Jackdaw Cottage is more than just a charming holiday home — it’s a piece of Irish history lovingly brought back to life.

Originally built over 200 years ago, the cottage sits in the heart of one of Northern Ireland’s most scenic regions, near Castlewellan and the majestic Mourne Mountains. Its last resident passed away in 1859, and for over a century the house stood largely forgotten. In the 1970s, the derelict structure found a new, unlikely use as a cattle quarantine station for livestock being exported from Ireland.

By 2022, the cottage was nearly lost forever — listed for sale as a building site and at risk of demolition. That’s when I, Chris Murphy, stepped in to preserve what I saw as an irreplaceable piece of heritage. Over three years, I personally undertook an extensive restoration project to bring the cottage back to its former glory — preserving its character while introducing modern comforts and off-grid sustainability through solar power.

The name Jackdaw Cottage was inspired by the flocks of jackdaws that had made the derelict house their home for generations. As I restored the property, they kept returning — undeterred, insistent, and strangely loyal. Rather than push them out, I built small nesting spaces into the cottage walls to give them a home too. The name is a tribute to their enduring presence and the shared story of resilience and renewal.

Today, Jackdaw Cottage stands once again as a proud part of Northern Ireland’s rural heritage — off-grid, full of charm, and ready to welcome guests seeking something real, rooted, and quietly remarkable.