Paddy and Olive O’Gorman’s spacious farmhouse is set in its own gardens high up in the hills is just the kind of place that visitors dream of finding when they come to Ireland and makes a very comfortable and hospitable base for a relaxed rural break.
There’s loads to do out of doors - fishing is a major attraction (the Nire runs beside the farmhouse and permits are available locally), also walking (Glasha links the Comeragh and Knockmealdown sections of the famous Munster Way), pony trekking, golf (available locally), and painting this beautiful area.
Olive thinks of everything that will help guests feel at home and bedrooms - which are extremely luxurious for a farm stay - have lots of little extras including TV/radio, hair dryers, electric blankets, tea/coffee-making, spring water and magazines; most rooms have king size beds, all are en-suite, and the newer ones have lovely bathrooms with jacuzzi baths.
There’s plenty of comfortable lounging room for guests’ use, too, including a conservatory - and the nearest pub is just 3 minutes’ walk from the house.
Olive makes a delicious home-cooked dinner for guests, by arrangement, and it is served in a comfortable big dining room; her 3-course menus change daily and you might begin with something that showcases local seafood, like Dungarvan mussels in a creamy basil sauce, then a main course of Comeragh lamb - a rack, perhaps, served with apple & mint chutney and a rosemary sauce - and finish with rhubarb & strawberry crumble, or warm apple fudge cake, then tea or coffee and chocolates in the conservatory, or in beside the fire on chilly evenings.
The food is gorgeous with its farmhouse simplicity, and you’ll get a really good breakfast to set you up for the day – and advice a-plenty on the best things to do and see, as Paddy and Olive love to share al their local knowledge with guests too.
This is a lovely place to stay, and a perfect antidote to the stresses of urban life.
Rooms 6 (4 with jacuzzi bath, 2 shower only, 1 family room, 2 ground floor, all no-smoking); B&B about €60 pps, ss €10. Children welcome (cots available). Residents' D Mon-Sat, 6.30-8.30 by arrangement (short á la carte), €20-25. Closed D Sun, 20-27 Dec. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
