Lovely cottage in a secluded valley near Westport Co Mayo

Description

This cottage has been in our family for 75 years and is full of happy memories of childhood holidays spent on the nearby beaches or fishing on the lakes and rivers. The old part of the cottage dates from the 1840s and it was renovated and extended in 2015. It is about 10 minutes drive from the lively, attractive town of Westport, once voted the best place in Ireland to live. There are award winning restaurants and cafés and characterful pubs with traditional music. The old part of the cottage, with its thick stone walls, can be cool, even in summer, but two wood burning stoves make for cosy evenings and there is electric heating throughout. Eco fuel is included. The new part of the cottage is spacious and light, with high ceilings and a reading nook and dining area that make the most of the views across the valley to the Eagle, a spur of Croagh Patrick. The kitchen is well equipped, with good counter space and storage. There is an induction hob and a two burner bottled gas hob. There is a stock of staples such as seasonings, herbs, spices and oils for visitors to use. One bathroom is en-suite, with a walk in shower. There are steps down to this bathroom. The other bathroom has a bath with a power shower. There is WiFi in the cottage and access to some TV streaming channels and a DVD player with a selection of movies and series, some of which are child friendly. The phone signal may be weak inside the cottage and calls are better made outside. The smallest bedroom is fitted out as an office with a desk, chair, and printer. The single bed coverts to a double if extra sleeping space is needed. The utility room is adjacent to the new entrance steps and has a washing machine, drier and a second fridge freezer. The under counter fridge in the kitchen is small. The wraparound garden is semi wild, with old trees and hidden areas to explore. There is a supply of board games and puzzles for the inevitable rainy days and, while our cottage is not a glamorous vacation spot, it is a well loved family house; comfortably furnished and fitted out and a perfect base for exploring the great county of Mayo. The beaches nearest to the cottage can be busy in summer, but are great for families, especially Old Head, which also offers SUP and other water sports. Carrowmore near Louisburgh is child friendly, while Carrownisky (several kilometres beyond Louisburgh) is a popular surfing beach, with a surf school. Further on, where the road meets the mouth of Killary Harbour, there is the usually deserted expanse of Silver Strand. The islands of Achill, Clare, and Inish Turk are all accessible from the cottage, as is Inish Boffin, though it requires a longer drive to catch the ferry. Achill is reached by a bridge and is about an hour north west of the cottage. Day trips to Clare Island and Inish Turk are by ferry from Roonagh, just beyond Louisburgh. If you like mountain trekking, Croagh Patrick provides a challenge, made somewhat easier in recent years by the construction of a path and steps, but it is still a steep ascent. Mweelrea, the highest mountain in Mayo, is for serious hikers only and best tackled in good weather with an experienced guide. Grace O’Malley, known as the Pirate Queen was a 16th century local ruler celebrated for her courage and seafaring skills. There are several castles in the area which she controlled. There are ancient abbeys in the area worth visiting, for example, Ballintubber, a place of continuous worship for 800 years. Murrisk Abbey, where Grace O’Malley was married, is nearby. The atmospheric ruins of Burrishoole Abbey are a short drive north of Westport. The Céide Fields are further north where beneath the bogland the fields of Ireland’s first farmers have been uncovered. We have emphasised the family friendly nature of the cottage but, now that we are retired, it is also the perfect place to read, write, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.