We arrived late to Maeve’s house in Allihies. Freezing fog had rolled in from the ocean, and we had a hitch with turning on electricity and heat when we arrived. Maeve rang and talked us through all that we needed, so that we could settle in to the house, and set up a local contact to have in case we needed it. It’s more of a summer rental than a winter one, but it heated up well and we woke to sparkling sunshine next morning, which lasted the whole weekend. If you’re looking for ultra-efficiency, strict deadlines, everything running like clockwork, West Cork isn’t the place for you. In Maeve’s house, you can relax in comfortable beds, meditate to stunning views, tour one of the least-known peninsulas in the West of Ireland, cozy up by the fireside in the evening, or stroll to the pub. By the time we left on Sunday, I felt entirely renewed, and the family loved it.