Having dreamed of a country cottage for Christmas for many years now, Sheepwalk House had a lot to live up to. I was looking for log fires, country walks, hot showers and home comforts - luckily, Reggie (Regina) McCabe was on hand to make sure everything was perfectly magical.
From the start, the service was five star. Knowing that we didn't have a car, Reggie asked us to email a shopping list of everything we wanted and collected all our supplies for us, including local produce, wine and fuel for a week. She decorated the cottage with a Christmas tree and decorations, and even made us mince pies. It didn't stop there; she drove us to a mushroom farm and into the town to get our bearings. At all times, Reggie was professional and helpful, without being overbearing. Perfect!
We stayed in The Coach House which was warmed for our arrival. Although it was perfectly kitted out with everything we needed for cooking and baking, Reggie invited us to tour her kitchen for any additional items we might like. The bedrooms were snug and the beds really comfortable. The real fire was a delight, creating a lovely cosy atmosphere in the cold, frosty nights.
Located between Avoca (home of TV series Ballykissangel) and Arklow village, it's also just ten minutes drive from the stunning shoreline and sand dunes of Brittas Bay. The cottages are difficult to find on the night time because they're set back from the road, but the directions on the website are perfect.
We got a peek into all the other cottages which ranged from for two people to six. Every one was carefully decorated and well stocked to create a home away from home. We had visitors over the week and each one loved the setting and the cottage. If you want personal service, comfort and a real country feel, then that's exactly what you'll find. I'm already planning to return for a weekend writing break at the end of February. read more