Before arriving in Ireland, I was confident that Kate's detailed directions would get us to her door. Moments after pulling into the drive, we knew we were in good hands. Kate's friendly, enthusiastic greeting had us feeling we were arriving at a dear friend's home. Since the cottage is surrounded by farm and preserved land, Kate made sure we were set up with some essentials...tea, milk, eggs and some, dare I say, too delicious if there is such a thing, homemade jam to slather on Ireland's best brown bread. In the following days, we busied ourselves finding our way along the glorious and wild western coast of Ireland. Kate was busy with her life and we were busy with ours, but the next time I go, I'd like to spend an entire evening talking with Kate because she has a wealth of knowledge about Ireland and it's traditions, not to mention a very particular and entertaining way of depicting a story. Accommodations were more than adequate, and our host offered many extras to be at our disposal... but it 's what is beyond the cottage that is the true treasure.