ballyferriter, suantra cottages review

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Average Ratings

Accommodation	10/10
Customer Service	10/10
Resort	10/10
Food	8/10
Location	10/10
Value for Money	10/10
Overall rating	10/10

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By swim29 on 1st Feb 2007

swim29's Ratings

Date of stay	New Year 2006/7
Board Basis	Self catering
Tour Operator	Not supplied
Accommodation	10/10
Customer Service	10/10
Food	8/10
Resort	10/10
Location	10/10
Value for money	10/10
Overall value	10/10
swim29's recommendation

Good Points

The view is amazing! The locals are very friendly. The pubs are great and the Guinness is superb.

Bad Points

You will find it difficult to get here on public transport.

General Comments

It's New Year's Eve as we creep across the wind swept mountains of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland in our small rental car. With the dual carriage way long behind us, the road narrows as the scenery opens up to provide the dramatic setting of mountains, sky and sea. Passing through Dingle (An Daingean, as it's now known) we weave our way along the final stage of the journey to our destination in the far western corner of the Peninsula.

Living in Dublin since 2000, I've visited An Gaeltacht (native Irish speaking) areas of Dunquin (D n Chaoin) and Ballyferriter (Baile an Fheirt araigh) regularly, bringing friends and family to share in this unique experience.

Suantra Cottages are three dwellings nestled together on a mountain side with stunning views of the ravaged Kerry coast line. Set halfway between Ballyferriter and Dunquin, the cottages offer cosy, clean, good value accommodation with heating, showers, cooking and washing facilities. Each Cottage sleeping five or six people comfortably. Philomena O'Connor (the Proprietor) keeps the cottages very clean and well maintained. For those preferring more luxury accommodation, the family also rents a beautiful converted traditional stone house just down the road.

The area offers something for everyone, invigorating coastal and mountain walks, surf and fishing beaches, local craft centres, historical sites, trips over to the Blasket Islands (weather permitting), fantastic local pubs and restaurants and even the chance to bump into an All Ireland Medal winner or two.

Whilst this part of Ireland is very picturesque on a sunny summer's day, it can also be quite busy, by Kerry standards. A visit outside the main tourist season can offer a more pleasurable experience. There are no queues, less traffic, a chance to talk to some of the locals, and to witness nature's dramatic elements at work during the wintry months. These lovely cottages offer fine protection against the wind and rain rattling the windows and you can enjoy the romance of the peat fire crackling and spitting in protest. Two minutes walk away you can view the giant Atlantic waves as they surge onto the beach at Clougher Strand, itself set against the dark silhouette of the island known as The Dead Man.

Ballyferriter is a five minute drive away, a small community providing food, supplies and hospitality all year round.

Our destination for New Year's Eve celebrations was one of the five bars in Ballyferriter (first on the left as you enter the village from Suantra Cottages). When we arrived the place was buzzing; men, women, boys and girls of all ages laughing and chatting; in a collective state of merriment or having 'The Craic' as it's more commonly known. Out the back they had music on, Traditional musicians normally, but tonight there was a disco so we drank and danced the night away with the locals and loved every minute of it. The night seemed to fly by and before we knew it we were climbing into the back of a cab to head back to the sanctuary of our cosy cottage.

Suantra Cottages, Ballyferriter provide a wonderful base for exploring and enjoying this spectacular corner of Ireland. We will certainly be back again soon!

Total Respect: +1