Top 1% of guest reviews in this areaTop 1% of guest reviews in this area
Highlights
Family fun awaits
Top-rated for families.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 11
Popular amenities
Garage parking available
Kitchen
Washing machine
Barbecue grill
Garden
Free Wi-Fi
Explore the area
KY, KY
Carrantuohill
Place, Carrantuohill
6 min drive
Killarney National Park
Place, Killarney National Park
15 min drive
Ross Castle
Place, Ross Castle
58 min drive
Rooms & beds
5 bedrooms (sleeps 11)
Bedroom 1
1 Double Bed
Bedroom 2
1 King Bed
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Bathroom 2
Spaces
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Ceim house was my own home We had happy years living in our ancestral house.
Ceim House captures the peace and tranquillity of the idyllic Black valley, Gap of Dunloe and is an ideal base to explore everything that County Kerry has to offer. Nestled in amongnst the Reeks District with a magnificent view of the Upper Lake of Killarney in the National Park. The bustling tourist town of Killarney is 13 miles and Kenmare 15 miles drive. The world famous Kate Kearney’s Cottage, the Heather restaurant, and the 5 star Dunloe hotel are a short drive away. The space Ceim house has five bedrooms. Three double and one double single bunk room upstairs. One double with ensuite downstairs. A large south facing living room with an oil fired stove a newly fitted kitchen and a separate dining room. Outside is a large garage, an ideal drying space, and up higher is a treehouse with a large swing alongside. Other things to note Ceim House is only accessible via Molls Gap or the Gap of Dunloe Road. Both of which are narrow, meandering roads which are also used by hikers, mountain climbers, cyclist and pony and traps. Ceim House is easily accessible but do allow yourselves extra travelling time to enjoy your beautiful journey to your holiday home.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Glencar
Located in Glencar, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. Our Lady's Well and Cromwell's Bridge are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Killarney National Park and Upper Lake. Travelling with kids? Consider Muckross Traditional Farm, or check out an event or a game at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Is Ceim house was my own home We had happy years living in our ancestral house.
pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Ceim house was my own home We had happy years living in our ancestral house.
?
As of 12 Aug 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ceim house was my own home We had happy years living in our ancestral house.
on 6 Oct 2026 start from AU$952, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Ceim house was my own home We had happy years living in our ancestral house.
?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Ceim house was my own home We had happy years living in our ancestral house.
?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Ceim house was my own home We had happy years living in our ancestral house.
?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Ceim house was my own home We had happy years living in our ancestral house.
located?
This family-friendly holiday home is located on a lake, close to Moll's Gap and Boughil. Area attractions also include Killarney National Park and Carrantuohill.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Absolutely amazing!!! Agnus is a fantastic host and the property is truly unbelievable. We felt like we were living in a postcard. The Black Valley is unlike any place on earth and having the opportunity to stay in it was magical. Thank you Agnus, we will certainly be back (we wish we never left)!!!
Kevin T.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 5 June 2026
Likewise you were amazing to host
Can’t wait for your return
This was a fantastic location - our kids loved the books scattered about and Agnes was helpful and communicative throughout our stay. Great location for exploring throughout Kerry. We took advantage of the meal offer - it was a bit expensive but the portions were large and it was a nice home cooked meal when we arrived after a long day, so it was a good family experience.
Haremit H.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Mar 2026
Thanks for your kind words
So glad you and the children enjoyed Ceim so much. You were a pleasure to host and I hope you will return another day
Agnes was an absolutely beautiful host. Ceim House is an idyllic, rare opportunity to see the one of the most beautiful, and most underrated part of Ireland. Ceim house is surrounded by endless mountains, waterfalls, small lakes, sheep, goats and wonderful signs of nature. The house was beautifully clean, spacious, perfect for our family vacation. You will not be dissapointed!!
steve c.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 5 June 2026
So very happy that you enjoyed Ceim and our beautiful valley
Call again
This house is incredible. The views are spectacular, the wildlife was abundant,and the house was immaculate. Agnes is such a wonderful host. We will be back! Was a great family trip for the five of us. Our kids loved it!
Timothy H.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Mar 2026
Totally my pleasure to host a respectful family and I will look forward to your return
What an incredible experience. The house is spacious and welcoming and the Black Valley location is spectacular. Hiking right out the front door and amazing views. Agnes is a wonderful host and as a Chef, she offers ready made meals on arrival that provided enough food that we enjoyed them over two of our three nights at Ceim house. The drive in to the house through the Gap of Dunloe is amazing, take your time and enjoy it. We will be back !
Floyd T.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 5 June 2026
Delighted you enjoyed my cooking Delightful to host such a respectful bunch of people
I hope you return
Agnes was an incredible host and we couldn’t ask for more during our stay in the Ceim house. We had the pleasure of a home cooked meal and it was as a must have when saying there.. My personal recommendation is to go with the chowder :). This is exactly what we envisioned when traveling to Ireland to make lifelong memories. We will definitely be back.
Derek J.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Apr 2026
You were a total pleasure to host
I hope you will another day to mark more memories at Ceim
You will not be disappointed with your stay at Ceim house for so many reasons. Agnes is a lovely, responsive host who greeted us and answered numerous questions about Black Valley. The drive in is amazing and better than the pictures. Take Agnes up on her offer to cook; not only is it delicious, but you won't want to leave! The house has everything you might need and the bedrooms/baths are lovely. The sheep nearby are so fun to watch and the views are breathtaking. You are close to Killarney National Park, which you must not miss.
Peggy B.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Apr 2026
Thanks P.
Totally a pleasure to chat and host your family.
I only hope you might return to Ceim House again
Wow! Wow! Wow! Our stay at Ceim House was absolutely phenomenal! The drive through the Gap of Dunloe is an unforgettable experience — just be prepared for a slow journey, though it is more than worth it for the breathtaking scenery.After a busy day of sightseeing, we arrived to find the table beautifully set and a delicious dinner prepared and waiting for us. Agnes is an incredible chef! We enjoyed several traditional, home-cooked Irish dishes in the comfort of the house, and Agnes’ daughter even surprised us with an extra homemade dessert. It was such a treat to relax, enjoy a wonderful meal, and unwind for the evening.The setting at Ceim House is simply stunning. Your nearest neighbors are sheep, making it the perfect peaceful Irish countryside escape. The home itself was spotless, comfortable, and exceptionally well maintained.I cannot recommend Ceim House highly enough!
Karen W.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 5 June 2026
An absolutely joy to host you all. I would love to have you back another day
Just what the doctor ordered. Peace and quiet in this idyllic location. Unwind and relax. Thanks for sharing your home, great host, and a terrific cosy haven.
Our family of six (two couples and two children) enjoyed this vacation home! Waking up and coming home to the Black Valley each day was beautiful. Quick communication with Agnes as well as a welcome plate of cheese and cake was appreciated. The distinct smell in one of the upper rooms mentioned by other reviewers might be an issue if you are sensitive to smells.
When you find a place as wonderful as this, you're torn between sharing it with others and keeping it a secret.For our first trip to Ireland, we never imagined we'd spend three nights in the heart of the breathtaking Gap of Dunloe. The drive into the Gap was certainly stressful at times, but it was also one of the most beautiful drives we've ever experienced. Arriving at the house and being greeted by our host immediately made it all worthwhile. After more than 20 hours of travel, the dinner she had prepared for us was pure bliss. What a unique opportunity to have a proper, home-cooked Irish meal ready for you when you arrive.Communication before our arrival was outstanding and made everything easy and stress-free. The house was exactly as described and comfortably accommodated our group of eleven. Gathering around the stove in the living room each morning with coffee and sharing stories from the previous day's adventures quickly became a favorite of ours.Because we were eager to see so much of Ireland, we spent most of our days exploring Killarney and surrounding areas leaving little time to fully appreciate the peace and beauty of the Black Valley. Next time, we'll stay longer and spend more time simply enjoying this remarkable place. Hopefully, we can share breakfast or dinner with our host and hear more of her wonderful stories about growing up in the valley.When we return to Ireland, we'll come back here as long as Agnes will have us!
("Diamond" being the welcoming house and "Rough" being the pristine beauty of the Black Valley!) Every bit of our stay was wonderful; the host(s), the house, the location, the moodiness of the weather and the ultra glorious landscape surrounding us. It worked quite well as a central location to explore the Ring of Kerry and neighboring peninsulas, and Agnes was happy to provide suggestions for activities and adventures from which it was a pleasure to return to the Ceim House. Already with memories of a lifetime, we would gladly return to stay here again and again!
Heather O.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 10 July 2025
Well I do hope you two return again and again as you were a totally wonderful to host
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Agnes’s place! It was a beautiful and clean home but we most enjoyed the stunning scenery from the front porch! You will not find a better location to access the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney National Park, or Ring of Kerry. Such stunning scenery and secluded location with lots of hiking available right out of the front door. If you’re looking for an authentic Irish home stay, this is the place for you!
I have visited Ireland over 40 times over the last 50 years. I have stayed at hotels, B&Bs, and have rented houses from Fanah Head to Mizen Head. This Ceim House in the Black Valley is the absolute best!
The hostess/owner, Agnes, could not do more to make every second of our stay quite memorable.
In short, if you want to combine a once in a lifetime experience that combines the magic of the Irish countryside with the warmth of the Irish people, book a week at the Ceim House!
Raymond S.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Oct 2024
Thanks so much for your kind words Raymond.
Hosting people like you is a privilege and It would be my honour to host you again.
So glad you enjoyed Ceim House so much and appreciated our beautiful Valley and the Gap of Dunloe
Stay safe Agnes
Agnes is an excellent host! Her communication is very fast and responsive. The information provided before our arrival also very helpful in planning our travel the day we checked in. I wish we had planned a week in this location instead of 3 nights. We followed her advice in how to spend one of our days and we all loved it. A big highlight was doing the home cooked meal that Agnes offers the night of arrival. Not having to worry about stopping to eat somewhere after a long day and having a fantastic dinner waiting was the best! Presentation in the dining room was so pretty and being able to sit at the table and talk with each other was priceless. Take her up on the offer!
Bethany W.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 May 2025
Thanks you Bethany
It was a pleasure to host you all
I found this property when looking for somewhere in the Irish countryside. I did not realize how amazing this would be. The host, Agnes, goes above and beyond to insure her guests are comfortable in the home, gets them checked in personally and give the most amazing advice on where to go and what to do. She responds to all messages with great speed and accuracy. She helped us find hikes around the property, a location for a five star restaurant experience and made us feel like we were family staying in her home. Look up Black Valley to see some of the beauty of the area. We very much want to bring our family back to stay here.
Quite Possibly the Most Beautiful Location on Earth
Black Valley, where Ceim House is, is quite possibly the most beautiful place I have ever been. It changes with the light an the clouds by the moment. Spectacular. The home itself, and its host, were lovely and met every need we had. I could have stayed longer and will revisit in the future. This is an experience not to be missed. A few things to note: driving through the Dunloe Gap is not to be taken lightly. There are working jaunting carts and tractors that must have the right of way. Plan for extra time getting to and from the property. My suggestion is limiting the coming and going and enjoy the valley and the ample hiking opportunities. Also, be aware that you are amongst working farms with livestock. Agnes, the host, was wonderful. She met us at the house with a wonderful pie and gave us a quick introduction to the house and things to do in the area. Communication with her was exceptional. Again, we will gladly return to Ceim House in the future.
We absolutely loved our stay here! Accommodations were clean, cozy, and everything you need is there. Beds were very comfortable. The beautiful landscape is amazing for a morning cup of coffee. We enjoyed our stay tremendously! Agnes is a superb hostess and we really enjoyed meeting her! 100% recommend making time to stay here and enjoy this part of Ireland!
Joe P.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 28 June 2026
Thanks guys
You were fabulous to host
About the host
Hosted by Agnes
Languages:
English, Local (sign language)
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests