Beautiful Country Manor House Set in Lush Grounds, Lake Views
About this house rental
Welcome to a step back in time. Williamstadt House is a beautiful Historic Country Manor House nestled near the banks of Lough Derg in the heart of southwestern Ireland. This Georgian Beauty is set amidst mature lush gardens and lawns with a variety of specimen and fruit trees and surrounded by centuries old beech, ash and oak trees. The house boasts a private fifty acre wood which runs along the lake with trails for hiking and horse riding and its own private harbor for boating and kayaking. The park like setting allows the visitor to truly enjoy and experience a place out of time, where life takes a slower pace. Relax and take a swing beneath a 300 year old chestnut tree and watch the light play on the hills of Tipperary across the lake, enjoy an evening badminton game on the lawn, drinks and dinner under the evening sky, shimmering with stars. Soak in a beautiful Victorian bathtub and get cozy in front of a turf fire in one of the comfortable well appointed reception rooms. The Courtyard at Williamstadt House many features including a two bed two bath cottage in the 200 year old Coach House, Known as the GameKeeper's Cottage (HomeAway listing 960200). It is newly rennovated with all the modern amenities, and makes a nice addition to the main House. Williamstadt House and its environs provide a paradise for hiking, cycling, horse riding, water sports, fishing, golfing and wildlife viewing. For touring Ireland, it is the perfect base, being just an hours drive from Shannon Airport, an hour from Galway City, an hour from Limerick and 2 1/2 hours from Dublin. Feature attractions within an hours drive include The Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Galway Bay and the beaches of Lahinch and Fanore, Galway City and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Williamstadt House is located one mile from the village of Whitegate, an easy stroll or cycle down small country lane. Nearby towns include the beautiful lakeside village of Mountshannon and the Historic Killaloe, with restaurants, pubs, shops and local farmers markets. This area is renowned worldwide for its Traditional Music and sessions happen in the pubs on many an evening. The world famous Feakle Music Festival happens here yearly. There are many Golf Links in the area, Portumna and East Clare among them. In season there are thousands of acres of private land available for Deer Stalking as well as Duck, Pheasant and Woodcock Shooting.
Amenities
Pets allowed
Kitchen / Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony / Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of County Clare
House in County Clare
Reasons to book
People love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Great for pets
RRRR
Reviews
4.9/5.0
Outstanding(38 Reviews)
5.0
What a grand place to stay. The home was like we were stepping back in time but with all the modern amenities. Whitegate was a great location to stay if you want to see Western and Southern Ireland. Do yourself a favor and visit the local restaurant/pub. So good! Carol and Kevin are the best of the best. Carol was instrumental in making our daily jaunts absolutely wonderful. Ireland was magical and so was this place! Say “HI” to Rosie and Sally for us when you visit!
10.0
What a grand place to stay. The home was like we were stepping back in time but with all the modern amenities. Whitegate was a great location to stay if you want to see Western and Southern Ireland. Do yourself a favor and visit the local restaurant/pub. So good! Carol and Kevin are the best of the best. Carol was instrumental in making our daily jaunts absolutely wonderful. Ireland was magical and so was this place! Say “HI” to Rosie and Sally for us when you visit!
5.0
It’s difficult to know where to begin! Ireland is an incredible country to begin with, and staying at Williamstadt House adds that sprinkle of magic that everyone looks for on vacation. Equal parts charm and luxury…it feels like home in all the best ways. A warm hearth, a fully stocked kitchen, spacious bedrooms with welcoming beds that beckon you to sleep a little longer on a rainy morning, a courtyard out of the pages of a magazine, your own private shebeen. What more could one look for? We enjoyed the company of our gracious and warm hosts (Carole and Kevin) for two lovely meals on the patio, and thoroughly enjoyed the company of Sally and Rosie (their gentle and loving dogs) who made us (and our three children) feel right at home. The location of the house is just enough out of the way to make you feel, well, away; but close enough to the spectacle that is the Wild Atlantic Way that you won’t miss a thing! Words simply don’t do this special place justice. We are so looking forward to our next visit and consider Carole and Kevin part of our extended family. Thank you for a most memorable getaway!
5.0
Our family of seven thoroughly enjoyed Williamstadt House and the owners, Carole and Kevin. There is so much to enjoy at the property: the lough (loch) with kayaks, the meadow and planting, the original courtyard with a watering trough built into the stream branch running under the house, and a cozy fireplace aglow amid family portraits, antique furniture and wonderfully eclectic furnishings. Situated at the northwest edge of County Clare, the house has a path through its 50 acres to the lake, about a 1 km walk. The house is about an hour from places such as Galway, the Cliffs of Moher and the Graves of the Leinstermen. Two closer places of interest are Bunratty Castle and Craggaunowen, each about half an hour away. We went to nearby Feakle, renowned for folk music, to Peppers Pub. One hint on getting there from Dublin: don’t take the Google Maps route in from the North, because of all the narrow roads, instead take the southerly route toward Limerick, mostly motorway! Thank you Carole and Kevin for the great stay and wonderful conversations.
5.0
A Rich Visit to Bygone Times
Our family of seven thoroughly enjoyed Williamstadt House and the owners, Carole and Kevin. There is so much to enjoy at the property: the lough (loch) with kayaks, the meadow and planting, the original courtyard with a watering trough built into the stream branch running under the house, and a cozy fireplace aglow amid family portraits, antique furniture and wonderfully eclectic furnishings. Situated at the northwest edge of County Clare, the house has a path through its 50 acres to the lake, about a 1 km walk. The house is about an hour from places such as Galway, the Cliffs of Moher and the Graves of the Leinstermen. Two closer places of interest are Bunratty Castle and Craggaunowen, each about half an hour away. We went to nearby Feakle, renowned for folk music, to Peppers Pub. One hint on getting there from Dublin: don’t take the Google Maps route in from the North, because of all the narrow roads, instead take the southerly route toward Limerick, mostly motorway! Thank you Carole and Kevin for the great stay and wonderful conversations.
5.0
Staying at Williamstadt house was an absolutely magical experience. Meeting hosts Kevin and Carol is like spending time with your favorite relatives. They made us feel completely at home in their beautiful estate full of fascinating treasures. It is truly an artist’s dream full of interesting artwork, objects and beautiful images and places to paint. We also enjoyed the company of loyal canine companions ready to cuddle or play at a moments notice. Chickens, ducks and donkeys also received plenty of our attention. Our children were of just the right ages (12-16) to enjoy the magic without harming any of the beautiful things curated around us.
I have found that the best thing about Ireland has been the people and you will find the best of the best at Williamstadt House and in the village of Whitegate, Co. Clare. I would highly recommend this stay!
5.0
A magical experience!
Staying at Williamstadt house was an absolutely magical experience. Meeting hosts Kevin and Carol is like spending time with your favorite relatives. They made us feel completely at home in their beautiful estate full of fascinating treasures. It is truly an artist’s dream full of interesting artwork, objects and beautiful images and places to paint. We also enjoyed the company of loyal canine companions ready to cuddle or play at a moments notice. Chickens, ducks and donkeys also received plenty of our attention. Our children were of just the right ages (12-16) to enjoy the magic without harming any of the beautiful things curated around us.
I have found that the best thing about Ireland has been the people and you will find the best of the best at Williamstadt House and in the village of Whitegate, Co. Clare. I would highly recommend this stay!
4.0
Unique and quirky house set in gorgeous grounds. Very comfortable and spacious. Helpful hosts, generous with their time. So much to see and do.
8.0
Unique and quirky house set in gorgeous grounds. Very comfortable and spacious. Helpful hosts, generous with their time. So much to see and do.
4.0
Unique property in a stunning setting.
Unique and quirky house set in gorgeous grounds. Very comfortable and spacious. Helpful hosts, generous with their time. So much to see and do.
5.0
Stay here!
Carole and Kevin invited us into their lovingly restored home as if we were old friends that they wanted to have the best possible time during our week's stay. Everything I read in past reviews of their kindness and generosity was all true. They are both fantastic. Kevin actually gave the boots off his feet to one of our tribe that had forgotten his boots at home. Could not have had a better time and it would not have been possible without Carole and Kevin.
5.0
Lovely house with terrific hosts made for a wonderful stay
5.0
Fabulous experience
Lovely house with terrific hosts made for a wonderful stay
5.0
Property is an excellent example of a country estate that existed over 200 years ago. Carole and Kevin are very gracious and generous hosts, who were a pleasure to meet and interact with during our stay. Prior positive reviews are right on point. If you are looking for a stay equivalent to a high-end hotel, you will be disappointed. However, if you would enjoy stepping back in time, staying in home and on a property that is full of history, and being hosted by two very warm and genuine people, this property can't be matched.
5.0
A step back into history in a charming home.
Property is an excellent example of a country estate that existed over 200 years ago. Carole and Kevin are very gracious and generous hosts, who were a pleasure to meet and interact with during our stay. Prior positive reviews are right on point. If you are looking for a stay equivalent to a high-end hotel, you will be disappointed. However, if you would enjoy stepping back in time, staying in home and on a property that is full of history, and being hosted by two very warm and genuine people, this property can't be matched.
5.0
Simply amazing!
Words can't express the delight of our overall experience staying at the Williamstadt House. We stayed for five nights our party included two adults and three teen boys. All of us fell in love with not only the house and the property but also our hosts Carole and Kevin. I have to mention that we also fell in love with their three very personable pups Walter, Sally, and Scout. The house itself was like living back in time with all the modern amenities. The house offered plenty of space, cozy sitting rooms, and comfy beds. Carole was the sweetest host who was very helpful with local attractions and Kevin was very charming and funny. We look forward to keeping in touch with them and making a return visit as soon as we can. We can honestly say that we felt homesick for Williamstadt as soon as we left, it was truly the best vacation property we have ever experienced!
5.0
We stayed at Whitegate in the big house as 4 couples and Carole and Kevin were wonderful hosts. They went out of their way to make our 6 days the best possible. We loved having the dogs Sally, Scout and Walter hanging out with us. A great base location for touring the sites of the South. We all loved it.
5.0
4 Couples Get Away
We stayed at Whitegate in the big house as 4 couples and Carole and Kevin were wonderful hosts. They went out of their way to make our 6 days the best possible. We loved having the dogs Sally, Scout and Walter hanging out with us. A great base location for touring the sites of the South. We all loved it.
5.0
Expectations exceeded in every way!
This was our first trip to the Emerald Isle and it was great. The property, set in the beautiful countryside of West Ireland, was the ideal base camp from which to explore all of the things visitors would want to do. Dating back to the late 1600's, the Manor, along with its and adjacent out buildings, was truly a museum in its own right. Very need and well maintained.
And let me hang a sixth star on our trip. It belong to Carol and Kevin. Great historians, great travel consultants, great story tellers, beautiful people. If you are lucky enough to visit, give them another hug for us.
5.0
Tranquil and Peaceful Paradise
Our family just shared the single best vacation of ANY of our lifetimes--our first visit to Ireland. And without a doubt, the highlight (out of MANY memorable moments) was our time at Carole and Kevin's Country Manor. We seriously looked at ten separate homes on HomeAway as potential locations to lay our heads, and we can't begin to express how delighted we are with the choice we made. I don't know what we loved most: the timeless classical home, the rolling pastureland, the beautiful lake just down the lane, the assortment of animals--including Walter, Sally and Scout--three wonderful little dogs who stole our hearts, or the warmth of our hosts. Frankly, it would be impossible to choose; everything added up to an exceptional experience that will likely never be bested. Carole and Kevin--bless you for your kindness, and for sharing your home with us. We're in agreement--it was terribly difficult to leave, and we hope to return to experience your wonderful hospitality again.
5.0
Perfect Country Vacation
We had an amazing time at Carole and Kevin's home. We live in Chicago and came to Ireland with my parents, my husband and me, and our three kids. My kids loved playing in the house, feeding the animals and exploring the surroundings. My daughters LOVED Sally and we were lucky enough to be there when she had her puppies!
Carole and Kevin are wonderful hosts. I recommend having a few days with no plans - so you can enjoy the surroundings and the Irish countryside. This home was definitely the highlight of our trip!
5.0
An unforgettable holiday - beautiful, unique property - owners are amazing! Best place to stay!
We were absolutely thrilled with our recent visit to Williamstadt House, we cannot say enough good things about it. All of the rave reviews from previous guests were 100% accurate. The house and property were so warm and unique in so many ways, what a great way to experience Ireland for the first time! We were warmly welcomed by Carole, our hostess, whose kind correspondence before we even arrived, made it feel like we were visiting friends. The home is lovely on it's own, but with Carole and Kevin's personal touches of fresh picked flowers, an authentic peat fire in the fireplace, cider from home grown apples, and fresh water from a 400 foot well, we realized that this was very special. There was plenty of room, and the beds were extremely comfortable. We slept very well! The courtyard was beautiful and wonderful, there were 2 fabulous dogs, Sally and Walter - who sometimes slept with our daughters, ducks, hens, chickens, and donkeys in the back yard. We were also fortunate to witness the hatching of 14 chicks while we were there!. Carole and Kevin went out of their way to make us feel welcome, inviting us to meet their friends, and sharing many stories about the house and the area. They are some of the best people that you could ever meet! We were there for a family reunion, and had a barbecue on the last night for around 20 people, we were able to use the courtyard, the grill, and they even brought out a large table for us to use - so accommodating. Of course Carole and Kevin were part of the celebration, they are now part of the family! We loved, loved, loved this vacation, and highly recommend this property!
There were so many memories made, and we hope to visit again.
5.0
Wonderful hidden gem
Kevin & Carole are amazing they are so gracious and genuine! Williamstadt house is a beautiful home in the small village of Whitegate. We were very busy during our stay with multiple day trips out we had a driver Davey who navigated us through all the beautiful sights in County Clare he was the best! My son couldn't wait to get back to the house to check on all the animals and play with Walter and Sally! Everyone just enjoyed our visit so much and we can't wait to return!
5.0
Authentic Irish Experience
Despite having read all the reviews, and personally knowing two people who previously stayed at Williamstadt House, I still wasn't fully prepared for what I would experience during our four nights there. As so many others have said, Kevin & Carole are fantastic. They are friendly and helpful, and provide great suggestions on various things to do. Also in keeping with the reviews, the setting is beautiful, and the house full of interesting furniture, art, hunting trophies, and more. Its an old house, and it has some wonderful quirkiness about it. In short, its authenticity is what makes it special. Its a home, not a hotel. Not even a vacation rental, really. Our group included adults and children, and it was great for everyone.
5.0
Charming, antique-filled country property
We spent four nights at Williamstadt House during a recent family vacation. This spacious historic house comfortably accommodated our group of seven adults, and we took full advantage of the well-appointed kitchen and lovely grounds. As others have mentioned, the house brims with interesting antiques, memorabilia and books. The owners, Carole and Kevin, were attentive but never intrusive. On arrival, we found beautiful flower arrangements throughout the house and an array of local products in the kitchen. Carole hosted us one night for a candle-lit gin tasting (all locally sourced), and provided loads of helpful information about the area. We used the house as a base for day trips to Galway, the Aran Islands and the Burren, all of which we highly recommend to other visitors. Nearby Mountshannon was holding its annual arts festival during our visit, with plentiful music in the local pub which we also enjoyed. All in all, there was much more to do than our four days allowed, and we hope for a return visit in the not-too-distant future!
5.0
A wonderul holiday, we will cherish and remember always
From the warm welcome we received to the parting wave, we felt at home, more like friends than paying guests. Williamstadt House, a beautiful, rural, relaxing home, generously vacated and entrusted to us. Our hosts generosity further extended to all areas. Their time recounting the fascinating history of their home, recommending places to visit and eat, the fresh eggs picked by our 6 year old son from their barn daily, the hours he spent playing with their dog, to the daily restocking of the wood store in the kitchen that made sitting by the fire in the evenings so enjoyable.
It is a wonderful relaxing home filled with so many fascinating and artistically arranged objects both historical and quirky, beautiful photographs and artwork. We would recommend it to anyone and would love to return one day. Our holiday was a special time to cherish and remember affectionately always.
Thank you Carole and Kevin. x
5.0
It Was Like a Fairytale Dream Came True
It is hard to find the right superlatives to describe our experience at Williamstadt House this Christmas. The short version: 3 couple friends leave the US for an Irish Christmas and are met by the most delightful hosts, Carole and Kevin and their precious dogs, Sally and Walter. We enter a spectacularly gorgeous Georgian Manor Home where we immediately felt like royalty as a roaring fire was made for us daily and the exquisitely curated furnishings and treasures on display tell a story all their own. As others have said, Carole and Kevin have an incredible sense for hosting, with ideas and suggestions galore, as well as fascinating story telling as we sipped our beer and whiskey in their pub. The location and grounds were perfect for our day tripping and a most wonderful place for exploring. The bedding and towels were incredibly comfortable/high quality. Each bedroom and bathroom were extremely roomy. Some highlights: My daily soak in the splendid slipper tub; walks to the harbor down the lane; curling up with Sally and Walter on the sofa with the lights of the Christmas tree twinkling; a grand Christmas dinner in the kitchen at the farm table; all the women in our group dancing with Kevin in the pub; reveling in Carole and Kevin's stories...and so much more. We can't wait to go back to Ireland and specifically hope to return to Williamstadt House. A more perfect holiday can not be possible. It truly was like a fairytale dream came true.
5.0
Magicial
Usually, when reading gushing testimonials about holidays taken, or meals eaten, I wonder, do those people ever get out? Well, I'm afraid I'm going to join their ranks, and gush in praise of Williamstadt, Whitegate and Lough Derg, but most particularly , about Carole and Kevin. The house you can see from the photos, but the magical quality, you cannot. These guys were like great friends waiting to be met, unassuming, gentle, lovely. The house, countryside, environs and ambience were, well, incredible. But people make the world bearable at worst, and enjoyable and wondrous at best. And that's what we found. Thanks you, from my family and I (and especially Evin) for a little bit of wonder. We'll be back for that trip with Kevin soon!
Love, Ian, Sandra, and the boys.
5.0
The most perfect holiday destination
We have just returned from our summer holiday at Williamstadt House, a most perfect place to stay. Carole and Kevin were great hosts and nothing was too much trouble. Our ages ranged from grandparents in their late 70's to teenage boys and everyone fell in love with the house, the setting and the people. The lake is nearby and the boys spent time kayaking and biking around the countryside and we found so much to do that we didn't want to come home. We will return, thank you Carole and Kevin!
5.0
Enchanting!
My boyfriend and I recently stayed at the Gamekeeper's Cottage. It is a beautiful cottage, very tastefully decorated. We were delighted with the homemade apple juice and cupcakes on arrival. We were also welcomed by two very enthusiastic and friendly dogs called Sally and Walter.
Carole and Kevin are the perfect hosts with a wealth of local knowledge and history.
We borrowed the bikes and cycled to Whitegate for a delicious meal.
We also explored the beautiful woods on the banks of Lough Derg.
I can't recommend Williamstadt House highly enough. It is a true hidden gem.
The only regret I have about Williamstadt House is that our visit was too short. I look forward to returning in the near future.
5.0
Lovely place with lovely people!
The house was wonderful, the memories......priceless! Will be going and staying again for many years to come.
5.0
Exceeded Our Expectations And Then Some!
My wife, her cousin, and I stayed in the Gamekeepers Cottage attached to the Williamstadt Manor house in Whitegate for five nights in September. Everything about the stay was wonderful. Maureen and Bill planned to do some research and sightseeing around family history in Clare and the Gamekeeper's Cottage was perfectly situated between Killaloe and Crusheen where the family had roots. The Cottage looked lovely on the website but in reality was ten times better! The courtyard, the cottage, the main house, the grounds, the animals, gardens, the sibin (shebeen), and the hand-painted murals on the walls simply overjoyed us. My wife was absolutely taken by the authenticity and beauty of the place. It added so much to her experience in Clare on an the trail of ancesters!!!
The rooms were very comfortable and uniquely decorated, Kevin and Carole related fascinating stories about the furnishings, as well as many other stories and tales of the area. As hosts they were perfect. Kevin would lay a fire for us just before dusk and we often shared a drink and conversation together in the manor house. Kevin and Carole were very relaxed and easy to be with. We felt welcomed and at ease and had the run of the grounds!
The Cottage is self-catering and the kitchen is well equipped for cooking. Carole had great recommendations for food shopping, butchers, spirit shops, and other basic needs. There are not a lot of restaurants right in the Whitegate area so cooking at home is a good choice, unless you plan to be out for the evening listening to Irish music in Doolin or Ennis, which have a lot of good places to eat. Right in Whitegate, however, is a small, friendly pub called the Half Barrel which has very good food. Carole also helped us in finding a local genealogist, who was excellent, and in gathering information for local fishing prospects. She really worked hard for us in the months prior to our trip to connect with people for help and research.
We would not hesitate to return to Williamstadt Manor/Gamekeeper's Cottage for another stay.
5.0
Words simply don't do it justice
I simply don't have the words to express what a wonderful experience this was for my family. My husband and I, along with our 10 year old son and 7 year old daughter, spent a week at Williamstadt House. It was, hands down, the best family vacation we have ever had.
The house itself is beautiful and the grounds were luxurious even in early spring. To a certain extent we were expecting this based on the photographs we'd seen before we arrived. The real surprise, however, were Carole and Kevin. They were far more welcoming and gracious than we ever could have imagined. They were our hosts, tour guides, historians, and, by the end of the week, our friends. Our children enjoyed their time at Williamstadt House so much that even the Cliffs of Moher couldn't compete. We had to practically drag them away from the house every morning so we could explore the area; if they had their way, they would have stayed at Williamstadt House every minute of every day. The kids loved collecting eggs from the hens and playing with Carole and Kevin's three dogs. My daughter carried poor Sally around like a purse for most of the week and even Sally was gracious about it! My ten year old son and "Mr. Clarke" were great pals by the end of the week.
Carole and Kevin went out of their way to make us comfortable and to ensure we enjoyed our stay. Our week went a lot like this: The kids want to visit a local dairy farm? Sure, we'll take you! A boat to Holy Island? No trouble at all! How to find a local artist? We know just the place! Carole and Kevin recommended pubs, castles, caves, tower houses... they suggested activities for us that we hadn't even considered and every single one of them was perfect.
I could go on and on and on about what a fantastic week this was for us, but instead I will say this: We have never been so sad to leave a place. There weren't many dry eyes in the car as we pulled away from Williamstadt House, and we traveled most of the way to Dublin in complete silence. There were just no words to express both how happy we were to have spent time there and how sad we were to have to leave. I'm certain we will be back.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in County Clare?
The average price for a rental in County Clare is R 2,376 per night. This rental is R 6,373 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Beautiful Country Manor House Set in Lush Grounds, Lake Views. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Beautiful Country Manor House Set in Lush Grounds, Lake Views pet friendly?
Yes! This house is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at Beautiful Country Manor House Set in Lush Grounds, Lake Views?
We found 11 amenities for this rental. This includes pets allowed, kitchen / kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.
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