Stayed for a week here with our 6 year old, as we were visiting the Emerald Isle for the first time, and connecting with friends in Clifden, as we celebrate our own anni. Very good & prompt communications w/ Stuart, and thank you to a most responsive neighbour Michael who helped us check-in, as we quickly learned there are no numbers/precise addresses, just area of town, town name and country (ie Rinn, Carraroe, Co. Galway). Met other neighbours/helpful people along the way, as we found the place without sat nav/GPS (Yes you CAN do it! )

Quick driving lesson from the shuttle-bus driver Gary prior to us picking up our (automatic) car was also helpful "centre middle meditation". Driving on the left takes some getting used to, and maps will show straight lines where there are curving streets (based on cattle paths) everywhere. This was mitigated by listening to the Gaelic radio channel as we drove, and by not being in a hurry to get anywhere--also pace of life was clearly slowed by the scenery & sheep/donkeys/ horses/cattle in the Connemara area.

Everything was just as described in the Itinerary/handbook provided w/ booking. We loved being a short walk away from nature encounters: some seals in the bay, tide pools, slugs and various fauna--delicious blackberries everywhere! and the coral beach less than 10 mins away.

My partner was delighted to play the tin whistle during the trad. night @ An cistin ('kitchen'), and nearby shops (bakery/pharma) were also quite friendly/helpful in our explorations...the Guinness is VERY different than that exported to Canada!

We are always willing to try anything at least once, and having a taste for the black & white pudding @ Bia Blasta was adventurous--albeit maybe not so good for the cholesterol level if eaten regularly.

Thankful for the many books/amenities in the cottage: great titles/fiction that were fun to read with an eye to Irish history/identity/culture. It did rain pretty much every day (not all day) and there were about 3 days of strong sun/mornings in our week-long stay. Daughter enjoyed the DVD and Wii selection in between the homework we gave her (lol).

Overall a fantastic introduction to West Ireland, Co. Galway! We learned afterward from friends at the wedding we attended that many people still travel to this part of Ireland to learn/immerse themselves in the Gaelic language. Overall during our stay, our driving/travels took us through 3 counties: Mayo, Galway & Clare. Had there been more time, I would have completed the language tapes that were in the study room!

Thank you v. much for the opportunity to stay in your lovely home. We are explorers at heart and with the seaweed cookbook, ample kitchen amenities, friendly people and proximity to interesting areas rural and more urban, this was just the right place to balance and interpret the solitude and social/cultural life of Western Ireland. We didn't let the rain fool us--the warmth stays with us back here.