Hello and welcome to a quick look at 'Druid Cottage'. I'm your host Stephanie Gahan who was born in Dublin and have luckily done my share of over seas travel before moving to Clare in 1978 for the "good life", immersing myself in textiles, rearing my family and then enjoyed returning to education as a mature student at LSA&D Limerick. I'm still into the arts and textiles. I still enjoy travel when possible and always like meeting people. With my experience I have a sense of what people need while studying, traveling, enjoying a holiday or just in need of a good rest. I live and work beside the cottage, designing and making landscape inspired knitwear.
Druid cottage is a unique self catering, open plan cottage, in a quiet rural area which creates an ideal place for Digital Nomads, PHD students, writers, musicians and LGBTQIA guests are welcome. The cottage is an ideal hub from where you can holiday, visit the sites and for anybody who just wants to focus on work for a few days, weeks or just have a rest.
Loan travelers have the comfort of knowing that they are not totally alone on this beautiful and peaceful hillside and their privacy is very much respected, I only come in when invited and happy to chat when we meet in the yard. My aim is to create a relaxed, warm and comfortable home away from home where artistic people can work in the quiet, sometimes noisy countryside while also seeing the sights and enjoying time in nature.
There is also the well-known Literary site of Coole Park, which was a haven for famous authors such as Yeats, Synge and George Bernard Shaw. The home of William Butler Yeats is also nearby at Thoor Ballylee, Co Galway. It is also possible to meet with today's writers such as Eddie Lenihan who you are most likely to accidentally find in one of the many book shops in the local town of Ennis.
In the 1800's the Cottage was a thatched, stone walled one room cottage with loft bedrooms for family and animals. Later when another larger cottage was built it became a house for animals only and a milking parlor. Today after yet another conversion it is a dwelling for humans again and with it's original thick set stone walls it creates a comfortable and charming holiday cottage hidden among the soft rolling hills of East Clare.
We are exactly half way between the villages of Tulla and Feakle in the town-land (area or region) of Glendree, which means either Glen of Druids, Glen of Magic or Glen of Kings! Choose the one which suits you best!
Today DRUID COTTAGE is a peaceful and relaxing place where you can breath clean air, drink fresh spring water, enjoy scenic walks, traditional music and 'Craic' in the pubs, horse riding, fishing, kayaking and much more. In this diverse locality of friendly farmers, artists, musicians and small family run businesses such as a micro brewery, artists galleries, home grown organic vegetables and eggs, yogurt, milk and cheese from happy chickens and animals.
Described as rustic but comfortable or a home from home space. It's cosy and quiet creating an ideal space for all, from holiday makers to those who want to focus on work or both. In order to clear your mind and energise your body we are in an area which is a maze of walks, megalithic sites, lakes, traditional music, golfing, fishing, visitor centers, clean air and water from our own spring well.
It is a TV free zone but relax with radio and a free broadband internet connection,
Cat lovers will enjoy Smudge the live on site cat, she will welcome you with open arms but feel free to choose not to entertain her, she's OK with that too.
A CAR IS ESSENTIAL.
Have a look at link below of a small video that one of my first guests made on her stay some years ago, the cottage has had some additions and decoration since. I must make another updated version!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwIYB1qtJE8
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