Old Kilgobbin Farm

Situated on top of the hill in-between green paddocks and an enormous indigenous forest, Old Kilgobbin is the perfect haven for those wanting to escape from the hectic pace and pressures of city life. A 132yr old Irish settler farm, Old Kilgobbin was built by Meredith Fannin, a Dubliner whose family first arrived in the 1840's and recognised similarities between this valley and that of their home in Ireland, and so named this area the Dargle. The farm itself is named after a 1200 year old castle on the outskirts of Dublin. The Bronner family now own and look after the heritage that is Old Kilgobbin.

Austin Roberts, the famous South African ornithologist, was the son of a Fannin daughter and so spent school holidays at here with his Uncle Meredith and Aunt Mary exploring the mist belt forests and developing his lifelong passion for birds. We still have Cape Parrots, all 3 species of cranes, Crowned Eagles and 150 listed birds in our valley. Take a walk on this 450 hectare farm and you may see reedbuck grazing on the ryegrass fields, the endangered oribi antelope blending into the hayfields, samango monkeys nibbling on nutgrass at the forest edge, and the shy duiker peeping out of his rocky home near the skinny dip dam. If you arrive home in the moonlight, the pesky porcupine may shake his quills at you and have you running for the cottage door! And of course you will see paddocks full of beautiful black horses because this is the home of Kilgobbin Friesian stud and HorsePlay.

Gobbins' Cottage
The main cottage, Gobbins' Cottage, is a spacious three bedroom home with a large open plan kitchen and a cosy lounge with underfloor heating and a fireplace for those chilly Dargle winters. The kitchen is well equipped with large fridge, oven and hob, microwave and there is a cupboard filled with spices, olive oil, teas, coffees and cookies. The veggie garden is right outside the back door, and you can collect eggs if your egg-finding skills are good (if not, bring your own!). Climb the wooden stairs, past the Victorian style bathroom (shower and slipper bath), to the large bedroom that has 2 queen extra length beds, complete with down duvets and electric blankets, loads of antiques and a great sense of tranquility. Downstairs is the Cubblyhole, a cosy space complete with sash window, looking out onto the garden, and a luxury bunkbed complete with down duvets and electric blankets hidden under patchwork quilts. Next to the front veranda is a lovely sash windowed bedroom with 2 antique wrought iron single beds and a private loo and basin. The cool back veranda, nestled beside the veggie garden and old plum trees, offers a perfect spot for quiet reading. The front veranda is perfect for late breakfasts, lazy lunches, late afternoon G&T's, and has a forest view to lift your eyes beyond all life's deadlines.

The Chicken Coop
The second cottage, the Chicken Coop, is a quaint Victorian style brick, wood and iron cottage built for two, snuggled between the veggie garden and the paddock. It has stained glass windows, high beamed ceilings and quarry tile floors, a small shower bathroom, 2 fantastically comfortable single beds, a cooking nook (gas hob, convection oven, fridge) and an enclosed wood and iron veranda as a dining room come lounge.

The Cairn
The Cairn is a large two bedroom home set in a large garden that doubles as a functions venue for small weddings, celebrations, workshops and the Horseplay clinic indoor sessions. It is perfect for a family with kids as it is in the middle of the farm yard and so kids can wander off and still be close to their folks!  When booking for a large group, together with the other cottages, it makes for the perfect central gathering place, with a kitchen, lounge and dining room that can accommodate from 4 to 100 people!! It has a large bathroom with 2 basins, 3 loos and a large shower (gas geyser, so no shortage of hot water!)

We invite you to come and share the treasures of Old Kilgobbin with us for a while, where the only demands made on you will be those of the dogs wanting to take you for a walk up the dusty road at dusk.

Please Note: Gobbin's Cottage can sleep 6, the Chicken Coop 2. Self catering only. No TV's, but CD players and radios provided (Tanglewood, our wonderful country pub down the road caters for the rugby/cricket matches you cant possibly miss). Non-smoking only.