Stradbally Cottage - Beach style overlooking bay

I must admit that we were very disappointed with this property in Stradbally. The photos online must have been taken some time ago, since most of the furniture was old and care-worn. We could not find a single chair that was not weak and wobbly. The information on the website said that there was a washer and a tumble dryer. When we asked about it, we were told (by text) that there IS no dryer -- just a drying rack to use in the sunroom! The "TV set" was actually the size of a small computer monitor -- not very conducive to watching anything on television. (We had hoped to watch one of the World Cup games.) Also, the stairs to the upstairs bedroom are so narrow that we had a bit of trouble getting our large suitcase up them.

We were expecting a quick "meet and greet" when we arrived. In fact, we never even spoke to the manager. When we advised her in advance that we could not get to the property until an hour later than we had hoped (at 7 pm), we were told (by text) that she could not meet us, even though the website said we would be met if we arrived before 9 pm. However, we never even laid eyes on the manager; nor did she contact us by telephone. She did, however, manage to text us tersely on the morning of our departure that we had to be out by 10:30 am, because new renters were expected later that day. When we realized that the quote we received for our three night stay was only 60% of the total price -- the other 40% was various fees (an administrative fee, a credit card fee, a service fee, and a "Dingle Concierge Fee" (whatever that is) -- we were doubly disconcerted that we had no personal contact with the manager.

Of course, there are some good things about this rental property. The beds we used were very comfortable, the sunroom is a great place to relax, and the view (although it is across a busy street from the house) is lovely. The location is good for touring the area and the house could easily sleep 8 or more people.

Perhaps this house is suitable for some tourists, but most Americans would be quite disappointed with it. The furnishings are more like those you might find in an old "camp" than those in a beach style cottage. We would strongly suggest that the owner consider upgrading both the furnishings and the appliances, if he is interested in attracting Amereican tourists.

Good location for surfing, walking and outdoor pursuits. Some great pubs and places to eat in the vicinity. Enjoyed ourselves!

Stradbally Cottage is well-located and offers glorious views. There is easy access to the gorgeous Dingle Peninsula. We were somewhat disappointed with the property, specifically with the level of comfort and quality of furnishings/facilities. We would describe the property as mostly adequate with fairly basic facilities/furniture. We recognise that our views differ from those of many who have stayed here, but we would suggest that anyone booking checks out the position with regards to the quality of beds, sofas, bed linen, availability of hanging space/wardrobes, provision of curtains in some bedrooms (especially when the daylight hours are long), stocks in the kitchen and general standard of decor. We also experienced two leaks whilst staying at the house. We raised our concerns with the manager/owner who responded constructively and we are grateful for her reply.

A wonderful place to stay. The view are gorgeous and it's so peaceful. There's loads to do nearby too - we went horse riding and paddle boarding. There are great local walks, both on the beach and over the hills.

The house is lovely. It's beautifully decorated with really nice furnishings. There's a lovely cosy fire in the sitting room.

I loved this cottage. It is beautifully designed with lots of intricate details and ideal for a group of friends or a family and yet is laid out in such a way to still be cosy if you are just a couple. The wood burring stove is difficult to leave but if you do manage it you are within minutes of stunning beaches and awe inspiring vedant green hills. It's a winner and I can't wait to go back.