I am planning a trip with my mother-in-law who is turning 85 in September. I was thinking about renting a cottage for a week in the Southwest part of the country. That way we would have a base of operation and could do day trips. AND if she was tired, we could just stay there for the day and read. I have seen some cottages that are all inclusive and they seem like a good deal but would like to hear from someone who has stayed at one.

We would be in the Southwest of Ireland. I did not make that clear.

We have always had satisfaction from English Country Cottages
http://www.english-country-cottages.co.uk/
The site is very good and gives you a virtual tour of some of the cottages.
A good tip is to go for a cottage that says no children or pets.
The cottages usually have well equipped kitchens and linen is usually included.
If you click on a property, it will tell you what is included.

Whoops, I didn't notice the Irish bit.
English Country Cottages has a link to
Irish Country Cottages
http://tinyurl.com/237ldx
I have never used them and so can't vouch for them

We rented a cottage through gulliver.ie, which is a branch of the tourism office, I believe. You put in your dates, place and needs for bedrooms, etc. They send you back a group of choices with pictures.

I would recommend finding something close to town or even in town so that if your mom wanted to rest after a morning out, you could run her "home" and do some more on your own.

Dingle, Kenmare, Killarney, Tralee are all possibilities.

PS. My father is 86 and would kick and scream about the title "elderly". He still sets a physical and mental pace that would leave many much younger people gasping for breath. His mother who died at 105 said, "you're not old till you're 96." She was bright as a tack up to the end and reasonably mobile, but felt 96 was when she started slowing down (after a broken hip).

Hi L,

A few tips on traveling with senior senior citizens.

They get tired, but don't admit to it.

Take relatively frequent breaks to sit and rest (cafe, park bench) if you plan on doing a lot of walking.

Stay hydrated.

Never pass a chance to go to the toilet.

Plan time for late afternoon naps.

This will help avoid tiring MIL out so much that you have to stay home for a day.

Enjoy your visit.

thanks for the links. Has anyone stayed at a cottage for a week?

We stayed at a cottage in Dunquin. It was a half hour ride to Dingle. We went out to the Blaskets one day, to Blennerville windmill and rode tiny train 2 miles to Tralee, drove the ring of Kerry, spent a day in Killarney where we took a tour on a jaunting cart, explored Dingle, went over the Connor pass to Castlegregory, Explored the dingle peninsula (Galarus Oratory, beaches, etc., visited the Blasket center.

We rented through www.gulliver.ie, as I mentioned before.

The cottage had three bedrooms (three of us), one bath with shower only, and had a lot of quirks, but it was clean and we had a wonderful view of the sea with the Great Blasket in view.

Check out gulliver.

Thanks for your help. I'll check it out.

I have stayed in many cottages over the years. Killarney or Kenmare might suit you. Try the following for your search

http://www.selfcatering-ireland.com/
http://www.irishcottageholidays.com/
http://www.dreamireland.com/home/index.php

I think you have a good idea of self-catering. Most rent from Sat to Sat. Plan accordingly.