If it were a hotel the Valley of the Hare would merit top star rating. Just 4 miles from the town of Sneem on the famed ring of Kerry road it is accessed by a paved, classically winding Irish country road. Do not expect a highway! When reached, the superb view of the surrounding valley and hillsides offers a wonderful feeling of freedom and being at one with nature. The home itself is fitted and furnished to the highest standard, with master bedroom/bathroom upstairs and two full size bedrooms/bathrooms at ground level. To compliment each there are fluffy white bathrobes, a generous supply of quality linen/towels and brand name toiletries. The main home area has a superbly fitted, well provisioned, large kitchen with double stove/oven, large US style fridge /freezer and also has a full sized dining room with an 8 place dining table and chairs. The cathedral roofed living room is fitted with a large woodstove and has a panoramic window view of Kenmare bay and the Beara peninsula on the horizon.

This is upland hill farming country with sheep and cattle in the valley below. Our visit was in February. So, from the comfort of our well centrally heated home, with the Atlantic wind blowing over our rooftop, we watched the local farmer and his young son on their ‘quad’ doing their supplemental feeding round of the livestock. We even had curious sheep come and observe us from the front patio.

Hosts Susan and Rafe live a few hundred yards away and are unobtrusively helpful and attentive. Their experienced ‘customer comes first’ approach is reflected in the generous range of catering and domestic materials provided – from orange juice and cereals, though first few days supply of fresh eggs/bacon, tea /coffee and bread to domestic cleaning materials – even offering to bring the Sunday newspapers from nearby Sneem – with its charming people, its good dining, shops and pubs and easy access to the soul - soothing majesty of Kerry.

If you wish to get away from it all and want a really quality residence then the Valley of the Hare is for you.