Just a note on my feelings about Carrigeen Castle. I usually return to places because of exceptional service. I stayed at Carrigeen because I was interested in the building. Although Peig Butler was gracious enough, I certainly wouldn't rate her in the top 50 percentile.

I've never been at a B&B in Ireland where I was just given a key and not shown where my room is and I can't remember not being shown the breakfast room. I separate reading or lounge room for guests is not unusual at all so those particular raves are hard to understand.

It is not difficult to find people that have had unpleasant stays at the castle which is not a good sign. Certainly, every business has unhappy customers no matter how hard they try. Still, there are some unusual stories out there about the service there. I wouldn't hestitate to suggest that someone stay at Carrigeen because of the building, but I don't remember anything special about the breakfasts and the service was only fair.

It still seems suspect, the level of excitement about Carrigeen's service. Just my view though.

Bill

davidjay, Can we assume from my detective work that you are located in Cork and have some association with University College Cork?

Afraid you got it wrong there "IrishMann" - you Irish? Thanks for your comments Bill, I see your viewpoint as you see mine, thankfully. But being truely honest, Irish B&B's have not always shown me around the house facilities, unless we passed through en route to the room! Just my experience, am afraid. And while most houses had supurb spacious lounge and dining facilities, I never found a regular B&B home to have 2 lounges - YET - so that's why I raved about that!

My husband and I stayed at Carrigeen Castle last summer (03) and loved it. Much more interesting than many places you could stay, yet priced for people who cannot afford the big castle stays. Great location, walking distance to Cahir Castle and the town. Mrs. Butler's a bit "stiff" shall we say, and they do have their rules (which are not unreasonable, but they are just pretty rigid about them). David was quite nice. I'll add that while in some of the B&Bs we stayed in the hosts were the traditional "friendly" Irish you hear so much about, there were several others (besides Carrigeen) where the hosts were all business. So don't not stay there just because you think you'll be assured super friendliness elsewhere.

I agree with you isabel and my point was that her service, in my view, was not above average, but the building makes it well worth a visit. The reason people come to a forum like this is to find places to stay that are interesting and/or offer great service. Certainly, picking at random would have you ending up with a few duds. That is why I tend to reserve B&Bs in advance rather than waiting until I arrive in town and getting the leftovers.

Bill

Have to agree with Bill (wojazz3) on this one. My wife and I spent two nights at Carrigeen in April of 2001. Definitely enjoyed the stay, but likely would not return unless it was to accommodate traveling companions. We found Mrs. Butler to be very business-like, but friendly enough, for an organized business woman. While not as hospitable as the typical Irish B&B operator, we found her much more pleasant than a comperable stay at an upscale B&B in Stockbridge, Mass, in Oct of that same year.
If you want to do a Castle on the cheap, you can't do much better than either Carrigeen, or Cregg (outside of Galway).
And by the way, that Frommer's $45 Dollar a Day cover was from 1985 or 86.