Hello,<BR><BR>We are planning a trip to Ireland in September 2003 for 4 adults. Would prefer cottage centrally located for day trips of southern Ireland, perhaps in County Cork. Does anyone have a recommendation of cottages or of websites for cottage rentals? Thanks in advance.

You'll find lots of 'self-catering' listings on the Irish Tourist Board site: www.ireland.travel.ie

Shannon:<BR><BR>I had taken my In-Laws to Ireland one season and thought that it might be better to have a &quot;Home Base&quot; insead of the BnB route, although I believe that the BnB way is still the way to see Ireland!<BR>They appreciated the fact that no matter what ritual I put them thru on the daily drives, they had that comfort feeling knowing they were going back to a now familiar home at night!<BR>I had found this wonderful home on the internet in West Cork (Near Clonakility) that was very modern and had wonderful views of the Irish sea! The price was very reasonable! <BR>The only drawback was that it put the burden on the driver (me!) to try and reach as many scenic spots and still make it back to the home at night!<BR>But if you want the IP address I can look it up for you!<BR>JOHN<BR>

A friend highly recommends Croghmore - a thatched cottage in Mitchelstown. This is her recommendation from VirtualTourist.com:<BR>by oma14<BR> <BR><BR>Description: CROUGHMORE (CROCK MORE)THATCHED COTTAGE IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY LIAM AND ANN MOHER...BUILT IN 1864 BY LIAM'S ANCESTORS....ANN IS SO SWEET AND BUBBLY AND HAS LOTS OF GREAT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SITES TO VISIT...LIAM IS A TERRIFIC GUY AND HAS A GREAT KNOWLEDGE OF IRELAND AND IT'S HISTORY...IF YOU WANT THE EXPERIENCE OF STAYING IN AN AUTHENTIC IRISH THATCHED COTTAGE YOU MUST BOOK A WEEK AT CROUGHMORE ....YOU WON'T BE SORRY, I PROMISE THE STAY AT CROUGHMORE IS &pound;150 FOR A WEEK, PLUS ELECTRIC AND GAS USED...THERE WERE THREE OF US AND IT COST US ABOUT $78 EACH FOR A WEEK (YES ONLY $78 EACH, AMERICAN MONEY)INCLUDING THE ELECTRIC AND GAS...CAN'T FIND CHEAPER LODGING THAN THIS AND IT IS TOOOOOO WONDERFUL IN ATMOSPHERE!<BR>Unique Qualities: THE PRICE IS GREAT AND THE COTTAGE IS SO YESTERYEAR YOU WILL THINK YOU HAVE GONE BACK TO THE OLDEN DAYS OF IRELAND....AND YOU CAN SEE THE GALTEE MOUNTAINS FROM THE KITCHEN, DINING ROOM, LIVING ROOM, AND ONE OF THE BEDROOMS...IT IS WONDERFUL!<BR>Address: MITCHELSTOWN, COUNTY CORK<BR>Other Contact: TELEPHONE: 353 (0)2524030 EMAIL: <BR>

Thanks everyone for your responses so far. John, yes, would love the IP address of the home where you stayed if possible. Happy New Year.

Have you checked out Irish Vacation Rental http://www.irishvacationrental.com<BR>or <BR>Harveys Dock Holiday Apartments<BR>http://www.harveysdock.com

Hi Shannon:<BR><BR>I had tried a direct reply but the email address was rejected. My email is also not active, but it was what I was using for posting.<BR>The cottage in West Cork:<BR>http://www1.minn.net/~rr5106/cottage.html<BR>The owners live down the path from the cottage and will only intrude if you ask them! The owners daughter lives in Minnesota (not sure if you live in the USA) and you can make arrangements with her as well. The web site has great links for the area<BR>Let me know if you need any more info!<BR>JOHN

Hi,<BR>If you want a really fabulous cottage in West Cork try Fortview House in Goleen - www.westcorkweb.ie, click accommodation and you will see the B+B. they have a self-catering cottage which is wonderful. The area- Goleen/Toormore- is a little remote but if you want to get away from it all it's great. Also, if you fancy something more to the West try Portmagee seaside cottages, or Valencia island cottages. i haven't got specific web addresses for these, but they should come up on a google.ie search..<BR>Have a nice holiday<BR>Kat