Leenane, Co. Mayo, Ireland

A charming and renovated cottage overlooking the shores of Killary Fjord


Bundorragha Cottage is an alluring countryside cottage which is idyllically set overlooking the shores of Killary Fjord. Nestled in a sheltered cove on the southern banks of Killary Fjord, the cottage is surrounded by the spectacular wilderness of the Delphi Valley and the Mweelrea mountain range to the north.

Accessed from the R335 road on the Wild Atlantic Way, a tranquil country road leads to the cottage. Upon entering through the porch, you are welcomed into the cosy sitting room with tiled floors and a wood burning stove nestled in a stone fireplace. The sitting room flows into an open plan kitchen / dining room which is generously proportioned and features built-in units and sliding doors opening out to the terrace.

The master ensuite bedroom boasts duel aspect views of Killary Fjord, while three further bedrooms are accessed off the sitting room, with a Jack and Jill bathroom shared between two of these bathrooms. A family bathroom is also located just off the kitchen and includes a shower unit and bathtub.

In all the accommodation extends to about 1,315 sq ft or 122 sq m as shown on the accompanying floorplans.

Gardens & Grounds
The front of the cottage is marked by stone entrance piers, providing access to ample parking on the side. A patio area is set to the rear while there is a rockery neatly presented to the front of cottage. A lawned area along with a second vehicular entrance to the side.

History
Bundorragha Cottage is believed to have been originally constructed by The Congested Districts Board in the early 1800's, served as a central gathering place for nearly 80 cottages in this pre-famine hamlet. Under the ownership of Pat O'Grady, the cottage later become a formal Shebeen where Irish music and dance sessions were held regularly. The bar, situated in the present-day sitting room, consisted of two wooden planks on top of wooden fish barrels, adjacent to the main bedroom which served as a ladies pre-dancing beautification room.

The locals still fondly reminisce about the lively Ceilidh nights at Pat's Sheebeen, especially the sight of Pat rowing his curradh (rowing boat) across Killary Bay under the moonlight. His mission was to replenish his bar from the legally licensed Public House at Nancy's Point before his customers ran out of provisions.

Location

Bundorragha Cottage is nestled in a sheltered cove on the banks of Killary Fjord to the south and set amidst the spectacular wilderness of the Delphi Valley and the Mweelrea mountain range to the north.

Leenane (10 km) is a quaint countryside village set at the head of Killary Harbour. The village of Leenane is nestled between the mountains of Maamtrasna and Maamturk on the border of County Galway and Mayo and is also on the Wild Atlantic Way. The village of Leenane is made famous for being the setting of the renowned Jim Sheridan film 'The Field'. In the village itself there is a café, restaurant, shop, hotel, community centre and a Sheep and Wool Museum. The hotel offers the only saltwater seaweed baths in the West of Ireland.

The breathtaking scenery surrounding Leenane is attributed to its stunning setting overlooking Killary Fjord, the only fjord in Ireland. The fjord is included in the BBC travel guidebook Unforgettable Places To See Before You Die by Steve Davey. For adventurers, you can enjoy a boat cruise at Killary Harbour along the fjord during the summer months.

Louisburgh (21km) is a small town on the southwest corner of clew Bay. It is situated in the heart of the barony of Murrisk, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides. Louisburgh offers craft shops, a seasonal coffee shop, chemist, supermarket, church, police station and many pubs. It is also home to Old Head Beach, one of the finest beaches on the West coast, which has a wonderful scenic backdrop of Croagh Patrick, and is popular for swimming, surfing and kayaking.

Westport is a charming seaside town located 36 km from Bundorragha Cottage. Westport is renowned for its many restaurants, pubs, walking trails, beautiful beaches and leisure and cultural pursuits on offer.

Other attractions include Aasleagh Falls, a picturesque waterfall, along with the Delphi Valley. The Delphi Valley offers some of the best hill walks in the country; Sheefry, Ben Gorm and Mweelrea. Mweelrea is the highest mountain in Connacht (814 m) is located a short distance north of the cottage.

Other local areas of interest include Delphi Resort and Adventure Centre (2 km) which is a resort offering group accommodation stays, luxury spa and outdoor adventure pursuits and water activities. The major tourist attraction of Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden lies 26 km to the south-west. It is a picture-perfect setting with a coffee shop and craft store.