ACCOMMODATION

Northern Ireland Tourist Board Approved

Large Conservatory

Living Room

4 Bedrooms: 2 double and 2 twin

Downstairs bathroom with bath, shower, WC and basin

Upstairs bathroom with WC and basin

Oil fired central heating 

Kitchen with full amenities including: gas cooker with grill, fridge with freezer compartment, microwave, coffee maker and grinder, toaster, dishwasher, iron/ironing board (washing machine and tumble-drier in the conservatory)

Wooden cot and/or portable cot; playpen and push-chair (if required)

Built in the traditional Irish cottage style in 1906 by the Curley family, the house is newly restored with traditional materials and modern usage in mind. The cottage itself was originally 9m x 5m and in a delapidated state. It was then extended to include a two-storey extension at the rear and a large, 25 sq.m. conservatory. The downstairs is floored with reclaimed wooden flooring (except for the downstairs double bedroom which is carpeted); the conservatory has been floored with the original roof joists taken when the roof was replaced.  The panoramic views in every direction are fantastic. 

The original stone has been left exposed in places inside the cottage. It is situated on an elevated site with fields in every direction and no direct neighbours. It is extremely quiet here, with only the odd car or tractor going up and down the road. The peaceful gardens offer views over the hills, fields and villages towards the Sperrins in the east; looking west, you may glimpse Mount Errigal in north Donegal on a clear day. To the side a raised wall full of plants and flowers add interest. We have constructed our own seating areas with the largest stones found in the garden. There are some 40 trees, mostly pine, but many of which were planted by us about 10 years ago. There is also a wildflower meadow beyond the trees and which has in the past bloomed spectacularly.  

There is a traditional stone wall to the front of the property, built by Francie Carr, a Donegal man from Glenties. The stones were reclaimed when the old cow-byre at the front of the house was demolished. There is ample parking for at least four vehicles to the side of the cottage; outside lighting comes on automatically at dusk but can be turned off if so desired.

The cottage sleeps eight in two double bedrooms and two bedrooms with two single beds each. There is a downstairs bathroom with a power shower, enamel bath, wash-hand basin and toilet. Upstairs there is a small toilet with wash-hand basin.

There is oil-fired central heating throughout the cottage. The hot water system also runs off the boiler. The water is heated extremely quickly in a pressurised tank. Windows are double-glazed throughout; some are tilt-and-turn. There is a security system in the house.

The reclaimed front door came from Enniskillen police station and is bullet-proof! The older doors around the house were found in an old barn in the grounds of a Masonic lodge in Castlederg and were restored. The back door is a half-door, so both halves can be closed or opened independently.

The living room, which has a large, wood-burning stove, is comfortably furnished. There is also a television and a bookshelf full of all kinds of books for every age. There are also board games. The kitchen has ample crockery, cutlery, glass-ware, pots and pans and kitchen utensils as well as a dining table and four chairs.

The conservatory off the kitchen is fantastic on a warm, sunny day, and temperatures will soon reach a comfortable level and even on a cloudy day you will find it warmer than the rest of the cottage. We leave the door to the kitchen open to allow the warm air to circulate around the house. The conservatory is amply furnished to relax and eat a meal in. There is a dining table and seating for six as well as two settees, an armchair and a wicker chaise longue). The washing machine and condenser tumble-drier are also in the conservatory. There is a hi-fi system with radio and CD player. Outside, you will find a barbecue area, accessed from the rear conservatory door, with a stainless steel table.

The stairs to the first floor are made from the reclaimed wooden boards which once lined the interior walls of lifts in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Upstairs, the bedrooms are all comfortably furnished. There is a twin-bedroom at the rear, overlooking the back garden and another to the front, above the living room. In the front double bedroom, the old stonework has been left exposed. All the beds have feather pillows and feather duvets. Blankets and extra bedlinen are also supplied, as well as towels (bath- and hand-towels) and drying up cloths.

Changeover day is usually Saturday, but we will try to accommodate different arrival days if we can. If your flight is a late one, we can arrange to have your shopping needs met.

About the owners
We are from near Moira, Co. Armagh, but both of us grew up in Tyrone. When the opportunity arose in 1998 to buy the cottage from a second cousin, we took it! As for the structure itself, we thought a bit of repair, a bit of modernisation and a slap of paint and that would be it. Now, with the interior totally gutted and rebuilt, the stone walls restored, roof replaced, all mod-cons added, we find ourselves with our own modest 'grand design'. With wonderful views in every direction, total peace and quiet, good local walks this really is the ideal get-away-from-it-all spot.