REVIEW
FOCUS ON
Spring into Summer
March 2023
A Cottage of Dreams Ulster Tatler’s Joanne Harkness visits Keenaghan Cottage in Belleek. We are so fortunate to live on such a beautiful island, with stunning coastlines, lakes and gorgeous green scenery – so beautiful in fact that it draws tourists from all over the world to our wee isle. No plane journeys are required, we can just hop in our cars to explore the best that this country has to offer. An authentic Irish staycation can be encapsulated perfectly at Keenaghan Cottage, the award-winning 5* luxury accommodation located in Belleek, Co. Fermanagh. My fiancé and I were lucky to get a trip to stay at Keenaghan Cottage, which is already booking out for 2023. After our experience, I can see why the demand is so high for this charming abode. We took a leisurely drive down on a Sunday lunchtime, to arrive for checkin at three o’clock. I always enjoy the drive through Co. Fermanagh as it is so picturesque – and although the cottage is located in a peaceful and secluded area, it was very easy to find. As we parked up in the pebble driveway, I was completely in awe of how magical the thatched cottage looked. It was like something out of an old Irish painting or something you could only dream about – I couldn’t wait to explore every detail. My awe-struck reaction continued as we entered the cottage. When people describe something as being a Tardis, it definitely applies to this cottage; I couldn’t believe how spacious it was. There was a kitchen, two generous-sized bedrooms with ensuites (one even had a dressing room area) and a living/ dining area. The attention to detail was what made this self-catering accomodation stand out from the rest. There was a lovely hamper of treats in the kitchen, along with a welcome sign for myself and my partner; there were also hints of Easter decorations around the house such as bunting along the fireplace and a themed wreath on the traditional half-door.
Not to mention the endless finer details and facilities that we kept discovering during our stay: the bikes and wellies in the shed, the cosy dressing gowns in the dressing room and extra toiletries. I forgot to bring makeup remover and you can imagine my delight when I found the exact brand of micellar water that I use in the bathroom cupboard! After settling in, we decided to explore the garden and surrounding area. We were there at a time when winter was transforming into spring and it was a lovely bright, yet crisp day. Peeping up in the garden were flowers such as snowdrops and daffodils and the lake in front of the authentic 1800s cottage was sparkling in the sun. The only sounds that filled the air were the sounds of the countryside; it felt like we had been transported to another place and moment in time. As the evening approached we retreated back into the cosy cottage to make our dinner in the well-equipped kitchen. Although we were only staying for one night, it already felt like this house was our home. We were relishing every moment in the cottage, but there are also plenty of diningout options in the nearby area such as Lusty Beg and The Harbour Bistro at Rossharbour. There are also plenty of things to see and do in the area including a trip to Belleek Pottery, Florencecourt House, Castle Caldwell, water activities on the lakes, shopping in Enniskillen town or a visit to the Marble Arch Caves. When the next morning arrived, we felt a sense of saddness having to leave this haven. We made a breakfast of dippy eggs and soldiers with the items that had been provided in the welcome hamper, followed by a brisk early-morning walk by the lake one last time – I personally can’t think of a better start to the day! As we prepared to leave, we wrote our words of thanks in the visitors book. I found
it fascinating seeing the variety of visitors that have stepped through the doors. There were visitors from as far as Australia, Canada and USA, as well as locals from Donegal, Belfast and mainland UK. The messages all echoed the same sentiment with phrases such as ‘a little bit of heaven’, ‘straight out of a fairytale’ and ‘an absolute dream’ being used to describe Keenaghan Cottage. I wrote that I couldn’t wait to tell my friends and family all about it, which is testament to what a great experience we had – I was excited to recommend it to others and knew that they would love it just as much as I did. Keenaghan Cottage 8 Derrynacrannog Road, Belleek, County Fermanagh www.keenaghancottage.com
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