I came to Connemara for half-term and rented this cottage for five nights. My sister and her two children joined me and my other sister and my Dad for two nights. The cottage was spotless and in pristine condition. It seemed to be very recently decorated and remodelled.

I think Niamh lives abroad but was texting daily and available for any queries. Her father, Mícheál was the man on the ground. He was very warm and welcoming. We needed towels and his wife Maggie dropped them up along with sheets for the travel cots. We asked for a microwave and one was dropped up for us. I felt they were on hand as and when we needed them.

Mícheál was full of information and tips about the local area and cultural events. This was really useful. I suffered a traumatic loss when I was staying at the cottage and ended up telling Mícheál and his family and they were so compassionate and helpful, I will never forget their kindness.

The setting is beautiful. It is quite far from the road and has a little garden which caught the sun in the mornings. At night a strong wind howled around the house. The mist and clouds covered the tops of the mountains out the back. The ruins of a cottage where the host's Father was born stand opposite the rental. All around is breath-taking, primal scenery and the house itself is an authentic yet modernised cottage. The kids LOVED the half door...