We have just returned from a wonderful ten day stay in Rachel and Chris’s beautiful house in Castlelacken, Co Mayo. The house is gorgeous, fell in love with it as soon as I saw it and even more so when I got inside - it is a great design, lots of room and has a lovely feel to it , its very cosy and homely, has light and bright, restful and pretty décor, with lots of little charming and interesting touches. Its lovely wooden floors and wooden windows really add to its charm and comfort feel. From every window there is a pretty view but especially the windows facing the direction of expansive Lacken strand, fabulous! All of the windows are paneless, giving great uninterrupted views through all the many large windows .
We enjoyed the beautiful planted flower borders surrounding it and the big meadow of wild flowers and grass that runs down from the front of the house way down to the garden entrance– this scene too is also great to just look out and admire from inside the house but also to wander around it or sit outside on the big swinging seat which overlooks this whole view. There is also a lovely little natural river that run down the side of the huge gardens with mature trees and shrubbery along it and some of the boundary has impressive high stone walls which only adds to the overall charm . Great garden for kids to run around in and explore with a grownup (Imperative though that children are under very close supervision at all times due to the river and delicate bridges ungated exit to road etc , all of which Rachel outlines in her Guests information document )
Rachel and Chris were lovely and very helpful hosts. Any questions I had were answered swiftly and communication was very good. Also, had a few chats with Rachel on the phone aswell which was nice too, very friendly and welcoming , a lovely person to talk to .
We had plenty to do around the area especially with the numerous beaches nearby. Not only the stunning Lacken strand just down the road from the house but also selection of other lovely beaches nearby less than and up to about 25 /30 mins drive away , Ballycastle town and beach, Ross beach, Lacken backstrand beach and one of our favourites, Carrowmore , with its amazing scenic drive to it and the beach itself and a lot of the time the waves there usually good for bodyboarding. We were there mainly for the beaches but there is plenty of other things to do locally and a bit further afield for day trips etc.
We went plenty of times to the little village of Killala , which is about ten minutes away in car , to do a handy shop for dinner ingredients , or go to the café for lunch or one of the number of pubs/restaurants , in which we enjoyed some delicious meals. There is also a nice playground and a greenway way in the village too. Also we took a few trips to the town of Ballina.
Rachel and Chris’s house, we found , is a house that even if it rains, is still pleasant to be staying inside especially in the relaxing , bright and cheerful livings room all around the front with big mega comfy couches and nature views. We enjoyed too settling in for the evening to have a dinner with the family at the big round dining table in the kitchen and it’s a great size for a few card or board games to follow, if you not too tired after the days adventures that is!!. There are also fireplaces in two of the rooms which add that extra little something special when lit on an evening in on cooler days.
The two cats were very cute, they were very good and loved big cuddles and attention ( yet if you were busy they would do their own thing no problem too) We are missing them now!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Rachel and Chris’s gorgeous house and garden/meadow (and the cats) and the lovely County Mayo and would happily return. Thanks Rachel and Chris!
Anne and family, Dublin.