located in Killarney, this holiday home is in a rural area. Ross Golf Club and Killarney Riding Stables are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Killarney House Gardens and Knockreer Estate. Travelling with kids? Consider Coolwood Wildlife Park and Muckross Traditional Farm. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking.
Map
Killarney, Co. Kerry

What's nearby

  • INEC Killarney - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • The Kerry Way - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • St. Mary's Cathedral - 3 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Ross Castle - 4 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Muckross House - 5 min drive - 4.8 km

Getting around

  • Killarney Station - 20 min walk
  • Killarney (KIR-Kerry) - 23 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪O'Donoghue's Public House - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Hannigan's - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Tango Street Food - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Flesk Restaurant - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Lir Cafe - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Priory - Remarkable Home With Incredible Character pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Priory - Remarkable Home With Incredible Character?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Priory - Remarkable Home With Incredible Character?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Priory - Remarkable Home With Incredible Character located?

This family-friendly Killarney holiday home is located in a rural location, within a 15-minute walk of INEC Killarney and Killarney National Park. Killarney House Gardens and Knockreer Estate are also within 15 minutes. Killarney Station is 20 minutes by foot.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 58 out of 60 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 60 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 60 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 60 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 60 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sandra p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous Return to Ireland

Our party of 8 spent two nights in this lovely house and grounds. It is a gem on the Emerald Isle!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gerald H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a treat!

Such a charming home, tucked away on a private lane. Plenty of space - the kitchen is a great place for gathering. We had a wonderful time relaxing and walking the town. Great place to stay with a group. And excellent hosts!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Barbara S B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Priory is amazing!

We had a spectacular vacation ---10 family members from the age of 18 months to 73 years. The Priory is close to town --very walkable--and to so many of the things we wanted to see and do. The perfect accommodation for us! Bernadette and Tim are terrific hosts. We have nothing but great things to say about the entire situation ---the best!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

From Texas to Ireland

Tim & Bernadette are both so lovely and responsive to any questions we asked. The Priory was a gorgeous and spacious home with loads of character. It was a short walk to dine, pub and the heart of Killarney and yet we felt we had so much privacy with the beautiful garden. I highly recommend staying here and have already shared the information with friend's.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ally L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Multi-generational trip

Perfect in every way! From the first inquiry through check-out, Tim and Bernadette were attentive and gracious hosts for our group of 19. The main house, with its old-world charm, was spacious yet cozy and inviting. Each room had comfortable beds and luxurious bathrooms. A large kitchen, games for the kids, and swingset/play area completed this fabulous vacation property. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Terra H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Family Trip

Our family had an amazing stay at The Priory. The home looks exactly like the pictures and there was plenty of room to spread out. Great location, easy walk to the downtown and just a short walk to Ross Castle. The outside space was beautiful, perfect for relaxing after a long day exploring. Very easy to reach out to Tim and Bernadette and they answered any questions we had. Great recommendations for road trips as well. Ask Tim about Mizen Head if you really was a spectacular drive. This is the second time staying on the property (the first time we stayed in the Coach house) and we would absolutely stay her again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Pam K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous Old Home

The property is an amazing home with enough room for a crowd. Lots of parking that’s rare in Ireland. Great kitchen for gathering. As we were traveling from an eastern USA summer, it was a little inconvenient that the only way to put a little heat into the house was to build a fire. Tim and Bernadette were very nice and much appreciated their suggestions of local watering holes and attractions.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Property

We were on a family trip (9 total) ranging from age 81 to 17 . The property and its amenities were excellent. Tim & Bernadette are great hosts. Tim was able to help us with dinner reservations , tours and recommending a driver for the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Slea Head. Having someone drive us allowed us ALL to enjoy the views and Dave knew “side” excursions that doing ourselves we never would have attempted. If you have left a pet at home that you are missing both Teddy and Maisey will be there for you:). Easy access to trails that take you to many of the Killarney key sites and easy distance to walk into town centre. Recommendations : - book Dave Geaney for the ring of Kerry drive - do the Gap of Dunloe tour
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect!

Our extended family had a magical stay at the Priory. The house is beautiful—a perfect combination of old charm and modern convenience, with lovely grounds and activities for all ages—and the location couldn’t be better—an easy walk into Killarney’s downtown and a quick drive to the Gap of Dunloe, Ross Castle, Muckross House and much more. Bernadette and Tim were very helpful and gracious hosts. We feel lucky to have found such a gem!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rob D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

8 person golf outing

Could not have been better. I’ve done these golf trips many times and this house was the best house we have ever had. It was actually better than I expected from the web site. Will certainly return.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Irene and Leo H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect vacation at The Priory

The Priory was the absolutely perfect choice for our stay in Killarney. From the minute we met Bernadette and Tim, we felt right at home, and our every expectation was met. The property is walking distance to town, but far enough from the hustle and bustle. The location was a great base for touring, and we will most definitely stay here again...we loved everything about it! Thank you, Bernadette and Tim, for sharing your piece of paradise with our family.☘️
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Peter C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

10 Star stay at The Priory

If we could, we would give Tim O'Donoghue and his Priory estate house ten stars in every category! Our group of 10 stayed at the Priory for 5 nights this summer. Tim was an amazing host who helped us in every way including booking local events/tours- even booking a local musician who came to The Priory one evening. The house itself is beautifully restored with a spectacular kitchen, a living room where we lit peat fires and played games, and a large family room.There was plenty of room for all with the 5 bedrooms and 4 baths. In addition, the proximity to Killarney National Park and the center of town made this the perfect location. If you are looking for an exceptional experience on your visit to Killarney, stay at The Priory.

10/10 Excellent

Kevin O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spectacular

I honestly looked over hundreds upon hundreds of properties and The Priory was hands the down winner for beauty. It also had in its favor location, location, location. Strange I should mention this after beauty but trust me the property will blow you away. I sense Tim and Bernadette have done well for themselves judging by The Priory and their Killarney Brewery just up the road. Great beer, pizza and service. Yet both seem to be salt of the earth people. Not intrusive yet kind and helpful any time we needed them. The first day he brought over delicious waffles. My family ate them before I returned from the Shannon airport with my son’s girlfriend. Bernadette made delicious scones that were delivered warm by Tim. Those I made sure to have. One of the most important things I could pass on to a reader is that because of the thick stone walls we felt we could musically celebrate indoors at night and not intrude on other guest’s peace and tranquility. Only one night we celebrated an 18th birthday by being out on the courtyard table and we had a window open to hear the music. We did this for less than an hour out of respect for the cottages in the back. Truth is with the window open the music volume was up but the sound was still tolerably low. This is an important fact whether you’re renting The Priory House or a cottage. Should give comfort either way. I could go on and on but I’ll leave with two final observations. One, it’s hard to believe what a quiet oasis the Priory is from the hustle and bustle of Killarney. And you’re RIGHT THERE! Two, the courtyards and flowers themselves were worth the price of renting. Shocked that Tim and Bernadette take care of it all themselves. We’ll be back. Peak experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Paul S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We loved our stay!

Their home was lovely, and perfect for our family. We already miss the sparkling spring tap and their adorable dog, Teddy. Great location to town. Owners are so sweet and helpful. Loved staying in Killarney

8/10 Good

Jane S., St Louis, MO

The priory is a great for a group and close to the town center without any noise:)

Great location! We used a private driver for long day trips! House is large and great for a big group to spread out, yet come together to celebrate. I would stay here again!!
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Claudia F., Eagle

Beautiful home and lovely hosts

Our group of 7 stayed at the Priory for one week recently. The home is warm, inviting and comfortable. The grounds are beautifully landscaped. Tim and Bernadette are wonderful hosts, there when you need them, but not hovering. They made our stay really special. Tim even cooked us a welcome breakfast the morning after we arrived and gave us lots of good suggestions on things to do and see locally. We would love to stay with them again if we are lucky enough to return to Killarney.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michael O.

Perfect house for our week stay in Killarney

The rooms are bigger than the pictures show. High ceilings. Great kitchen. The O'Donoghue family could not have been more accommodating. The power strip of US outlets in the kitchen was a great touch. Great location as there are so many great things to see within a short drive. Great base for Southwest Ireland. Great house. We had 10 people from 7 to 91 and plenty or room to spare. Rent this houses if your going to spend time in this area.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dona R., Missouri

Beautiful!!

This property is one of a kind and the owners, Tim and Bernadette, were a pleasure to do business with. The house is as beautiful in person as the photos.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Beverly A.

Vacation with Friends

Beautiful home. Tim and family were very helpful with suggestions and help setting up excursions before and during our time at the Priory. We were really pleased with their suggestion to attend the Gaelic Football match. Easy walk to Killarney and easy stumble home. Make sure you thoroughly explore Killarney, it is a great town with fun people. In addition to the Guinness make sure you enjoy a few pints for The Killarney Brewery. Don't miss the hike through the Gap of Dunloe and the return boat trip through the three lakes. It is an easy, flat 7 mile walk through the Gap. Our entire group appreciated the no extra charge petting therapy available. Dog lovers know this means the family's dogs were very nice and enjoyed our attention. Thanks again to Tim and family for helping make our Ireland trip one of our all time favorite vacations.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Family Reunion

We were based at The Priory for our recent reunion. It is an excellent facility with quietness and privacy. Tim and family are resourceful and very helpful. They respond to needs, but, do not hover and annoy guests. The Priory is near the lakes, Flesk River, Killarney town and the Killarney National Parks. These places are all within walking distance or walk one-way and get the jaunting car back. Killarney is close enough to all the best scenery of Ireland's Southwest that they can be visited in a day. We had about 30 residents at max including some kids. We used a tent to host a party of about 70. Everything worked to perfection. This was close to perfect for all our needs. I would highly recommend it. If we did another reunion in future and we want to stay in this area of the country, I would only consider The Priory. The combination of The Priory and Killarney cannot be equaled any other place in my opinion.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Liz C.

Amazing house--great for large or multiple families!

We (4 adults and 4 teenagers) recently returned from our stay at the Priory. The house is amazing--spacious, comfortable, beautifully appointed and full of character. I should also mention that the wifi was great, which made the teenagers very happy. The Priory is well situated in Killarney, but at the same time it is private and removed from the hustle and bustle. We enjoyed exploring Killarney and the surrounding areas by day and returning to the Priory for rest and relaxation in the evening. Tim and Bernie are lovely people and were very helpful with recommendations on numerous fronts. From Dux for the Gap of Dunloe to Dave for the Ring of Kerry, not to mention excellent pub and restaurant options (you must eat at Bricin), their guidance was invaluable. I must also mention that Tim introduced us to the Killarney Brewing Company, of which he is part owner. The beers are really good and readily available in the local pubs in draught and/or bottle. KBC is a nice stop too if you like brewery tours and tastings.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth M.

Exquisite yet comfortable property. Five stars!!

Spent a week with family (6 adults) at the Priory in mid-June 2016. Tim and Bernie made us feel extremely welcome (including cooking us breakfast on our first morning) and were available to answer questions, provided excellent recommendations, and assisted with arranging drivers/trips. Their insights into the local area ensured that we saw the non-traditional sights as well. The house is very well located between the Park and down town. Both were easily accessible on foot, but the property was also very private and quiet. We have already recommended this property to friends and family. Although we covered a lot of this area during our week, we would love to return regularly!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anne S., Elmhurst, Illinois

Most amazing place EVER! Perfect for any size group...

Our family stumbled upon the O'Donohue's Priory property when we booked lodging for 4 in fall of '14 to scout for our planned August '15 family reunion - what we found was the PERFECT location for our group of 25 - and now we have memories for a lifetime! Last week at the Priory was a dream come true... There are several "cottages" around a picturesque courtyard all located on a quiet, private property. Each cottage affords ample privacy for independent travelers...but in our case...it provided the IDEAL location for all of us to be together. This was the trip of a lifetime for our family and we would HIGHLY recommend the Priory to groups of any size. The Priory itself is a large house that we chose to be the hub of our stay due to our large group. The kitchen is AMAZING and provided all we needed for big family meals. We had ample seating plus space for games, quiet time etc. The bedrooms are spacious with quality mattresses and the bathrooms are modern and clean with GREAT water pressure in the beautifully tiled showers. Laundry, WiFi plus a few 110V outlets were added bonuses. The location is perfect...close (easy walk) to town but quiet and secluded. There is ample parking on site and cabbies arrive within minutes for adventures farther away. We arranged for 2 all-days bus trips to the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula; explored the National Forest; biked the lake; hiked up Torc mountain; and walked all over town! Our grand finale was a night at the Killarney Brewing Company - complete with supper, GREAT beer (what I wouldn't give for a Devil's Helles Lager right now) and two balladeers that entertained us for hours. Be sure to visit KBC! The only downside to our trip was leaving that special place...but that makes room for YOU! Please give the Tim, Bernadette and all of the O'Donohues (including Mazie and Oscar!) our best when you get there!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Julia F.

Perfect spot for our family reunion!

Thanks to Tim and Bernadette, everyone in our group, from my 5-year-old daughter to my 87-year-old father, had a wonderful stay at the Priory and the 1-bedroom cottage. The Priory was a perfect base for our explorations of Killarney and the surroundings, with all the comforts of home. Our group included 8 adults and 5 children, and we all loved it! The location is perfect - close to everything, yet quiet and secluded. Tim and Bernadette were so welcoming and answered our many questions. They helped to arrange tours, offered valuable advice, and cooked up an amazing welcome breakfast! We all enjoyed our magical stay, and would recommend the Priory in a heartbeat!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dawn E.

Irish Magic!

Our family of 16 spent an amazing 10 days in the glorious Priory. Every last detail was sheer perfection - to the welcome Irish breakfast, to the luxurious flowery grounds and ample soccer field, the evening peat fires, the rain shower heads, the scrumptious bedding, the fantastic kitchen for morning coffee and gathering. Most of all what will forever stand is the warmth shared by their family with ours We most definitely felt more like old friends catching up than borders at a hotel. The owner tips for what to see were spot on, and we took them up on every one of them. Their connections within the Killarney community proved most helpful in renting a bus to see Dingle and Ring of Kerry, hiring a caterer to come to the house and cook an amazing Irish meal, and arranging for us to march in the first annual Killarney 4th of July parade. You made our trip magical and for that we are forever grateful!

About the host

Hosted by Tim O'Donoghue

Host profile image
Bernadette and Tim O’Donoghue met in The Windy City of Chicago a few years back. We acquired the property in 2002. We then returned from Chicago in 2004.

Bernadette was a paralegal secretary and is now a stay at home Mom and an excellent baker, I am an electrician by trade but got into construction during my 14 years in Chicago. I restored several old houses and classic vintage apartment buildings during my time there. I coupled this experience with Bernadette’s keen eye and interior design savvy to create some wonderful finishes and unusual touches. We began the colossal rehab project in 2004 to restore the Priory to its former glory ,it was basically completed it in 2007 or is it ever complete I like to ask myself ?

We pride ourselves in welcoming you into our place.

Why they chose this property

Perfect for family reunions or couples visiting Ireland. We can help plan your week while your are here. You'll be made to feel very welcome.

What makes this property unique

We are in a key location, a 15 minute walk from town but it feels like we are in the heart of the countryside where you cannot hear a sound by night.

You will get a truly magnificent house to yourself where you can enjoy pure luxury. You can cook when you want and have the full use of the 1.5 acre property on private grounds. You can sit back and relax in the front of the open hearth fire sipping a nice Irish whiskey or reading a good book with the sweet smell of turf burning away.

The Master Bath has a Jacuzzi and Steam Shower that will soothe the soul after a hectic day.

We are on site owners who are here to help you in any way you require and assure a wonderful stay. We have invaluable knowledge about the local area from cultural information to hikes, local food joints to off the beaten track drives. We can organize in-house chef, or poetry recital or to a music session.


We like to tell our guests ''We are as near or as far as you wish.'

Languages:

English

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