Tom de Paor, Architect

“The house makes the place. What a revelation. I love Bothar Buí.”

Maria Doyle Kennedy, Actor,Singer

“Just wanted to say what a special place Bothar Bui is and what a great holiday we had. It is really different to anywhere we have been previously and the children ,especially , found the woods magical . We will be back again!” Best, Maria & Kieran Kennedy

Shane Serrano, Musician/Film Maker

"Bothar Bui is in an amazing part of the world. Breath taking surroundings, and stunning buildings & accommodation. From the moment that I left, I've been trying to come up with reasons to have to make a return visit! Highly recommended."

Se Merry Doyle, Film maker

“For anybody who wants to find a retreat from the busy life they lead, here’s the perfect retreat. The most beautiful dwelling I have ever been. Sleeps 10 people. Surrounded by magic landscape.”

Charles Tyrrell, Artist

“Bothar Bui is quite unique... it's special. I've always felt, when there, that I've left my world behind me and entered an enchanting self-contained other world. A cluster of buildings tucked with ease into the landscape with their mix of simple traditional stone cottage and cabins in harmony with equally simple modernist buildings...in a dance together. Sensitive and visionary. An inspiring place.”

Nigel Swann, Locations Manager

My business depends on beautiful unique locations.
Bothar Bui, a mix of vernacular and modern architecture,
set in a rugged wooded landscape works every time.
Sarah maintains a specular property with a love that shows.

Nigel Swann

swannlocations.com

Daryl Kerrigan, Daryl K Fashion Design

Bothar Bui..... This place is the stuff of dreams, it is magical. From the drive to get there to the bohreens surrounding it , it is the Ireland that you remember as a child. Bothar Bui is a seamless meeting of the old and the new. The modern architecture of Robin Walker paired with the old world landscape transports you to another time and place. A sense of peacefulness pervades, through the sounds, the sea and the spaces you experience as you move between the cottage with it's thick whitewashed walls and turf fire, the stone pathways leading to the freestanding structures that house 2 bedrooms and a bathroom which overlook the Kenmare Bay, and the large open studio space with the same vista.
My heart is there more often than is possible for my person.

John Hegarty, Architect

"The simplicity and authenticity of this remote place is inspirational. Peat fires in the cottage combined with the contemporary and highly considerate modernity of the bedroom pavilions. Historic and retro at the same time with views that capture the mind in a magical spell........."

Arran Henderson

"Bothar Bui, my favourite place in the world.

12 years back, staying near Glengarriff with friends, visiting Sarah’s lovely gallery in Castletownbere one day, I had the great fortune to spot a small A4 piece of paper, advertising the amazing fact that Bothar Bui – Sarah’s childhood summer home, built by her distinguished architect father- was now available to rent.

Within a few weeks of my return to Dublin, I got in touch, made arrangements and booked some friends in for the following August. Thus began one of the most rewarding relationships of my life, with any place.

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Brody Sweeney

"Stayed in beautiful Bothar Bui for a week last Easter. Spectacular special location like no other. Rustic separate cottages for living, sleeping and playing - beautiful contemporary Irish artwork, and a library of books to get lost in. This is a truly "get away from it all" location. For reading, walking, family, eating and experiencing a real slice of rural Ireland. Its not for everyone - the lack of level surfaces, and steps make this a place for the fully mobile - but we, and our family of teenagers absolutely loved everything about it."

Steve Wall, Musician

“There aren't many places left in Ireland where you can get a sense of what the country was like in simpler times, before the Tiger years and even before bungalow bliss. Well Bóthar Buí is one of these places. Disappearing down the long steep driveway is akin to Alice in Wonderland landing at the bottom of the rabbit hole - you're in another world. You can enjoy the silence in every blade of grass, in every slippery stone or you can scream at the top of your voice...no one's gonna hear ya! Bring a guitar, bring a book, bring your togs, bring your thoughts. Come hail, rain or shine, Bóthar Buí is food for the soul.”

Eileen Carroll

"Bothar Bui is heavenly. The view from your bathtub, the space, the peace and quiet. The big long kitchen table when you're feeling sociable. The walk back up the hill through the fuchsia tunnel. Kids love the freedom of it - so much exploring to do. It's a very unique and inspiring place. My husband and I wouldn't let a year go by without a visit; it is a touchstone for us."

Blaise Smith, Artist

“Bothar Bui is a place like no other, a view that changes relentlessly, and a house that gives a diagram for a new way of living. Some may already have four houses to live in, but probably not all in the one place and this makes it terrific for families. For a small child even the trip from one building to the other is an adventure and then they can take it further by going down through the "magic" forest (one of Ireland's few surviving sessile oak forests) all the way to the sea. And there's a cool swing on the way down. (Not for the fainthearted parent). It was a great place for us to invite friends to join us and they were all suitably enchanted. And there was enough space for them to bring their kids. And they had their own house to retire to, not to be underestimated. There were plenty of great places to drive to, Allihies and the various swimming coves being our favourites. And in case of bad weather, (this is Ireland after all) there was the big studio where kids could spend a whole day in acres of space playing and hanging out. And I could paint the view out the big window that forms one wall and pretend to be minding them....”

 

Cian Deegan, Architect,

“Even ignoring its architectural significance (which it wears in an appropriately light manner), Bothar Bui is a jewel purely in terms of atmosphere. The seclusion, the authenticity of the buildings and their setting within the landscape combine to set a stage for memorable times spent with good friends.”

Lois Crighton, Photographer

“Spent a lovely two weeks in Bothar Bui last Summer. What a stunning and special spot with its beautiful view over an oak wood down to the sea. The place caters so well for a group of people with its various separate buildings, which gives you room to hang out together, while allowing you space and relaxation at the same time. We will be back.”

Tony Brereton, Musician

If you’re looking for somewhere to holiday or getaway from the hustle and bustle in Ireland, check out this fantastic property. On the border of Cork and Kerry, beautiful views, walks, pubs, food and any other requirements you need, or just privacy... Set in acres of natural oak forest, leading down to the sea. We've stayed here many a time and will do again. The lovely Sarah Walker is the lady of the manor, and will tend to your every needs...(give you the key).. .. .. .. ..

Charlotte Somers

"Myself and my three sons, aged now 14, 12 and 8, have holidayed in Bothar Bui the last two summers. It’s a very magical place where you can instantly unwind in the beauty and peace of the Beara peninsula.
The buildings are inspiring with lots of varying light and views. It is a different experience every time you go between them, taking in the landscape and the lush flora as you go.
The woods around and sea below make it a wonderful place for children, and adults, to spread out and have adventures.

It's a great base from which to explore this special part of West Cork, with its hidden beaches and coves. The shops nearby have great local produce so there is plenty of opportunity to get together in the evenings over good dinners and a glass of wine.

As a result you really get a chance to get away from it all and experience a very special part of Ireland in very unique way."

Barry O'Donnell

Of Bothar Bui Seamus Heaney wrote with deep affection: "Athletic sealight on the doorstep slab,/ On the sea itself, on silent roofs and gables. / Whitewashed suntraps. hedges hot as chimneys."
Time in Bothar Bui enters your history as and there remains, unforgettable.

Jenny Kingston, Artist

"Bothar Bui is a totally unique experience. It's stepping back 100 years in one way, with all the comforts of the 21st century. Truly memorable."