A warm welcome from your hosts, Conor and Bridget O’Connell, to the website of our home, "Gleann Fia Country House" 4 Star accommodation located in Killarney at the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way in the ancient kingdom of Kerry.
The time-honoured Irish tradition of hospitality has been our life for over 35 years here in Kerry and overseas. Before we purchased “Gleann Fia Country House” in 2001, Conor was General Manager and Director (1984 - 2000) of the four-star Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney.
Countless charms made us fall in love with this house and its gardens covering a four-acre site. The music of the River Deenagh floats through the open windows of “Gleann Fia” (Gaelic for Glen of the Deer), a purpose-built, Victorian style country house. History rustles in the leaves of its mature trees first planted in what was then the demesne of a Kerry family of aristocrats, the Earls of Kenmare.
“Gleann Fia” is a boutique property open year-round as a home-from-home for guests travelling from all corners of the world to set out on the Wild Atlantic Way and to view the famed landscape of County Kerry, proudly known to us locals as "The Kingdom". We are located one mile from the busy town of Killarney and yet idyllically situated at the edge of a wooded river valley known as "The Fairy Glen".
We have dedicated the hillside section of our grounds behind “Gleann Fia’ as a wild garden and nature reserve teeming with wildlife such as Sika Deer, rabbits and badgers. It shelters an apiary where Conor tends his beehives to harvest honey for the dining-room table.
As enthusiastic hill walkers and cyclists, we have a genuine passion to share our personal knowledge and experience of all that our wonderful County of Kerry has to offer as an outdoor paradise.
Our location is ideal as a holiday base to play golf on world-renowned championship golf courses and links, take in the thrills and spills of horse racing, mingle with the locals at vibrant festivals, and escape the madding crowd to fish, hill walk, cycle, boat and or simply chill out in this most unspoiled part of Ireland.
Our expansive garden is our pride and joy. Majestic oak and beech trees line our avenue. Flowers, both wild and cultivated, bloom throughout the year. Autumn has its own beauty when ruby berries light up the hawthorn trees. The garden is bordered by the River Deenagh, murmuring on its journey from here to Lough Leane in Killarney National Park. Every window in our home frames a view of the garden. Many of the bedroom windows look out on vistas of the treetops.
When you arrive at our front door, you will be warmly welcomed. In Gaelic, we call this “Céad mile fáilte” (Gaelic for a hundred thousand welcomes). For now, browse our site for information on the best that Kerry has to offer through the four seasons. Of course, we would love to hear from you if you want more detailed information or advice on bookings for trips or guided tours in advance of your arrival.
Slán go fóill (Gaelic for Bye for a while)
Sincerely,
Your hosts,
Conor and Bridget
