Each October, I plan a weekend trip with my family. Usually we go on a city break in Europe, but this year, as I'm expecting a baby, we decided to do a staycation. We wanted somewhere charming with enough space for two couples and my mom where we could unwind, and Craigmyle Cottage delivered exactly that.
Set in the rural village of Whitegate, Co Clare, this period coach house is bursting with character ... as are its owners, Carole and Kevin. Communication with Carole was very easy and she offered plenty of tips on things to do and recommendations for restaurants. She and Kevin couldn't have been more accommodating and friendly. The homemade rhubarb tart Carole left for us in the kitchen was an extra bonus! They live next door in Williamstadt House so are on hand should you need help with anything.
The cottage is just so warm and cosy and filled with quirky little touches and unique pieces. It is tastefully decorated and well equipped and much bigger than we expected. Everyone had their own space to relax, and equally the open plan kitchen/dining/living area was perfect for hanging out as a group. It has thermostat heating as well as a stove, which we lit both nights. There is Sky TV, Netflix and WiFi. In the stables across the courtyard are hens (who provide eggs for breakfast), ducks and a couple of dogs plus their two donkeys can been seen and fed in the field at the back of the cottage. The kitchen facilities were great with everything you could need. We cooked dinner the first night and breakfast each morning. For dinner the second night we went to the Boathouse Restaurant on the approach to Killaloe - about a 25 min drive. The food and service were excellent.
If you wish to explore the area a car is definitely required. We took a lovely 1-hour cruise on the lake with Killaloe River Cruises. It's a cosy little boat with a bar/lounge and open top deck. We also visited the farmer's market in Killaloe on Sunday.
Overall, we had a truly enjoyable experience at Craigmyle Cottage. Would highly recommend it to anyone looking to escape the distractions of everyday life.