After staying the last week of January 2014 at this wonderful cottage in Ballyrisode it was difficult to leave. Even before arriving my email and phone contacts with Hannes were helpful and welcoming. It could not have been a better experience.

While there is a bus from Cork to the cottage, you will most definitely need a car to fully experience this bit of heaven on earth. The nearby towns of Schull, Ballydehob, Goleen and Crookhaven are all worth a stroll up and down their main streets, and you can't end your stay without a visit to Mizen Head, Ireland's "Land's End." Also very worth the 30 minute drive is Lough Hyne, a unique inland salt water lake with a rich history of human presence dating back to the Neolithic age and earlier. Hannes gladly provides maps, directions and a good deal of very helpful information about the area and things to see and do.

Hannes' directions to the cottage are spot-on, however coming from Cork city I simply used Google Maps/Directions to Ballyrisode. This will get you to the "T" intersection in Hannes' directions where R591 meets R592 (which goes east to Schull). Turn right to continue west on R591 toward Goleen. After 2 Km you will pass the "OSKA" store, then another 500M to the stone entrance on the right side of the road.

The cottage is exactly as described. It sits about halfway up a hill overlooking the sea in two directions. It will very comfortably accommodate 2 people, but there is room enough for 4 or even a small family. The loft bedroom which sleeps two is quite cozy. The cottage is well appointed with everything you will need for your stay including a well-outfitted kitchen, lots of power outlets for your digital gear, towels, blankets, a wonderful wood-stove for which Hannes generously provides an ample supply of logs, a picnic table. and of course the unique natural swimming pool beautifully created by Hannes himself. If you're lucky enough to be there on a clear night, the sky is filled with thousands of stars.

Even without Hannes' graciousness the Ballyrisode cottage is a wonderful stay and a great value. However his friendly, warm and helpful (yet unobtrusive) manner adds a whole additional level of satisfaction to the experience. Given its beautiful location, the comfort of the structure, the gorgeous property and its proximity to many stunning scenic views, Hannes' cottage will surely provide you with a wonderful experience of rural Ireland.