Man of Aran Cottage
Inishmor
Aran Islands
Co. Galway

Maura and Joe Wolfe

Tel: 099 61301
Fax: 099 61324
E-mail: manofaran@eircom.net

Maura and Joe are so relaxed and friendly, people visibly unwind as they stoop through the low front door of Man of Arran Cottage. A visiting US senator was so moved by the welcome, he sent back an official certificate praising their contribution to Irish-American relations. The house was built in the 1930s for the interior shots of Robert Flaherty's documentary film on the islands, Man ofAran. It is right by the sea, surrounded by wild roses, gentian, maidenhair fern and saxifrage. All their food is home-spun and Joe is an enthusiastic organic gardener, not afraid to use what nature provides. His salad was a riot of colour with nasturtium flowers, pansies, even young nettle leaves. "It's the only artistic inclination I have," he says. Maura cooks the hot stuff; delicious soups, stews, home-made cakes. Thick, white-painted stone walls enclose thrcc small rooms with lots of character and the restaurant. The Aran Islands get very popular in summer so it is best to visit on a wild winter's day or better still, in the spring or autumn. This is the perfect little hideaway. Go there and write your first novel. They let the whole place out in winter.

Rooms: 3: 1 twin, I double, sharing bathroom; I double with private shower. Price: IRL22-IRL25 p.p. Sing. supp. IRL7, in high season. Breakfast: Included - full Irish. Meals: Dinner IRL17. Lunch from IM2, 12.30pm-3pm. Packed lunch available. Closed: November- February.

How to get there: From Galway, take the Spiddal Road to Rossaveen. Take a ferry and hire a mini-bus or bike on arrival.