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Post Info TOPIC: Need advice on self catering base for co. kerry
mom929


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Need advice on self catering base for co. kerry
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Hello,


I thought we were all booked for a self catering cottage the week of August 26th-Sept 2nd in Ballingskelligs, but the owner just pulled out!  Now I'm looking for another place to stay.  We are a family of four, with two boys ages 7 and 10.  Our 7 year old has mild cerebral palsy and walks with crutches.


We are looking for a location on or close to a flat, sandy beach so our 7 year old could get around.  Really rocky terrain is difficult for him. (we also have a wheelchair we use for long distances).  We want to be near fishing, boating, horseback riding, castle ruins.  We want to do some day trips to some of the classic sites, so it would be nice to be somewhat central, but we also want to be a bit more rural and not too crowded, which I know will be hard to do in high season.  A nice nearby town with a few simple restaurants/pubs for dinners is about all we need in the way of "nightlife"


We are flying in and out of Shannon and have four days before we settle into our self-catering to do Cashel, Cliffs of Moher and Kilkenny.


So where would you suggest we look for self catering?  So far I've found three possibilities in our price range (400-450 Euro).  One is a thatched cottage in Castleisland, one is in Castlegregory walking distance to the beach, but the listing shows little information about the house itself, and one is a stunning contemporary in Cork in Ardgroom (pricier, but we could possibly ask family to join us here).  Do you think one of these towns would be suitable for us?  Are there other places to look?  I'd like to stay away from tour buses as much as possible, yet still be able to do a few daytrips (without kids yelling "are we there yet" the whole time!)


Thanks so much for your help.  I'm nervous now, with plane tickets booked and no place to stay!


 



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Michele Erdvig


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mom929,


How unfortunate that your plans fell through. Castleisland is a bit inland for what you wanted.


The Shores Counrty House near Castlegregory has self catering: http://www.theshorescountryhouse.com/


Fortview House has self catering. This one is a bit above your budget but I have inspected the B&B and found it lovely. They also have a self-catering cottage: http://www.fortviewhousegoleen.com/ It is not right on the water but there is a fantastic beach nearby; Barley Cove Beach: http://www.westcorkweb.ie/barleycovesac/


There is also self-catering right on the beach: http://www.dreamireland.com/browse/map.725.764.html


Try some of these: http://www.dreamireland.com/browse/map.725.756.html & http://www.dreamireland.com/browse/map.725.762.html & http://www.dreamireland.com/site/index.php?site_name=Arasainn_Cheann_Sibeal&x=34&y=11 &  http://www.dreamireland.com/search/result.php?region_id=&county_id%5B%5D=726&town_id%5B%5D=755&sp_dateFrom=11%2F03%2F2006&sp_dateTo=24%2F03%2F2006&x=35&y=12


I suggest you look around the Dream Ireland website for more options. Also look at: http://www.selfcatering-ireland.com/ & http://www.irishcottageholidays.com/


Have you looked outside of Cork & Kerry? Ireland's coastline is very long. Or did you have a certain area you wanted?


Hope you find just the right place. Do let us know how it goes.


Michele



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mom929


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Thanks Michelle for your quick reply!


My husband just through another idea into the mix.  He says he'd be just as happy if we can drive to a beach for a day and do the ring of Kerry one day, but instead of being on the water if we are in a rural area where the kids can go outside and play in the fields (think sheep and cows and a scene from the Quiet Man) he would be just as happy.  Does that change any of your advice?


Two reasons I am thinking of Kerry or Cork.  First my husband's family was originally from that area.  Second we are planning on going to Kilkenny and Blarney Castle prior to spending our week at our cottage.


Thanks again.  You are so helpful!


 


 



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Michele Erdvig


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mom929,


In or near Kenmare might be a good base for you. It is my favorite small town in Ireland and very scenic (on the Kenmare River).


Michele



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mom929


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More options. Thanks Michelle!
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Michelle, you are wonderful!  I checked into Kenmare and located some other options (my husband says I'm obsessed, but I know I'm not going to sleep until I have a guaranteed place to stay all locked up!)


I'm trying to balance our son's needs for some accessibility (he does get around quite well, just has a tough time on really rocky terrain), with my own desires for a peaceful holiday base and a local flavor of Ireland (the words "tour buses" and "holiday village" strike fear into my heart ) with our desire to do a few daytrips.


Near Kenmare I found these three cottages which look nice, but I don't have a sense for exactly where they are.  I hear Kenmare can get crowded in the summer, though not as bad as Killarney.


www.kilkeana.com


http://www.dreamireland.com/search/dates.php?prop_id=19621&print_version=1


http://www.villapolis.com/1393P2


Can you give me a sense of where these are and how they would fit with our goals for our holiday.


Nearer to the sea I also found this one in Glenbeigh


http://www.holiday-rentals.com/index.cfm/property/54743


And this one in Castlegregory


www.fortfarmhouse.com


Would those towns be good options?


Thanks so much for all of your help!


 


 


 



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Michele Erdvig


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RE: Need advice on self catering base for co. kerry
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mom929,


I try! The first link you posted really doesn't identify where they are. You should email them to find out.


Barn Cottage is about 7 miles from Kenmare in the countryside near Kilgarvan (inland). That area is very rural with farmlands and the villages are tiny but they have been building small "holiday villages" (not too large).


Westland - Betty's cottage is in the Tuosist area near Kenmare. That is about a mile from Kenmare on the R571 Ring of Beara road but it covers about another 20 miles of coastline. You will have to inquire as to how far from Kenmare it actually is.


Fort Farmhouse is near Stradbally on the Connor Pass Road on the north shore of Dingle. There are nice beaches nearby and it is a very quiet area, although there will be traffic on that road during the day.


I think Glenbeigh is out. The beach at Rossbeigh is a storm beach and you have to walk over huge boulders to get to the sandy beach beyond, that is only revealed at low tide. It is definitely an ankle buster.


Hope that gives you some ideas.


Michele



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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mom929


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Thanks, just one more
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My husband is right.  I truly am obsessed.  But after years of our only trips being to hospitals and clinics for our son, I want this vacation to be magical!


I will definitely contact Kilkeana Farm House and get a better sense of where they are.  I'll also find out about Westland Betty's Cottage.


Here is one other that is supposed to be in the Tousist area.  Fisherman's Cove.  The website says that it is 100 meters from the beach.  Do you know where that would be and if it would be a good beach for our son?  It is 12 kilometers from Kenmare.  How long would that take to drive?  Is this area busy or quiet?


http://homepage.eircom.net/~kenmareaccommodation/fisherscove.html


Your opinions are so helpful, you can't imagine.


My poor hubby.  Today I asked him just exactly it was that he wanted to do on the days when we aren't on the go.  He said "all I want to do is sit outside with my cup of coffee and the paper and not be asked "what are we going to do next?" for an hour"    His philosophy at this point is for me to just pick a place and stop bothering him!



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Michele Erdvig


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RE: Need advice on self catering base for co. kerry
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mom929,


It sounds like your husband needs a vacation from vacation planning! At this point I would suggest that you email all places you are interested in that are on or near a beach and ask them:



  • Describe the beach.

  • Is the beach shingle (gravel & rock) or sand?

  • Is there any impediment to getting to the beach?

  • Is the beach only accessible at low tide or at all times?

Twelve kilometers would probably take 10-15 minutes to drive. The Tuosist area is pretty rural and quiet.


Michele

__________________

"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
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