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Reviews of Carrowcullen, The Old Irish Farmhouse

Carrowcullen, The Old Irish Farmhouse
Skreen, Ireland, County Sligo

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 23 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 23 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 23 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 23 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sarah A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful getaway
I stayed three nights with my husband and 15 month old. Trudy was very accommodating and did a wonderful job of restoring this farmhouse. It is so idyllic and felt like you stepped into the past, but also cozy and welcoming. Neighboring sheep are near the house and there are a couple of fenced sections of the yard that we were able to let our toddler roam around. She was very responsive to messages and accommodating of our fluxuating arrival and departure times. Would highly recommend to anyone considering staying here!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 24 May 2024
Wonderful guests! I loved seeing their toddler making the most of her stay and exploring sights and sounds! Please come again!

10/10 Excellent

Melissa F.

Liked: Cleanliness
A hidden gem
Wow! A museum in itself. So much character in the cottage. It has the most warming atmosphere. Trudy is a true gem, with many a tale to tell. The work she has done on the cottage is perfect. Located away from the main road. You here the sheep, the birds and the rustle if the trees. The early morning mist over the mountains is stunning. With beaches not far and the Irish air it's a place to experience. All ready booked for the summer. A huge thank you Trudy.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Missing my neighbours already and looking forward to your return along with the swallows!

10/10 Excellent

Brent T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Location location location
Carrowcullen is set in a truly magical location. Trudy was a great host. She has a wealth of information about the local community and was very responsive over email.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Thank you for being such lovely guests! Look forward to seeing you in the future!

10/10 Excellent

Inga B.

Liked: Cleanliness
1880s farmhouse
You will feel like you went back in time at this farmhouse. Trudy is lovingly restoring it, using materials authentic to the time, from the pull chain WC to the farmhouse sink. We can’t wait to come back and see the progress she’s made with the rest of the grounds.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
It was such a pleasure to welcome you and your family to Carrowcullen. I'm looking forward to your return!

10/10 Excellent

aideen w.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful historic cottage
We really enjoyed our stay the house is so beautiful and really confortable. The shower is great to. The area is very peaceful with a fabulous beautiful beach about 8 minutes drive away. Trudy was extremely welcoming and we instantly felt at home.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. I am so happy that you enjoyed your stay!

10/10 Excellent

shawn w.

Liked: Cleanliness
Planning our return
Incredible experience! you truly feel emersed in 18th century but with amenities .. Trudy is delightful and has painstakingly restored a piece of time. Beds are so comfy after a long day of trecking, The house is full of artifacts of the time, The outside space with view of the surrounding mountains sprinkled w sheep and valleys at sunrise/set is spectacular, arrive in daylight hours as lack of light pollution is excellent for stargazing but not navigation :-) ... I could go on... But most telling would be.. Our family (2 adults 2 grown kids) .. plan to return to slow down and simply spend more time in this special place...we only had three nights in Ireland consequently spent most of the day away from the house site seeing... Sligo, is about 20 min by car and cool little river town w all you need Thank you Trudy for creating this special space!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
I'm so looking forward to welcoming you back and your discovering more delightful finds -- including the fabulous music -- in this very special place and area!

10/10 Excellent

Nicola L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Christmas at Carrowcullen Farmhouse 🎄
Spent Christmas at this outstanding 1880’s Farmhouse. It was like stepping back in time with all the everyday life essentials. We were welcomed with the most loveliest hoist and owner who made us feel welcomed and at home. The owner decorated this farmhouse in a traditional and heartwarming style for Christmas with personal touches for my 6 year old granddaughter with her own room decorated from children’s Christmas books to children’s Christmas decorations even my cat received his very own cat Christmas stocking with individual touches for all, from the owner. Myself and my family had the most wonderful Christmas here arriving the day before Christmas Eve and leaving the day after Boxing Day. This is a place to relax, go back in time, absorb classic timeless pieces of furniture and art work, countless books, culture and most importantly good old family quality time together without modern day devices stopping us communicating, therefore allowing us to enjoy being in each other’s company. Would Highly recommend this experience of an old time Irish influenced Farmhouse with only a 20 minute drive straight into Sligo town. I received a handmade crafted gift from the owner which l will cherish and appreciate and hold a memory where it came from.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lisa D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Set in idyllic settings, this beautifully restored farmhouse was an inspiration and joy to stay in.
Beautifully restored and an attention to detail that will keep you in wonder for the duration of your stay. Even though there was good wifi our kids ignored it for three days and simply marvelled at the house contents, a level of art conservation and preservation to authentically capture the spirit of this house. Set in idyllic settings, with great walks in nature and close proximity to beaches and shops, this property was an ideal get away to recharge our family's batteries. Trudy's welcoming atmosphere and friendly disposition made the experience an even better one, not too mention the fresh eggs from Heather's Hens daily, keeping us well fuelled for busy days. I would recommend this as a great spot for families or a group of adults wanting to explore and be active coupled with the calm of a country hideaway. We will definitely be back, thanks Trudy for a truly memorable experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Thanks Lisa for your lovely review! I look forward to you all coming to stay again!

10/10 Excellent

Cara O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Carrowcullen, August 2021
My family and I spent two very special weeks in Carrowcullen House in August 2021. Trudy has gone to great lengths restoring this house, with amazing attention to detail, allowing her guests to experience a beautifully restored heritage property. Everywhere you look in the house there is a something of interest; carefully chosen period furniture, a wonderfully diverse library and beautiful art work. The house itself is very cosy and Trudy offers a detailed guide to the workings of the house in her welcome letter which is worth the read. Trudy’s flock of hens and quail gifted us with a very welcome supply of eggs on our arrival. There was a convenient supply avaible from the honesty box which we regularly purchased. A real treat! The house is very well located, only a few minutes drive from Aughris beach and pier. Aughris Beach Bar serves wonderful food and is well worth a visit. There are forest walks next to Carrowcullen house and the local roads were quiet, offering great cycling routes with beautiful views across to Belbulbin and Knocknarea. Communication with Trudy was excellent throughout and her responses were always prompt. She was a wonderful host and we thouroughly enjoyed our stay. Thank you Trudy!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Cara and her family were the most amazing guests, connecting with every aspect of this lengthy journey to restore a derelict 1880s farmhouse in line with heritage management and to assist guests connection with its past, the process of restoration, its current identity as a working farm and its elf-catering walk back in time experience. Generously Cara donated her valuable expertise in contributing an envisioning path to managing and replanting which would help build Carrowcullen's future as a working and managed lands; these insights and practical steps would make this special sense of place still more treasured and provide a legacy for the future. Cara's family wins the award for connecting with so many of Sligo's appeals: from sea fishing, biking, swimming, in the sea and rivers, Sligo walking trails, and local resources including the venue favoured by locals and visitors: the Beach Bar at Aughris Head. I am so grateful to have shared Carrowcullen with such receptive and giving guests! This is a journey intended from the start to build shared experiences, to provide a pause to reflect and breathe, and above all to assist connect with a very special sense of place acknowledging and transcending time.

10/10 Excellent

Phelim D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Four nights in Sligo.
Trudy who owns and runs the farmhouse does a job that is second to none. We loved the house, were comfortable, warm and the location is very special. Wonderful. Phelim Drew
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Family weekend in Sligo
Wonderful weekend in Trudy's beautifully restored farmhouse in rural Sligo. Set in quiet, peaceful surroundings with fantastic views, the house was warm, cosy and a fantastic escape from reality! Trudy was really accomodating and helpful and a great host! Recommend without hesitation for a weekend in lovely Sligo!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Thank you for being such wonderful guests! Looking forward to your visiting again!

10/10 Excellent

Dave R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Traditional country cottage farm in a spectacular location
Serendipity. If one word was to sum up this cottage and our blissful week away, it would have to be Serendipity. I and my wife were looking for the ideal cottage to get away from 2020, somewhere that us, our two kids and ageing dog could breathe, be together and relax away from all of the daily stress we have with news, social media and daily cacophony of life in 2020. To maximise our time and locate the right place we decided to search separately at the same time, passing the odd 'possible' place back and forth to each other, just to have a list of 'backups'. Serendipity then came in to play, we both saw Trudy's cottage at the same time, both of us knew we had won the unspoken competition of finding the right holiday cottage. Both gloating as we sent each other the same cottage at the same time, it was then we knew it was meant to be. The cottage is located down a private gated lane, with only Trudy the owner her dog Heather and her hen's (Heathers hens) as neighbours. During our week I think I only heard one tractor the whole time we were there. The cottage is an old stone building, each room is small and unchanged from what it would have looked like the day it was built. We loved all of the features of the house, from the stone ground floor, the period details and furniture. We also loved the lack of clocks, we made our own time.e The cottage has all of the modern conveniences you need for cooking, but has none that you need to escape. We welcomed the lack of a TV as there were lots of board games and books to entertain us. A stunning beach is a short drive away, the cottage is located at the base of the Ox Mountains so has numerous walks from the front door. Sligo and Benbulben are less than an hour away. For someone who loves exploring the Irish countryside, you can't ask for a better location. Trudy is a lovely hostess, has excellent local knowledge and is an advocate for heritage and Irish history. This cottage is one of a kind and takes away all of the noise from modern life, the best way to relax and get away from it all.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Andrew P.

Liked: Cleanliness
A very special place
For 2020, we wanted a quiet place for 3 generations of the family, away from crowds but close to beaches and activities. We found so much more in the old stone farmhouse furnished as it would have been and with mod. cons. hidden from sight, combined with things of unusual interest on the walls and shelves. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, which were meticulously observed, the owner Trudy gave us a very warm welcome and introduced us to her principles of sustainable living. We wish her very well.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for being such wonderful guests! All of you touched different features which make Carrowcullen such a special place for me and a joy to share!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
My family and I had a wonderful break and it was great to bring our dog with us too. Trudy is a fan
If you want to get away from it all and reconnect with nature, this is the place to go!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
It was a pleasures to have you as guests! I enjoyed yours sharing stories of your grandparents living in a similar farmhouse and sheds!

10/10 Excellent

Corey M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Treat yourself to this unique opportunity
This property was unlike any other I've stayed in previously - in a good way! The uniqueness described in the listing merely touches the surface of all that the property contains. Upon first entering the gate to entering the front door, it's a one-of-a-kind, with every room packed with character. What's more, the owner couldn't have been more gracious and hospitable in welcoming us, showing us the property and sharing its fascinating history, and assisting us during our stay. Even the books are curated to offer period interest and being awakened in the morning by the gentle sounds of sheep was most pleasant. In summary, we greatly enjoyed our stay and highly recommend it.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Martina R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely experience
Everything was great. Lovely to stay somewhere different. We appreciated all Trudy’s work and attention to detail. Trudy is a super host.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Nicola R.

Liked: Cleanliness
A quiet country retreat to kick back
Had a very pleasant stay at the cottage. Everything just as advertised. Host was attentive, friendly and good communicator. Recommend this rental for anyone who fancies a relaxing break in a beautiful environment. Views are stunning.House is filled with beautiful furniture and books. We lookl forward to returning in the future. Thank you 😊
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Delightful guests who engaged with the heritage, awesome natural location, and unique features of the property. I look forward to welcoming their return! Yet more Hidden Ireland features await their next visit!

10/10 Excellent

Thomas B.

Liked: Cleanliness
You will be enthralled!
Carrowcullen is a stay like no other. Find yourself transported back to another time in the pantheon of Irish history. Our host Trudy has succeeded magnificently in presenting the aspects of farmhouse life which have been long since forgotten. Her passion for authenticity knows no bounds and is matched only by her knowledge and drive for heritage. Each room has been sympathetically restored to its historical full, with genuine artifacts and period furnishings. This is a living museum which truly excites! We experienced the verve of country life amongst the quiet rolling hills and forestry of our surroundings. Our regard could not run higher. An-mhaith Trudy, we will return!! Book your stay and support a genuine historical contingency.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

kunal p.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice place to stay
We had good experience in staying in the property. It is a really very nice and attractive place as it is 18th centuries property. The host is very friendly and helpful. Good location and easy to find the place.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Thank you Kunal for such a lovely review! Much appreciated and looking forward to more visits from you and your friends! Kind regards, Trudy

10/10 Excellent

peter bruins

Liked: Cleanliness
Back to the eighties
Beautiful well preserved house. Very nice landlady/ owner, great hospitality. The house expires a authentic athmosphere of the past. Great for music, art and literature with piano and library. Very quiet besides some sheep, interesting walks into the Ox mountains. Mind your head within the house.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Aug 2023
Thank you so much for your review! I so enjoyed having you and your family as guests and appreciated the musical atmosphere which you brought with you!

10/10 Excellent

A M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wunderschönes altes Farmhaus
Ruhig und weit von allem Trubel abgelegen. Die Schafe direkt bei dir. Aufgrund der Antiquitäten nur mit älteren Kindern zu bewohnen. Mit Kleinen Kindern nicht zu empfehlen. Sehr nette Vermieterin. Alles wunderbar, wir hatten einen erholsamen Urlaub. Vielen Dank.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sabine K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fascinating stay at restored farmhouse
We stayed 1 week at Carrowcullen and it was a wonderful and very special week! As our own home is furnished scandic- light and open, we felt like we were adjusting from day to day more to our new surrounding. Every day we discovered more of all the antiques and details in the house: furniture, original porcelan to use, lights, fabrics, different embroideries, pictures, books etc. Besides that Carrowcullen is equipped well with all you need and if you don't care much for old toilet- technic, you can use the usual one in a small room unter the stairs ;) I especially want to mention the cute bathroom with an old iron- bathtub to take a rain-shower, it is wonderfully decorated! The hidden TV was not used once, instead we spent most evenings with candles in front of the cosy fireplace or watching the stars outside. The surrounding of the house is very quiet, you rarely just hear a sheep or a cow and the views are beautiful. It was perfect walking our dog around, he could play in a nearby little stream. We discovered the beautiful beaches around( closest is Aughris beach- with the beach- bar/ good food, views& vibes), went to discover Sligo, the Ox mountains and took a bath in Lough Easkes. All in all- a perfectly relaxing week! Thank you Trudy for your friendly and personal welcome, the lovely welcome- gifts and information about the area and pub- music( we definitely have to come back to experience more!). Sabine and family
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Sabine: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I so enjoyed having you as guests and neighbours and loved that your son came on holiday to Carrowcullen bringing a suit to play the part of a 19th c Victorian guest, posed reading Victorian books! I look forward to your return to discover more of the Wild Atlantic Way here perched in the Ox Mountains.

10/10 Excellent

Carlo M.

Liked: Cleanliness
One upon a time
Staying in Trudy's home was like a dive into the past: everithing (fornitures and decorations) is accurately chosen to re-create a home of 19th century. Great experience! Trudy was very kind, communicative and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul 2023
Carlo and his family were delightful guests and were very excited about engaging with the heritage objects and setting of the 1880s farmhouse! Their youngsters wanted a horse riding adventure and I recommended the Failte Ireland approved Island View Riding Stables, whose representative I had met at the Local Ambassadors Failte Ireland event and had been impressed by her commitment and confidence in their ability to match clients with the horses (and advice BRING SOCKS, duly conveyed and offered to my guests). My guests came back enthusing about the adventure including riding on the beach and the wonderful day out they had experienced! A wonderful example how we in County Sligo seek to enhance our visitors' experiences, make their visits memorable, and support each other in our efforts to do so!