This is, at heart, a good Airbnb but we had an upsetting experience.
To keep it in context it’s one that’s unlikely to be replicated should you plan to stay here, but my review is my review.
Our first night was fine. The cottage was warm, clean and well equipped. A Ballymaloe staff member showed us round.
We had booked six weeks earlier, mentioning that we were going to a course at the nearby cookery school.
Our second night, on our return from an excellent day at the cookery school started ok but loud music began in the late evening. It persisted until nearly 5a.m.
The reception person I phoned to ask when the noise would stop seemed unaware of the event or its location.
Sleep was not possible as the sound level was very high.
It turns out there was a large party in the shed 12 meters to the east of the cottage. It wasn’t the type of event we’d have anticipated at the Ballymaloe House site.
Hazel, the host, responded promptly to our somewhat startled query the next morning. Apparently these events happen very infrequently and adjacent accommodation should have been blocked from potential booking by persons not attending the event. Hazel met us face to face, refunded the cost of our three night stay ( we had decided to go home early), offered alternative accommodation and offered one or two free nights for a future stay.
I genuinely think we were very unlucky and that our experience was a one off.
I wouldn’t suggest it put others off booking.