About the cottage

 

In July 2007 Noreen and I purchased a ruined farmhouse and outbuildings in a small place in Co. Carlow called Knockmullgurry within the shadow of the Blackstairs Mountains. It was our plan to restore the farmhouse as our home. The farmhouse and two outbuildings had beautiful stonework and neighbours informed us that the previous owners cut the stone themselves from the mountain. The project progressed and before long we had decided that this area of great beauty should be shared. We wanted others to enjoy what we experienced every day.

 

 

That summer we moved into a mobile home across the lane and from there began the work of restoration. A lot of time and energy, tears and laughter went into the work that long summer as we waited for Michael the builder to begin. We undertook most of the internal demolition and all the clearing out in preparation for construction. We pulled down ceilings and unstable walls, dug up cobbled floors which had been there over one hundred years and dug out dirt floors. We salvaged as we went for future use. What had we let ourselves in for! We built stone walls, levelled and reseeded two haggards which we recently found out were called Mullaun and Criteseleam.

 

 

In February 2008 work of rebuilding began and today we are happily residing in the farmhouse and the cottage. We are very proud of this cottage as it stands. It has been restored and decorated to a high standard. It consists of a fully kitted out kitchen with a wood burning stove which heats water and radiators. Four to six people can dine here comfortably. Because of the outstanding views we decided to site the living room upstairs where double doors open out to view Caher Roe's Den and Blackstairs Mountain. The cottage also consists of two double bedrooms-both en-suite. There is ample secure parking in the farmhouse yard.

 

But onwards, have a look at how the cottage is now!