Seven fine old
heritage holiday cottages, known as Hanna’s Close,
and three further cottages a short distance away, nestle at the
foot of the Mountains of Mourne, Northern Ireland, two miles from the fishing port of
Kilkeel, County Down.
For the
visitor, Hanna's Close provides ideal vacation accommodation in genuine, traditional, Irish
heritage cottages - but with all the comforts of the present day.
This award winning community development
provides comfortable self-catering accommodation in historic
surroundings and is situated approximately one mile from Kilkeel, in
the Mournes Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, candidate for
National Park status.
Hanna's Close is one of the last remaining
Clachans or medieval style small settlements in Ireland and one of only two in Northern
Ireland which holds a statutory listing.
The development has won several architectural and other awards:
- Northern Ireland
Tourist Board 3 Stars
- Civic Trust Commendation
- R.I.A.I. Regional Award 1998
- R.I.B.A. Award 1998
- Welcome Host
- Green Tourism Pilot
Scheme Award
Things to see and do around
the Mournes
- The Mourne Mountains.
Visitors to Hanna's Close and
the individual cottages enjoy panoramic views
of the Mournes, the Coastal Plain and the Irish sea.
- Fishing.
Hanna’s Close sits on an escarpment
above the Kilkeel river. Anglers with licence and permit may
fish the river and other angling
facilities in the wider area. there is limited access for
disabled vehicles and wheelchair users with assistance.
- Picnics & Barbecues. Within the Close itself, around
the individual cottages, along the Kilkeel river and throughout
the magnificent Mournes region and Irish Sea coast there
are numerous picnic and barbecue sites.
- Visit Narnia... Explore the landscape that inspired C
S Lewis when writing the Chronicles of Narnia.
- Pets are welcome in designated cottages.
- Three golf courses within easy driving reach -
Royal
County Down Golf Club's International Championship Course
(12 mls / 19 kms),
Kilkeel Golf Club (2 mls / 3 kms) and
Warrenpoint Golf Club (15 mls / 24 kms).
- Hill Walking & Rock Climbing,
for many people, is what a holiday in the Mournes is all about!
There are walking routes to satisfy the fittest and others more
suited to the less energetic. There are climbs to challenge the
most experienced - see it at
Mourne Mountainline. Maps are available at Hanna's Close and
at
Northern Ireland Tourist Board's local and
international Visitor Information offices .
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The
cottages have been beautifully refurbished retaining many of the old features such as
wooden and tiled floors, tongue and groove ceilings, open stone fireplaces and sash
windows.
However, modern comfort has not been forgotten in these spacious cottages with
fully equipped, beautiful kitchens, central heating and pine furniture, making them the
perfect vacation home from home. No two
cottages are the same and each has its own unique appearance and outlook over the Close and nearby mountain scenery.
Group
bookings
The cottages have become popular with groups of friends and families who wish to combine a degree of togetherness while retaining their own space.
Tommy's
cottage houses a small collection of artefacts and information relating to the Close and the people who lived there. It also has a meeting room which is available
for use by groups.
How to get to
Hanna's Close - Interactive Map
Green
Tourism Pilot Scheme
Mountains of Mourne Country
Cottages has taken part in the Pilot Scheme, administered by the Mourne
Heritage Trust, under the Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative, funded
by the Peace Initiative and has been awarded a Green Tourism Accreditation
Scheme Certificate.
Mission Statement
The Management of Mountains of Mourne Country Cottages (MMCC) has always
followed an environmentally friendly policy while providing guests with
comfortable accommodation in stunning surroundings.
It is important to ensure that the
running of the Cottages does not have an adverse impact on the environment.
We will continue to try and minimise the use of gas, oil, electricity,
water, detergents and disinfectants while providing a recycling compound to
ensure that waste is separated on site and very little goes to landfill.
With the assistance of the visitors,
MMCC hopes to demonstrate that even further savings in energy can be
achieved. You will find guidance notes in the
information sheet and in some rooms. The savings that are achieved will be
recorded. |
