Caryn,

I have a few self-catering places recommended in my book. I have recently started focusing on them so don't have a load to recommend. I just took a look and I have none in Cork.

Have you viewed my self-catering page? It will fill you in with lots of info. Most self-catering rents from Sat-Sat. However, off-season they are more open to renting at other times. Check with www.dreamireland.com Also look at my links page where I have other links to rentals. I also find that just doing a Google search with something like "cork self-catering rentals" does the trick.

Once you look at the websites you will have a better idea which self-catering place will suit your needs. Happy hunting. 

Michele

Caryn,

Though I have not stayed in them, I have heard wonderful things about Carelton Village outside of Youghal. There is also Croughmore, in which I have stayed and have recommended to several other posters here, in Mitchelstown. Croughmore is well situated to exploring both Cork and Kerry. I just received a letter, an honest to goodness hand-written letter, from one of the posters who is over in Ireland now. She advised me that they have refurbished and added on to Croughmore but that it is still traditional in its outward appearance and its feel. They found it to be quite the find and I am glad that they enjoyed it.

I hope these will give you a footing in your search.

Slan Beo (Take Care),   Bit

Carny,
It's me again. I hate giving out wrong info. I noticed on one of Bit's sites, there is a 5 star on self-catering.
My bad. Joan

Having not visited the Carelton Village yet, I have to go on word of mouth. The friends who stayed there are the type of people who only stay in places like the Ritz carleton or other upscale places. They took copious notes and brought them home as "gift" for my research files. One note, "Hallelujiah, Hot Water!!!" would lead me to believe that they had not had hot water for showers in their last lodgings before the Carelton.

It is indeed all in the wording and the marketing, as well. All of that for naught if you don't have the quality of service to back it up. I quit going by ratings after that horrible Co. Mayo B&B experience that I have mentioned before. They had a four star rating and numerous awards.

How do they decide on their ratings as a norm, Michele? I have been asked before. Do you know?

Slan Beo, Bit

Caryn,

Youngka, another member of this forum, has justed stayed at Croughmore. It was from her that I received the letter. She said that they almost hated to leave the cottage to make daytrips. It feels as if you are stepping back in time. I really enjoyed my stay there four years ago. It is one of my two most favorite self-catering cottages in all of Ireland.

The second is another thatched cottage in Ballybritas, abbeyview cottage, which is purported to be the oldest, continuously inhabited thatched cottage in Ireland. Abbeyview was carbon-dated to 1468. It is well off the beaten track but I loved my week ther, as well.Again, like Croughmore, it was very welcoming.

That you have roots in the area is very interesting, to be sure.

Slan Beo, Bit

Caryn, 

What is your budget? I have some fabulous places bookmarked (haven't stayed yet) but some are very expensive. These are some:

http://www.tragretreat.com/
http://glengarriff-lodge.com/
http://www.inishbeg.com/

Michele

Go Raibh Mil Maith Agat, Michele,

I now have some reading to do! I have often wondered about the ratings systems. I wondered if the raters were trained and held to a formulmatic rating system or if it was a matter of their personal tastes.

I have stayed in higher rated lodgings, with "all the creature conforts" only to awaken miserable from a bed that was either much too firm, much too lumpy, or much too something. I have been snared by the promise of "gorgeous views of the harbour" only to realize that you have to stand on a chair and look over a caravan site to see a sliver of the bay. I recall the bed in a B&B in Belfast that was said to be a "slice of orthopedic heaven", which was actually an exercise in trying avoid falling into the "pit" in the middle. That was all on the first trip I made. It was then I decided to knock on the doors of any place I found interesting on the outside, make copious notes if they offered me a tour (few refuse), and then offer help to other travelers.

Having the health issues I do, creature comforts, a good bed and a good shower, are imperative. If I can get a good night's sleep on their bed, they get a thumbs up from me. If I get breakfast served with a smile and a "look, no mushrooms have graced this plate nor anything in my kitchen this morning" and good coffee, it gets a gold star.

I often wonder though, do they have a raters school and what happens to those who flunk out? 

Slan Beo, Mo Chara,

Bit

Dia Duit Michele,

"Born Fussy", I never really thought about it but so must I have been. I am the same way, for the most part. I want to have at least been inside, had a look, taken tea. I prefer to have stayed at least one night, better yet two. When I do recommend a place in which I haven't personally stayed, I always make mention and give credit to the person who has stayed. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than to have someone come back and tell me what a wonderful stay they had at some place that I recommended. The other side of that coin, when someone comes back and says that they were unhappy with their stay, gives me a nasty taste. I make a note and then, the next time I am over, make sure to stay there again. Some times it is a one of and perhaps the host was having a bad go. THere is also the point to be made that, due to a recent rise in unscrupulous guests, some hosts are becoming more jaded and guarded. Pity that. It is why I am glad for travelers to Ireland that they have you, the Goldilocks of Ireland, and a few other trusted sites that they can go to for direction.

Slan Agus Barrogs, Bit

You have to remember - this is Ireland.

Truth is different here....

When I first came to Ireland, in Mayo, I was told that the sea and the beach were " a mile or so down the road" ...... !2 miles later I was still driving and no

You cannot believe a word that is said; believe me on that.

For creative writing see

http://homepage.eircom.net/~inissaimerisland/

We keep an eye on rentals for various reasons..

This sounded soooo peaceful. See the "more photos"

One day I was driving home through Ballyshannon town rather than on the bypass.

Just outside the town, there were massive roadworks; Dude, I thought of you when I saw the deepest hole in the road ever...

I was stuck at the traffic lights for a few minutes, and my gaze wandered as it does.

A roof just over the wall looked familiar, and I realised... Saimer Island.. Just a few yards from the main road.

The traffic noise will be horrendous

The estuary is very narrow there and the banks built up.

How they took those photos is a mystery, and when I asked around, yes, they can hardly let it because of its situation.

Ireland!!!

Blessings

Michele; it is the ones with pointed ears you REALLY have to watch.... They're part-leprechaun..

Caryn, you have asked some very good questions. The answers can give you so much information. We always stay in self catering places because we like to cook at home and it is really fun shopping in their grocery stores, butcher shops and pastry shops. Our self catering places/houses ran about 300 euros for 7 days (Sat. a.m. to about Sat. noon). You will have to pay extra for heat and electricity, but all in all our total charge for one day ran about 45-50 dollars a day. As Bit menioned, the Coughmore shake roof house is a wonderful way to go back in time, so relaxing too. We also like our self catering place in Clifden also in the Connemara area above and west of Gallway -- stayed in a nice thatched roof place also. B&B's are wonderful, but I don't if it would be advantageous to rent for one straight week. We did enjoy the 2 we were able to stay in - one nite each B&B. Our favorite part of Ireland for the last three visits is in the area from Skibberean up to Kylemore Abby and we loved the coast line. This year, I think, all our self center houses were all
300 Euros Youngka

We've been researching and researching! So, here's what we're thinking so far, please provide your opinions!:

We may be crazy, but we're thinking we like the looks of this place:

http://www.vrbo.com/94379

We have two key concerns about it: It's looking like the town is very much NOT "on the beaten path" which could be good, or horrible. Then, there are the mentioned chickens, which usually also implies early-morning roosters, as well! (This would be ok with us.) Do you have any feedback or info regarding Cloyne?

We think we like this location for the following things: It's near Cobh, where my relatives left Ireland. We want to see the jail & the museum. We also want to see the Waterford Crystal factory and Jameson's. It's also nearer to Mitchelstown where ancient relatives who share my last name are said to have lived in the 1100's.

It appears that we're near the Ballymaloe Cooking School, which I like as a foodie. We're intrigued by the "AGA" for cooking--this will be a new experience! This is probably a silly question, but, what do you know about the best markets in this area? Other restaurants? I read about a butter factory somewhere!

We'd like to spend some time getting to know local people in their real lives, rather than only tourist stuff.

We want a quiet, non-touristy place to stay and relax, too. We figure we can drive to do more of the tourist things, however, we may not get down to the far southern part of the country, which, perhaps could happen on the next trip.

On the other hand, there's a small voice in my head saying, GO SOUTH!

I appreciate your advice, input and feedback!

Caryn,

Do you want to be way out in the countryside or near civilization? I took a look at the house and I would want to see many more photos first. Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom photos are especially important. Perhaps they can email you some if you make an inquiry. I would also want to know what their "official" star rating is.

Have a look at these: 

http://www.tragretreat.com/
http://www.inishbeg.com/
http://glengarriff-lodge.com/

Michele

Dear Caryn,

My reaction was the same as Michele's, no photo's and it did seem to be way out in the country. It might be perfect but I'd sure get more info on it. I'd be more inclined to go with one of the places Michele gave a web-sites for. She may not have stayed in one of them but she knows Ireland so very well and she has a good sense of things.

Joan