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Reviews of Luxurious 18th Century Historic School House

Luxurious 18th Century Historic School House
Gort/Kinvara, Co Galway

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 83 out of 90 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 90 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 90 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 90 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 90 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Erin H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely lovely
Fantastic house with amazing history. Perfect location for traveling around the west. Absolutely loved our stay
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S., Colorado Springs, CO

Liked: Cleanliness
Warm and inviting home
We really enjoyed staying in the school house converted into a family home. It felt very spacious and warm and inviting as if we were at our own home. Brid welcomed us and showed us how to work everything. Some of it was different for us coming from the States so the tour was appreciated. We recommend this house rental 100%!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ron Z., Ettrick, Wisconsin

Liked: Cleanliness
The School House was a Treasure.
There were 4 of us. Originally I thought the property was closer/or in town. It is not. You are about 2km from town. But that is ok. This place is really nice, we loved it. From this location, with a rented car, Ireland is your oyster. We day tripped from the house in every direction, plus Gort has a rail connection and Dublin is an easy trip away. The accomodations are spot on and John is a helpful host. We would rebook in an instant.
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cathy B.

Liked: Cleanliness
First time in Ireland
This was our first trip to Ireland and it couldn’t have been better. The old school house was just what we were looking for. John was so helpful with places to see. He told us about the Burren Perfumery so we drove out to it. The drive alone was wonderful. The perfumery was excellent, can’t wait for the production be delivered home. I would stay at the old school house anytime! Thank you John, for a wonderful visit to Ireland!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Large House in the Country
It was a quiet place, around the corner from a Catholic Church, where we attended Mass. It was charming. Isolated from the hurly-burly of the town of Gort. Beds were comfortable and kitchen was superb. Living room was large and comfortable and plenty of shelf space for all our daily stuff.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Anne G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming historic house in quiet location
Wonderful stay in beautiful property which was scrupulously clean. More written instructions inside the property would be helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

John K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Most Beautiful Accommodation
John and Brid were so very kind and the home is absolutely gorgeous. We loved our stay and enjoyed all the comforts of home and more in this lovely home. We are very grateful to John and Brid for making us feel right at home. We had a fantastic trip and loved our stay.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tony C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely rural location
Very nice quiet location but well situated - perfect for Gort and exploring the wider area. House was very well equipped, spacious and comfortable. Hosts were very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Martina S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wild Atlantic Way
Lovely place to stay. Host was generous with his time. Place was welcoming and l have recommended him to family and friends.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jun 2023
Martina was the perfect guest as were her group looking forward to them staying again

10/10 Excellent

Shawna R., Graham, WA, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful!
Loved staying at John and Brid's schoolhouse. It was comfortable, clean, great location, beautiful, with the cutest little neighbors (donkeys) that we enjoyed visiting with each day. 😀 John met us for check in, and gave us great tips and recommendations for food and places to see, as well as a little history on the schoolhouse. He was very kind and welcoming, and provided great communication prior to our arrival. Just wonderful all around!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sherry C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique Irish home
My husband, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter (4-1/2) had the good fortune of staying at this beautifully renovated Irish schoolhouse. It far exceeded our expectations. It was spacious, warm and furnished with many period pieces. The kitchen was well stocked with everything you would need; the landscape was beautiful and the neighborhood quiet. It was an easy drive to Galway and also the Wild Atlantic Way. Our host met gave us great restaurant locations and things to do in the area. As a bonus, the neighbors had 2 donkeys that we all, especially our granddaughter, enjoyed feeding carrots each evening. We would highly recommend this gem as a great place to stay in Ireland and we would certainly book it again in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great countryside cottage
Amazing satay in the Irish countryside in a good location to explore western coast. House was perfect and communication great with owner
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gordon C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peace and quiet
Comfortable, Spacious, Homely, Quiet, in short Perfect.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aimee D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely people - lovely house
Exactly what we were looking for and exactly as described
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary C.

Liked: Cleanliness
beautiful place and view
loved our stay john the owner met us and was so friendly and gave us all information of the area so enjoyed our stay thankyou
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pat S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Vacation in Ireland
A truly delightful property—great location and wonderful hosts! We felt so much at home, saw a great deal of County Clare and some of County Galway, and will make certain to return for further adventures! Thanks so much to John and Brid for their warm welcome!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tina D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fab lication
Lovely
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Terry M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A warm and welcoming home in the country.
We had a warm welcome from John to his beautifully renovated schoolhouse. The property is in a peaceful, rural setting and the house had a very warm and homey atmosphere. The kitchen was well equipped, and the dining room table was a great meeting place for all our family. The laundry worked great for the six of us. The location of the property made it easy to reach most of Clare and Galway Counties and the sites we wanted to see in a short time. If we had any questions, John responded promptly through a phone call or a text. It was a wonderful two weeks, and we would highly recommend a stay at the School House.
Stayed 14 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brian M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful House, wonderful stay
Our stay in this property was more than we could have hoped for. The house is larger than it seems, and the living room is fantastic for entertaining as well as huddling up to a warm fire. The house is finished to a very high standard and was spotlessly clean, Our children ( 8 &12) loved the upstairs bedrooms and all the nooks and crannies these older houses contain. All out dealings with with John and Brid were friendly and professional. We look forward to staying again!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Nov 2021
Thanks Brian for a lovely review Glad ye and children enjoyed the stay John and Brid

10/10 Excellent

Steve P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely Area
A beautiful home located in a lovely area that is also very convenient to Gort.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Rachel H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property in Galway/Clare
Lovely property in a nice and quiet location in Galway and near the Clare border. All the essentials are included which is great. Negative was that the WiFi was not great but this is to be expected in a rural location. Highly recommend for a relaxing getaway.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Karen C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyable stay
Beautiful house in quite location
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Louise M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Staycation Galway 2021
We had a great time in Galway and Clare as the house is so near the Clare boarder, the house is amazing and only a few mins drive to Gort and the beautiful little town of Kinvara, I would highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Idyllic
We were welcomed by John and Brid. We really enjoyed the warm welcome with fresh eggs provided as well as lots of handy kitchen s staples such as salt pepper, cling film, tin foil, dishwasher tablets, washing machine and dryer with liquid for washing machine. We loved thatevery bathroom was stocked well with toilet roll, and shower gel. It was a gorgeous clean house, we felt privileged to stay in it. We enjoyed many excursions around the Burren and Galway and it was the perfect base, though most trips to beach, Doolin etc were at least 30 mins drive away so be prepared for that if you've small kids. The Burren Nature Sanctuary was very nearby, a lovely place to bring the children. Kinvarra was a quaint little town and we enjoyed it and its surroundings too. The two donkeys at the paddock behind the property were a big hit with the children and they were delighted with them. We were delighted also that we could bring our pet labrador with us, and he enjoyed meeting and getting the donkeys, getting quite friendly with them by the end of the trip! Highly recommend this property and thanks so much to Brid and John for letting us stay in their beautiful home with such attention to detail.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Trish C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic house and location
This is an amazing property, it far exceeded our expectations. The location was great, 5 mins from Gort and 10 mins from Kinvara. The house was equipped with everything we needed. The 4 bathrooms were spotlessly clean and lovely fluffy white towels provided. The outdoor area was lovely and the donkeys were a great attraction to all of us. All in all I would highly recommend this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jill G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous!
This is an absolutely beautiful house in a perfect location to visit (by car) many beautiful attractions. John, the host, is a gentleman- very helpful and easily contactable. Thanks John and Brid, we have fallen in love with this part of Ireland and definitely intend on returning!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Paul B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Brilliant Schoolhouse Gort
This house is quite superb. It is spacious, very well maintained, with every possible facility. It is even better than the pictures on the site imply.The house is set in a beautiful location, with wonderful views all-round. One can go on delightful walks nearby or further afield into the Burren. There were very useful guidebooks and maps on the locality, left in the house. and we all became fascinated with the flora of the Burren. The nearby town of Gort is thriving with every type of shop and restaurant. There is a beautiful and easy river walk beside the town starting at the Aldi carpark. From the house you can easily travel to the Burren, Ailwee Caves, Ennis and Galway. We were sad to leave this house and the friendly donkeys in the adjoining field -- they have an endless appetite for carrots, apples and pretty much any other fruit or vegetable! Finally, the owners, John and Bríd were very welcoming and helpful, and gave us a run-through of all the amenities when we arrived -- not to forget a thoughtful gift of local farm eggs!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Jul 2021
Thanks Paul for the lovely review it is so nice to have people staying that appreciates our property. You and family will be welcome back at any time. Best wishes John & Brid

8/10 Good

Barbara K.

Liked: Cleanliness
18th century restored school house
Very well kept house, very spacious and very clean and extremely comfortable beds. Unfortunately we all found it very difficult to try to work the induction cooker and as local hospitality hadn't fully opened we found we had to drive for miles before we found anywhere decent to eat out. With regards to heating and cooling the house we really never got that working either. There was an old fashioned timer switch which we couldn't read as numbers on it were so tiny and hard to read, and on the other hand when we looked to open a window to let air in they were so high up we couldn't reach them so had to leave doors open Overall it was a very nice house, but maybe more attention to detail to be taken into consideration.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Jul 2021
Barbara, We are so disappointed with your review and may we say it is the first time in 11 years we got a bad review. If you type in Vrbo Shaw Taylors school house to rent you can read our reviews for the last 11 years. The Miele cooker hob was purchased brand new when we renovated the house and it was the most expensive and best model available. With regards to heating and having problems with the timer switch. We never before had a problem with this surely if you had a problem you would have contacted us and we would have given you full instructions. The timer switch is a standard timer switch that is in 80% of houses and believe me i should know after being an Auctioneer for 38 years. Regarding opening windows there is a special pole opener with a handle which is kept in the sitting room near the front windows. All it would take is a phone call from you and we would immediately put you right or call to the house if necessary . We have been in business for many years and we pride in keeping our guests happy. Regarding local hospitality Gort is one of the best towns for food which is only 5km away. You have the Lady Gregory and Sullivan’s Hotels which are both are award winning renowned for good food. There is also the Field pub and restaurant, Roosters Café and Gallery Cafe they also provide excellent food.

10/10 Excellent

Edelle R.

Liked: Cleanliness
old school house in Gort
A fabulous property , really well located to experience all area has to offer. House was stocked with everything anyone could need. Owners were really lovely people and very welcoming . I highly recommend this property especially for families.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Wendy M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful property close to the
Great location, lovely house with character which has been so thoughtfully restored and furnished. Everything provided for a great stay. John and Brid kept in touch before and during the stay and we knew we could contact them if required. Our family loved the house (and the neighbours donkeys!)and area - walks of the area recommended and close to Lough Bunny and the monastery. The house is very centrally located on the edge of the Burren near the Galway/Clare coast and not far from Galway City. We had a wonderful holiday with great weather too. Thank you John and Brid for everything.

10/10 Excellent

Leigh R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Love those donkeys and the schoolhouse!
The schoolhouse was everything we expected and more. The craftsmanship and construction perfectly suited the location. Loved those donkeys who sweetly greeted us every morning. The schoolhouse was charming, warm, welcoming and perfect for our clan. Lovely retreat offering quiet and solitude. Charming villages nearby - great for lunches or dinner.

10/10 Excellent

Denise M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Idyllic Irish Cottage
We absolutely loved our stay.! The cottage is beautifully appointed and full of charm. The location was great for day trips to Galway, Cliffs of Moher, and even as far as Dingle. John and Brid were outstanding hosts - greeting us at the property and walking us through the ins and outs of the cottage. We would definitely stay here again if we are ever fortunate enough to come back to beautiful Ireland.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sean F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome
Loved it. House was clean and roomy. My only recommendation would be to get dish network for more viewing options if need to spend the whole day at the house. Besides that I give it 5 stars. Thanks for a great stay. Sean

10/10 Excellent

Nicole H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous gort getaway
Great place for a quiet retreat . Gorgeous and comfortable very well appointed . Close proximity to town with everything including railway station for a trip to Galway city ! Great hosts.

10/10 Excellent

KayCee W.

Beautiful Cottage with lots of amenities
This beautiful cottage is just far enough out of town that you have all the privacy you could need yet close enough to town you can go in for dinner or shopping with ease. The house has history yet is modern and updated and very spacious. The kitchen is spacious and we found many spies and basic items already there which made cooking even easier. The back of the property has a beautiful garden with a picnic table that makes sitting outside and enjoying the outdoors easy. There are also 2 donkeys that will walk up to the gate and talk with you. It was clear they are well fed by the guests as if you open the back door while someone is cooking and opens the refrigerator they start to chat and cry for food. My kids thought that was the best morning entertainment ever! While in Gort visit the Gallery Cafe as it an original spot that has great locally sourced food at a reasonable price and the atmosphere is perfect. We also did shopping at the grocery and Aldi and found everything we needed to cook at home and enjoy this beautiful home.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Dell P., Fremont, California

Charming Cottage
This is a beautiful place and very comfortable. Beds, kitchen and water pressure are excellent. It is very convenient to Galway, and other sightseeing. It is also convenient for shopping. Gort has excellent grocery and specialty stores Negative note is the internet both from a working perspective AND data limits. We were told to limit usage to reading emails. Also, it wasn't working until our last day when we got the time to troubleshoot. Discovered the cellular unit was not turned on. Because our provider network signals were limited, we had to find WIFI or good signals outside the house to do travel research, purchase tours and connect with family. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Amanda T., Evans, GA

Cozy home nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Ireland.
A picturesque setting at a historic home in a friendly and quaint town. Close to many of Ireland's well known destinations including Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and The Burren. The home provided all of the essentials including warm fire side chats, strolls down memory lane, peace & quiet (no WiFi), and property pets aka donkeys. We really enjoyed our vacation. Thank you John and Brid!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Stacey S.

Unique home in beautiful setting.
I loved this house. Beautiful country setting, yet close to town. Didn't have working wifi, but we would go into the local cafes when needed. Not being constantly "plugged-in" has its advantages. Thank you John and Brid
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Vincent B.

Fantastic stay
The house was absolutely fabulous. Everything was really nice, the beds were very comfortable, the sitting room and fireplace was a perfect 1ay to end the day. This was a great place to base our visit to Ireland!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Glad ye enjoyed our place Vincent will meet again sometime. Thanks for a nice review. John

10/10 Excellent

Lori H.

Lovely and comfortable- a great place to retreat but still access many interesting locations.
We stayed over Christmas and loved having the well-equipped kitchen and wood stove. John and Brid were friendly hosts who went above and beyond by leaving some yummy Christmas treats. The beds were comfortable, the showers worked great, and there was plenty of room for all. I highly recommend this lovely home!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Alice O.

A lovely spot!
The School House is warm and welcoming and in a terrific part of Ireland. John and Bridget are attentive hosts. The house is spacious and well stocked. We would definitely come again!
Stayed 28 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Andrea F.

Charming cottage in beautiful quiet countryside
I had the pleasure of staying for 4 days in July 2018 at this beautiful property. The owner, John, gave excellent directions on locating and met us at the property to show us around. The location is perfect for exploring the West country which has some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. Ireland had record breaking heat while we were there. It would have been great to have a fan available at night but understandable that it wasn't considering that type of weather isn't typical. I'd wholeheartedly recommend this property to anyone. John gave us information about the surrounding area and suggestions for things to see and he told us about a local pub in a neighboring town, Shanaglish, which had some locals playing. It was a fun evening. It was our first trip to Ireland and it couldn't have been a better introduction. Beds were very comfortable. There was zero noise at night - no crickets or frogs - an occasional moo from a random cow in the area. Perfect for anyone who wants to get away from an urban environment. Kitchen had everything you could want. Closest town of Gort is several miles away so suggest you stop and get staples first for your first night as you may be too tired from your travels to head out again. John is very proud of the remodel and I quite agree. It is a very comfortable home.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany B., Tucson

I hope we can visit again soon! It was just lovely to stay here!
It was a delight to stay at the schoolhouse! Very quiet and completely set up for our stay. Very close to major sites and great access to grocery and dining! We would love to stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thanks Tiffany it was also nice having you stay thanks for leaving our place spotless. John & Brid

10/10 Excellent

Judy K.

Beautiful Galway country home
This marvelous home could not have been more comfortable. We made day trips each day and found this a perfect location. Very nearby is the Kilmacduagh Abbey ruins which you should not miss. We also drove to the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren Perfumery, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Carerconnell, Galway City and Kylemore Abbey. The house itself is setup nicely and was a pleasure to cook in and enjoy a fire at night. Thank you John and Bris for making such a nice spot! Definitely a five star home away from home!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Perfect!
We have enjoyed our 4 days at this property. The house is beautiful and the hosts are extremely nice . We have loved our daily excursions and have discovered the beauty of this part of Ireland.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

John L., Baltimore, MD | New York, NY | Miami, FL

Quiet, Convenient and Great Amenities
The property itself is quite beautiful, situated approximately 5-7 minutes from Gort, which has everything needed for self-catering (Aldi, Centra and SuperValue grocery stores, several nice restaurants and pubs, and multiple gas stations). The location of the house provides easy access to the N18 national road (for access to Galway and points north) as well as the M18 motorway (for access to Ennis, about 25-30 minutes away, Shannon Airport at 35-40 minutes away, and Limerick beyond). The property is very quiet, and is surrounded by fields. The church next door has two donkeys grazing in the fields during the summer months, and they are very domesticated and friendly (they love being fed carrots and apples). The Caseys are wonderful hosts; Mrs. Casey provided a thorough walk-through of the property, and provided their contact information in the event of any issues. The house itself has thick outer-wall construction. Barely any sounds could be heard outside (no wind, no sounds from passing cars, etc.), and the house retained heat well during the cool (upper 40's/low-50's Fahrenheit) nights. The oil heat worked quickly, and well. The appliances, including washer/dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, microwave, and TV's, all worked properly. This was a fantastic property from which to explore the central-west of Ireland, and major sites were in very reasonable driving distance including the ruins of Kilmacdough Abbey (< 5 mins drive), Dunguaire Castle and the lovely town of Kinvarra (< 15 mins), Poulnabrone and Caherconnell Stone Fort (30 mins), Cliffs of Moher (< 45 mins), Lough Derg (30 mins), and Galway City (45 mins), not to mention the incredible N67/R477 drive along the Wild Atlantic Way in northern Co. Clare. We had a great time, and highly recommend this property!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

V'Ann G., Hurst, Texas

Family time in Ireland
We were a family of 4 adults traveling on holiday. Staying in John's home for 4 days was just what we needed. It is very centrally located and gave us easy access to the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Kinvarra, Connemara and Galway. The home is beautiful and very comfortable with plenty of room for all of us to spread out - we each had our own bathroom! This house is located in a rural area which we enjoyed, coming from big cities. It is very quiet and unhurried. Gort is just a 5 minute drive up the road with grocery stores, restaurants and pubs so we were able to prepare a few meals at the house which saved time and money. The sweet donkeys out back were fun so be sure to pick up apples and carrots for them! All in all a very succesful visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Frederick F.

FOUR bathrooms!!! Perfect location!!!
The owners were an added plus...caring, thoughtful, helpful...sincerely interested in helping guests enjoy their stay. The cool nights incentivized use of fireplace. Beautifully maintained, super clean and with four bathrooms, even two women could enjoy themselves:))). Clean cold tap water with no Florida-like Sulphur odor made the coffee and afternoon tea and scones most pleasant.The owners had two donkeys visiting for summer on the grounds. After hand feeding them 2 bags of carrots each day...they became loyal steadfast friends and would come running to greet us upon arrival after a day of touring. Plenty of touring brochures, maps, dining suggestions on hand...went twice to Pier Head Rest. in Kinvarra. The Thai mussels bowl with endless mussels, crab claws, clams and fish in a spicy cream chili pepper sauce was one of the top 3 meals I consumed over 70 years..70 year x 2.5 meals per day x 365 days = approximately 70,000 meals in my lifetime...the Thai mussels are #3 on all-time best meals after the bone-in sirloin steak pizzaiola at Gene & Georgetti's in Chicago and the Prime Rib King Cut at Durgin-Park in Boston. Tom McMahon, Captain of the Gort Golf Club, was super hospitable and Minahans Market in Gort had everything one would need to self cater. Back to the owners....they really care about their guests....the inside décor and woodwork to the former schoolhouse was handcrafted by owners who show their pride in the rental home. Price was fair and the owners provided thorough briefing on electrics and appliances. A perfect family reunion site for 8 people with an hour of most west coast touring sites. The only suggestions, no criticisms, would be a bigger TV in main room and a simplified instruction page to access programs/channels for those visitors from the Colonies who can't miss America's Got Talent and House on the Prairie reruns. Best of all, no USA chain food vendors within easy drive....wake up America...you flew a few thousand miles to get to Ireland....if you want to eat KFC and McD's, stayhome!!! From Morans Oyster Cottage in Kilcogan to the Cloisters in Ennis and the Pier Head in between, dining was great...and for our final stop on way to Shannon Airport we enjoyed breakfast at the elegant dining room of Dromoland Castle. The Dining Room manager and Hostess remembered my 4 times yearly visits from 1978 thru 2008. The made our visit special as we dined on local farm eggs, lamb liver with saute'd onions/bacon! Will be back!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Sandra G.

Highlight of the trip
Staying at John and Brid's restored schoolhouse was a highlight of our Ireland trip. It exceeded our expectations! We were met by John and Brid upon our arrival and given a tour of their lovely property. John explained how everything worked, gave us some history on the place (it is obvious they have put a lot of thought into decorating with antiques and collectibles that suit the place to a "T"), provided some local tourist information (including information on the Fleadh in Ennis which was amazing) and left us with some milk and tarts for a quick tea. We later ran into them in Gort as we went out for dinner and we laughed about meeting again the only people we knew in West Ireland! The schoolhouse was perfect for our needs - providing quiet and solitude when we wanted it, a place to meet with Irish relatives one evening where it easily accommodated a large group for dinner, and a chance to explore the local countryside. Waking up to the donkeys looking at us over the fence was a highlight of each day! The kitchen is well stocked and easy access to the grocery store in Gort meant we could have meals in, or make lunches for our day trips. There is much to see and do in the area and it is no problem filling the days. The property was very clean and well maintained - toiletries and laundry detergent certainly made our life easier. The beds were so comfortable and the quiet of the area made for blissful sleeping. We hated to leave and will long remember our stay here in Gort. Thank you, John and Brid for a wonderful addition to our holiday!!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017

10/10 Excellent

Morna L., Stirling, Scotland

Certainly 'A Beautiful Place'
We had a great holiday in this lovely property. The house is very comfortable with everything we needed for our stay. One slight criticism might be the amount of "stuff" lying about the house but it all adds to the character and quirkiness. Loved the donkeys in the field next door (and enjoyed feeding them carrots in the mornings). We all slept well in very comfortable beds and the well equipped kitchen had everything we needed to cook meals for 6. There is a good supply of information about the property and the area round about. The taxi information in the book was a bit out of date but we managed to find a big enough cab to pick six adults up from a restaurant in Kinvarra and have left details. There is so much to see and do in the area - stunning scenery, castles, monasteries, interesting towns and villages, lovely eating places, horse-riding, walking ......... We were only there for four nights and would have liked to stay longer to see more of the surrounding area. We would love to return to this beautiful part of Ireland and if we do would love to stay here again.