About us
We fell in love with County Kerry on our first visit in 1996. I knew then that some day I would own a traditional thatched cottage. When I was searching one evening I spotted the Cordal cottage on line and immediateley knew this was it….my thatched cottage.
It had been in ruin for around 10 years and was saved and refurbished by the Smith family from England. They had restored both remaining Cordal cottages, which are next to each other.
Originally known as Powder Flynn’s cottage, Jearamiah (Powder) was a life time resident whose family link to the cottage dates back 150 years. He at one time used part of the cottage for a shop. Many of Cordals older generation have passed through that door.
Pictured above is my son, Mr. Conrad, Minnie (Kerry rescue in 2003) and Maggie.
By the way his nickname came from the fact that he worked for the Kerry County Council road division and always had dust on him. His picture hangs in the cottage today.
We named the cottage after my mother Mary Rose Bowler-Harty who still enjoys her trips to the cottage annually. Cottage Mary Rose has been a labor of love. We have taken the humble cottage to a different level than it was when we bought it. We have touched every thing there.
My son and I have cleaned out the stream, planted the garden and rebuilt stone walls. This past spring we even decided to White Wash it ourselves. White washing is an ancient tradtion of mixing lime and water which is used as a protective finish for the old exterior stone walls.
We reside in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States with our 4 dogs: Mr. Conrad, Murphy, Kelsey and Layla. Mr Conrad was a rescue from County Kerry in 2008. Murphy was a County Kerry rescue as well in 2018.
Warm wishes to all,
William and Mary Rose Harty
Visit our other vacation rentals in the United States – Residence on the Avenue and The Davis House.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about Cottage Mary Rose.
“Great week in kerry at this very special location right in the heart of the Kingdom, great location for touring around kerry and amazing cottage with great hosts.”
Barry B.