The Valley of the Hare was truly a magnificent experience. After a harrowing ride in the rain from Dublin and a relatively straightforward ride up the country road from Sneem, upon opening the cattle gate we came to what looked like a quaint cottage on a rise. We entered and found a thoroughly updated 21st century farm house with every feature we could desire. Walking around taking in the house, every room elicited smiles of amazement. The upstairs bedroom, reached by a lovely spiral stairway, looked out over the valley to the eastern hills and beyond, a beautiful scene. The en-suite bath was larger than our hotel room in Dublin and had a huge soaking tub and a shower. The large downstairs bedroom and bath, in the original 200 to 400 year old farmhouse was comparable and both provided all the privacy we could want. The third bedroom, which we didn't use also had its own bath. The kitchen was large enough for multiple cooks, fully-stocked and delightful, with a huge cooking stove and multiple ovens, large fridge, microwave, etc. Susan had thoughtfully provided sufficient supplies for our first morning's breakfast. The lounge with its comfy couches, wood stove and satellite TV, had an immense sliding glass door through which we had a panoramic view of the valley, the Beara Peninsula and Kenmare River. The place was unbelievable.

We arrived in lambing season and were greeted by a sweet sheepdog and the sight and sound of ewes busily grazing to keep up with the feeding demands of their cavorting lambs. The bleating of the lambs and sheep was the only sign of the farmer who came by in early morning and evening to provide supplemental feed (it was a cold and late spring) for the flock. We were able to get up close with the sheep and lambs on the Sneem-Fermoyle hiking trail which was literally right outside the door. The well-marked trail provided an excellent perspective of the countryside, with foot-bridges crossing several of the tributaries of the Sneem river.

We went to the village of Sneem and stopped for a pleasant lunch at Breens Riverside Cafe. We discovered that the proprietors (the Breens) had owned the farmhouse where we were staying and grown up there, a family with eight children in about a third of the space we were staying in. There was also a small grocery and a butcher in the village where we were able to obtain all our cooking needs without excessive travel.

The Valley of the Hare provided a peaceful and serene break from our hectic touring schedule. And it is appropriately named, we saw several hares running in the fields. if you're looking for a relaxing respite or home base where you can take the time to paint a watercolor, relax with a good book, or take an invigorating hike in the countryside, it can't be beat. Many thanks to Susan for being such a pleasant and responsive host.