We stayed in Billy's Cottage which was spacious and nicely decorated, the kitchen contains a plethora of cooking utensils and aids, so you can actually cook when there (I have been to many self catering places where this is not the case). The lounge is cosy and has a real fire, and John and Gertrude kindly provided us with a bucket of coat, it was April in Ireland afterall. The bedrooms were light and airy, a great nights sleep, every night!

However the reality is that you will probably spend most of your time when not out exploring Ballyhoura County, (or the Cork Cost, Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula), will be in the Dining Room which adjoins the Kitchen, and overlooks the fields and looks across to Rock and Sand cottages. The Garden is a real treat, our dogs loved it, there is a picnic table and formal chairs too on the patioed area at the back of the property.

However what sets the farm cottages apart is the level of care from John and Gertrude, we had fresh made scones, I was even taught how to make them and although Gertrude is too modestto acknowledge this, I really do beleive that in a cook-off, Rachel Allen would lose. John's passion for his farm is really lovely to see and we were visiting when calves were being born, and it was lovely to see the new additions to his herd.

Sorry I digressed, what is great is the situation, at night there is no light pollution and you can see the stars, you are a short hop from the whole of South, the coast, mountains and all accessable for day trips away. Mallow has a great little town centre and Castletownroche, the 'Village' is amazing and has some lovely little pubs, village shops and is well worth a walk around.

I am afraid that my experience of self-catering has been set now, and I fear I will be unable to go anywhere else.....I would love to live in any of the cottages, we were lucky enough to have a peek at Rock and Sand Cottages too (my mother-in-law has stayed at Farm Cottages many times over the years and said that any would be fine and she was right. The Games rooms and in Rock and Sand were great and they both back on to the Tennis Court.......Although from Billy's it is just a few minutes walk along the lane.

Gertrude and John are consumate hosts and the care and attention to the properties is extended to the guests. It was a very welcome break and we even had amazing weather (we only need a fire once in 9 days). The whole holiday was amazing, and it was the Farm Cottages that made it so. None of us have ever felt so comfortable in a holiday let. John and Gertrude made it so. Highly recommend (unless of course it is when we want it!).