A short break in Ireland
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For a bit of Celtic holiday charm, a summer or autumn break to Ireland is perfect.
The Republic of Ireland has so much to boast and at this time of year there is a lot going on – for tourists and locals alike.
We began our trip with the overnight ferry crossing into Cork from Swansea. Fastnet Line operates this vital ferry service, which has been running regularly since it was re-established in May 2010.
Since March around 24,000 passengers have travelled on the ferry – The Julia, mostly coming from the UK. Tickets start at around £45.
Our crossing was peaceful and pleasant – after checking into our cabin (two bunks and a toilet/shower room) we went up on deck to wave Swansea goodbye and then watched a film at the cinema.
Despite a bit of a rolling sea, we slept well and entered Cork at around 8am. We quickly realised the benefits of travelling with your own transport as it makes for an easy and smooth transition into the country of destination on arrival.
There were plenty of families, young and old, along with pet owners and motorbike enthusiasts, to name just a few passenger types.
After visiting Cork and experiencing the famous English market with all its tasty wares, we made our way upwards to Kilkenny, where we were to stay in a self-catered cottage. The drive along the coast was stunning and we made a few stops at towns along the way, including Dungarven and Waterford.
On arrival in Kilkenny, we found Croan Cottages with little difficulty, despite the fact that these pleasant farm abodes are pretty much in the middle of nowhere!
Niamh and Francis, the owners of the sustainably-run site, which is recommended by www.responsibletravel.com, welcomed us warmly and had prepared a very useful information pack of local and regional events worth checking out, along with information on timeless country walks and good eateries.
The farm itself was bubbling with life, from the cockerels coming into mating season, to the garden vegetables the couple grow for their homemade meals, which can be provided as part of your stay if you fancy a night off cooking.
The cottages have been recently refurbished and modernised, although they retain the charm of the farm grounds, and there are a number for hire, perfectly sized and equipped for families or couples.
We hit the road the next day to travel to the Killarney National Park and Lakes to take in some of the natural beauty of the west of Ireland. It was a long drive on the Irish single-lane roads, and there were many stops as we realised just how long it would take us to reach our destination!
However, once we arrived it was worth the wait and the Lakes were stunning, as was Killarney, with its tourist friendly cafes and shops.
The following day we set out from Croan cottages on foot along some local footpaths and then into nearby Thomastown with its art and crafts influences and pretty riverside walks. After this we went to the stunning Woodstock Gardens at Inistioge – a must for garden and tree enthusiasts.
Soon our stay had come to an end and if there was anything else we could have done, it would be to extend our visit and spend a night in the far south of the Republic to see some of the islands off the south coast. What a brilliant reason to return next year!
Croan Cottage hire starts at €275 depending on length of stay.
Useful links
Croan Cottages
Fastnet Line Ferries
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